dat240zg

Man, I'm actually kind of sad that I didn't get in touch with some of the DFW Hybridz crew when I was down there. It was a pretty cool adventure and besides my wife (who recognizes my sicknezz and puts up with me), there was no one to get a hold of to tell. Had to wait till today to share it with you guys Bryan Dat240zg

Well, not to gloat at all, just sharing my excitement....here are the pics of the Scarab setup. Interesting thing is that we have all of his documentation and he basically went through and checked every part, even the Scarab single turbo conversion kit (strange because he had already purchased the twin turbo kit from banks which is listed for the 240Z(!)). One of the most interesting parts for me is the Scarab suspension kit that is here. It includes front and rear swaybars, brand new in the box 4 piston calipers (Sumitomo) for the front, but they're not the SW12's, new rear pads, Koni multi adjustable struts, new coils, a T/C kit and new bushings. Here are the latest pics: Enjoy!

Alright, I'm still sorting through this stuff, but here are 3 pics to start you guys. The first is the truck load of parts (not including all of the new parts in the Z) and the second and third are the Banks Twin Turbo kit. I'll post more of the detailed shots tonight. Gonna go start unloading all of the Scarab parts! Here're the pics: #1 #2 #3 The big billet canister that is in the pic is an optional injection system of some type. Have all the paper work but haven't been able to spend any time understanding it yet. Well, that's all for now! Bryan Dat240zg

Nope, they didn't say, although they did tell us that one other sibling was deceased.....uh, quick pack the truck up and get the heck out of here!!! The 'hawk shell is gone now, so pics will be up this evening. I'll scan in the Scarab papers and the Banks papers for anyone that wants them. Bryan Dat240zg

Once I have a better idea of what is actually here, I'll have a better idea of what I'll sell. The only thing that I do know is that I'm going to be switching from my current Z to the #248 and continuing with the LT1/T56 project in that shell. If you know of someone who's looking for an excellent shape 240 ready for a V8 (with lots of history), let me know. Bryan Dat240zg

I'm waiting on the towing company to take away the Firehawk hulk and then I'll set up my "photo studio" and snap away. Trouble is, now I have to decide which way to go. I don't know how practical a twin turbo V-8 carb setup is for a daily driver, but shnikes! What a commute! Bryan

Yeah, I know..I'm a total heal...OK, I'm over it now! I know that pics are needed, there's literally so much stuff that I can't even get around my garage! BTW, I think that my setup is the same as yours, so I'll probably have a few questions for you. I do have all of the Banks paperwork from '82 that I'll be scanning in. If you want, I'll get them to you somehow... My face is still hurting from smiling like a idiot for hours on end... Bryan Dat240zg

Here's the lowdown: Wednesday I was glancing through the drivetrain ads on Zcar and noticed a V8 setup for sale in the Ft. Worth area. Opened the ad and it stated that what was up for sale was a new Scarab setup, new Banks Twin Turbo setup and #248 (11/69). All for $1500. I was thinking that something must be wrong with it due to the low price, but thought that it would only cost me a phone call. Got on the phone and it was an elderly couple that was selling their sons Z "stuff". Asked her a few questions and after talking with my wife via hand signals, said that we'd take it. Yesterday we headed down to Rendon, TX, pulled into their driveway (after getting lost by a buddhist monastary, but that's another story) and thought oh man, big mistake. The Z was stripped down, 2 flat tires, looked like it was buried a few days before. But, after we got out and looked, the frame rails were perfect, floor pans were perfect,etc. The only rust is on the passenger rear quarter (so if anyone knows where I can get a good one, give me a shout). We then saw the porch, which seriously was about 45 ft. long, and noticed that it was covered in Z parts. At one end, was a new in box, Gale Banks Twin Turbo V8 setup. Right next to it was a complete (down to the Scarab bellhousing) Scarab V8 setup, new in box., In several boxes next to that were brand new Nissan parts, 30 years old, still in their protective papers and boxes! By this time I was woried that I was going to start running around their yard screaming, but somehow I managed to contain myself. What it boiled down to was enough NOS Nissan parts to do a nice restoration, along with the Banks and Scarab setup. Weird thing is this - the guy purchased all of the parts in '82 and never opened the boxes! Both setups are complete down to the hose clamps, etc. All of the invoices, billing pages, factory papers, Scarab paraphenalia is all there. He spent approx. $4k on the Banks setup, and over a grand on the Scarab parts! We loaded everything up in the Titan and couldn't even fit everything. I still haven't inventoried the parts that are stuffed in the Z. Pics will follow - I promise. And I'm not making any of this up! $1500! I'm thinking that this will be about as close to winning the lotto as I'll ever get! Bryan Dat240zg

Alright, can't totally spill the beans, but I just got back from the Ft. Worth area with something that will totally change the direction of the Z project! For me it was the Z equivalent of winning the powerball loto.....I'm still giddy. Pics and details to come tomorrow. BTW, it involves Datsun 240Z #248! I still can't believe it...How the heck am I supposed to go to sleep? Bryan Dat240zg

David: Can you bring the Scarab by? It'd be nice to get some pics of the two setups. Are you gonna be around tomorrow? I'll give you a shout. Bryan

Tim: Do you have any pics of your throttle cable setup? I saved my Firehawk cable and would like to see how you mounted your camaro one. Thanks. Bryan Dat240zg

The pic of the engine bay is the final position, with the mounts down tight. Before I dropped the motor in, I measured twice and clearanced once. I probably widened the tunnel a bit more than I had to, but didn't want to have to take the combo in and out more than once. As it was, the installation instructions were so poor that I had put the actual engine mounts on backwards and had to pull the motor and tranny out, swap the mounts and re-install. As far as the exhaust, I'm a little concerned. I don't have a JTR kitted Z to reference, but it does look tight. Tomorrow I'm going to get in touch with Mike to get some info/measurements on the Sanderson Block huggers. I'll take more detailed pics with a measuring tape for reference tomorrow. I do like the positioning of the motor. From what I can gather it seems like its a happy medium between the JTR setup and the original Scarab placement. I'll try to get DSommers to bring his scarab over to compare. I did have to cut my tranny tunnel for the shifter, as it came out about an inch short of the hole. I'm going to take the shifter to a guy and have him fab an elbow to move the shifter back a bit. As far as the radiator goes, I'm a little torn. I'd really like to go with an aluminum radiator that would allow me to incorporate the SLP oil cooler. But, I'm afraid that that would force me to mount my electric fan pusher style and I'm not certain how that will affect the cooling. Anyways, thanks for the encouraging words. This week should see the gas tank out and getting sumped, the throttle cable setup, the rest of the fuel lines finished and then I'll have to pause as I'm starting a Graduate course next monday. Bryan Dat240zg

Well, just wanted to share the latest pics with you guys. The motor and tranny are both in and no worse for the experience. I'm both impressed and ticked off with the JCI kit. The quality of the mounts was really good. I feel much better about these mounts than I do the JTR mounts, mostly due to the fact that they are in one piece, no plates, etc. That said, the illustrations and directions were crap, and were a big reason for having to pull the motor back out once. Hardest part about the whole swap was having to cut on the Z and beat it with the mini-sledge. I felt like I was beating my wife or something.....I think I've been staring at that car for too long. As far as setback, the motor does sit farther forward, but no so much that it'll affect the performance of the car as I'll use it. I measured the T-56 several times to get an idea of where I was going to have to clearance the tunnel and got it right the first time. Haven't gotten my Sanderson headers yet, so I can't say anything about fitment. But it sure does look tight! It sure was nice to see the see sit level after so many years of no motor. Now to finish all the details! Here are the pics: Motor Prepped and waiting: Going in: It's In! Engine from above: Slave Cylinder Clearance: Engine from front: I will say this, without the information resources here, I would have had a lot of headaches that I was able to avoid. Big thanks to those of you who have done the swap before! Bryan Dat240zg

Now that I'm pic happy, here's the garage in its current state. As of today, the Firehawk is pretty much picked over, and the Z has fuel lines plumbed, etc. Getting exciting! Before: During: Now: uh..haven't had time to take another pic. Bryan

Well, my Johns Cars LT1 kit is finally here. First impressions are a little mixed - mounts look over engineered (to my nonengineer brain), but for paying $695, I expected to get parts that weren't beat to heck. I like the fact that the kit comes with actual mounts and connects to the crossmember, seems like it would be a little more sturdy. John helped out by swapping the T56 mount in for free. Truthfully, I can't tell any difference between it and the JTR mount. I'm going to measure the JCI mount and compare it to the measurements from the JTR book for kicks. I will say this, JTR has the better manual by a long shot! The JCI manual is a few photocopied papers with a drawing that doesn't show up well. Hmm... Anywhoo, here's the pic. I'm finishing up prep work on the Z and the motor and tranny should be going in this weekend! Finally! Bryan Dat240zg

Alright, I think that I'm loosing my mind. I know that just yesterday I was reading a post where someone listed their Speartech "specs" for when they sent their harness to John. I've pulled mine and am trying to make a list of the things that I want him to modify for. Anyone help me with this one? I've searched and searched and can't find the post. Bryan Dat240zg

Hmmm...good word. I think that I'll be heading Speartech way. Thanks for the input. Bryan

Jody: Would you mind taking a pic or two for reference? Are your rails the stock rails? I saw that Aeromotive makes a kit for the LT1 with billet rails. I wonder how much it would cost to make a set of rails from billet stock. Just rambling... Bryan

I'm plumbing the braided fuel lines right now and was thinking of mounting the fpr on the firewall about 6" to the right of the battery box. S&P makes this rear exit fuel line kit for the LT1 and it looks like it would really neaten things up, instead of having fuel lines running up the entire side of the motor. Here's a pic from their catalouge: Anyone have experience or route their fuel lines a different way? Bryan

Bartman: What mufflers are those? I just went to you site to find out and saw the pics of th system that Jon built, but no specs. I love that sound!

Holy Shnikes.....that was awesome! Oh man, talk about inspiration! I gotta get out in the freakin garage and get something done. Sounds great. Bryan Dat240zg

Dale: I saw an old post about you having an S&P harness. What was your experience with them? They're just down the road (basically) and seem to know their stuff... BTW...a little arkansas trivia...Mena (where S&P is located) is supposedly the wacky weed producer/distributor center of the midwest! And I don't know this by experience. For real. Bryan Dat240zg

Do you have any pics of how you mounted your Aeromotive fuel pump? My LT1 swap is progressing and I'm getting ready to plumb the braided lines and mount the pump and aeromotive fpr. Any insights that you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Bryan Dat240zg

Getting to that point now. The JCI kit is on the way, motor and tranny are in the process of leaving the Firehawk and I'm turning my attention to the wiring. Any of you swap vets have an opinion between the two (and I probably need to look more closely at the S&P harness)? I did use the search function but no one has really compared the two that I could find. Seems like the LT1350 harness is less expensive. Is the quality there? Thanks for your help. I know that one of these days there's going to be a question that I can actually answer instead of always mooching off of everyone elses wisdom... Thanks guys. Bryan Dat240zg