fixitman

What sizes and manufacturuer are you using front and rear and on which year/model? What are the ideal diameters for a street car? Thanks, Fixitman

Carl, I'm not trying to belabor the issue but just understand the problem. Since my Bilsteins were purchased around 1983, can I assume they are of the lower pressure type? These stocks have not been used yet. Will the ride height decrease as the shocks break in? If I have lower pressure gas shocks, then the problem has to be the springs. Why do European springs cause a ride height problem on USA Z's? What's different about the suspensions? With 85,000 miles on the original springs, is their use a viable option to reduce ride height with Bilsteins? Filipe, I feel your pain! Your ride height seems higher than mine. Perhaps as more of the parts are added, the additional weight will drop the height a little. Fixitman

Can I conclude that Bilsteins do not cause an increase in ride height but European springs do? Thanks, Fixitman

Which springs do you have on the Blue '72? And did you have to cut down the springs? Thanks, FixItMan

What are the differences between the US and European suspensions to account for the increase in ride height? Thanks, FixItMan

I am restoring an early '74 260Z with Stage 1 European springs, part nos. 54010-N3500 & 55020-N3501, and Bilstein shocks purchased in the early 80's. As you can see in the attached photo, the ride height is rather high. Granted, the bumpers, exhaust, interior and spare tire still need to be installed but the ride height still seems excessive. Will the ride height decrease with more weight and use? Thanks, FixItMan

I have a different problem with European springs. I have an early '74 260Z with Stage 1 European springs, part nos. 54010-N3500 & 55020-N3501, and Bilstein shocks. As you can see in the attached photo, the ride height is rather high. Granted, the bumpers, exhaust, interior and spare tire still need to be installed but the ride height still seems excessive. Will the ride height decrease with more weight and use? Thanks, FixItMan

The block and head are the original that Datsun intended for this 260Z. I believe the compression ratio calculated out to 10.0 or a little higher. What is the proper tuning process? I'm assuming you mean on a chassis dyno at this point. Did you notice the fuel rail? The original brackets have been reused with stainless steel tubing for the fuel return, fuel supply, vacuum and vapor purge. The PVC valve is installed under the carb heat shield and connects to the balance tube. FixItMan

A photo of the installed engine is attached. FixItMan

In the early 80's I began the restoration of my first car, an early 1974 Datsun 260Z. Due to poor work by a restoration shop after the car was stolen, the project was put on hold for a few decades. Now, I expect the project to be completed in the late spring/early summer of this year. For the first time in 27 years, the engine came to life with a glorious song last week. I was wondering if the learned readers of this forum could estimate the engine horsepower and rear wheel horsepower from the following drive train description. Air box: K&N Lamborghini 3-carb filter in aluminum housing with Mikuni air horns Alternator: 60 amp Camshaft: Racer Brown SS-54-110 – 236 degree duration at 0.025” lift with 0 lash, 110 degree lobe centers, and 0.480” lift net, and valve spring/retainer package Carburetion: Mikuni triple side draft, 40PHH with 32mm chockes and custom balance tube Cylinder head: Decked 0.020” Bronze valve guides 280Z intake valves, 0.173” dia. 280Z exhaust valves Valves and seats grinded Built by Floyd Link, Torrance, CA Exhaust: Header: Euro Car Anti-Reversionary, 1 ½” dia. tubing, 3 into 2, 2 ¼” dia. collector outlet System Dia.: 2 ¼” Resonator: Borla resonator Muffler: Borla turbo muffler Ignition: New stock coil New stock distributor Taylor 8mm Spiro-Pro NGK Iridium spark plugs Oil pump: ZX-Turbo unit Pistons: Datsun 0.040” over, flat top Differential: R180 limited slip, 3.545 R&P set, Bob Sharp Racing spare Transmission: 280Z 5-speed Thanks for your help. FixItMan