pjo046 Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 As many know, I am building one mean(I at least hope it will be ) L28ET to put into my 1970 240Z. I intend to get somewhere around 400RWHP. Up until now I have been determined to keep the car as lightweight as possible, to get a car that is as fast as it can possibly be. BUT, I have started thinking... It is going to be a street-cruiser. I want it to be fast as he.. and that is my main goal. But it would be really nice to swap the Sparco Sprint seats I now have from my last Z, for something more comfy like 911 leather seats with power adjusting(Or without, as I guess that bit is quite heavy). It would also be nice with electric windows and power locks. Really good sound-deadening would be nice(But it weighs a bit), and so would a good stereo-system with a head-unit, front and rear speakers, a subwoofer and two amplifiers(This soundsystem would definately weigh a bit). But all in all, what would the weight difference really matter when I have such a strong engine in such a lightweight car? I am not going to drag race or anything. So will the difference in acceleration and power even be noticeable for a novice like me? I can have a very fast car with absolutely no luxury, and that is not very comfortable on long trips, or I can have a really comfortable ride, with as much luxury as many modern cars, and it would still be incredibly fast. I feel I don't manage to express myself the way I intend to, but I guess you get my point? Any thoughts on this anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 If it's a street car, don't worry about the weight. You'll like the car far more for the street with a few extra pounds in seats, sound deadening, and stereo equipment. I've been down that road myself, and it's much more fun to drive when you are comfortable and can enjoy it! With that said I am stipping my car this winter for track duty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2003z Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 If it's a street car' date=' don't worry about the weight. You'll like the car far more for the street with a few extra pounds in seats, sound deadening, and stereo equipment. I've been down that road myself, and it's much more fun to drive when you are comfortable and can enjoy it! With that said I am stipping my car this winter for track duty. [/quote']what he said. It won't make much difference for day to day driving, and you will enjoy it much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z Draci Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 The L28ET produces more than enough torque to haul around a 240Z. For a street car that won't be competitively raced, adding comfort and convinience items will not noticeably alter driveability. In a race car, every 15kg (33 lbs) is said to cost 0.2 seconds per lap. On the street, who cares if you make it to the supermarket 0.2 seconds faster? I'd care more about how comfortable my butt will be after a 5 hour drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Jarvis Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 ... nice with electric windows .... Interestingly enough, I'm finding that most of the modern power window kits for street rods and such actually weigh less than the stock crank / regulator assembly ! I don't have hard numbers, but by feel it is a lot less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 agreed, the weight is going to make so little difference. Make the car comfortable and enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjo046 Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 Any recommendations on what power locks and electric windows to get? I have read that only some power locks will work due to the limited space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjo046 Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 And what more is, does anyone have pictures of their installs? And perhaps of upgraded seats, stereo-systems etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z Draci Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 Any recommendations on what power locks and electric windows to get?I have read that only some power locks will work due to the limited space? You can't walk into any shop and ask these to be done to a 240Z. They will look at the car, complain, complain some more, be confused on how to do a job, then quote you for some outrageous price. It's just a 'little different' from your conventional Honda Accord. The generic power lock kit that most places carry won't fit into the 240Z doors. You should find your own kit that knows will fit then ask a competent shop to install it for you . . . or just do it yourself! I know Victoria British offers the power locks and electric window kit. I don't know about the fit though. Maybe somebody else should comment on that. As for an aftermarket stereo, you need to get a metal bracket that will accept the generic size stereos of today. Wires will need to be spliced too. Make sure which wires are actually cut and make note of it. Also note the locations of fuses too. I'd go to a big reputable retailer--Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. Never go to a small private stereo shop. They have higher prices and are shady when it comes to guarantees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjo046 Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 Well, you know I live in Norway(In europe ), so all those stores you mention are unfamiliar to me. BUT, the prices on electronics and much about anything are way higher here than in the US, so I was thinking of buying everything online, possibly through ebay. I hope to manage to install the electric windows and power locks myself. The stereo will be easy to install, have done that many times. What I am wondering about is the placement of the stereosystem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 keep the extra weight, your setup should be good for some serious power. If you want to go faster, turn up the boost. You and I are now going to be running very similar setups. The other weekend I ran 125mph traps in the 1/4 and its not tuned or on full boost yet. Using the 1/4 mile calculators that puts an estimated 466rwhp out...and your car will weight less than mine. Now you've got a smaller turbo than mine, but your engine has some good potential. 400rwhp in a 240 is going to be real fun...just don't get into too much trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Jarvis Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 I'd go to a big reputable retailer--Circuit City' date=' Best Buy, etc. Never go to a small private stereo shop. They have higher prices and are shady when it comes to guarantees.[/quote'] Wow, maybe that's the way it is on the left coast, but I feel the opposite over here. The big box electronic stores "install" people are often no better than trained monkeys who are going to trip when there is no install kit or harness adapter for your antique car. I get better service and work from reputable locally owned shops. Either way, I would still do it myself, no one cares half as much about your car as you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 ^ What jason said. Over by my house there's a guy I LOVE who owns a shop called "sound advice" and his prices are always better on parts, and he doesn't charge alot for labor. I've never had him install anything becuase I can do it myself, but his prices are way cheeper than any of the big companies. And the best part is that he gives advice for FREE! I love it, my first stereo job (custom fosgate sys in an old 70's BMW) would have never been completed if it hadn't of been for his advice. I've never recieved help like that at any corperate store and I know too many people who do or used to install sereo systems at places like that. They all don't know a thing about stereos, or working on a car for that matter. You know what I think would answer you question pjo? Go drive a 79'-83' 280ZX. They're not too much bigger than the older Z cars and they come with all the luxury options. Power mirrors, power windows, cuise control, power steering (or at least it seems like power steering), power brakes (i think the older Zs have power brakes too). The only thing they don't have is power seats & keyless entry. Very advanced for it's time. Power on those is around the same as the earlier Z cars (guess from a 280Z i've driven that was stock). They seems to have a little more pickup, wich might be due to the factory 5 speed on all cars. They do feel thier weight though, they get real sloppy around turns. This is probly fixible and even with all the features you'll be adding you won't quite reach the weight of the 280ZX cars. But it would show you the extreme for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyro Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 In drag racing.......... 100lb is worth about 0.100 seconds. So a 500 lb loss makes the car about 0.500 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mex-Z-can Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 And what more is, does anyone have pictures of their installs? And perhaps of upgraded seats, stereo-systems etc? Check this out: http://www.zcar.com/forums/read.php?f=1&i=597707&t=597707#reply_597707 I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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