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6 minute(s) of a 29 minute read
1-7-2010
Got the engine up on the stand and started taking it apart. I also picked up an R200 CLSD out of a Z31 turbo with 100k on it for a good price. I'm piecing together the other necessary parts to install the differential. So far I've spent more money on drivetrain parts than anything else! Never knew just how expensive it would be...
600bhp with a fully built engine and supporting turbo, cooling, fuel, induction and ignition systems. This is a long-term goal; I have no delusions that this will be done any time soon. For right now I am hoping for about 200whp with the stock turbo and fuel system.
3/2/10
Right now I'm just waiting to get some money together to buy ARP head studs, Cometic head gasket, ACT clutch, AZC billet differential mount, and some other odds and ends. Then I need to take care of the wiring conversion, permanently mount the Autometer gauges, reinstall the heater box and dashboard, and get the new drivetrain installed. Last step once that is done is to take care of the fuel system, which I've decided to go with a fuel cell so I'll need to cut out the spare tire well and fab up a cradle. Slowly but surely!
Progress pics:
Drivetrain components: Z32 tranny with Mazworks billet adapter plate, Fidanza short shifter, Fidanza flywheel, Modern Motorsport billet axle adapters, rebuilt and modified Z31 cv axles, Z31 clutch-type LSD, custom-length driveshaft.
Turbo being taken apart to get rebuilt
Engine cleaned up and painted, test fitted AZC aluminum oil pan.
3/26/10
This week I took advantage of the media blaster at the shop I'm "intern" at, and bead-blasted a whole bunch of exterior engine parts:
And since I don't have the budget to powdercoat them all right now (if only I had a crappy oven that I could dedicate!), I dug through my stock of engine paint:
These should come out looking nice!
I also picked up the speedometer pinion gear I need to convert the Z32 transmission from electronic to mechanical speedo:
10/28/11
I really want to keep it but it's tough because haven't had time or money to put towards it. I'm very close to having all the parts for the swap (I only need a clutch, clutch hydraulics, differential mount and mustache bar, 280Z stub axles and some other odds and ends like I/C piping and fuel system stuff), but the rest of the car needs a decent amount of work, too.
Initially I put it up for sale because I saw an all-original, one-owner '73 Z with low original miles on it that I thought I wanted, but the more I think of it, do I really want a car that I can't modify, that takes 10 seconds to do 0-60 instead of 0-100? This is a difficult decision. Clive, I left you my # but I think I'm going to keep everything unless I get an offer I can't refuse. It's not doing any harm sitting in my garage so I guess I can wait.
10/15/12
Well guys, I'm sorry to say it but I sold the Z yesterday. After 2 years of the project stagnating I decided that enough was enough. A lot happened since then; I worked as a sales rep for Audi and got to lease a 2012 S4 for 6 months... Having a brand new car absolutely spoiled it for me, and I decided that it was time to have just one project and one new car. Then the Subaru BRZ was released earlier this year and it's the first new car I've ever really wanted to own! I see it as the closest spiritual successor to the original Z car, much moreso than the overweight 370Z. I figured I had the choice to either spend $30k on the BRZ over 5 years and get the car right away, or spend that same $30k over 5 years restoring the Datsun. No doubt the end result of the Z would be nicer, but I'd have to wait 'til I'm in my 30's, and that's just not cool; I want something I can enjoy now!
I know I haven't been too active on the forums, but I just wanted to thank those who helped me along the way, bid you all farewell and who knows, maybe someday I'll get another one or if Nissan gets off their arses and builds a purer Z, you might see me on here again! If anyone here is on FT86club.com (BRZ/FR-S forum), give me a shout - I'm "Turbowned" over there.
Cheers,
Corey
