Nissan Fairlady Z432-R replica project

[HS30-H]

Here's a link to a thread I started over on the GT-R Register forum in the UK, covering the ( long term.... ) build of my Fairlady Z432-R replica:

 

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/236658-1969-nissan-s20-twin-cam-engine-rebuild.html

 

Thought some members here might find it of interest. Possibly all the more so seeing as the engine had an extended holiday in Perth, WA (!!!). Maybe it was even the first S20 engine to set foot ( sump ) in Australia? Hopefully it won't be the last, as they are nice things.

 

I started the thread for a couple of reasons. First being that I thought the GT-R Register forum members might find it interesting to see the guts of what was actually the first GT-R engine, and second being that it might give me a bit of a mojo boost and spur me on to actually get the thing finished.

 

Running and driving in 2014? Hmmm, maybe....  :-\

 

Anyway, hope you enjoy.

[mossy]

Awesome Alan, looking forward to the read. So I take this is the S20 that was advertised in autotrader in the 80's?

[George]

Thanks for sharing Alan. I'm sure you'll have a few envious readers.

 

Mind if I share your build on my Facebook page? Will credit back to your build thread obviously.

[HS30-H]

So I take this is the S20 that was advertised in autotrader in the 80's?

 

I would presume it must be, as there can't have been too many of them knocking around...?

 

I don't know much about the Australian part of the story. Only what I was told on this side of the water. But as far as I can piece together the engine was pulled out of a ( crashed ) early production 432 in Japan and exported to Australia as-is. 

[HS30-H]

Mind if I share your build on my Facebook page? Will credit back to your build thread obviously.

 

Sure. Please go ahead.

 

No idea what that will entail, but I guess some of the photos will end up far, far away from their original story! That's the nature of the internet, I guess.

[George]

Sure. Please go ahead.

 

No idea what that will entail, but I guess some of the photos will end up far, far away from their original story! That's the nature of the internet, I guess.

 

Thanks. It'll be just a couple of photos as a teaser to click on your thread for the full story.

[Riceburner]

Awesome    Especially all the detailed information to go along with the pictures!

[44014]

Epic...

[HS30-H]

Thanks. It'll be just a couple of photos as a teaser to click on your thread for the full story.

 

Case in point: I just took a spin through your Facebook page and spotted a link to a post by Jos van der Aart. It's the one with the prototype 'Fairlady Z 160' emblems rear deck shot.

 

The original photo was posted by me ( that's my initials 'ART' on the watermark ) on the classiczcars.com forum back in 2009 I think. We discussed the origin of the photo and the fact that '160' was one of the alternative prototype names for what was eventually to become the '432'. The '160' of course referred to the engine's output of 160ps...

 

But sure enough, all of that original context - as well as the real story - is lost because it's been right-click-and-saved by Jos and posted elsewhere. Then 'Z car expert' Mr Carl Beck comments that it must refer to the 1.6 litre engine ( because '240' refers to 2.4 litres ), which makes me want to laugh and kill myself at the same time.

 

Any chance you can update that with the real story?       

[Mr Camouflage]

"432 cubic inches, holy cow!"  ( chuckles to ones self  ).

 

Click the link if you dont get the joke.

 

 

[gav240z]

I have like a million questions, but I must get some sleep first.

 

I will just ask 1 question first.

 

This steering wheel.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d150309389

 

Is it a 432-R option? I think Ando San's 432-R Replica has it fitted.

 

[HS30-H]

"432 cubic inches, holy cow!"  ( chuckles to ones self  ).

 

Click the link if you dont get the joke.

 

Comedy gold.

 

Hard to speak ill of the dead though. Poor old Fred Jordan. RIP.

[dat2kman]

Just wondering, the West Australian connection, and the importation from Japan,

Maybe the engine was in one of the Z's that Ross Dunkerton used, some were Nissan Australia prepped cars, some were private prepped, for Ross to drive.

Alan Stean may be able  to offer further info.

 

I know Niss Aust did bring in a lot of things, both cars and mechanical components for evaluation over the years.

[Mr Camouflage]

Just wondering, the West Australian connection, and the importation from Japan,

Maybe the engine was in one of the Z's that Ross Dunkerton used, some were Nissan Australia prepped cars, some were private prepped, for Ross to drive.

Alan Stean may be able  to offer further info.

 

I know Niss Aust did bring in a lot of things, both cars and mechanical components for evaluation over the years.

 

The engine was imported by EKW in the 1980s.

 

Alan explained it once here:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-240k-discussion/24937-unusual-kenmeri-qld.html#post209755

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HS30-H]

Maybe the engine was in one of the Z's that Ross Dunkerton used, some were Nissan Australia prepped cars, some were private prepped, for Ross to drive.

 

I don't see any evidence that things were any more complicated than a used engine being brought in from Japan - with many others - as just that. A used 'Z' engine, and a bit of a curio....

 

It was pulled from a crashed car in Japan. They simply cut the wiring loom at the firewall ( I still have the remnants ), gas-axed the exhaust off just after the manifold joint ( I have the end of that too ) and pulled it out. I got the transmission too. The carb air box still had the ( crushed ) base plate attached, but no outer housing. There was crash damage evident on the front right side of the engine ( water pump, pump pulley, oil filter housing, alternator ) and it seems clear to me that economically unrepairable ( at the time ) collision damage was what killed the car it came from. It was sitting around in a used engine yard in Japan and somebody said "I'll have that". Simple as that.

 

Don't see what use a 'PS30' prefixed bodyshell would have been to Ross Dunkerton or indeed anyone else who was racing or rallying in Australia at the time either. I think it's a complete red herring. No point getting into fantasy scenarios about it, in my opinion.   

[HS30-H]

The engine was imported by EKW in the 1980s.

 

Alan explained it once here:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-240k-discussion/24937-unusual-kenmeri-qld.html#post209755

 

Thanks Mr C.  I couldn't remember EKW's name when I was writing all this. Will remember now.

 

Cheers.

[Mr Camouflage]

I have like a million questions, but I must get some sleep first.

 

I will just ask 1 question first.

 

This steering wheel.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d150309389

 

Is it a 432-R option? I think Ando San's 432-R Replica has it fitted.

 

Gav, that's the 48400-E4100 optional wheel.

 

A little info here if you google translate to english.

www.goodness.jp/mach-repro.htm

 

Also some info at the bottom of the page here, but I have no idea what it says:

http://victory50.com/president/president002.html

 

 

 

[HS30-H]

This steering wheel.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d150309389

 

Is it a 432-R option? I think Ando San's 432-R Replica has it fitted.

 

Hi Gav,

I typed out a reply and uploaded some photos in answer to your query. I thought I'd hit 'post' but evidently not. In the meantime Mr C. has answered accurately.

 

That design of steering wheel was originally manufactured by 'Mach' in Japan. This particular model was nicknamed the 'ura Mach' ( 'ura' in this context meaning 'underside' / 'underneath' ) as the 'Mach' logo was stamped / engraved on the bottom of the middle spoke on the underside of the wheel, where you can't see it when it's on the car (!). They are rare and sought after in Japan, as you can see from the Yahoo auction link.

 

They were offered as 'Sports Option' items for a few Nissan models in the late 1960s / early 1970s period, and some of Nissan's works circuit race cars were fitted with them.

 

I've got one ( long story... ) for my 432-R replica project, and I'll post about it in the build thread when I get onto the interior stuff. In the meantime, here's a preview:

 

 

 

 

[NZeder]

Thanks for sharing Alan. Maybe it will boost your mojo to finish it and hopefully that will rub of on me too so I can finish mine. Between the 2 of us we must have the longest running build projects.

[RB26DETT]

Thank you Alan for documenting and sharing to what can only be described as a dream build. Your way of explaining and the detail of the rebuild of the car lets the rest of us live and dream a little

[gav240z]

Thanks for the info on the steering wheel, I'm looking forward to the interior discussion on your 432-R replica. Wondering if you'll be running the seats seen in this video also?

[Mr Camouflage]

Thanks for sharing Alan. Maybe it will boost your mojo to finish it and hopefully that will rub of on me too so I can finish mine. Between the 2 of us we must have the longest running build projects.

 

I dont even remember when I started on my 240Z.

[d3c0y]

Early 2000s when you were on Zdriver.com lol?

[NZeder]

Early 2000s when you were on Zdriver.com lol?

baby...97 is when my went off the road aka when I got my first second zed....you might say I should have just stuck with one then it might be going....yeah right (or a more kiwi saying...yeah....nah.)

[Riceburner]

Allan, I saw 'Option 2' springs and sway bars have been picked for the car. Do you know how the different 'sports options' compare in spring rates and sway bar sizes. Did they specify weather it was a road race, rally, wet style of setup?