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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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Strut tower bracing

I used several methods to help stiffen the chassis. A roll cage was one part, a solidly mounted motor and transmission was the second part, and a well-triangulated engine bay was the third part

Strut tower bracing

The strut towers are tied to the center of the cowl support as well as the corners, as well as to the engine block itself.

Header Fabrication

The header flanges do not match the header tubes. So...

Header Fabrication

I had to fabricate some stubs that would transition from a rectangular shape to a round tube.

Header Fabrication

Finished tri-y header that just barely fits between the oil pan and the sides of the engine bay.

Header Fabrication

Finished tri-y header that just barely fits between the oil pan and the sides of the engine bay.

Front Engine Plate

Front plate mounted onto the homemade crossmember with the Ford Mustang power-assist steering rack installed.

Front Engine Plate

Front plate mounted onto the homemade crossmember with the Ford Mustang power-assist steering rack installed.

Front Engine Plate

1/4" aluminum spacer required to push damper out 1/4". This was required because the front plate pushed the timing chain cover and crankshaft seal forward by 1/4".

Front Engine Plate

Front plate trial fitted behind the timing chain cover.

Front Engine Plate

Finished mounting plate for the front.

Rear Engine Plate

Fabricating the rear motor plate.

Rear Engine Plate

Fabricating the rear motor plate.

Rear Engine Plate

Finished mounting plate for the rear of the motor.

Rear Engine Plate

Rear Engine Plate

Fabricating the rear motor plate.

Rear Engine Plate

Rear Engine Plate

Both plates trial fitted to the motor

Engine Plates

Both plates trial fitted to the chassis

Engine Plates

The engine is solidly mounted into the Z unibody using home-made aluminum plates.

Engine Plates

Engine plates holding a partially assembled motor.

Air cleaner

Due to the strut tower bracing configuration, I had to fabricate a unique filter holder for the 14" K&N filter. The teardrop shape allows it to fit nicely within the engine bay bracing.

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