ziceman

1974 260Z that has been used for last 13 years for Ice Racing. This year converted to 302v8 Carb'd stock engine & T5 out of 85 mustang writeoff. Hydraulic clutch conversion and 2.5" dual exhaust. A real blast to drive on the ice in unlimited class. Z-Iceman jfkershaw@telus.net

I am in the final drop the engine in (this will be the fourth in/out to get mounts & headers right). I have tried 6 different headers and finally picked up a set of Flotech shorty headers, not the best quality but the have a slightly different collector angle that made it fit better. I cut off the flanges and welded a short extension tube to allow the exhaust connection under the car (makes it easier to remove). The headers clear the frame rails by 1/4' on each side. I made a new "engine cradle" that bolts to the frame rails and uses the flat truck style motor mounts. This gives me about 1/2" clearance to the firewall. The oilpan hangs about 2/4" below the crossmember (Used the Mustang oilpan with a hump in the middle). Engine goes in tomorrow and should have it fired up tomorrow night. I will try to borrow a digital camera and take some pics. John jkershaw@icrossroads.com

I have picked up the Alternator bracket and pulleys from a 91 bronco and it looks like it will fit for serpentine belt conversion with alternator / water pump only. I will have to drill new holes in the waterpump pulley since the holes don't line up. No big beal. This way the I can get rid of the two V belts one driving the alternator and the other driving the waterpump and A.C comp. I'm doing a 5.0 conversion to my 260Z Ice Racer. If you want to have fun try this in the winter. Ziceman.

Benz V12, I talked to one of my racing buddies last night and he is building a tube frame sports car, the powerplant is the BMW V12, he is using the SDS EFI setup and has built custom headers, adapter for a transaxle setup (he is going mid engine) and dry sump (reduces centre of gravity). He has CNC machine and will turn out the adapter parts required. We were talking about a 240Z conversion (the engine is only 18" wide (60'V) and would fit in Z engine bay easily. The problems are oil pan with front sump and what to use for a transmission. He has fired up one of the engines and says it sounds awsome!

Anyone out there with any info on the stock ZXTurbo automatic transmission. I want to run it without the torque converter and a manual valve body for Ice Racing application. The stock car guys run a GM powerglide with a spool and manual valve body, anyone tried this with a Nissan tranny? John Kershaw Edmonton AB

I have a L28ET Turbo in my 240Z Ice Racer, I am installing an intercooler and BOV's this week. Next I was going tinstall a pressure relief valve to control pressure going to the wastegate controller. Tis releif valve will be set between 7-8psi and will prevent the wastegate actuator from getting a vac. signal until the relief valve opens. Is there a problem using a PRV on the stock L28ET setup? In one of Pete's notes in the archives he said not to use a PRV on a L28ET??? Is this the case? Thanks, Winter is here time to get ready to race.

What did the SDS cost you? Are there any deals to be had out there?

Don't use synthetic for breakin, it's too slippery and the rings won't seat. I use a good brand 10-30 for breakin, run very low boost and vary the engine load. Drop oil after 30 minutes and reload with new filter and regular oil. After breakin add some boost and change to synthetic. Breakin may take 3-5000kms. My L24 engine took two summers to breakin just because I wasn't driving it enough, 1000K first year.

I'm running the 83ZXT engine in my Z Iceracer and have had no trouble with it. If the engine is in good shape and been well looked after then the hydraulic lifters should be OK. A good check would be to see if they were using synthetic oil? You should do a good compression check and leakdown test to ensure the engines are sound, pull the valve cover and check to see how clean the engine is internally. Also if the car has been well maintained they should have service records. Oil must be changed more frequently in a turbo engine than NA engine.

Sounds like a great tool, add me to your potential customer list. jkershaw@icrossroads.com

Hey guys nice thread discussion on LSD. Got a good one for you. I run a 260Z with 83ZXT engine intercooler etc in our local ice racing events. Imagine what happens when you throw a car sideways at 100mph and use the throttle to steer! We use a welded R180 with stock Nissan joints. I an looking at changing to CV joint soon after breaking both axles in the diff. I have been thinking of installing a LSD instead of the welded diff but have been concerned if it would hold up and allow us to throttle steer?

Best to go to the SDS website, they have lots of good info. They have a good tech dept and will give you the maps for programming the ECU. Their website is: www.sdsefi.com Good luck.

Spencer: I can't get your website address to work, please confirm it. Would like details on jig and frame setup. Thanks; John jkershaw@icrossroads.com

Have you fixed your problem yet?

Thanks for the info, the 510 looks real neat, I'll look up a set of RX7 front end peices and see if they'll measure up for a Z!. Any suggestions on other types of stock A Arms that might work?

I have a 260Z that is used for Ice Racing and the front frame rails are beyond repair. I am considering removing the front clip and doing a tube frame front end. Has anyone done this? Suggestions and advice on what to watch out for would be nice. Also considering new cross member with A-Arms & coilovers, has anyone tried this? jkershaw@icrossroads.com