2009 240Z build

Re: update (gmac708)

FlatBlackIan — 2009-11-21T21:15:04-08:00

Quote, originally posted by gmac708 raquo;

Thanks Ian. Did you get that old truck running? lol

She runs, but the project is on the back burner until the rally car is stage ready.

Quote, originally posted by gmac708 raquo;

That's it for today, tomorrow I cut and weld. I think the welding is pretty cool. I'll show you what I mean about using the copper backing plate when welding.

Im interested in this. Im doing more and more welding due to the point at which I am with the S13. After working with the super thin inner fender wells, a few tricks might be nice. I have a friend who finished a full college welding program, but he is busy, so I only get his help so often.

update

gmac708 — 2009-11-21T17:54:01-08:00

Quote, originally posted by spooled240 raquo;

me and my dad do our own painting, we painted my bumpers, lip, sideskirts and wing and it turned out really good. It's not at all that hard, i mean you can definitely do it just looking at the patience and the quality of work that you've been showing us.

I'm not so sure. We'll see. Maybe I can talk somebody into helping out.

Anyway...that's a way off.

Time for an update!

I had to move the Z around so I took a couple pictures outside. Another beautiful day in Ohio.

ZG flare fits good and I need to finish up the welding and install the nut inserts.

I am finding it easier to stitch weld along the edge with a copper backing plate and move around, trying to not let it get too hot.

I eventually got it everything done. Looks pretty good.

I purchased 13-32 nut inserts from Pegasus and a cool little tool to install. gt;gt; http://www.pegasusautoracing.c...TSERT

I did a trial install just to see what it would look like and if it would hold tight.

Not too thick when installed.

Almost flush, I'm happy

Here is one installed in fender. I used an epoxy while installing. Can't hurt.

At the forward corner, the inner fender was right up against the outer fender. I just drilled through the inner and installed the insert in-between the fenders. Looks good from the inside too.

OK...now on to the left side. Same lay-up using the 3.25" dimension (for top) and styling line for placement and try to follow original fender lip for the new flare.

Which puts me back to this point, but I keep looking on the other side to make sure it will be even.

That's it for today, tomorrow I cut and weld. I think the welding is pretty cool. I'll show you what I mean about using the copper backing plate when welding.

Gord

spooled240 — 2009-11-21T16:33:55-08:00

Re: update (gmac708)

Eikon — 2009-11-20T19:42:13-08:00

Why can't you paint it yourself?

Buy a decent HVLP gun. I'm sure you have a compressor. Find a nice chunk of spare metal and give it a test run.

It's not hard to make a do-it-yourself booth in your garage.. just hang a bunch of plastic. Just get a quality clear coat so that you can lay like 6 layers on without it yellowing at all. That way if your not happy with the finish, you can wetsand it and fix any imperfections.

give it a try.. the satisfaction of doing it yourself will be well worth it.

Re: update (FlatBlackIan)

gmac708 — 2009-11-20T19:21:35-08:00

Quote, originally posted by FlatBlackIan raquo;

Man does it look like you are having fun. I wish I didnt have to have a job, I feel like 1 project is not enough.

Keep up the awesome work.

Thanks Ian. Did you get that old truck running? lol

Quote, originally posted by svairman raquo;

So are planning on removing everything and having the car media blasted or anything? Seems pretty clean for its age, but just like the bondo spot on the fender, you never know until its striped. Also with all this time and money seems like a nice new coat of sealer and undercoating would be a good long term investment.

I have talked to a few paint guys around here and every time I mention "70 Z needing some body work" they run for the hills.

I will figure something out...I wish I could do it myself

svairman — 2009-11-19T19:07:37-08:00

Re: update (gmac708)

FlatBlackIan — 2009-11-15T17:47:26-08:00

Man does it look like you are having fun. I wish I didnt have to have a job, I feel like 1 project is not enough.

Keep up the awesome work.

update

gmac708 — 2009-11-15T16:54:40-08:00

I started today by drilling holes for the fasteners. I'm using the clecos again so 1/8" will do the job.

I'm going to position the flares using the body styling line for location of the top two holes (just above it). That worked out to what I had measured at 3.25" yesterday.

Again, I used the excising fender lip to locate the new fender lip, then I traced it out on the fender.

Now comes the fun part. There are actually two fenders, an inner and an outer. I cut the outer first, trying not to cut through to the inner.

I hit some seam sealer along the way. No fires to report. Probably good to have fire-x handy. It was easy to remove.

Now I cut the inner fender, trying to leave enough material so I can bend it up and out to meet the outer fender.

I also found a bondo repair on the forward side of the fender, nothing major.

The rear corner still has flare on it that needs to be flattened where the fastener attaches. There is a rib behind the corner. I flattened the outer fender flat against the rib. Inner fender goes back towards rib to close.

There is a bunch of sealant that you can get to through the rear deck.

Front corner is easier, fastener hole is almost on flat area.

Now for the hard part. It took most of the afternoon to get it right. Lots of beating and stretching.

Once I got it close, I tack welded it. It's a lot easier to stretch or shrink once it has a few welds.

Wow, now I have a few inches of travel. It used to sit on the wheel.

Flares back on for a photo. Not bad...

I will weld up the seam and work on the fasteners next. Time for a beer.
Gord

update

gmac708 — 2009-11-14T18:16:41-08:00

Time for an update. putting the fuel tank on hold for now because...

I got a delivery from MSA. New ZG flares and air dam. The quality looks good and they seem to fit for the most part. Both are made of fiberglass. I will end up painting both.

I played around with the rear flares first. It seems that they have a sweet spot and sit really nice if you keep the original fender opening lip as a guide for the new lip.

That puts the top edge of the ZG flare approx 3.25 inches above the original. Figure about 1/2 to 3/4 edge distance for nutplate would leave about 2.75 inches could be removed at the 12 o'clock. I think that should be enough. Maybe I should go higher...

Front fits well.

I think I'll start on the back first.

Re: Update (gmac708)

GRNMACHINE — 2009-11-11T18:22:02-08:00

WoW is all I can say. This build is absolutely incredible. U have Serious Skills!!! Subscribing to thread. The tires really make a great stance as well.

Re: (evildky)

DriftBoy07 — 2009-11-10T14:20:13-08:00

How about Nadene for a name? Although if it were me I wouldnt let someone else give me any options for names lol

evildky — 2009-11-09T19:03:57-08:00

thats cheating, you're supposed to make a huge mess by removing allt he seam sealer then drill out all 500 spot welds then take the tire well out, cutting is just too easy looks like you have a good solid chassis there

Re: Update (carps13guy)

gmac708 — 2009-11-09T05:43:21-08:00

Quote, originally posted by carps13guy raquo;

comin along. its amazing at how little structural support there is past the rear shock towers in those cars. doesnt look like it would take a hit all that well. i guess thats why there so freakishly amazingly light

I'm going to add some tower bracing, but thats it. Crumple zones are good , I think that some rules do not allow any reinforcement, behind towers, other that factory stuff.

Quote, originally posted by hbpignosePA raquo;

looks awesome as usual
did u decide on a color yet?

I'm actually considering the original color. It's starting to grow on me. funny how that works.
so...black or orange.

Also figured I would have a name by now..."she" or "the Z" not that personal.

Re: Update (gmac708)

hbpignosePA — 2009-11-08T19:44:56-08:00

looks awesome as usual

did u decide on a color yet?

Re: Update (gmac708)

carps13guy — 2009-11-08T19:26:50-08:00

Update

gmac708 — 2009-11-08T12:52:55-08:00

Ah...found it. Guess we moved. Her's a little update.

I ordered my fender flares and front air dam from MSA last weekend. They arrived in Columbus on Friday at the Fed-ex ground depot. I spent a few hours over there yesterday, trying to get the box but it had already been loaded in truck for delivery Monday so...no fender flares today. I was going to start installing the gages in the dash but is so nice out today, there is no sense in sitting in the basement so... I chose to start getting the backend ready for the fuel tank.

So I pushed the Z outside. I need to get the position lights and everything stripped out.

A few of the screws in the nut plates were frozen and took a little work but everything came out OK.

I need to remove the tub for the old spare tire. I am going to use the room under it to mount a gas tank. My old tank probably would have done an OK job but it was a bit corroded inside and I am going to have to use a more upgraded fuel system for the fuel injected motor. New tank and pumps, floors needs to be flat.

That was easy.

Also...I knew there was a little fender bender on the right / rear quarter. It is a little more apparent now that everything is removed. No biggy, it will get fixed.

That's it for today, I should be able to finish up floor and start on fender flares next weekend.

Gord

Re: (carps13guy)

nuinqua — 2009-11-08T05:19:04-08:00

bump

Re: (Coolwhip)

carps13guy — 2009-11-02T11:39:41-08:00

nice work gordon. the car is starting to transform now. looks like your not too far off from firing up the motor now. craftsmanship

Coolwhip — 2009-11-02T05:31:55-08:00

damn Gordon, I want to be you when I grow up. hahaha

Looks sicker and crazier everytime I visit this thread! Job well done thus far my friend!

a quick update

gmac708 — 2009-10-31T15:36:04-08:00

Sorry for not updating the web page but things have been crazy. Work...kids...wife... bla-bla-bla time for some z-time

I did get my FMIC piping welded and installed. It came out perfect.

My dash came back from Dashboard Restoration. Initial fit looks pretty good. It was a total wasted POS when I started. Not too bad

Played around with fitting my new speedhut revolution gages...
ooooooooooo, ahhhhhhhhhhhh. These are way cool and you should see them lit up. Very nice, and I am going to have to make a few adapters out of plastic. Sounds like something to do when body out for paint.

Also...I must get fenders and fuel tank done before body goes to paint, I have to get parts ordered!

Re: Update (RustspecS13)

gmac708 — 2009-10-20T10:41:56-08:00

Quote, originally posted by RustspecS13 raquo;

If you need a new axle for cams car LMK. I have at least one of each side....

Looking good though! Are you trying to get it driving for this year or are you going to wait untill spring to take the first drive?

~Alex

Thanks for the offer on the axles, we got the new boot installed and there was hardly any slop in the CV joints, all is good.

As far a my plans for the Z, I plan on finishing up fab work and sending off to paint, then re-assemble in the spring. No hurry, It's not going any ware.

Re: Update (gmac708)

RustspecS13 — 2009-10-20T08:01:17-08:00

If you need a new axle for cams car LMK. I have at least one of each side....

Looking good though! Are you trying to get it driving for this year or are you going to wait untill spring to take the first drive?

~Alex

Re: Update (dinger240)

gmac708 — 2009-10-18T18:30:19-08:00

Quote, originally posted by dinger240 raquo;

Updates Please

lol
FMIC tubes are welded, I played around with the dash, but I had to help the kid change CV boot on 240SX last weekend. This weekend I am stuck in Wichita babysitting an airplane. I'll get back to the Z soon.

Re: Update (nyc240sx)

dinger240 — 2009-10-18T16:47:52-08:00

Updates Please

Re: Update (nyc240sx)

KeeperoftheDead — 2009-10-18T16:46:56-08:00

Re: Update (streeteg)

nyc240sx — 2009-10-05T12:04:00-08:00

very nice build

Re: Update (carps13guy)

streeteg — 2009-10-05T11:10:14-08:00

Ya kudos on the piping--- I am not at all looking forward to redoing mine when I go top mount turbo. I dont have the luxury of taking off my front bumper so its gonna be a total PIA. Anyway Nice work as always

Re: Update (gmac708)

carps13guy — 2009-10-04T19:27:40-08:00

nice work as always, that piping is going to be super clean when finished. you planning to powder coat it? i hope that your sons s13 had a tire chalk on the front right tire when he lifted the rear end. but your work is legit, im sure it was there it just wasnt visible.

Update

gmac708 — 2009-10-04T15:15:24-08:00

OK...Today we got started on the FMIC piping. It's real easy to do.

First, I use a band saw. Yes it helps. Nice straight cuts.
Second, never use green or brown masking tape to hold the piping together before you weld.
Something in that tape contaminates the surface and it drives the welders crazy.

Hot pipe is 3 1/4" reduced down to 3" to FMIC. Have vibrant 3" 90 degree and 3" straight pipe to work with.
I just cut and trim as needed.

Need a little straight piece here...

Here I use a cheep Harbor Freight bead roller to put bead on end of pipe.

trim off excess

Should hold...

Last part over here...

Have it coming over the fender, up high, then back down to the FMIC. I need the space down below for the intake.

Now we have to go from 3" outlet to 3 1/2" pipe, the to 4" intake manifold. I am using the 3 1/2" vibrant 90 degree and straight pipe.

Hard turn inboard and down.

Then back up towards the intake

Funky non-skid mat to protect the finish on the pipe. Keeps the scratches down.

That's it for this side

I am going to take over and get welded this week. Everything came out pretty smooth.

I need to start thinking about where to mount the BOV.

Cam and Alex wanted to swap out shocks on the 240SX and things went down hill from there, guess I'll get back to the Z next weekend...

Gord

Re: Update (carps13guy)

KeeperoftheDead — 2009-10-03T21:09:55-08:00

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

Re: Update (gmac708)

carps13guy — 2009-10-03T16:15:43-08:00

coming along nicely man.

Update

gmac708 — 2009-10-03T15:34:24-08:00

I worked on the FMIC today. The 24X12X4 is pretty big.
I needed to squish everything between the two brackets that support the hood hinges and the headlights. This meant I needed to weld the 3" 90 degree adapters on the ends of the intercooler. This will shorten everything up and it should fit...I hope.

I cut the old flanges off with saw and dressed them up square and smooth with a grinding wheel.

Mounted everything up and measured a bunch to see how much of the 90 degree I needed to remove. About 3/4" would do it.

Ran over to Defined Autoworks and Peter welded them up for me.

Next...I made some room on the fwd bulkhead. I gave up trying to get everything to feed through the existing holes. I elected to remove everything, and will build some new plates later. That way I should be able to mount oil cooler and intake as well.

Here is before...

After... you get the idea

Now I have all sorts of room.

Tomorrow we get to fab up the piping
That's it for today
Gord

Re: Update (gmac708)

spooled240 — 2009-09-29T23:39:49-08:00

Quote, originally posted by gmac708 raquo;

I have the added benefit of free, child slave-labor

s*** i know how that goes...paint the house or get my a** cracked: I pick option 1

Re: Update (streeteg)

gmac708 — 2009-09-29T17:47:38-08:00

Quote, originally posted by idahos13 raquo;

You need a side pic of the car I want to see the ride height and whatnot lol, PLEASSEEE!

Back on page 5, I had a picture of the car lowered as far as I could. The fenders were sitting on the tires. I need to get the ZG flares installed so I can set ride height. Maybe I'll do that next. I should get another picture posted.

Quote, originally posted by streeteg raquo;

If you don't mind me asking--- whats your profession? I barely have enough time for my build and its nowhere near as comprehensive as yours.

-Eric

I am an aircraft mechanic and work about 60 hours a week. I usually spend one day a weekend playing in the garage, sometimes two. As far as having enough time, I have the added benefit of free, child slave-labor I keep them on top of cutting the lawn and cleaning up the yard. They help me out in the garage too. That gives me some extra time.

Re: Update (carps13guy)

streeteg — 2009-09-29T08:19:17-08:00

If you dont mind me asking--- whats your profession? I barely have enough time for my build and its nowhere near as comprehensive as yours.

-Eric

Re: Update (gmac708)

carps13guy — 2009-09-27T23:14:04-08:00

damn, i cant stop thinking about how much of a beast that thing is gonna b once roadworthy. good stuff, im always stoked to see updates from your build!

Re: Update (hbpignosePA)

musashin — 2009-09-27T21:23:54-08:00

Hmmm, is it just me or are you gonna have some issues with hood clearance with the top coupling on that radiator? Either way, still wholeheartedly approve.

EDIT: I'm dumb, that's where the radiator cap goes.

Modified by musashin at 11:13 AM 9/28/2009

Re: Update (bigred240sx)

hbpignosePA — 2009-09-27T19:44:39-08:00

Re: Update (bigred240sx)

idahos13 — 2009-09-27T17:59:19-08:00

You need a side pic of the car I want to see the ride height and whatnot lol, PLEASSEEE!

Re: Update (gmac708)

bigred240sx — 2009-09-27T17:28:12-08:00

looking good. cant wait for the finished product.

Update

gmac708 — 2009-09-27T17:19:59-08:00

Update, sorry it took so long...
I started to work on the front end. The radiator and FMIC for now. I purchased a double pass radiator. That means the water passes through core twice. Once, from right to left on bottom, and then left to right on top. I picked it up 24" from Arts racemart. Very nice looking and hope it works. http://www.randysracemart.com/prcdopara.html .

I used a floor jack to test out the height.

Also put the hood on and checked for clearance. Stuck my camera up and took a few pictures.

You might notice that I have cardboard on cooling fins. Keeps fins looking new during fabrication.

So I set the height and bent up some aluminum angles. Marked and placed them where I want them welded.

I thought I would give Defined Autoworks of Pataskala a try for my welding needs. I checked out their shop and talked to Logan, he said no problem and they did a nice job. So I got my rad back and just needed to trim and mount it.

I'm using grommets in bulkhead for rubber mounting.

Nice fit, everything looks good.

Now on to the FMIC

I purchased 24X12X4 intercooler on e-bay. X02 racing. Good price

I bent aluminum brackets and bolted to bottom of FMIC. The top is going to need some brackets made up. I ended up running out of time....

That's it for now... I'll pick up some sheet aluminum this week, and the tubing and couplings should be delivered as well.
Gord

spooled240 — 2009-09-16T11:26:21-08:00

nice update

ZSpecs — 2009-09-15T18:05:05-08:00

Sweet Build

Re: FN-QR (Dittoz7)

idahos13 — 2009-09-15T17:56:56-08:00

This build is just pure awesomeness!! Great job on all the detail you have done to this car! Keep up the good work!

FN-QR

Dittoz7 — 2009-09-14T09:17:51-08:00

Wanna Trade It For A S14 Kouki + Toy Poodle + My Soul?

LMK

Re: (HoosierSX)

streeteg — 2009-09-14T08:55:24-08:00

Really really nice build-- I am super jealous. A lot of good parts going on to this thing... and done right. I wish I had the time for a build like this. Not to mention the skills. Your Zgt; my Z

Re: (noobdrftr)

HoosierSX — 2009-09-14T08:10:24-08:00

Quote, originally posted by noobdrftr raquo;

awesome...just pure awesome

well said

Re: (evildky)

hbpignosePA — 2009-09-13T20:59:17-08:00

probably one of the most legit builds ive seen on a z

evildky — 2009-09-13T20:44:07-08:00

been a while since I ran the hybrid rear disk but it was either the S130 or Z31 rear callier that fit with stock e/bake cables and no hard line drama

Re: Update (gmac708)

carps13guy — 2009-09-13T20:21:42-08:00

lookin good mang. those aluminum susp. pieces look tough, im keeping a close eye on this thread because once again, you are essentially building one of my dream cars. its gonna be hard to keep up w/all the custom fab cleanness of yours though. good work

Re: Update (gmac708)

KeeperoftheDead — 2009-09-13T16:49:19-08:00

word word

Update

gmac708 — 2009-09-13T16:40:46-08:00

I got the rear sway bar this week.
Suspension Techniques Kit for 70-73 240Z P/N 51075. Sorry kids, can't keep it green. Had to paint it.

Rattle-can for now, I will get it powder coated later. Added the Teflon tape to keep the squeaks down.

Pretty simple install, bolted up to the Arizona Z stuff without any trouble.

The kit came with brackets to replace the stock rear mounts and the poly bushings would mount up to these. I ended up not needing them. If anybody wants them...drop me a PM.

Nice kit and everything fit without any problems.

Now for the rear brakes.

Modern Motorsports 240SX brake adapters.

I purchased 93 240SX from local Advanced Auto for $110 plus $30 core. Also needed E-brake brackets.
P/N 44196-35F00 (L/H) and P/N 44195-35F00 (R/H) for $22.52 each from local Nissan.

As you can see from picture here, the E-brake brackets need some modification to adapt to smaller E-brake cable. I needed to cut parts from my old brackets.

Cut...

Weld...

Paint

Bolt on brakes and adapters...

The e-brake cable need to have clevis pins and a little adapter installed to hook up to brake. The MM kit includes these. I also swapped the cables from left to right due to the extra cable length. Taking the cable from the left side and hooking it up to the right side used up the extra length I now had. It just made everything fit a little nicer, otherwise the e-brake cable was sort of hanging down.

Modern Motorsport has a cool little brake hose adapter kit that bolts direct up here...
The R/H bracket on the frame gets removed and the ridged line is replaced with the SS hose.

The hose on the left side gets hooked up to the bracket on frame, but that bracket and the e-brake brackets were a little too close for comfort. They were almost touching when the strut was compressed.

So...drill new hole closer to frame...

Trim off old hole...

Much better...

Back on the ground.

Gord

Re: (evildky)

ravera — 2009-09-08T20:37:04-08:00

Usually the hold up a little better in the lighter S30's mostly due to the fact they're compressed just past the wear pattern they achieved on the S130, basically giving them a new(er) wear surface to beat themselves against. Enough pressure in one spot for a tripod and they begin to develop cracks in their less beefy housing.

evildky — 2009-09-08T20:32:24-08:00

lol, sorry I just assumed you used Z31 cv's the s130 shafts are shorter and a better fit

for those watchign at home, to use the z31 shaft (which is what I run) you hae to take the cv shaft apart at the outboard side, and remove the inner race and flip it over ont he shaft, this shortens the length of the shaft by about 1" allowing it to fit the S30 chassis without binding

the S130 is a tripod style cv and can't be flipped

my concern is if the S130 shafts will hold up to that RB power, they were breaking on a lot of L28ET drag cars is why I went Z31

Re: (evildky)

KeeperoftheDead — 2009-09-08T17:28:37-08:00

Quote, originally posted by evildky raquo;

Did you put the CV shafts back in, in the same direction as you removed them? The shafts have to be bottoming out in the cups. If not then the tulips need to be flipped over.

Fixed.

Re: (evildky)

gmac708 — 2009-09-08T16:35:49-08:00

Quote, originally posted by evildky raquo;

you put int the cv's as removed!? you didn't flip the tulip? they shafts ahve to be bottoming out int he cups

I have about 1" before spring bottoms out. I checked at all travel points.

I can still flip them.
I do not remember reading about flipping
Please explain...

Re: (evildky)

ravera — 2009-09-08T14:41:03-08:00

When I put them in, I didn't have to flip them and they didn't bottom.

The Z31T CV's have to be flipped though.

evildky — 2009-09-08T07:54:30-08:00

you put int the cv's as removed!? you didn't flip the tulip? they shafts ahve to be bottoming out int he cups

Re: Update (ravera)

gmac708 — 2009-09-06T20:07:15-08:00

Quote, originally posted by ravera raquo;

Did you replace the boots on your Tripods? Where did you get them? I can find the inner boots but not the outers, Ironically.

Those are "as removed" from doner car. Left is recent overhaul and right looks original. I think just a CV grease re-pack. It would be nice to have new boots. I think I will do when car being painted. I have not looked around yet.

spooled240 — 2009-09-06T19:44:10-08:00

i think you're gonna have to put it in front of the rear subframe...maybe drill holes into the floor boards, weld some nuts in and bolt on the sway bar supports?