agnyc1

ahhhhh... it's all like a big relevation of bright light! haha thanks! any tips on picking out the right distributor?

i studied your diagram and it makes sense to me that the PCV and vapor system would only help fuel efficiency and not really hinder engine performance is this true? or does it hinder performance? if so how much? does this system cause the dreaded vapor lock i keep hearing about?

cool. thanks. so you'r saying keep the vapor stuf/PCV. but you kinda lost me on this: "Getting a dizzy with a lower intial timming doesn't hurt and helps." ??

SUs air pump anything else? or am i getting there?

i want to maximize gas mileage and power, and essentially get it running as efficiently as an early 240z. (yes, i realize it's heavier, but that aside..) (i'm smog exempt in southern CA, so i can remove/change/strip.) aside from changing the flat-top "boat anchor" SUs to early round-top SUs, what else do i need to do, specifically with regard to emissions controls, to get it running like a 70 or 71 240Z?

what a couple of you said about the flat top carbs working well IF you could tune them properly. assuming i could, or assuming i put in 240SUs from z-therapy are there any other things (weight aside) that would make the 260 perform less well than a 240? are there other emissions things that need to be changed or removed to put it on equal footing (again weight aside) with a 240? or are the SU carbs the only thing? (again 1974 260Z is smog exempt in CA, so i'm able to strip emissions stuff or change it.)

yeah i'm in cali. 2 years now. but i'm still a new yorker at heart! wow great price on that car! you guys are really making me consider this. i wrote the guy a long note explaining all the valid reasons he should give me a better deal, but he's not really budging. right now he won't go lower than about 3100. i think he thinks he has more than he does. but someone will probably come along and pay it because the car looks cool. i definitely want to stay pre 1976 -- those are smog exempt in cali

thanks jack! the 1st orange is sweet, but it has 2 days left an is probably going to go for at least 5 or 6K. then i'd have to drop 1K to get it out here. and the one i want locally looks nearly as good! and for half the price. (admittedly it's less car presently under the hood) the second one, the silver one looks great too, and i like the silver. the 240K miles scared me off a bit. and then there's the cash to get it out here again. hmm. maybe i'll offer this guy a lot less like dave suggested, and see if he bites. then i can drop the 1K on the ztherapy carb, and another $1-2K? on the 5 speed. then i'll have my dream car for roughly the same price. (would spend $60 to get it profesionally inspected by a Z specialist first)

thanks ari! <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-280-260-240-Z-ZX-Header-280z-240z_W0QQitemZ7999036233QQcategoryZ33631QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">ViewItem</a> is this a good choice? i might be able to get it on the cheap

it's really helpful and puts things in perspective. i'm learning a lot! gratefully, -anthony g jack, to answer your question: "So what is it about this specific car that makes you want it so badly anyway?" i think it's the appearance of the car i think i've developed an emotional attachment HAHA to the orange color and even that lines of the big heavy bumpers and original rims you know, it like when you see a car and you say "that's me! that's my car! that's my style!" i'm glad you forced me to answer that question i've gotta put it in perspective i guess the question is am i willing to pay a premium for this SO CALLED emotional satisfaction? for example, there IS another car that is a better value: a 1971 240z (better carbs, stick) it great shape with expensive rims and really babied by its owner (great stereo, the whole 9 yards) for $4000 but it's BLUE (and a nice blue too) and for some reason i'm stuck on the orange i feel like it would somehow be sacriledge to repaint it orange like bad car karma! like the car would hate me! of course i would think twice about ripping the engine apart to improve it kind of a hypocracy, eh? crazy huh? i've really got to stop all this silliness :stupid: HELP!

hm. feedback?

i got the owner to send me some pics of the engine and sure enough, there are those flat top carbs damn, i was half hoping to find them already modified the engine looks stock overall, from what i can tell i'm torn -- i love the look (body, paint, rims) and good overall condition of this car but the automatic trans, lack of A/C and stock enigne make me want to hold out for a car that already had engine upgrades that are absorbed by the sell price like the one i mentioned in my earlier post -- the one vilidini motorsports modified sold that on ebay yesterday for $6700. it was a 73 with an sr20det and all the racing add-ons. wer talking 25mpg, 12-13 sec 1/4 mile, 0-60 in like 6s. it sold for less the entire engine swap and mod cost! now that seems like a great deal! of course the fancier the set up, the more can go wrong, right? though the sr20det is a very fast reliable efficient engine. if i get this car for 3K and spend 6 or 7K to do that to it at vildini, we're up to 10K. or even if i do the above mods for 5-6K, i'm still getting way up there. i could probably buy a WHOLE LOT more car for 9 or 10K right out of the gate. the whole idea of buying a Z was to have a fun sports car RELATIVELY on the cheap. time to break out my old fiat x1/9 -- that thing REALLY has no guts! hahaha. hmmmm.. torn. torn. this slow but beautiful stock 260Z for around 3K? is it worth it?

i'm down with ztherapy all the way. suprised they're that much though. i'm not racing it but would love have something of a street rod someday. thanks for all your time and input dave. definitely have to give some more thought to whether i want to buy this 260 and dump money into it, or whether i wanna look for a deal on one that's already pimped out. one from vilidini sold on ebay today for $6700. it was a 73 with an sr20det and all the racing add-ons. wer talking 25mpg, 12-13 sec 1/4 mile, 0-60 in like 6s. it sold for less the entire engine swap and mod. now i'm thinking i should have bought it. doh!

let's see: ZTherary early performance SUs (if i were to pull a stock one though what year is best?) keep the N36 intake manifold 1 1/2 inch headers 2 1/2 inch exhuast front spoiler (may forego this one for classic appearance) performance muffler remove the cat ('75 and older is smog exempt in CA! yeah!) NKG power spark plugs THP or Magnacore spark plug wires drain and refill all fluids & change oil filter performance tires lightweight rims (but i really like the look of the stock ones) check brakes replace brake pads and lines check u joints & rear suspension bushings electronic ignition new coil 5 speed lightened flywheel ceterforce clutch new cam head valve, and cam work (yikes getting expensive now?) what else? anyone else want to change, amend, or add to this list? keep 'em comin'. i love it. looks like the first 3 things to focus on (so i don't get overwhelmed or go broke) are carbs, headers, and exhaust (along with all the inspection and tune up stuff of course)

i'm thinking of buying a stock 260z that's in very good condition i'd like to squeeze more performance out of the stock engine being a novice mechanic, what modifications can i do that will give me the most provebial "bang for my buck"? what kind of improvements can i expect from dressing up a stock 260z? can i get reasonably get the 140hp up to 160 or 170? can i even improve gas mileage at the same time? (i know the 2 are usually mutually exclusive.. but hey, i'm dreamin here) i've tried to do a search of the forums but haven't found any concise answers would love some of you old pros to make me a list of things you would do to a stock 260z first to get the most improvement for the least money just from my limited knowledged about cars in general i know carburation, air intake, and exhaust are places to start but would love specifics from you wise shamen 'o the Z list away! and thank you! anthony g (potential new 260z owner!) oh.. here's my possible new baby she's quite a looker eh? pros: paint, body, and interior look good no rust that i can find engine looks really clean and runs well original rims stiffer body & better electrics than 240z eveything works except for clock only about 76k miles (if that's accurate) cons: automatic stricter emissions control than 240z (bad carb) want more power want better gas mileage and i'm REALLY gonna miss my t-tops from my old silver 86 300zx custom 260z t-tops anyone (i'm sure that would be a nightmare undertaking) the guy wants a little over 3K what do you think? does it look good? should i go for it?