Kclank

Ok the last 3 days have been productive. most of my suspension is done. need to install the front hubs and rotors.

Ok the last 3 days have been productive. most of my suspension is done. need to install the front hubs and rotors.

DOH!!! I had forgotten that since i am not using my original 240z cowl. Thanks for the brain start!!

Just took a few photos and am now thinking this is not a big deal but I still would like comments. For reference the gap is approx. 20mm (5/8"), the tape marks the location of those noted vents..

Question for the Group. I am having a few issues trying to fit the fiberglass cowl section up close to the windshield. Anybody want to share how or if they worried it? This probably does not apply to John Washington's Reaction Research kit (i might be wrong) but more to the Scorpion, Alphabet, McBurnie,Thunder Ranch kits. I am trying to fair in the cowl area tight to the windscreen and leave the windscreen vents open with maybe a 1/8" to 3/16" consistent gap. Do we build up with glass to fill the gap, use soft body filler, use a rubber gasket, bulb seal, ignore it, what?

Wes; the Pantara hatch, as received, is flimsy and warped. I am thinking of modifying it by doing the following: 1. Reinforce the entire hatch to reduce the possibility of bad vibrations that can occur from interior harmonics. 2. Pin the entire hatch with 4 corner dzus type fasteners to enable the entire hatch to be removed when desired. 3. Cut out and make a new "trunk style" opening in the flat center section and hinge that for normal access. Anybody have any suggestions for hatch hinges? I am thinking of some sort of exposed hinges that would either be chromed or powder coated. Yesterday I cutout the intake area, and the "gills", fitted the turn signal lights, trimmed parts to fit to the Z body, I am diverting to remove and test the windshield wiper motor so i do not bury it and have to remove the cowl section in the future when it might be more inconvenient. Today I will be trimming out the upper 3 "d" vents and fitting the headlight hardware. It is nice that the buckets are molded in so it is just a bit of drilling the adjuster holes and fabbing a spring retainer. Still having fun For the engine (RB25DET) I removed the main pulley and fitted timing magnets for the hall sensor.

Good on ya! BFO

Looking great Wes. I decided to get off my rump and get some thing done also. Finished removing all the fuel & brake lines. Then, with the help of a couple of buddies, I test fitted the front and rear sections. Hoping to start assembling the suspension components this week. I also put my Pantera sytle hatch on for a visual effect. I still have not 100% convinced myself of which hatch type I will use.

very cool!

Hey Brother do you still have a copy of your manual? If so I would like. I realize it is an old post. pm me

BFO 1.I was separated from my 350 identical twins at birth so you being one of those is no surprise. Welcome back to the family. 2. Those panels came from Thunder Ranch and are supposedly the 1/4 window close out panels. I have a photo from Thunder Ranch showing the placement (http://s24.photobuck...-DSCN2616-1.jpg) 3. Those hinges also came from Thunder Ranch as part of the original kit.

Yes, it is a bit of hubris.

I forgot to ask. What offset did you use?

Here are a few in process picture of my GTO project. http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c6/OldBull/Datsun-GTO/

It is worse then that. Thunder Ranch, under Tom McBurnie, did not deliver when promised, and kept giving me stories about the changes they are making without giving cred. to my issue., They were slow, almost reluctant, to correct when there were discrepancies with the as received vs. as ordered kit. They are going thru a complete reorganization with a company named Carrera Coachwerks. Records are misplaced, agreements and promises are negated. I have nothing but contempt for my business dealing with this company. I originally placed my order in May, 2012 with a promise, oft repeated, that they would deliver in tree weeks. I still have not received all my parts here in Oct. 2012. If not for the records i had kept and emails i kept i would never have received as much as i have. i expect no service after the sale since the new management knows next to nothing about the GTO and McBurnie is invisible, if he is even still with the company. SO buyer beware!!! To be fair i believe the new management is trying to make it right but it is not high on their "to-be-done" list and if Mcburnie is still around he is hard to get info from. Just my experience, so if others have done better then maybe i am an unusual case. I do hope Carrera Coachwerks is successful and responsive to the needs of the kit car community.

I understand. I have a few more options, as I have 5x114.3 hubs for mine. I found a fair amount of wheels with 7" wide front and 9-9.5 inch wide rears. I also am looking at 16" fronts and 17" rears which opens a few more options. Just have to finigle the offsets.

ok thanks. was thinking of a thinner wheel up front, but it is hard to find off the shelf wheels that have a 6-6.5" front matched with a 8-8.5" rear, even when staggered .

Looks very nice. How heavy does the front steering feel?

For those that have their projects on wheels could you share your chosen wheel and tire sizes?

It looks like I need some guidance on uploading photos to this site. Any help out there or would it be better to use Picassa or Photobucket?

OK I have began my long march on the GTO trail (forgive my typing as i am recovering from a smashed left hand so i type slow, so i can capitalize as required by this forum and have a reach problem for the left shift cap keys), Here is where I am at and where I am hoping to go. Purchased the Thunder Ranch kit. It has been a real trial to get them to complete the order but it is slowly happening (purchased in May) Some small parts yet to be delivered. Starting with a '73 240Z with a small about of rust. Car is now mostly stripped of all rear suspension, 280zxt engine that was in the car is now pulled along with the rest of the drive train. (Engine and BW 5 speed available if anyone is interested and is posted on craigs list) Rear wheel wells opened and are currently being welded to close gaps ans do weld repair. S32 vlsd differential, hub carriers, and axles obtained Shortened coil-over struts and shocks from Techno Toys ) {TT}, include eibach springs and Tokiko cartridges. All new rear and front end suspension components purchased from TT. Shortened outer drive axles modified by TT. New rear brake rotors from 300zx, rebuild calipers from same. New wildwood front rotors and calipers coming from TT. 5 lug hubs all around. Rectangular Corvette taillight lens and corvette light harness obtained. Pantera style aft deck lid in hand and probably would be used. RB25DET engine/trans purchased. SDS EM4-F engine management obtained as part of Datsun acquisition Removed pwr steering and AC pump from motor Obtained a reverse sump oil pan as the RB has a fwd. facing sump. Getting ready to pull harmonic balancer pulley to modify for SDS timing magnets Need to remove a bunch of engine parts to redrill oil dip stick hole. BTW does anyone know of any after market oil level electronic measurement systems available? My Porsche has that and it is extremely cool. Obtained 550 cc injectors and high performance coils (not sure if i am going to modify wiring from SDS to drive stock configuration coils or use SDS coils and run longer spark plug wires - any input on this would be appreciated). I have a new after market intake manifold and 90mm throttle body to allow forward facing intercooler piping instead of routing pipes across the top of the engine, I think this will be easier for normal engine maintenance and allow a cleaner look. Sparco inter-cooler on the shelf New 60psi fuel pump and fuel pressure guage on the parts shelf. After reading what i wrote here i am re-examining my sanity. Anyway pictures will follow soon. My goal is a custom car with strong nods towards the original GTO but with significant visual differences. Sort of a Resto-Mod concept; Engine power goals are a modest mid 300 hundreds since adding any serious turbo boost will require a different turbo. i can probably crank the boost to ,.8 bar (around 10lbs) safely with out destroying the stock turbo. I have been lurking on this forum for the last 6 months and have sucked up lots of great ideas. Your comments and thoughts for this long term project are welcomed and appreciated. BTW I have never attempted anything like this before. Nuts huh?

yo would not have a copy of your map would you? to use as a starting point.

good detailed info. i have lot's to learn about my SDS system but i shall keep the info you sent plus you answered my basic question so i guess you are not a politician (lol), thanks again

ok thanks for the feedback