HI!... New Member... Some Plans for my 72 240z.... comments appreciated

[Guest CyRuS240z]

Hi, I have gotten a free minimal rust,non-running 1972 240z from one of my coworkers, and with my 1995 240sx not being able to smog come december, i am making plans now to swap in a rb25det, and have it all running before i have to smog my other car, so i have something to drive to work . this will be a very long project, but i believe with me working on it basically every night and every weekend with friends, that i can do it. I have about $9k for this project, and that an rb26 would just take too much money to put in my z , i picked the rb25. I have read different forums and tech pages on doing this, and so far i know that i can use z31 rb20 mounts, custom trans mount, and custom driveshaft. I am planning on getting a gts front clip and using the wiring harness, ecu and all the other parts i can to get it running. Also just to let you know... I am not a young punk kid, I am a mechanic with a couple years experience and 4 ASE's, and also i've been reading up on nissans ever since i've been able to drive.

 

so, does anyone believe i won't be able to do this in a couple months even if i worked my a$$ off? Is $9k enough to make a reliable, quick car? and also i dont know all the specifics( right now) of how to make sure it all fits, and if anyone could point me in the right direction on what exactly i need to do this swap, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[Z-Gad]

Sounds like you have done your research and are on the right path. Sure, it can be done, but there will be little nagging things that you run into, and look out for the "while I am at it" syndrome that many of us succumb to.

Oh, and WELCOME!

[z_cars_rule]

ahh the classic "while your at it" case, this is one to be wary of, i am suffering greatly in my current swap, all i can say is that your figure may sweel a little bit, but it is one of the most accurate guesses i have seen in a while.

[Guest CyRuS240z]

well there will be some small "while im at it" job which will probably new wheels and tires, springs(maybe), new seats, small bodywork and paint, and getting rid of vinyl top.... hopefully nothing is added to this like rust repair, major bodywork, etc

[240Z_Master]

well there will be some small "while im at it" job which will probably new wheels and tires, springs(maybe), new seats, small bodywork and paint, and getting rid of vinyl top.... hopefully nothing is added to this like rust repair, major bodywork, etc

 

Oh man does this sound like me x1000.

"Oh so my crank dampener looks a little un-balanced, while im at it I think I got enough for a new ATI Dampener"

"What's up with this ugly RB25DET intake manifold, all that extra piping!? Hey while im at it GReddy makes an intake plenum"

"Man, my 3.3 Rear end doesn't seem to be geared high enough for the RB25DET, looks like a 4.11 R180 with CV's will have to work while im at it."

"You know going so fast with all that power, I need more stopping power, while im at it I think i'll upgrade to 4 pistons, rear discs, 15/16 Brake MC, and clutch master (since they're right next to each other)"

"While the motor is out, while im at it I might as well change the timing belt, oil pump, water pump, idler pulley, chain tensnioner"

"Oh this clutch might not be good, while im at it a Fidanza flywheel and ACT clutch might be in good terms"

 

I don't know if you've kinda got the point yet, but I have probably spent twice as much as I wanted to, which is all fine and dandy, I say if you do something might as well do it right the first time.

 

Good luck, I hope you know 9K is a lot of money, and expect that to inflate to like 15k. It's really cool to see great guys updating the older technology with soemthing new like the RB series. It seems to be what Nissan was lacking back then, great cars now and then. When we're all done (when our cars are running), we should have an RBZ gathering (with everyone else).

[Z-Monster]

hi everyone. i am a new in tis forum and am loving it. i wish i had dont the same as our trend starter by asking and doing my research in installing a rb25det into a Z because its been 5 months since i started my project and its only now i am reliably ripping the tires off its wheels.....

 

i started this conversion with a 1980 280zx (2+2 of course) droving it in stock form for 3 weeks before finding a r33 gtst as the new heart. 3 weeks after that and after lotsa money spent, hard work, lotsa thinking to make everything look stock, my car was running again!!!! i had refabed the engine mount to fit with the help of a stock nissan s13/a31 engine and tranny mount.

 

the conversion was pretty straight forward with the occassional thought bubble coming up, and lotsa "while i'm at it's"!!!!! since then i have replaced my r200 rear diff for one which doesnt whine, changed 2 sets of tires and have another set of semi slicks waiting for a track day to come round and two clutch sets, a semi race exedy and a full race triple plate ogura for my drift events.

 

as yall can tell i have gone way over my budget. i had built my car as a daily driver at the same time is ever ready for track duty with fully customed suspenssion. i live in malaysia and i have had the pleasure to be the only running 280zx having done this conversion. i know that for a fact as there are very few 280zx's in malaysia and hardly anyone whos willing to do it.

 

as a project car i deem this combination possible bring you lotsa of satisfaction if done right. i say go for it with an open mind and your project will not dissapoint. be prepared to exceed your budget as mine did. i have nothing to regret as i just ran 240kmh last night and it was only pushing 5000rpm on fifth gear. 1/4 mile @ 13.754 on street tires and lotsa wheel spin...

 

anyways i can go one forever as i am estatic in finding this site and having so many who share my passion. keep up the projects and hope i iwll be able to contribute to the site as it has for me.

 

cheers.

 

p.s. meter calibration might be off by a little... lol

[240Z_Master]

Welcome to the forum....

 

There are a lot of cool things down there in Malaysia.... every once in a while I check out zerotohundred.com and there is some really cool stuff down there.

 

Good luck with your new beast!