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Thanks guys for all your thoughts and advice. I was up all last night going over my build sheet for the 100th time and I’m going off of my chats with my bud with the Hellcat build in Canada for dimensions and weights, + structural soundness and where he’s had success and failures. He’s a solid year ahead of me. Actually first off. Sorry for all the typos before. Didn’t have my reading glasses last night and was trying to type all this on my iPhone 6” screen. And wasn’t till I checked to see if any replies had come in, that I then saw all my typos. Seems you all got the gist of my message though. But if anyone needs clarification - just ask. As to the guy asking about my work and finances the gent who pegged my user name pretty much nailed it. I own and operate 7 distilleries worldwide and just left London after 6 years there and Monaco / Prague where we have our European offices, plants and fill lines. Brexit killed our ability to trade with the EU plus I had a family health 911 - so pulled the plug there and returned to the USA. We’ll see how long I’ll stay but during the CV19 lockdown after doing my last restoration about 4 yrs ago I was bored outta my skull and tired of sitting on my hand s, so took this project on. I’m 57 and sold my European shares to my business partners there and have more than enough banked to retire and to build a few cars up to my spec. As for asking the fab guys or shops. Ironically that’s the stage I’m currently at before I pull the trigger on a motor. Hence me asking about V12’s here. I’ve narrowed my build/shop list to 4+1 that I’d trust to do a quality Japanese build and all of them have s 3-4 year waitlist and say don’t even bother contacting them to be added to their waitlist (in essence a waitlist for a waitlist) I then acted on a whim and rang Foose’s outfit as he’s not doing much tv anymore and is just doing builds now... (and no I’m not looking to be on TV) but he’s more of an American muscle car guy. And after speaking with his office, His min •starting• rate is $250K. I was hoping to break even once done (the Ferrari motor is $50K. Car rust free was $14K. I’ve already shared my coil over suspension costs. The AMG widen kit IN METAL will be around $35K. And add in paint and labor plus glass as I’m going chromeless custom inserted glass. The Interior will be as new and high end as I can build. = $20K min I’m assuming) The list goes on and on for chassis, trans and rear end plus wheels & tyres etc. I think I’m pushing it at $150K. But should be close to that. A vintage 240Z restored to factory spec (Concorde finish) goes for $120K. And yes the Ferrari motor is totally for show and flash and to be different. I looked at other options last night and I could put a Japanese engine in for under $10K. So we’ll see? I’m just partial to European builds with my new cars. Correction on my comment about the glass slots in the hood - I meant valve covers obviously - not headers. Duh. . As said it was 4am and my eyes were crossing by then and I bailed. I think if the Hellcar works and I go above and beyond that with my engine mounts and braces/frame I should be okay. The beauty of the 240z/260z is they are ass heavy and make brilliant roadsters. My fear is throwing in a heavy V12 will upset that balance so I’ve not ruled out dropping a simple 280Z turbo engine in there. That’ll drop my costs below $100K and makes for a much easier wiring job. Just have to add the O2 sensors and a few other bits. But the I kiss that “wow! Factor goodbye 👋 Can you just imagine popping a 260Z and having a V12 in there? Plus it’s turning >650BHP so I’m certain it’ll scoot once complete. We’ll see? I am gonna check on the M120 and some BMW/Benz/Jag engines if they’re not ancient. Finding Chevy, Ford and Dodge parts and kits here is easy as pie. Finding oddball connections by splicing a “tomato and a peach” together is gonna be a huge challenge (but that’s half the fun!) which is why I’d rather just strip the car bare and use the Ferrari factory harnesses. Right down to the Ignition as that’s unique to the engine itself as well. TBD. (Just thinking out loud here).BTW- Did the OP ever do his build from 18 yrs ago? If so. Which motor did he go with? Oh-As for the guy that straightened me out on the bay sizes. I did say last night that I wasn’t sure but knew the 280ZX was bigger to make room for the turbo. I stopped following Datsun builds after the 260z after seeing the ZX. That’s when California emissions and huge bumper laws came into effect and totally ruined the “Z car” roadster from 69-75 IMO. I think that’s about it? If I’ve missed something or said something incorrect lemme know as I need every bit of advice and education I can get here! cheers. BB . PS: the pic below is the AMG kit I’m having built for the 260z as they’re very similar in shape and body size. The only major difference is the ass end of the AMG drops straight down whereas the z’s go out and over the taillights obviously. I’m also putting a double diffuser on the rear after moving the fuel tank. A new AMG with that widening kit costs $150K. So the way I look at it is I’m just opting to build mine custom.