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Yep, seen it. I think they call that either 'purple' or 'lavender'. Adam

Wheels NOW SOLD, thanks folks.

Hi Gareth, No mate, will be sticking with the 205 width I think. Suspect that 215/60 will be just that bit too fat in the sidewall, and with the quality of modern treads, I think the 205 will be fine. Lets see how it goes, but that orange car of James goes like stink in a straight line, and around the corners from what i've heard. Don't think i'll need more than that. Cheers Adam.

Actually did something this week i've been wanting to do for over 10yrs, that is bought a set of Panasport Racing 8 spoke wheels for my car. Dimension is 15X7 with zero offset. I bought the track wheels, given they're the only variant now made, but more importantly, they're ONLY 5.5kg a piece, versus the road variant at ~6.5 kg, and say mini-lites or Compomotives at say ~8kg a corner! Know what they say about unsprung weight! Straight silver wheel with polished lip is the colour scheme. Will be running 205/60 series rubber, perhaps Advans or some form of sticky Dunlop / Bridgestones. James is running the exact same wheel and tyre combo, and I'm struggling to find a better looking wheel / tyre combo than this hands down. Interestingly, the green car here also runs the same Panasport, but to my eye, these 16" wheels are just that bit too big. My Charcoal 15" watanabe F8's with Dunlop Formula R tyres are now in the for sale section. So am I right, is this not just the best old school (ex JDM) look?!? (perhaps showing my years these days!) Cheers Adam. p.s oh yeah, wondering why I went for 15"? smaller and lighter, inspired by the other orange car here! Gotta love a good bit of fat old sidewall!

hahaha ! The change is, I FINALLY found a set of 15"X7" panasports! Cheers

Given changes to my project, I am now able to sell my watanabe wheels, including 4X Dunlop Formula R Tyres. Four charcoal Watanabe F8 style wheels with Dunlop semi slick Formula R Tyres; Wheels are 15" by 6.5". If you look at the blue car (my actual wheels and tyres), they sit and fit very well, with no modification to the body or spacers required. Tyres are Dunlop Formula R (semi slick, but road registrable). Fronts 205/50/15, Rears 225/50/15. Tyre life is ~75% remaining. These wheels retail at ~$560 each, and tyres $300 each. Selling wheels with tyres $1200. Location is SYDNEY, but can be freighted (at your cost). PM me for interest. Regards Adam.

What a fantastic thread Graham. Well might i first say well done, and on the money front, I FEEL YOUR PAIN!! Suspect I have made the exact same comments re cost, and the wife and the guilts and all, but as they say; "whatever blows your hair back". My build is near on identical to yours, albeit I have had a massive rust problem along the way (mine's the Brown Hornet). On the Fullriver battery, are you happy with that? I was looking at Odyssey, but note the FR is cheaper. Do you find that its OK for a street car? Love those wheels too, where did you find those? Great to see the thread.. One more thing HOW DOES IT DRIVE ? are you happy, and for God's Sake, can you get us a video of the thing? Many thanks again. Adam.

I'm hunting a set of 15X7 0 offset panasports for my 71 240Z. Similar options are possible, but not a fan of Rota wheels, so pass on these. Any decent options, or if you have the Panasports, would love to hear from you. Regards Adam.

MSA, or Motor Sport Auto in the US is excellent. I'm a fuss pot, and their parts are as good as i've seen. Adam.

Ever wondered why Ferrari's sound so freakishly good !?!? It's the high revving sort stroke, i believe! Nicely put Gav!

Good topic here Gents and one worth discussing given the growing age and collectability of these cars. In other circles, ie Euro cars, having matching numbers is crucial to value, but in Zeds, I do get a sense that matching everything is ultimately less relevant. Having said that, when I made a a decision about doing my car (the Brown Hornet) on this forum, I was advised by James Flett that a 240Z is just that, and the L24 properly tuned is the right choice. Having gone to the lengths I have with the car, I am very very glad I stuck with the L24, which whilst not matching numbers, is the right engine for the car, with the correct period type embellishments, ie carbs, cam, internals and the like. I've heard it said too many times to ignore that a well tuned L24 is worth considering in a 240Z build. The shorter stroke, and balance does make them go well. I did own a hacker 240Z in the 90's and could not believe how fast and capable it was at the time, and that was 100% stock. The Hornet is bored out to 2,5L, has lighter internals and nigh on 10.8:1 CR, that with the tuned length extractors, Isky stage 3 cam and other quick bits should make for an interesting drive. I've absolutely aimed at keeping weight to a minimum, which SHOULD get me a decent grin out of each drive. For me, the L28 or other was never an option. Good discussion point here lads. Adam.

Yes Gareth .. there WILL BE video evidence!! Remember the Hornet has been hibernating under a plastic sheet for about two years, and i've been to see it only once this year. It's like this awesome christmas present just sitting there ready to be unwrapped! On the question of the 3" system, James was pretty clear that the car only needed a 2.5" system, and the two chaps i spoke to at Liverpool and Castle Hill both suggested 2.5" as the biggest needed. At the end of the day, the SWR extractor collector is only 2.5", so making the exhaust any bigger than that would be surplus to requirements. Not to mention, bigger pipes are heavier! I'll be using the car for perhaps the odd track day, and fast (did i write that) Sunday morning fun. I should also mention here that I have a perfect 'as new' rear windscreen with vertical demister in a foam box ready to install in coming months. James' car has this and it looks the goods, just finishes off that old school look perfectly in my view. I need to get another oil catch can too, as i sold the last one I had given it was not deemed good enough for the job. Actually thought a period (1971) Castrol oil can / bottle with a tube coming out the top of it might actually be the right look to go for. Yet another small detail to get resolved. Anyway, thoughts and recommendations are always appreciated. Cheers Adam.

Ditto John Gareth's car is awesome. Gareth, where did you get that oil return tube from? I am looking for that exact tube with the internal coil. Adam.

Great advise Gents, thanks very much. By the look of that, I will ask for PMC and Tig. I know there are certain grades of stainless too, ie the one you can polish and see yourself in (frankly totally unnecessary) and the less glossy one that I will liekly use. Thanks Peter for the photos, yes I am very jealous looking there at those pricesless porsche powered beauties (yes, Ferdinand did the engines!) Will keep you posted, but think i'll get this exhaust fitted in the next month or so. Also going to buy an Odyssey dry cell car battery too .. light weight and importantly sealed for life !! Cheers Adam.

Actually did something about the Hornet this week... Called James Flett at M.I.A Engine Services, who built my engine and asked about the right exhaust to put on the car. He suggested 2.5" straight through. Got on the phone and called Castle Hill Exhaust and then Liverpool Exhaust for two quotes. Circa $800-900 for a mandrel bent 2.5" stainless system from Extractor back, with mid resonator, and rear 'straight through' sports muffler. Not sure, but sounds OK to me from a pricing perspective. Out of interest, they did say the mild steel equivalent would be $400-$450, ie half. Now just on another question Aaron has a 'tig welded' exhaust on his masterpiece, and I have just read Gareth's bit about Tig welded trumpets. Can anyone tell me what is Tig welding, and why would I specifically ask for this? Is it lighter / neater, or just more exxy? Cheers Adam.

Sounds absolutely awesome Gareth, just like all your mods. Suspect you (and I) should go and buy some shares in Shell to help alleviate the pain at the pump! Can't wait to see this car of yours in person, and meet and greet when the opportunity comes about. Perhaps next year on the Thredbo run, but which time I am praying that my car is actually going! Cheers Adam.

Was it something I said? Well done Lurch, thanks for all the help along the way with the Hornet. Adam.

That's the answer I was looking for Buddy ... ie you've gone and got some insane carbs that were period quick bits, that operate just like F Inj. Having said that, (and pardon my ignorance) what does FCR and MCR Flat sides stand for? On this topic, how has the head changed things, can you describe it? Does it give better low down torque, or top end, or is it noticeable throughout the full rev range? How about sound, any change there? Reason for asking was that James Flett did a completely OTT head for me that took a long time, and cost a small fortune. He's a Group Sc racer, and last time I checked he was getting well north of 125hp/litre out of these NA L26's. When is the Dyno test coming? Adam

Hey Gareth, I love your car, as you know but the absence of one mod had got me intrigued. With all the fine detail and performance mods, the bit that I do question is why you are still using those six boke carbs? Please don't yell at me here, but I would have thought some crazy PMC inspired F Inj set up, or the authentic Mikuni's fitted in the early days would have been installed by now? Of course, i'll bet the current setup sounds the best, but is it giving you the best horses? Cheers Adam

got some interesting news ... Bought a new house that as ... um... a SIX car garage in it!! Won't be moving in much before December but suspect that once I do, Nat will be losing his garage filler. On another note, a mate sent his Son over to Nat to look for a job... he saw the Hornet and reported that he absolutely loves the colour. Getting pretty excited now Folks, its only been 4.5 YEARS since I started this thread! Suspect wait will be worth it however. Adam

Hey Gareth Always a fascinating read your thread. Love the way you get all these little quirky quick bits and put them together to make what I still regard as just about the best zed on these forums. I've not been to seen the 'hornet' since before Santy came last year, but I do feel a visit is in order. Have not really seen the forum since about then too, so its great to see what you've been up to. Keep up the good work Fella, its excellent. Adam.

Hey Mossy, Loving your car buddy, and colour schematic too! Here's a few more beauties that I used as inspiration for mine. What was the specific colour name you used? mine is called Mclaren Papaya Orange. Rgds Adam

Thanks William, Appreciate the feedback, and am glad you not only found Nat, but saw the Hornet. Have not personally seen the the car, or been to Gladesville Auto Body Works since about November last year for a bunch of reasons, most notably that three kids under 5 is more work than I expected. I still think it'll be a very cool moment the first time I twist the key in that thing and go for a spin. Thanks again, and best of luck with your project. I can highly recommend Nat. Rgds Adam

Thanks Boys, Gareth, yes I will definitely post a start up video, but I think that will be relatively uneventful as I'll just turn her over I guess. Brabham, have a look at page 28 of my post, as that is where I have the more in depth photos of the headers. Cheers Adam.

Thanks Gents, yes take the point re heat shield. Nat has some heat shielding he took off a modern BMW that we will use under the floor of the car, and for the carby's we'll have to think hard as there is literally no room between carbs and extractors. Notwishtanding, we will make something work. Have heard that the ceramic coating does make a huge positive impact on things. James also said the vented bonnet really helps here too. Just on another note, this is a mates car that i'll taking for a spin tomorrow. 75 2.7 Carrera, aka 73 RS with bumpers!!!