Drax240z

The rocking you experience can be a few different things. Likely it is either poor struts or worn bushings. The struts are easy enough to check, push down on each corner of the car one at a time and notice how many times the car "bounces". With good struts there should be almost no bounce at all, with really bad ones I've seen up to 4 rebounds. Bushings aren't quite so easy to check, but a good way to do it is visually. Check the rubber suspension bushings, specifically the sway bar end links and frame mounts for rips, tears and overall condition. I'd recommend getting a urethane bushing kit for your car anyway. Even if your rubber mounts are in good condition you'll notice how much the urethane kit stiffens up the chassis. One other thing you might want to do after all this is get a shop to check your alignment. (recommended after replacing bushings) The tires/wheels seem to be somewhat surrounded by myth. Larger rims isn't a huge change in handling, though the rice boy fad etc seems to have made this myth into even more. Yes you'll get a gain with bigger rims and smaller sidewalls, but from the sounds of it you can find more effective ways to spend your money on upgrading. If you can, do both! ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Lets see. P90 head and P90a heads are stamped that way between #1 and #2 I am 99% sure. Cam: I'd recommend stock. Could always call a cam company and see what they recommend. Intake: use the turbo intakes as I believe they have larger diameter intake runners. Oil return line: get a turbo pan if you can for cheap. If not just cut a hole in the side of the NA pan and weld a piece of pipe onto it. I think the pans are all the same size, but check out simon degroots setup to see a good idea how to make it large. (http://www.zbuild.net) ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Some guy at zcar.com actually did the comparison, you can see it here: http://www.zcar.com/forums/read.php?f=1&i=147045&t=147045 Again, who knows if his webers were jetted correctly for max power, and what the change of fuel economy is (if any) between the setups. This is on a pretty built up L28 to be making 200+hp at the wheels. Just thought it was pretty interesting to actually see hard data comparing the 2 setups. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Hey John, glad you made it here. I didn't realize until just now that you were here at all. Welcome. Richard ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Cheap. Much cheaper than a new engine that is for sure. I have a tranny that I'd let go for under $100 here. But I won't ship it. I am sure you can find a similar deal closer to home. All you really need is the clutch pedal assembly, master cylinder, transmission, flywheel and clutch. Maybe a driveshaft off a MT car too... Its not a small project, but its not something that you couldn't knock off in a weekend. A warning though, most 5 spds are mated with a different rear end ratio than the autos have, so you would likely want to change that too. There is no reason why you couldn't do the tranny one weekend and the diff the next though. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Sorry, I can't really guess horsepower numbers for you. I have a suggestion however. If you are going to open up the intake and exhaust of the car like this, you'd likely benefit greatly from a performance cam as well. I'd recommend the 240sx throttle body, do a little smoothing to make sure it blends nicely with the intake. As far as the AFM goes, I'd check out either a zxt AFM, or if you want something even bigger fo with a early 80's BMW 530i AFM. Basically you use the case of the bigger AFM and swap in the guts from your afm. Along with these mods you are likely going to have to do something with the amount of fuel being delivered. Running a few more PSI of fuel pressure might be necessary, or larger injectors. Weren't all 81's automatics? Or was that just the 81 turbos? Anyway, before messing with the engine for inproving off the line speed, I'd get a 3.90:1 rear end and a 5 spd manual. Not many people really hop up a injected L28, but I don't really see why not. It can be done. Its probably worth while to read up on bosch fuel injection systems a bit however. (they are dead simple) Good luck. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Remember Mike that $1150 canadian is about $10 US. Sounds like a sweet deal to me! Seriously, don't forget exchange is around $1.53can = $1US. But it still sounds a bit pricy to me. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Well I'm a little uncertain on this one. The 81-83 intakes all have a ton of crap on them... stuff you don't need if going SDS, etc. So they are going to look really cluttered. The earlier 75-76 manifold I've heard are the desireable ones since they have less stuff on top. BUT, I do recall reading that the intake runners on the turbo intake are 2mm(?) larger each... Its a bit more work, but I am planning on grinding my 82 turbo intake down and getting the holes welded in once I know how many I need. At least I can be sure I have the "best" intake runners then. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Just re-confirming that I am there. Before christmas is out, but january-feb should be ok. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

I threw around thoughts between the E and F systems for a while too before finally deciding on the F. Now I've just looked at their site again and noticed that the F system has gone up in price... $1300 Ouch. I may yet go with the $962 E system. Scottie, are the coilpacks worth the extra $350 in your opinion? ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

My personal opinion is that the P90 with a 2mm headgasket should work nicely. The same setup you have with stock flattops would produce 9.8:1 with a stock headgasket. If in fact the nismo pistons are the same shape as the stock flattops then the P90 and 2mm puts you at 8.0:1. If it turns out the pistons have a slight dish to them, go with a 1mm headgasket. I've read that the turbo block is nice to have, but not necessary. I would say if your goal is 300hp an NA block would be ok, but for 400 or more the added rigidity of the turbo block would be benefitial. Those injectors you have should definately support over 300hp. Just remember that if you decide you want a 400hp engine you need to address the block issue. (and forged pistons, etc) I believe Scottie said he was running around 275-290hp with his L28. I believe it had the stock bottom end. (Scottie?) I'm confident that I can see 300hp with the stock (turbo) bottom end. Worst case scenario is that you blow up/melt your bottom end and have to find an used turbo shortblock somewhere and slap your goodies onto that. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Morgan, if your Nismo pistons are flattops like the stock flattops, and you pop on a P90 head with a stock headgasket, your CR will be around 8.5:1. With a 2mm headgasket, it'll end up at 8.0:1. I too recommend using the P90. I have heard that replacement hydraulic lifters for the P90a are hugely expensive, and I've also heard that they can break apart at sustained high rpms. I can't confirm either from 1st hand knowledge however. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

For those of you looking to redo your suspension with more adjustment I may have found a good reference site. The site has a bunch more stuff like this that the guys made for his car, looks good. http://www.thegrid.net/jonboy/ ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Morgan, I really think that you'd be better served in the grand scheme of things to find yourself a P90 head from the very start. 8.7:1 is getting on the high side, and as I am sure you know, the N42 bowl design isn't anywhere near as good as the P90 design for preventing pinging. I would shoot for ~8.3:1. I think if you use flattops with a P90 head and a 2mm headgasket you are pretty close. As far as SDS goes it is by far the least expensive programmable EFI system out there. From the 3 people I've talked to with it, quality is extremely high. You give up things like data logging and so on when you go with this system over another system, but for me I'd rather save the $1000. (plus the price of a laptop too) For a street driven car I'd go with the SDS for sure. (and I am) If I was track ONLY, I would spring for a more intense system, so I could ponder over datalogs until I was blue in the face and try to figure out where I could pick up every single little bit of power. If your shortblock is in that good of shape, I'd say go for it! Buy a turbo engine and swap what you need. I know you can get a pretty penny for the webers and the prepped N42 as its a desireable combination. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Yes I know that the early 240's and 260's had hand chokes. But as well, the early 70's 240z had hand throttles so that you could set the throttle with the choke while you were warming up the car. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Well, what I was trying to get across was that I didn't want to offend people over at zcar.com and have them coming over here to look for (or make) trouble. IMHO neither site will benefit from being "at war" with the other. I've spent years on zcar.com and I still go there every day. I much prefer what I read here, but maybe that's just me. I don't go to zcar.com to flame people, I go there to learn every last bit I can about datsuns. Personally I like the diversity of knowledge that frequenting both sites gives me. I'm not saying that being on 1 site should exclude the other, anything but! I just think that we would be wise not to furthur the animosity between the two sites. Back to the topic at hand. I think you guys have hit it bang on about the "right" combo. I mean if the guy there is running 45mm webers without using a HOT cam, header, high compression, etc he's really not going to get those huge numbers. Not to mention about a bazillion things that could be wrong. (weak spark, wrong jets, vacuum leak, etc) I wouldn't mind running a hot L28 triple setup in a 240z one day for autocrossing/track... ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Welcome to hybridz.org Dave. Very sweet looking car. I like how you have your page setup too. Its good to see someone recording all costs and posting them as well, so that people can get some idea of what doing the coversion costs. Welcome again. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

I interested, depending on price. (of course) What did Arizona Z car sell them for? ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Hmm, andrew now you have me thinking. I am about 90% sure that the 70's at least had the hand throttle. I know a guy that has a totally stock restoration of a 70, and its got the place for the hand throttle. He was not allowed to put the unit in the car because of safety regulations though. Maybe only the early 70's cars had the hand throttle? I will be talking to this guy this weekend, I'll try to remember to ask him about it. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Sorry Mike, my post was a bit ambiguous. I was more or less referring to Fast Frog's comment that we "might get some response" I welcome positive feedback from anyone! But I fear that its negative that fast frog was referring to. Either way, it does't matter. I must admit I was a bit shocked on how low those numbers were myself, especially running DCOE 45's... But the guy didn't really post a lot of info on his engine itself, so maybe he still has a lot of room for improvement with it. I read a post over on zcar about a guy that seemed to know his car well, and said he's run 12.2 with the L28 (2.8) and triple 45's, which sounded sincere and truthful from him when I read it. Those numbers in a 2500lbs car would mean 276 flywheel hp. Assuming 18% loss, that is still a respectable 226rwhp. This makes me think that the recent 175rwhp engine was not fully tweaked. I think if there is a lesson out of all this, its that the 3.1 route can be benefitial still, but that its a "end of the line" improvement. ie: one that you make after you have allready squeezed out all the power you can from a 2.8. There is no "magic" that occurs by going to 3.1L. (which I know most of you guys know, but it seems that there still are myths surrounding the 3.1L stroker) Not trying to step on any toes. Please don't take it like that. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Well surely from the info I have found around on the 3.1L, in general I have heard it just isn't worth the cash. If you want high performance out of the I-6, stick with 2.8 and spend the $2000 on stroker stuff on headwork. I realize that swapping engines isn't that big a deal (though it snowballs) but I really think the L28 can make that car FAST. Some people want more than just FAST, so we are here. Talked to a guy that has a 240z with a dyno'd 220rwhp, in a 1900lb car. Strictly auctocross. I have little doubt that this car is fast enough for 80% of the Z population. What I am trying to get at, is that a NA L28 isn't a terrible thing, and for most people its enough to keep them happy. Lets let them play in their sandbox (zcar.com) while we play in ours. (I just fear some of them coming over here with bad intentions, and I don't think we need to provoke them) ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

A few other odds and ends: 70 - early 71: 240Z A "240z" c pillar emblem, hand throttle next to choke late 71 - 73: 240Z A "z" c pillar emblem, no hand throttle Also 73's used a different (stronger) bumper mounting system than the 72's. Seems I have a 'late' 72... my last 73 was 127 numbers after it in the same month of production, yet everytime I check, one is a 72 and 1 is a 73. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Woo hoo! Excellent work Morgan. I also do look forwards to seeing the hairy Z. Are you planning on doing a bit of testing on the rear end as well? Also, do you have any plans to experiment with a G nose, headlight covers or other front end mods? It'd would be cool if we could test all this stuff out and actually get some concrete numbers... ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

Lets see. We'll assume your car (which is 2825lbs stock) weights in at about 2900lbs once the conversion is done. Make that 3100lbs with driver. With 270hp the numbers turn out to: 1/4 mile: 13.13@103.81mph. With 360hp: 1/4 mile: 11.93@114.25mph. I believe these equations presume absolutely perfect conditions, your results will likely be a bit slower than this. (due to wheelspin, poor Z aerodynamics, etc) I'd guestimate that you could add on about .5 seconds to get a more realistic number. ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

OK, a little elbow grease and a 6' extension on the breaker bar and mission accomplished. I've pulled apart the ball joints now, and am examining them. The have a chrome finish, no large scuff marks or abrasions. But they do have a "grey" area around them in a ring, it looks like possibly the chrome wore off. Maybe its designed that way, I'm not sure. Can anyone lend some more insight? ------------------ "Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme that which I desire" -Metallica Drax240z 1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way! http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html