zohanisback

On it right now. Thanks!

Bump Also, the high pitched sound comes and goes, but sounds like it's just in back of the transmission. Could a shot U-joint cause that high pitched metallic sound? What about the differential? I already ruled out the serp. belt and clutch. Throw-out bearing still possible.

I know, right? I'm one of those people who want my Z to look both new and original. I don't care if it looks anything like an original Z, I just want to go all out on it.

Totally depends on demand and popular thought in an area. Out west here, $3500 for a SBC V8 is about right, but most have 4 or 5 speeds in them. A three speed definitely detracts from it though.

Lance, thanks! I'll heed the advice. The only other question I have on fiberglassing is what oz to go with? 6-ounce fiberglass seems popular, but there's so many different options. It looks like I'll be doing 6-7 layers in the middle and on the very edge of the dash, taking it down to 5-6 for fitting ease. I've already started mapping out how I want it to look, but (and don't laugh), my goal is to spend whatever amount of time I need to make it look like this: http://www.altspace.com/rx8/radar_dash.jpg OK, gotta go to bed before I'm laughed off the forum.

Frac: Really? I thought the 240sx compartments were more constricted than the Z car compartments. And yet the swap is easier? 0.o Never too late to learn! To both Frac and Jake (heck, to everyone): That's what I was getting at. I have NOTHING against a 240sx, but unless you don't like older style cars, I only see using a 240/260/280 as a plus! But as Daphur said, it's about personal preference. Although I'm not totally with ya on the color scheme, if it's what you like, go for it! You're doing it for you, no one else (especially when they're left in your rubber marks). And yes, I +1 the 260z idea. But since I own one............I'm partial.

Perfect! I'll go ahead and take this direction then. Is it very hard to do custom fiberglass dashes (i.e, making your own backing to change the stock dash shape?) I just want to change angles in the dash, etc.

1974 260z with a 220k transmission 5 speed swap. When I'm driving, a squeal starts when I am lightly accelerating (loud), but less so under hard acceleration. Usually when it's hotter out. The tranny is old, but shifts good. The engine had an overall and has lots of torque (both on decel and accel) and it's very hard to start without the RPMs shooting up as I let off the clutch. Could I have already ruined the clutch or throw out bearing? Exhaust leak? Serp. belt (sounds like it's from the tranny though). Thanks guys!

I'm thinking of going a never tried before route. I want to put in a car computer with double-din touch screen and upgraded looks. An RX7 dash would be amazing. But yeah, modern sporty style is the goal (think corvette/mustang/camaro style modern). I don't mind cutting the dash if the "airbag" on the passenger side isn't cut into and the driver side would fit just fine. I also wouldn't mind going with some custom work, either. But...definitely not aluminum.

Jimmy: Here's some stuff to think about. The first thing I would suggest is doing your research on the cars' original engines. The 240sx and 260z/280z had different engine setups (of course). I personally would choose a 260z (what I own) because of several reasons: 1) It's lighter than the 280z (by 500lbs) and 240sx (by ~400lbs). This means more bang for your buck when it comes to engine mods. 2) The 240sx was used an inline 4 cylinder engine. The 260z and 280z used an inline six. Since an RB engine is an inline six, you're alright starting ahead of the game with engine fitting in a early Z car. 3) The Z cars are classics. This could be a downside if you want something which looks a little more modern, but I'll take what's in the picture below any day over a 240sx. Good luck on you're swap and plans!

Creations: Yeah, I was just trying to show an example of a modern dash. Miles: I just haven't found very many pictures of the installs. I don't mind the 240sx dash swap, but I was hoping for something different. Does anyone know of any other dash swaps with pictures on the web?

Hey guys! I want to modernize my dastun dash to look something more like: http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/protour73/Good%2520Guys%2520Show%25202008/GoodGuysShow045.jpg Does anyone have suggestions on what dashes I should use or modifications I can do with the stock dash? I basically want the dash to tilt back instead of being so vertical (looks older). I've been contemplating this for a long time, just not sure what the best way to pull it off is. Suggestions?

Well that's a pretty useful skill regardless. Yeah, I'll ask them and see what they say. Thanks for all your guys' help!

Here's the one I saw: http://www.carbonfiberhoods.com/cbk-carbon-fiber-oem-cowl-datsun-260z-1974-1974.html Yeah, I would really like a cheaper model. I don't need carbon fiber..... :-/ But that custom molding is awesome! How did you learn to do it? What materials do you use?

The cowl is the cover over the windshield wiper motor, actually. They might have another name for it, I just found this picture: http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/Dats240136.gif So yeah, I thought $400 for just that was kinda expensive. But that mold sounds awesome! Where did you get it? DIY?

LOL, ok, I'm all squared away guys. I'll pick up the stub acles for sure and probably grab the halfshafts, too. They're like an extra $50 at the place I can get these from. So I have the stock R180 that came with the 260z. The car was originally an AT. Here are two sites that have some general info on differential ratios: http://www.geocities.com/inlinestroker/ratio.html http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html I have a few other sites with the ratios on them, too if anyone wants them. So I'm currently running 3.54 gears. If I want even lower ratios (which I do for better MPG and once I get the LS1 in), I need a 1979 280zx 2 seater, manual transmission 4 speed. That will give me a 3.36 ratio. Time to start the hunt people!

Ugg... so my cowl has spots rusted through on it and I can either weld in a new plate and sand it down carefully or buy a new one. I would love a new one not made of metal. Does anyone know of any cowl manufacturers for the 260z? I found a $400 one that's carbon fiber, but I don't want to spend that much? Under $200-$300? Thanks!

Okay, so after some research I think I've figured this one out, lol. The stub shafts go into the diff, the half shafts meet with the wheel, correct? So I'll just grab the parts list that getoffmyinternet suggested and call it good. As a side question, will the R200 maintain a higher speed to RPM ratio than the R180? Has anyone swapped in another spider gear instead to get better fuel economy with the 280zx 5 speed (which I have in the 260z). Thanks for all your guys' help! I do appreciate it!

Precisely why I opened this thread, I've heard it both ways and different stories between the 260z and 240z.. Getoffmyinternet: That says 240z. I have a 260z and I wasn't sure if there were differences in the half shafts between the 240 and 260. So...it sounds like the 240z half shafts are the same as the 260z. I'll go ahead and just get the R200 axles and mustache bar as well and swap them in. LowRider: Did the axles set lower than they did before?

The thread I found on here is great regarding the applications and models the different differentials were used in, but I didn't see one thing: if I'm swapping an R200 into my 260z with an R180, can I reuse the stock axles and drive shaft? Is the R200 long nose and 180 the same length? Not that it's terribly relevant, but I already completed a 5 speed swap into the 260z.