Project 1973 240z, LS/T56, S14 Suspension, Tube Chassis

[Turbo6.0]

I started with a 1973 240z for the body, LS1 & T56 out of a 2002 Camaro, 240sx (S14) front and rear suspension and will be building a tube chassis to tie it all together.

 

Here is the car the day I got it. Relatively rust free and very complete.

 

 

I decided to build a chassis table out of an I-beam and 3 x 3 square tube. I will also be adding casters to the table at some point.

 

 

After a substantial amount of cutting on the car I mounted it to the table with some simple pinch weld clamps.

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2017 by Turbo6.0

[grannyknot]

Subscribed! This looks like a very promising project, you obviously know what you're doing.

[trackzpeed]

+2. Looking forward to your build.

[AkRev]

Looks like a great start! 

 

Excited to see you get this knocked out. 

[Turbo6.0]

I built an adjustable fixture to hold the 240SX subframe at ride height.

 

 

 

Tires are Nitto NT05 275/40 front and 315/35 rear.

 

 

 

For wheels I went with a set of the American Racing VN477 with reverse barrels and custom offset. 17 x 9.5 up front and 17 x 11 in the rear.

 

  

 

The current plan is to build a set of 911 style flares out of steel and weld them or out of aluminum and rivet them in place.

[1969honda]

Nice, you might look at these flares from ss worx too.

 

http://ssworxs.com/product/datsun_metal_fender_flares_240z_260z/

[rturbo 930]

I don't think I would have had the heart to cut that car up. Nevertheless, it looks like you know what you're doing, and I already like where it's going. Clever little body mounting system you came up with there.

[Turbo6.0]

Nice, you might look at these flares from ss worx too.

 

http://ssworxs.com/product/datsun_metal_fender_flares_240z_260z/

 

Thanks for the link

 

I don't think I would have had the heart to cut that car up. Nevertheless, it looks like you know what you're doing, and I already like where it's going. Clever little body mounting system you came up with there.

 

I will admit that I kind of felt bad cutting up a such a solid car but I got over that quickly! I did save all of the good metal to sell or to use on a future project.

[skyline240z]

Same goes with my project, my 70 Z was mint with NO rust. Wanted to do this project for many years, didn't want to look for another shell and deal with all the rust.

[jt1]

Those are some nice looking wheels.  Did you weigh them?

[Turbo6.0]

Same goes with my project, my 70 Z was mint with NO rust. Wanted to do this project for many years, didn't want to look for another shell and deal with all the rust.

 

That was my reasoning as well and I feel no remorse! Killer build you got going there! Skyline motor?

 

Those are some nice looking wheels.  Did you weigh them?

 

I have not weighed them but they are on the heavy side. I will have to find a scale and post up the weight.

Edited May 6, 2017 by Turbo6.0

[skyline240z]

Got that car 10 years ago for $1500, so didn't feel too bad about it. Yes, it's going to be a RB26 motor .

Edited May 6, 2017 by skyline240z

[skyline240z]

My wheels are forgelines centre locks, 18 x 11 fronts and 18 x 12 rears.

My wheels are forgelines centre locks, 18 x 11 fronts and 18 x 12 rears.

Edited May 6, 2017 by skyline240z

[Turbo6.0]

I started building the front frame rails with 2.5 x 2.5 square tube. I decided to build a new front crossmember to fit the 240SX control arms and a mustang steering rack. I will need to build a new bracket for the alternator to clear the steering rack but everything else seems to fit nicely and the motor sits almost completely behind the front crossmember!

 

 

I also picked up a set of drop spindles.

 

 

[Turbo6.0]

I cut out the rusted rocker panels and installed a new/modified set from Z-car depot. I filled the inside of the new rocker panel with 18 gauge sheet metal to allow it to sit flush against the new 1.5” x 3” rectangular frame rails.

 

 

I finally bought a tube bender! It's a JD squared model 32.

 

 

Now that the perimeter of the frame was in place I started on the trans tunnel using 1.5” DOM tubing.

 

 

 

I tied the trans tunnel to the perimeter rails with more 1.5” DOM.

 

 

The front and rear tubes fit to the underside of the frame rails and will also act as jack points.

 

 

The center tubes are bent so that the end is flush with the bottom of the frame rails.

 

 

 

[Turbo6.0]

Started the rear section of the frame!

 

[rturbo 930]

That's some tidy looking tube frame work.

[jt1]

Indeed.  Your notching, bending, and fitting is top shelf.

[grannyknot]

Damn, that's nice fabrication. I guess you have done a bit of this before?

[SH4DY]

Top notch work! You can tell this isn't your first rodeo.

How do you like that tube bender? The dies being as much as the unit made me look at the "affordable bender" (bottle jack type). Haven't pulled the trigger on either one yet though.

 

Keep up the good work