260DET

Hmmm, look the same as AU ones which I have a spare set of, 240Z model. What about amber front indicator lights? See pic below.

My S130 is going to get one, at the very least it will help tidy up the airflow around the rear and reduce drag around the rear panel area and bumper bar. Plus it should work in conjunction with a whale tail to exert negative pressure under that. I'd be interested to hear why this should not be done, far as I'm concerned if something is based on valid principles and well designed and executed its a plus. Just a reminder about the S30 in this video, something is working there for it to outrun the competition spec Viper.

Z31 eh, my guess is that you will break stub axles ie those that your wheels bolt to. But why guess, here is your friend http://www.z31.com/

Those 5 speed steel syncro boxes were used in the early 240Z's, obviously not the US ones. From memory they have closer ratios than the later boxes but are not particularly strong, for one thing the gears are narrower. Nothing great about them, later ones are better.

Don't know about the best but here are a couple of 80's standouts. By Real Life and Lindsey Buckingham respectively. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dAUWipG-2g

If I was doing a S30 it would be the same as with my project S130. Transplant an entire front S14 suspension including steering and Xmember, assuming everything measures up OK. It has excellent geometry and there is heaps of aftermarket stuff available. The only problem might be that the S14 has a rear mounted rack which may interfere with an L engine sump.

Terrible fires, never seen them that bad to such an extent in urban areas, hope that everyone comes out as good as possible.

Frank's upgrade is a great way to go, more benefits than just the five stud hubs.

Excellent pics, just shows how much space there is under the stock S130 to fit big wheels, looks good too. Like your mods as well, very sensible and not expensive. Mine is a bit over the top suspension wise but its being built as a retro look time attack car. Thats the excuse anyway

Wheels and tyres, bigger the better. We see lots of questions and comment about wide bodies and fender flares but where are the pics of standard cars with filled out wheel wells? I haven't seen any For my project the guard lips have been rolled, have 9.5 rear and 8.5 front wheels in 17" for the race tyres which should fill it out. Not finished yet but I'm trying

Absolutely agree, I'm still trying to work out an easy lightweight flush rear bumper though. Oh and the rear light setup needs some attention. But other than that......

So no one has used the Fastrax gauge? I'm seriously thinking of getting one.

Yeh I see you said that earlier Gary, thanks. But hard use? Racing speeds as we know greatly accelerate any tendancy to wear.

The front of this is different, the back is an improvement though the bar could be a bit flusher? And if you want to buy it http://cgi.ebay.com.au/280zx-nissan-datsun-one-of-a-kind-208ZX_W0QQitemZ250173768969QQihZ015QQcategoryZ102220QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How are the R4S pads on rotor life? There are plenty of pads around that work well, getting some that are kind to rotors as well is a challenge.

Reviving this topic, the Fastrax camber caster gauge/gage looks like it would do an accurate job, plus there is an optional toe attachment. See it here http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/polpos.htm Anyone used one on the front and rear of a Z? Seems to be good value.

You want BMW's John?

There is paint that will stand up to the heat, when I had a TO3 serviced the turbine housing was painted silver and it was good. But buggered if I know what paint was used

The reason why 'Euro cars' were lumped into one (inferior) group Alan is because I can't think of a single one that came close to the S30 as an all round package. One that was priced somewhere near and was mass produced. Cars like the Lotus Elan, Triumph TR6 and Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV had their good points (I'd happily have all three parked in the garage) but all lacked something compared with the S30. There, I've moved from the general to the specific

Seeing I'm on a Euro car bash, here is a pic of the old 260Z about to pass that Ferrari

I'm with BJ Hines on this, essentially the S30 was a superior design at a budget price. Just as importantly it was reliable, easy to work on and durable, something it is still today and certainly something Euro cars in general were not. Today it can still be made to go fast and on a comparable footing compete with Euro cars originally costing much more. As to the soundness of the basic design, just look at the S30's featured in this forum.

I'd match the dump size to the turbine outlet size, if that is 4" the downstream exhaust can always be reduced back to 3" for clearance purposes.

It looks like the S130 body is made in both left and right hand drive versions, mine is RHD of course and around the firewall area it is not symetrical so making a LHD conversion difficult.

From memory diffusers were 'discovered' when Jaguar had problems with the back of their race car dragging on and off the trailer. They modified the rear underside to improve clearance and promptly went faster on the track. So, give it a go, I'm going to on the 280ZX.

Bloody good thinking John, that is definately the go.