selling my 240K

[Mat Big Hat]

Sorry to nose in, but is this regarding the Challenge Fibreglass (Melbourne) moulds?

[akwikz]

We are definately going to wait to get the GT-R parts to go with the car. That and a set of 16" Watanabe's are in the cars near future. The body looks straight enough, so I'll most likely give it a quick respray in red with a flat black hood. I will need a few things though. Does anyone know if the pedal box is the same on manuals and autos? I know I'll need at least a new clutch and brake pedal, but I may need the box too. If anyone has these to offer, please let me know. After this, it will be a matter of finding the appropriate "Skyline" and "GT-R" emblems for the car.

Brian

[440k]

i know a few people have done the v8 swap, but i think it misses the point of owning a kenmeri

And what might that be?

Thing people seem to forget is that the V8 swap thing was popular in the 80's, when we didn't have access to dozens of efficient, powerful, cheap Jap import motors. Also, at that time, the 240K was about as exciting a car as an automatic Camry is today. They certainly had very little prestige, and even less sporting prowess, so the V8 conversion gave you great Q-car value.

Yes, I have a V8 in mine.

No, I wouldn't do a V8 conversion today (mine was done in '89, over 15 years before I got my hands on the car)

Yes, I'll develop the V8 - mainly because it's so badly done I just have to set it straight (yes, Ironic I know that I'm going to as much effort to "make it right" as it would take to do an RB swap). I also like the thought of 50 odd kg less over the front wheels (mine doesn't have one of those cast iron boat anchors, it has an all alloy boat anchor instead)

Brian, the pedal boxes are slightly different, although it's only a couple of brackets for clutch pedal return spring and stopper. Have a read of Lachlan's giude for more detailed info regarding the auto to manual conversion.

Lachlan ended up using his auto pedal box, as the effort of changing over the pedal box seemed far more painful than just making up a bracket for the clutch pedal stopper.

[Mat Big Hat]

440, I like what you've added, but I don't see it as contrary to anything I've said.

[440k]

Not trying to be contrary, I was just trying to understand what "the point of owning a Kenmeri" is, and how a conversion that was, in all likelyhood, done 10-20 years ago, would miss said point.

My rant wasn't directed at you, more at the general attitude that sometimes comes across from "purists" (here and many other forums) who shun any form of deviation from the OEM's intended design. We don't have to like each other's choices, but shouldn't be too quick to criticize either. Individuality and variety are wonderful things.

Again, not directed at you, and no offence intended.

I still find it slightly amusing that the humble 240K is suddenly held in such high regard. I wonder if it's because of its own achievements, or because of the achievements of its younger siblings.:tapemouth

[khughes]

i don't get it... what have you said? apart from suggesting that having a V8 in a kenmeri is sacrilege.

i myself would prefer to have a skyline descendant engine in my car (and i do!) , but as long as the car is respected and well looked after, no matter what engine is in it.. who really cares.. i am certainly not going to try and put down somebodies hard work (and it takes a lot of it)

[akwikz]

As an American I find this a bit funny. The 240Z here has had V8's swapped into it for years. Many here still think that the only way to make a Z fast is to stuff a Chevy into it. I think that had the 240K been sold here it would have been much the same. While I personally think that people can do whatever they want with their cars, I don't feel as though that same respect is given by the V8 crowd. Many of us here have been fighting an up hill battle with this mentality. I think Mat may have been referring to this scenario. It may be a bit hard for you guys in Australia to fully understand. My impression of the Aussie mentality is very different. It seems to me that it is often a matter of what is available and doable. Americans tend to think that theirs is the only way of doing things. I feel that I am in the minority with my choices. While most of my experiences with my KGC10 have been positive, I have had people ask me why I did not put a V8 in it. As though my choice was inferior. And we all know that is not the case. I have rambled on a bit here, but in summary I'd like to say that I really don't think Mat meant any kind of disrespect. As another American I can fully see where he is coming from and agree with him for the most part. We have just been so conditioned with V8 swaps that the initial reaction to one is defensive. You feel as though you have to justify your swap with people up here. Attitudes are changing, but slowly. Hopefully in the near future we will be able to look at things in a more similiar way to you guys. Mutual respect and appreciation even if we happen to have different ideas.

Brian

[khughes]

well said, it certainly makes more sense now

[440k]

As I said earlier, I didn't direct my initial post at Matt, and I don't think his initial post was intended with disrespect either. His comment did reflect many people's (including mine) opinion that a V8 is not "quite right" in a 240K. I was more commenting on the attitude held by some people here and other forums that it's just plain wrong to put a V8, 4 cyl, Toyota or other "non Skyline" engine into a 240K. That kind of attitude is nothing but narrow minded. I agree that we should respect anything if it's well engineered (within reason, of course - I'd hate to see anyone ditch an S20 from a genuine KPGC110 in favour of an RB or FJ)

You're right about the different mentality between Australia and USA. I spent 4 months over there last year, and it's a real eye opener (majority of my time was in the coal mining districts in West Virginia, so probably not truly indicative of Americans as a whole)

Australia has always had a fairly strong attitude towards V8's It used to be the V8 boys vs the fast buzzboxes, and now it's the V8's vs the turbos. Fortunately, I'm seeing these barriers broken down, and people seem to be respecting each other's choices more.

I like all cars for different reasons. My current cars / projects incluse a turbo boxer, a V8, a rotary and a family V6. Nothing like hedging your bets:D

[akwikz]

On another note, I read up on the pedal swap. I think Lachlan has shown the best way to go about it. That said, I will need both the clutch and brake pedals from a manual 240k. If anyone has a set and are willing to ship to the U.S., please let me know. The drivetrain will most likely stay as it is until I have the new RB ready for it. I'm planning to build an N/A high compression RB30 with an RB26 head. I also have an S15 6 speed that I am going to try to mate up to it. I know they say these trannies are weak, but I think it will be able to handle the 300hp or so I expect to get.

Brian

[440k]

Brian,

I recall Lachlan had a pedal assembly (in readiness for his conversion) which he didn't end up using - don't know if he still has it. I also have a spare pedal assembly (remnants from Lachlan's parts car). If you like, I can look at how small I can make it, and chase up postage pricing for you. I believe we pilfered a couple of return springs from it, but otherwise it should be complete.

I think I still have the clutch cylinders from Lachlan's conversion too, as he bought new items. I'd be buying new stuff for the price you pay these days, but if you have no joy, then I can probably help there.

Let me know if you want me to follow it up

I like the thought of the RB30 with RB26 head. Mmmm six throttle bodies - almost as good as a set of DCOE45's. You should end up with a strong motor, albeit heavy (the RB's are a heavy lump - even compared to the L)

Peter

[akwikz]

That would be great, thank you. I think I'll just buy new master cylinders as they are still somewhat easy to get up here. The pedals, and possibly the box, are the important parts. My zip is 85239. Please let me know what you find for shipping. As for the RB, I think it will be very close to the same vein as the real GT-R. Albeit more powerful and reliable. With the RB26 head, all I need to do is remove the intake plenum and bolt on velocity stacks from Weber carbs. The RB26 already has the individual throttles built in and the bolt spacing on the plenum is very close to a set of tripple carbs. I'm planning on an 11.5:1 C/R and a set of cams. I think it should sound awsome.

I don't expect either of my Skylines to be full on race cars. But they will both be capable of surprising a few people up here. I feel that with a bit of suspension tuning I will be able to keep the car a good handler. But again, with a complete lack of body parts available up here, it is unlikely that either car will ever be pushed to it's limit. I have been thinking seriously about picking up one of the many illegal R32 GT-R's here in the U.S. It would be perfect to turn into a race only car. Not having the ability to legally register it makes it that much easier to commit to completely converting it into a race car. But that is something that will have to wait a little while. I need to focus on the 2 cars I already own.

Brian