Building a 240Z!

[Sane]

Hey guys, I'm in the middle of a little semi-restoration and I ran into some questions. Well, just to introduce the car a little bit, she's a 71' 240Z rolling chassis. Basically, i'm fixing all the rust, doing body work and repainting the car. The interior is pretty much gone, except for the seats and e-brake lever. I'm not looking for anything too fancy to put in, because I plan on racing this Z. Basically, my main question would be on where I can find a complete reliably rebuilt L24 engine, and if possible have it tuned or built for high performance. I don't have any experience in engine building, but i'm willing to learn. The reason I chose the L24, is because i'm planning on taking it to HPDE events, and hopefully competing. At first, I was planning on an RB25DET swap, but in all honesty, I want to try and reach my main goal of being a professional race car driver, and from what i've heard, swaps will just make me end up running with 900 horsepowered monsters. I plan to stay competitive, but I'm on a very low budget. Any advice, guidance or suggestions would be big help! I'm very open to all suggestions, so please let me know. Thanks in advance, Jay.

[hls30.com]

Welcome to the site,

I hate to be the one to say this but,

Professional Race Car Driver, Comepetitive and Low Budget are not terms that go together, the first two absolutely negate the third.

You might check over at HybridZ, but I am afraid the news will be the same.

I appologize for seeming condemning, but a low budget professional is a hobbiest.

It is much like bringing a knife to a gunfight, and I know that isn't what you want to hear.

Hang around the track, or ask the racing members, the money adds up and flows faster than the cars.

Will

[het976]

240 engines are pretty common as most people seem to either go RB/V8 or move up to the the L28. Finding one in your area should not be hard. Get the book, "How to Modify your Nissan and Datsun OHC engine" by Frank Honsowetz

Also go the HybridZ

http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php

Start searching, there is a lot of information there. Do not ask basic questions, you will just get embarrassed, they expect you to search and do the work yourself, but will willingly help if you are willing to help yourself. It has all been answered there...SEARCH first and after you are educated, ask all the questions you need.

As for your racing plans, go for it. As long as you do it with your eyes open, it is expensive. The Z is probably not the best choice for a starter car, but follow your dream and the money will follow...or so they say. There are a lot of guys at HybirdZ who race Zs.

[Montezuma]

I have a strong L24 that I am removing from a 71 that is for sale, the good news is that I am here in San Diego, the better news is that if you pull it yourself you get a discount. If you want to talk about it you can meet me tonight at the Z club of San Diego meeting. Monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month, starting at 7:00pm at DENNY’S Restaurant. Located at 4280 CLAIRMONT MESA BLVD SAN DIEGO,CA 92117. That’s in the Clairmont Square. There is Z racer in our club as well, he loves to talk about racing his Z.

[het976]

Like I said...the're everywhere

[Sane]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it helps a lot. Yeah, I was definately expecting to get that money answer, but i'm sure with a budget set up, it can still be used as a stepping stone for the future of my plans. About that built L24 please let me know! Sounds extremely intereseting, especially since you're in San Diego. As for HybridZ, that's the main forum i've done my research in, both for the RB25 swap i was planning on, and everything else that's crossed my mind. It's a great forum, i'll be sure to post up there once i'm done posting here. Just trying to take my time with the answers I get so I can soak up all the information accurately. As for the Z Club of San Diego, I was actually planning on joining! I have a night class today at Miramar from 5:45 - 10:00, so that may conflict. I was wondering if you guys were going to head anywhere else and how late so I can possibly meet up a little later? If not, I might be able to get out earlier so we'll see as well. Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all the input that's been given.

Sincerely,

Jay

[JaDub]

Sane,

Whatever you do.......... make your race car reliable. Whether it be a "900 H.P. monster" or a 150H.P. stocker, take the appropriate steps to keeping the engine well oiled. Don`t expect to thrash on a road course with out a competition ( re. well baffled ) oil pan. Another preventitive measure is to raise your oil pressure...... quite cheap and simple. If you break your engine you`ve just quite possibly sacrificed your racing budget before you even get started. Also..... Be easy on your RPMs. The L-six has very specific dos and don`t. Do keep it well oiled and DON`T over rev it. The stock crank has some very unique `dark areas` ie. bad harmonics.

I could go on and on......

Welcome to the fraternity......... and keep in mind we ALL started on a budget.

Feel free to call me at the shop,

Jeff Winter Rallye/Sport - Winter Racing Engines Denver, Colo

303 427 0510

[Sane]

Thanks JaDub, I appreciate the extra info. I honestly never knew about the bad harmonics of the engine. Reliability is definately on my list! I'm not type to over-rev, I prefer to stay on the powerband . I will definately take your advice and when I do get whatever engine I end up with, i'll keep the engine well-oiled and more. I'm most likely going to get the Nissan L series OHC book and read up, hopefully it'll have all the information I need to know about the engines. Hey guys, I actually also have another issue maybe you can help me with. Basically my car's still being worked on, and it's my first year in college. I only work at In N Out at $11/hour. My family's been going through a little finnancial problem lately, and I have to help them so everything about my project that deals with money will be put aside. But, as you all know now that I plan on building a racing career, anyone have advice or anything I can do to improve myself that isn't money oriented? I've read numerous books, and all I do is read them over and over so the information is engraved in my head, for later use. Anyone got any suggestions? Anyone need a helping hand with there cars? Maybe I can come by help out if any assistance is needed, and in return I can gain some knowledge . Anyway thanks again for all the advice, it's a big help for me.

Sincerely,

Jason

[ggarrard]

Jason - link up with your local Z club (San Diego) and offer your services to the racers as a pit monkey. Go with them to the races, and learn firsthand what's going on. Ask lots of questions, be a willing learner - and you'll be on the right track...

Best way to learn is by getting involved...even as a spectator if nothing else.

Good luck

GWGarrard

[Montezuma]

The racing director for ZCSD is Mick Albert, he has been around for a long time and I am sure could teach you a thing or two.

[preith]

Be easy on your RPMs. The L-six has very specific dos and don`t. Do keep it well oiled and DON`T over rev it. The stock crank has some very unique `dark areas` ie. bad harmonics.

Jeff,

I'm probably opening a can-o-worms here, but what rpm range do you consider "bad"? I'm assuming 7200-7500. I hope TonyD doesn't mind me using him as a example, but a recent post from him on HybridZ disputes this. He is an accomplished Salt flat racer and states:

The crank harmonic discussed online is more related to the early cranks that were not properly counterweighted. both the cranks in the Bonneville Car: Pulled out of the junkyard, polished journals, magnafluxed, and bobweight balanced.

No polishing of the counterweights, no knife-edging, no cryotreating. Just a standard prep and good balance on a 163,000 miles L28 Crank. Standard timing chain set, nothing fancy there either!

He also went on to state it was used for over 4 seasons without any issues.

I also knew someone who maintainined a CProd car in the late 70's-early 80's who claimed a 9500 (not a typo) rpm redline with an untouched stock crank and ZERO issues.

[Sane]

Does anyone know any good sources for ITS built L24 engines? From the research i've done about the whole ITS setup, the car can have a 4 spd., IT prepped head with the use of .500 lift on the cams and stock SU Carbs. I was wondering if they sold complete engines just like this, because in all honesty I don't know too mucha bout prepping an engine, rebuilding an engine, and I have no experience with that under my belt. Hopefully someone can shine in on this! I'm definately fine with running stock, but if possible, since the ITS class isn't too lenient on mods, I might as well get an engine prepped for it that uses al the leniency the class has to offer. I'm very interested in the ITS class, and if anyone can kind of shine me in on this it would help a lot. From reading through the whole 12 pages of the general racing forum, i've found the things that are needed at the least. Such as 6 pt. roll cage, 5 lbs. portable fire extinguisher, 5 pt. harness (not Y shoulders), main power cutoff switch, window net, brake lights should be working, all other lights should be taped, front and rear bumpers, and the steering lock MUST be on. If anyone else is interested in the same class as i'm in those are the things you at the very LEAST need to compete.