240Z - LS1 going in the 240z.

I just got a motor for the Datsun 240Z project.

After much consideration of what motor I wanted to put in the Z I finally decided to go with a gm LS1 V8. I have always been against putting an American v8 in Z cars, but here I am joining the v8 club. I was originally considering either the Nissan VQ35 or VH45 but decided against going that route because of how tight the fit was going to be with a DOHC V motor, not to mention that the VQ35 is so integrated into the 350z body harness that you need an entire donor car to realistically do the swap. I also like that I will be able to retain A/C with no additional fabrication.


So here it is. 2004 LS1 crate motor for a Chevrolet Corvette - 0 miles.

240Z - Tear down started.

I have the car down to the bare chassis. There is some run on the floor pans that was under the sound deadening material, but it's mostly surface rust. There is a golf ball sized hole rusted out of the passenger floor pan under the seat that I will have to cut away. I am probably going to replace the entire floor pan to be sure that all of the rust is gone. Luckily I haven't found anything that I wasn't already expecting.

I will get the chassis soda blasted once I get rid of the undercoating.

 

 

Cool Z cars.

Here are some of the Z cars I am using as inspiration for my project.


Austin Hoke's VQ35DE powered Z: http://www.vq240z.com

Mark Rolstons RB26 powered Z: http://web.me.com/markrolston/NewSite/Z-car.html

  

A few more cool Z cars. (unknown source)

240Z - First post.

I am starting this blog to document my 240z project and anything else that I find interesting.


The car is a 1973 Datsun 240z that I bought back in Sept. 2008. It had the original L24. I have always like the look of the "Devil-Z" from Wangan Midnight so I am going to try to re-create the same style. Since I have already had an 3.1L L28 stroker and a forged L28 I want to try something new. I haven't decided on the motor yet, but I want something more modern so I am considering the VQ35HR.


Here are some pics of the car before I started working on it: