Mike Rowe

Yep all seems good clearance, see photo

Here are some photos of a guys car in Perth with an RB25DET motor and gearbox fitted into a 260Z. The mount looks quite good and very solid. It has only just been done (so not finished yet), but will have mounting points through the floor and the side (look closely at first photo) of the tunnel. If there is enough interest I will ask him to make several if anyone else wants one.

I have some photos of the subaru rack in a 1973 240Z on the standard cross member. I have never successfully been able to input photos on these pages so if I fail, send me an email at mrowe@primehealth.com.au and I will send them back to you Mike

I found a supplier in OZ, A$150 vs A$600 for tomei etc. Thats what I will be getting!

Excuse my ignorance what is a Mk1 Mitac rack? I want to do the power steer conversion as well on my 240Z and I was going to try the subaru rack that KC and Quong have used, but if the Mitac is easier then I will use that. What is it out of?

The R32 halfcut I bought I have now discovered has a cracked block (see my website). Everyone assured me that the sludge in all my water ways wouldnt be from a cracked block, as they were too strong. Well the machine shop where I had it had 2 others with the same problem!! This is in a small suburb in Perth, so wonder how many others are out there? The engine still had the standard pistons and no obvious performance equip on it. Another guy at a parts shop told me he has heard that the original R32 RB26 blocks were good but the later R32 blocks were poor. Mine was a 1990. Now after another block.

Thanks very much for everyones comments. I have decided to use forged pistons & rods. Regards the head gasket - which type are you referring to at US$120 as here I am quoted A$600 which is a lot more than you are quoting.

thanks Matt, for a very full explanation. Much appreciated. How about the steel head gasket - needed or not for 500hp and the odd car day out but no full on consistent racing? regards Mike

anyone who is interested in one way of keeping the dash looking reasonably standard but getting an oil temp guage and a boost guage, check out what I did which is pretty easy and may do the job - yet to be tested, see my website Part 6 Fitting Gauges. Try this link, otherwise my home page link and then go to Part 6 http://myweb.westnet.com.au/mikeval/PDF/Website%20page%207%20gauges.pdf

Hi Matt, thanks as usual for your informative advice. The $'s you are quoting is that US or Aust $'s? The Arias I can get from Tony at JustJap in Aust is that where you get them from or is there somewhere else you can point me to? At $300 more Aust I would go for those if you think they are a better piston. What about the rods, is shotpening enough? And steel head gasket needed or not? They are very expensive here and as I'm only looking at 400-500hp do I really need the steel head gasket? Appreciate your advice Regards Mike Rowe

Hi Jamie, thanks for your response, HKS do make their own pistons I have seen them at a workshop here. The particular place mostly only use the HKS forged pistons as they say they are the best fit and best quality. Given that I only want a max of 400HP at the wheels, which I am told is not a problem, and I'm not going to race the car, I'm loath to spend A$1800 on HKS forged pistons when I can get N1 pistons & rings for A$800. I can get Arias and other makes for about $1300 but I am told they can be a bit rattly etc. What is you experience and how much do the forged pistons & rings cost over your way? Also I was just going to get my rods shotpened ($150), what are your thoughts on that? regards Mike

I am about to rebore my motor and am considering what pistons. The N1 pistons are only A$800 vs HKS at $1800. Has anyone used the N1 pistons and in what way are they different to the standard - eg thicker, stronger material? Can anyone help?

Can anyone tell me if you can get new Datsun 240Z parts in the US? Nothing available in Australia - someone ripped off my bonnet Datsun badge and my boot 240Z badge. I also need a new dash centre - the heater and radio escutcheon - are these available new anywhere?

Sorry guys but this new 240Z I have just bought, I'm not sure what diff it has. I've never seen a R180 vs an R200 so am not sure what I have. The guy I bought it off, said it was a 4.1 ratio. Someone today told me that the 4.1 ratio was not available in a 240Z, and that maybe I had a Skyline diff? The car has got rear discs fitted and I have tried inserting pics without success - thought I had this worked out at last! Shows photo in message when I lanch the message or edit & save it keeps coming up as below?

Stony why the SR20 clutch plate rather than a RB26?