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Progress on my insane VQ35HR 240Z project


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I've been a poster for a few years in the RB section of this site. During that time I built and have been maintaining (breaking and fixing!) my RB26 240Z.

 

http://www.rolston.me/NewSite/Z-car.html

 

But since that car is more or less complete, a few months ago I started a new project to build a car from scratch. It is based on a 240Z body but from there just about everything is custom.

 

This time I'm using a VQ35HR instead of the RB. It'll be interesting to find out which is better when it's all done. The RB is a monster motor but I'm hoping for less weight and more torque with my plan for a built, twin turbo VQ.

 

Anyway, I started a website to track all the progress. I'd love any feedback on the plans. It's been a slow start but exciting to build something so unique.

 

http://www.rolston.me/NewSite/Z-car.html

 

best wishes,

mark

Edited by markrolston@mac.com
fixed URL
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Everything looks great! 240hoke has a solution for your shifter relocation problem. I believe he still has more left:

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=144438

 

 

Note: for those of you who upgraded to IE8, you'll get the following error when viewing Mark's page:

 

# Exception: TypeError

# Message : 'browserVersion' is undefined

 

Earlier versions of IE will probably be fine, as well as other browsers like Firefox and Safari (I viewed it through Safari)

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This will be insane. Can't wait to see more progress.

 

 

OT: If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with all the original pieces that came with the car? Specifically the wiring harness. My '71 could use one, and there's only a few months during which Zs were built that had the same harness as mine (so I'm told)... I think yours may be within that range. PM me, please.

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Yeah I had to load up firefox to open your page. :(

 

I gotta tell ya, I would love to have some of your toys, What are you using to bent those radius curves on the 2x4 rectangluar tubing. that's awesome.

 

It really looks like you gutted the heck out of that 240z. I love your spaceframe idea for the rear suspension, but don't you think you'll end up with a lot of wear on those triangular pieces? (blue)

 

Your cage looks awesome too, I love the very precise bends in the tubes, and moving the frame out should add a little more moticum of protection in an impact. I was thinking you might add a brace along the "firewall" at the bottom of the A pillar since that's a weak point in the Z's. I'm sure you know that already.

 

I've said it 3 times already, awesome. I guess the only other thing I'd like to see are MORE pictures! maybe a little more naration of what you're doing on each step. I know there's no blueprint for this type of build, but lessons learned is always good.

 

Thanks. n keep it up!

 

 

Phar

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Yeah I had to load up firefox to open your page. :(

 

I gotta tell ya, I would love to have some of your toys, What are you using to bent those radius curves on the 2x4 rectangluar tubing. that's awesome.

 

It really looks like you gutted the heck out of that 240z. I love your spaceframe idea for the rear suspension, but don't you think you'll end up with a lot of wear on those triangular pieces? (blue)

 

Your cage looks awesome too, I love the very precise bends in the tubes, and moving the frame out should add a little more moticum of protection in an impact. I was thinking you might add a brace along the "firewall" at the bottom of the A pillar since that's a weak point in the Z's. I'm sure you know that already.

 

I've said it 3 times already, awesome. I guess the only other thing I'd like to see are MORE pictures! maybe a little more naration of what you're doing on each step. I know there's no blueprint for this type of build, but lessons learned is always good.

 

Thanks. n keep it up!

 

 

Phar

 

THanks..

 

The bends I ordered from ArtMorrison. YOu can order just about anything for custom frame builds. I just sent bend specs and they made them up for me. Sad thing is I ended up cutting into them recently to make more foot room.

 

The triangle pieces for the cantilever suspension are billet. They will be fine. It's the mounting points that will see the stress. We're being extra careful though. I don't expect a problem.

 

The cage has lots still left to go, including your point about the firewall. I'll have an update on that soon, including the footwell frame changes.

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Okay, cool, I'll be watching, I'm very interrested in how you go about things... I'll also check out ArtMorrison.

 

How are you planning your engine control, Are you going to use the stock computers or are you thinking you'll go with the haltech? I didn't see the fusebox or IPM., nor ECU/BCM. I would imagine you're going with the Autometer gauges since stock 350z stuff is a pain. What are you going to run as a diff?

 

I know, sorry, lots of questions.

 

Phar

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Okay, cool, I'll be watching, I'm very interrested in how you go about things... I'll also check out ArtMorrison.

 

How are you planning your engine control, Are you going to use the stock computers or are you thinking you'll go with the haltech? I didn't see the fusebox or IPM., nor ECU/BCM. I would imagine you're going with the Autometer gauges since stock 350z stuff is a pain. What are you going to run as a diff?

 

I know, sorry, lots of questions.

 

Phar

 

good questions. I don't yet know what ECU. Justin Nenni here in Austin is who I use to tune cars so I'll be looking to him for his suggestions. After all, he'll be doing the tuning. It might be a piggyback setup since I do have the stock ECU. Again, no idea yet. I have perhaps a year before that's a problem to solve.

 

As for the diff I'm using a ford 8.8". "what???" you say? yup. Since the rear end is completely custom we chose the Ford 8.8 for cheap, light, strong, and easy to find tons of options for.

 

And yes, I'll use a custom Autometer gauge setup. I bought a fiberglass dash reproduction that I plan to try and cover with leather or remake in carbon fiber to hold all the gauges. I want the interior to be race ready but comfortable.

 

Other misc stuff like pedals, fusebox, switches, etc. will likely be parts from the donor Z or summit racing catalog stuff.

 

btw- I start the motor teardown in a few weeks and will start to accumulate parts to build it up as a ~4L turbo motor. But overall, things are going slow since this kind of work is expensive to do.

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ok I have one request is there anything 'we/you' can do so that we/I can view your site? Or maybe posting more pictures here? BTW super great work on both cars. I really think that a VQ40DE block with VQ35HR heads and higher compressionwould be a great combo. Maybe some porting and a knife edged crank and your in BUSINESS.

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ok I have one request is there anything 'we/you' can do so that we/I can view your site? Or maybe posting more pictures here? BTW super great work on both cars. I really think that a VQ40DE block with VQ35HR heads and higher compressionwould be a great combo. Maybe some porting and a knife edged crank and your in BUSINESS.

 

Try these links, they seem to work. it looks like it's the front end on his site that's muffed for IE.

 

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/5/15_The_Plan.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/5/24_The_Car.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/7/26_Stripped.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/9/20_Rear_Suspension.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/9/27_Front_Suspension.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/10/26_Front_Suspension_Started.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2008/12/20_Rear_Suspension_Started.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2009/1/15_Front_Body_Mold_Finished.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2009/3/2_Frame_work_has_started.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2009/6/1_We_have_an_motor!.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2009/6/5_Custom_Wheel_Design.html

http://web.mac.com/markrolston/NewSite/New_Z_Blog/Entries/2009/6/14_Frame_Progress.html

Edited by Pharaohabq
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