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Datsun 240Z "BlueOvalZ"

Drivetrain:

Ford 289 which is very soon being replaced with a 383 (Not the Chevy, but the Ford 351W stroker version). Home-made headers, AFR 205 heads, and the typical go-fast internals. The engine is solidly mounted (along with transmission) into the chassis making is part of the chassis which greatly increased the chassis rigidity.

Transmission is a WC T-5 pulling to a Datsun R200 differential using Porsche 930 CV jointed half-shafts. Currently, at the rear wheels, the 289 dynos at 299 HP, and 260 lb/ft at 7200 RPM. It has a lot of RPM potential, but now I'm looking for more torque, and hence the reason for installing the 383. Hopefully, it will reach my design of mid 500 HP and torque fiqures at around 6500 RPM. The new heads, and almost 1" more stroke should get me close. 


Chassis:
The chassis is still basic Datsun equipment. The front crossmember has been moved forward 1.25" to increase the caster for an improved camber curve. This meant that the T/C rod had to be increased in length as well. The inner bushings have been replaced with spherical rod ends on the front, with fabrication just completed for replacing all eight bushing on the rear suspension with 3/4" spherical bearings. The rear uprights and mustache bar have been replaced with a single 1/4" aluminum plate that mounts the differential, suspension, and swaybar all on one piece. The rear bushings are held independently onto this plate, separated by a turnbuckle, to allow toe adjustment of the rear wheels. Spring rate is 225 F/260 R using coilover set-up and Koni shocks.
Wheels & Tires:

17 X 11 Billet Specialties wheels with 315/35R17 tires an all four corners (DOT set-up).


Body:
Body is a home-made fiberglass creation painted in a GM Tahoe blue w/ Wimbleton white stripes
Interior:

Fabricated out of fiberglass from a once fully gutted race interior.


1971 Datsun 240Z that became a divorce recovery project. After dropping the SBF engine into the car, I found that the high...

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4 different front brake set-ups

I started by swapping the front OEM non-vented 240Z rotors with the vented 300ZX rotors using 280ZX calipers. This lasted for several years and worked very well. Then I swapped (seen here) the 300ZX rotors (right photo) to '87 Supra front rotors and calipers (left photo). The Supra rotors were almost 1" larger for a total diameter of almost 12" as compared to the 300ZX of 11".

Supra vs 300ZX rotor size

A comparison of the '84 300ZX rotor on top of the '87 Supra rotor.

Corvette C5 conversion

After running the Supra rotors up front for several years, I decided my last set-up would be front C5 rotors with aftermarket 4 piston calipers.

Corvette C5 conversion

An adapter plate was welded onto the Datsun OEM strut so that the Outlaw 4 piston calipers could be attached.

Corvette C5 conversion

Assembly of the C5 rotor (required the center hub hole to be opened up, and 4 holes drilled for mounting onto the Z hub.

Corvette C5 conversion

Outlaw 4000 series caliper using 1 3/4" pistons. Later I painted them red.

Corvette C5 conversion

The assembly inside a wheel to ensure clearance is good. And it was.

Corvette C5 conversion

Front brakes using the C5 rotors as seen installed on the car.

Rear brakes

I initially swapped out the OEM drum brakes to the 300ZX front rotors with 280ZX caliper in back just as I did up front. With the wider tires in back, and more rear weight distribution designed into the car, this worked after the installation of a proportioning valve.

Rear Maxima caliper bracket

This OEM bracket mouned behind the wheel flange was modified to hold the 280ZX front calipers.

Supra rotors

After I installed the C5 rotors up front, I decide my last change in back would be to install the '87 front Supra rotors at the rear, and then use the Outlaw 3000 series 4 piston calipers on them. I began by fabricating a caliiper mounting bracket out of 3/8" plate steel.

Supra rotors

After cutting the center hole, I used a Sawzall for the rest

Supra rotors

Then I copied it onto the plate to make the opposite side caliper bracket.

Supra rotors

Drilled the caliper holes, and then welded it all together.

Supra rotors

The outlaw caliper (1 1/4" pistons) was painted red. This setup works very well, and due to the piston size difference between front and rear, I no longer need the proportioning valve.

Supra rotors

View of assembly on the car. The Z now has 13" rotors up front, and 12" rotors at the rear.

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