Sane

Thanks! Gotta have the frig haha.

Hey guys I have been lurking around the forums ever since my own ownership of a 240Z and I decided to start getting active. First off, my name is Jason Capistrano I am a full-time worker and part-time college student in San Diego. I have been into Z's for roughly 4 years now and recently got my 2nd shell. My biggest regret was not being active during the building of my first Z, so I did not want to make the same mistake twice. So I am in the process of finishing my L28ET 240Z and should be done by the end of December. For more details and the progress on my cars feel free to stop by my blog! http://jasoncapistrano.blogspot.com/ Thanks to you all!

Hey guys, the end of october during 07', I managed to pick up a free rolling chassis. The car had minor rust, minor dents and minor holes. The car came with all body panels, lights, suspension, steering column with wheel, brakes along with the master cylinder. As of today, all the rust has been taken care of, and minor holes have been fixed. The car has incomplete wiring and is missing the headlight and bucket. There is no interior other than the steering rack and e brake lever. I was able to obtain a 1972 240Z, and I transferred all the body panels I fixed on the 71' and swapped the 72' panels onto the 71'. Now, i'm planning on getting rid of the 71' shell. Would anyone have a rough estimate of what it's worth? 71' 240Z clean title, completely rust-free body, full body panels (less 1 headlight bucket), incomplete wiring, no driveshaft/transmission/engine. That's the best I can describe it, but the main thing that stands out is the rust-free factor. Would anyone have any suggestions for its worth? I don't want to end up low balling myself because of all the work I have put into it, and i'm on a extremely low budget and in need of mula (but who isn't). Anyway thanks a lot guys, I hope I provided the right information, and I hope I can get my question answered.

Hey 240z415 i'll definately stop by! If there's any assistance you need at all please let me know! I'm willing to help, and hopefully I can learn a few things on the way! Thanks for letting me know about the event, I had no idea! I'll be looking forward to the weekend! Jason

Hey sopwith21 your advice is definately welcome anytime! Those are great techniques, and i'm definately sure they will help. I've read numerous books on racing, and all the advice you offered are all on point. Again, I appreciate all the advice your giving, it'll surely help me on the long run. When I get the chance to give the techniques and get the track time I can, i'll definately keep all the things you've said in mind. Everytime I would go indoor kart racing with some of the topdogs of the place, they would leave me in the dust when they were driving all out. So I can definately agree with you that asking them to drive at 70% would be more suitable, as I can keep up, study there lines along with there brake and gas work. I am hoping to get onto the whole scene soon, so i'll be looking forward to using these techniques as well! Thanks again, Jason

sopwith21! Thanks a lot! That was very insightful. It provides me with that confidence i've been hoping to get from others as with myself. As for driving, I can definately understand what you are talking about. I currently drive a old 1989 Ford Ranger as a daily driver, and in my garage is an unfinished 240z. I can definately say even for daily driving that truck, it has definately helped me. I've tested the limits of the truck (under safe conditions of course) and this sort of exercise helps develope my traction sensing and those skills that involve driving a car at its limit. As for schools, I am still unsure. I've been thinking of just participating at trackdays from Speed Ventures or any similar vendors. I have definately learned a handful especially in driving, by myself, and others of course, but I will definately always be pushing myself to learn from my experiences. Lately, I can say I have definately surrounded myself with the right people in the direction i'm going, and it has truly helped me alot, and if not that it would have to be ENORMOUS! It helps a lot, and I will take the advice you provided me with on that matter. As for my 240z, it's still under construction. Unfortunately, I recently had to switch over to another donor car for the actual restoration (the 240z body I was working with didn't have wiring at all, but the donor car did) after all the work I put into the car. I am looking forward to finishing the car very soon as the condition is very decent. Thanks again! I will definately take all that advice and use it to my advantage! Jason

Definately, there's no substitution for experience, but with a daily driving car, techniques on the track can still be applied on the street as well. Under careful and safe conditions of course. Basically, my plan is to attend a racing school, and compete with their classes and probably rent one of there cars to compete for the day. I just don't see why I didn't think of this before! So I guess building the car with an F54 block and N42 head will work! Competing a Z would probably be the wrong car to start with anyway due to it's lack in a place to race here in San Diego. Do you guys suggest I get these parts individually or get a parts car? I'm really stuck on this decision, and I don't exactly have the highest budget either! Well, other than that thanks for the suggestion d240, it's great advice!

Hey DoubleXL, thanks for your input. Yeah, from what the guy earlier told me about being a pit monkey, i've been trying my best to offer my assistance anywhere. I'm trying to go to every local SCCA event, so I can gain a better understanding. As for the GCR book, i'll definately cop one for myself. As for the 2.8 and N42, that's a real bummer! Is there another engine build you would recommend that would fit into a more suitable class? I plan on roadracing more than autocross, it'll be running my local mountains ocassionally and it'll definately be a daily driver. So, reliability will be my main concern, and performance can be a secondary. If possible, I want the engine build to be able to put a smile on my face when driving on a straightaway, but nothing too crazy. Just a little more oomph you know? =) Anyway, thanks again! Every suggestion from everyone will definately be taken into consideration! Sincerely, Jason

Thanks guys for all the responses, i'm really diggin' all this information thats being offered. I'll try my best to link up with the local Z guys and see where I can start out at. Do you guys recommend I get a parts car for the engine? The Z I have right now has everything except for engine, transmission, electronics, interior (except for steering rack n all). If possible, I want to keep this budget as low as possible. I have also been suggested to run on the BSP class in my local Autocross. All in all, I want the car to be built for a track rather than an Autocross event. I have also been suggested to get away from the L24 engine and just go for the L28 flattop F54 with an N42 head. The next meeting for the local ZCSD is next month, so it's quite a while. Would any of you guys know where I can run my Z competitively rather than just a run what you brung sort of deal here in San Diego? I've checked speedventures and a few other sites, but I don't really see a competitive route for the 240Z. Anyone mind pointing me in the right direction? Thanks again for all these great replies, Jason.

Hey DSpill, thanks for the information on that. That plan sounds good to me. I honestly don't mind driving a stock car, because I wanted to do that in the first place! The only reason I wanted to buy a motor that was already built for ITS was because I don't have an engine or transmission, just a rolling chassis on my car. So I thought it would save me the time of money on that in the future, and I thought the built motor wouldn't be TOO big of a difference from stock. Anyway, cage, belts, comfy seats will be definite. As for coilovers, I was wondering what would be a good set for the ITS class which will be allowable. I didn't wanna end up getting a suspension setup that wouldn't be allowable, so I just want to make sure I don't waste time and money, because i'm really low on both of that right now. Thanks again, your a big help for me! Jason

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.

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

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

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.