rbates

Any recommendations ? these guy's (below) was where I was originally going to go no longer appear in Business... I have a 260Z. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html#CHMSL

i could be wrong, but I think you will find that they are slightly different - besides after 40 odd years, won't they be worn as well ?

Factory AC started with the 260Z - I personally believe these are a good compromise between the 240 & 280..Forget the Carb issues - majority have now been replaced by early 240 items. Body condition is the key for all s30 models.

goal is ~ 200hp at the flywheel - what's that ~ 185 at the wheels ? what are you doing about the rest of the drivetrain ? the 280zx close ratio 5-spd & the R200 3.9 rear diff really wakes up these cars. If your CR is > 10:1 i would watch out for ping.

thanks for your reply's. LeonV - that 2400lbs # is for a stock 260z with factory A/C ?

GVWR for my early 260z (with Factory a/c is listed at 3010lbs - figure ~ 2700lbs curb). I would like to get her a little lighter. I will start with the low hanging fruit - a/c is in-effective so I'm going to start with removing that. I figure the compressor alone must weigh ~ 30lbs ! any other suggestions ?

grannyknot - I'm assuming the higher octane (octane boost ?) allowed you to advance your timing ? I'm in a similar place to you, but still debating in my mind the thicker head gasket solution. For me I'm not sure there will be a net Power gain (what you gain in advance you lose in CR). Guess only a Dyno will be able to confirm one way or another.

not sure I would agree with your definitions, but that's fine. The claim from the manufacturer is that 'hot spots' in the engine are reduced in the manner you state. Is this something you have actually observed with you Car & if so what were the physical symptoms ?

in theory this stuff should help with pinging - correct ?

HermanM, Nice Job. The 260Z seems to get a bad rap in the US, mostly due to the well documented Carb issues, but they are easily sorted with earlier 240 items. I have a few questions/observations...on the orig white Car I see a the chrome bumber strip - you removed it after the re-paint. Was the strip riveted or simply stuck on ? I have the same item on my Car which I'm not too fond off, but I'm worried removing it may damage the new(er) paintwork. I like your wheel/tire choice - what size are they ? they look 14x6 on 195/70's ? Are you satisfied with the ride height ? IMO I think stock is to high, but I fixed mine with Eibach's. Any plans to increase HP & still keep the 2.6L ?

gnosez make some interesting points about exhaust height & ride quality. I have an MSA 2.5" s/s item & it's ok, but could have been better regarding clearance (was originally bumbing against the Diff). If I did this again I would go custom - price would be about the same. I think the spring comment may be referring to a batch of Eibach's that I think were labeled f/r incorrectly.Ride Quality ? I have Poly bushings & in my experience these have contributed more to the harsh ride than the springs & shocks. Based on the pic's of his very nice ride I think I'm at about the same height of the road (measured from the jack points) ~ 4". Will go measure.

How much do you want to lower the Car & for what reason ?. Replaced my original tired springs & shocks for Toliko blue's & Eibach Progressive Springs & the Car dropped at least 2". Front end lift was eliminated completely & handling was hugely improved.

Interesting as I have heard the opposite..would be nice to get some sort of consensus from those that have done the conversion. Intuition was telling me that a ~ 40yr old mech device will have less precision than a newer ss device.

thinking of doing a similar swop with my early 260z, although I may go for the 280ZXT Alternator as I think MSA has it for only ~ $20 more than the 280ZX item(has more idle current). My motivation is the improved performance of the internal VC. I have an MDS6AL ignition & I don't believe the exteranl VC plays that well with it. I have both the stock electrical pump & a standard mech item. With the earlier round top Carb's I'm assuming there is now no need for the electrical pump so should be able to remove it & avoid the wiring issues other folk have mentioned.

78zcar-blue - great job on the car (love the color), just wondering what shocks and springs you are using ..she seems to be sitting quite high.

steve - have a similar problem & mine are z therapy items < yr old. Need to see if they have rubber on both sides like Blue. What did you end up doing with yours ? wonder whether BruceP of ZT fame can chime in ?

thanks for your responses. Much to my suprise I have managed to source new ignition barrel & switch from NAPA so I will have to see how that goes once I fit it.

Thanks Guy's - have tried the usual Amazon/Ebay path I can't find much for a '74 260. The locksmith rebuild is an option but as ajm states, finding someone to do the job has been a pain.

Guy's - I'm now at the point where I'm thinking twice about taking the Z out in fear that I may not be able to get it started again once I reach my destination. The problem is a a worn ignition barrel - I had a spare set of key's made up which did not see the orig template (copies of copies) that has probably accelerated the wear. Any idea's where I may be able to purchase new keys & ignition barrel ? thanks in advance.

thanks for your inputs guy's. I do have the rear light & headlight harness upgrades which bypasses some of the car's potentially 'resistive' wiring. The more I think about this the more i wonder about the way the external voltage regulator & MSD are working with each other. May be even worth swopping the Alternator for a 280zx unit just for the internal VR - the cost would not be great (~ $80 ?).

1. Replace the timing chain. 2. Replace the 74 e-88 head with a 72 E-88. 3. Rebuild SU carbs or send them to Z therapy. 4 Purchase a stage II cam. 5 Purchase a header and 2.5" exhaust. 6 Add 5 speed trans and 3.9 diff. ============================== have items 3,4,5, & 6..if I was to do it again my only change may be to keep the orig manifold. ...these Cars are loud with manifolds & 2.5" exhausts. You may also want to upgrade the ignition. The Tranny & Diff upgrade make a real difference...

I'm debating removing my A/C & if I do you can have the switch !. I'm wondering whether you may be dissapointed with the A/C once you get it up & running. I live in the NE & only had need for it on a few really hot day's. When I'm asked to describe how cool it is I say just enough for me to close the windows & prevent me from sweating (just). Things have moved on in 40 yrs....also the compressor alone must weigh ~ 50lb's

Guy's Running 260z with MSD 6AL. Notice that when I turn the main headlights on idle rpm drops noticeably(300~ 400rpm). Running a stock alternator. Any one had a similar experience ? Eitherway was looking to upgrade Alternator anyway - what are the popular choices ? Thanks for your help.

thanks, but is David Irwin still in business making the harness ? read somewhare else on this site that he was not ?

Guy's - I'm a little confused...I'm hearng both 'Dave Irwin' & 'Daniel Stern' are they one of the same or are we talking of 2 seperate entities.... in which case what's the consensus on whose best...looking for plug & play solution for 260z. Apologies for the dumb question.