blodi

Just thought I'd start a thread on my upcoming winter project. I got my 240z in May of last year. The car was nicely restored in 2010. I've done a few things to it in the time that I've had it including, wheels/tires, headlight covers, lowered it, ST sway bar kit, pertonix ignition and the most significant is that I converted the car from an auto to a 5 speed about a year ago. The L24 in the car has had an head gasket leak of oil to the outside since I've gotten it. I was going to put on a new head gasket, but this quickly snowballed into me just wanting to put in a rebuilt L28. After searching for a while I stumbled across just what I wanted on craigslist. A rebuilt L28 F54 block, E31 head. The seller didn't know a whole lot about the engine so I had to do some research. I found out it was built by Ritalon Engineering in Wisconsin. I couldn't find any contact info for them other than an mailing address. So I sent some photos and information to them. 3 weeks later I got a phone call from Larry there. He told me a lot of good information about the engine. He didn't know which exact engine it was but told me all the usual stuff he did with them. So, sounds like its' bored, .040, some head porting, arp studs, shot peened rods, American Custom 071 cam (pretty big cam, I don't have the spec in front of me right now.) Should be about a 10.5:1 comp ratio. My plans: I'm going to start sometime in the next few weeks on the swap. I've just placed a bit order from MSA for all new gaskets, hoses, hardware, electric fuel pump and one of their coated 6-1 headers. I also ordered new motor/trans mounts, and a mangnaflow muffler as I'm not in love with my current dynomax sound. I'm also going to be ordering Z Therapy's SU rebuild kits with SM needles. I'm also going to have the trans rebuilt while its apart since the 2nd gear synchro is done. I plan on keeping my stock roundtop SU's at least to start (with the aforementioned SM needles). Maybe in another year or so I'll go to some triples though. I decided to just get a baseline so I can compare the old to new engine when I'm done. So I went to the local dyno this last weekend. I gave the car a good tuneup before hand. I had adjusted the valve lash this spring. I set full timing at 38 degrees, dialed in the carbs with a colortune and synced them. I was going to be happy with anything 100+ at the wheels and really happy if it hit 120+. Amazingly it put down 128rwhp and 130 lb ft! They ran it once in 3rd and once in 4th and the graphs were identical. So, a very healthy L24....save for some tired valve seals since it smoked pretty good on deccel. I did notice on the chard (and on the street)...the power really drops off after 5.5K...is this normal for a stock L24? Anyways, that's it for now...below are some pics and the dyno video. I will keep this thread updated with pics and info showing my process! I welcome everyone's input. IMG_1134 by blodi, on Flickr image2 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_3897 by blodi, on Flickr set by blodi, on Flickr Dyno Video.....

No worries, car guys always go off topic Those SU's are beautiful looking. Might be worth me sending mine out when I do the engine swap. They currently seem to run great, but couldn't hurt. Yeah, I think you guys have talked me into the L28. I can't imagine I would regret going with the larger displacement. The .050 is just what was quoted to me by the builder.

That is a stunning collection. Wow..all the best colors. If anyone else can chime in on the engine options...I'd be all ears!

Great info guys. We do have 93 octane here in Michigan, so no problems there. Good to hear first hand experiences. What kind of power do you think the L28/N42 head, stock cam, SU's, header/exhaust would make all together? Just curious what to expect. I love mine! Had it for 9 years now. Mine has a full LoveFab LF800 engine build/turbo setup on it. It's a beast. A couple pics... 1658178_369019829905866_1634156292_o by blodi, on Flickr 1782280_367796433361539_1387575590_o by blodi, on Flickr The two brothers snuggled together for the winter... IMG_1151 by blodi, on Flickr

Maybe I should have been clearer. These are both longblocks that are alreay built. The L24 has been bored .050 over so the valves clear. I just want a pre built long block as I am no engine builder myself. That's why I'm pondering these two options. BTW....nice to see another NSX owner on here!

My 71 240's engine is leaky and tired (compression test numbers are all over the map). I am debating a couple of engine options that i've found. -L24 with N42 head. -L28 Flattop with N42 head. The L24 would be cheaper..but would probably make a bit less power. The L28 with N42 would obviously have more displacement and higher compression (roughly 10:1 vs 8.7:1 with the L24/n42 head). I'd be looking at using a stock N42 cam most likely...using my dual SU's, 6-1 header and MSA exhaust. Any ideas how much power I'd be looking at with these two options? I've been researching and some seem to say the high compression build run into detonation issues and you end up backing off timing to the point of losing the power made by the high compression. This is a total street car/weekend cruiser. I've got other toys for all out speed, so ultimate power isn't necessarily the end goal here. I'd want something reliable and streetable. But, I'd like something a bit more potent than stock. I'm betting just a stock rebuild would feel pretty peppy though compared to my tired engine I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks!

Sorry I didn't respond to sooner guys. My suspension is stock with 2 coils cut on each corner. Rides great. Never had any rubbing issues. I also did get the 5 speed swapped in back in September...was super easy and the car is so much more fun now. Well, it was when the weather was nicer. It's resting snuggly with a trickle charger night now. A few more recent shots..... IMG_0241 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_0239 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_1134 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_1151 by blodi, on Flickr

I actually got the cutter out and chopped the springs for a temporary solution after reading about several others who have done it. . It actually rides/handles pretty good! Certainly not the proper way of doing it. I am planning on coilovers still in the future. Started on the trans swap by putting in the pedals and master cylinder. Hopefully going to do the rest of the swap this weekend! Can't wait!

They bolted right on and I've had zero issues with any sort of rubbing. Fenders haven't been touched.

You can use the actual "year of" plates here on any car 26 years or older. The normal 71 plates were burgundy which I didn't think would look good on an orange car. The half year plates are what I found and used. I actually got them on ebay and they had never been used! They came in their original packaging from the Secretary of State!

Introduced myself in the other introductions forum, but just a quick recap.. I picked up this 71 240 from a friend about 4 weeks ago who bought it two years ago. The previous owner to that had the car fully restored and it really is in amazing shape inside and out. So far, I've done a few little things mechanically (brake booster/tie rod ends/oil change/plugs). I've also done a few cosmetic things....15" Rota RKR's with 205 55 15 Dunlop Direzza's, lowered the suspension and headlight covers. The car is an automatic, so I picked up a 5 speed wide ratio for it and have gotten all of the other parts already here or on order, so that will be my next big project with it in the next few weeks when I have time. Anyways, a few photos from when I bought it a few weeks ago and from last night.... IMG_0050[1] by blodi, on Flickr Now.... IMG_0241 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_0239 by blodi, on Flickr IMG_0237 by blodi, on Flickr

Just got my new wheels/tires on last night. Rota RKR 15x8 zero offset. Dunlop Direzza 205 55 15. Also picked up the 5 speed this week and have most of the other bits coming for the swap. Making progress! securedownload (3) by blodi, on Flickr

Great information Robert, thank you! Just noticed you are from Cedar Rapids...I grew up in Iowa City/West Des Moines. I was originally thinking about doing a 4 speed for originality sake, but I really wouldn't mind not revving through the roof when I'm on the freeway.

5 speed wide ratio....will that be a decent combo with my auto rear end? I'm still learning.

Already sourced a 5 speed here locally...and had the previous owner had the pedal box already, so I'm on my way....slowly.

Thanks guys! I'm really excited about it and can't wait to enjoy the car all summer. Looking forward to learning more as I go and being a part of the group here. Robert, yellow would have been my 2nd choice too, but I was very lucky to find such a nice example in orange. The build date is 9/71 and the vin is 43319.

Just wanted to say hi officially. On Friday I just bought my first Z! A 1971 240. Bought it from a friend at work who got it 2 years ago. The previous owner to that did an amazing job getting it restored. Looks new all over. Needs a few little odds and ends and one major one...a manual trans Future plans are coilovers, wheels (Rewinds or Rota RKR's), headlight covers, and the manual trans. Really have been enjoying it so far. I've wanted an orange 240z for as long as I can remember. Really happy about it. It joins a couple other Japanese icons in my garage...my 91 LoveFab turbo NSX and my 74 Kawasaki Z1 900. image by blodi, on Flickr image (1) by blodi, on Flickr image (3) by blodi, on Flickr image (2) by blodi, on Flickr