2009 240Z build

[DanDrath]

do this do this

[spooled240]

something about that yuta guy's Z is just EPIC

[gmac708]

something about that yuta guy's Z is just EPIC

I agree, it looks awsome.

Time for an update.

I started on the left ZG flare today.

Same as right side.



Using spoon to flatten the old flare where the new well nut goes, that helps the ZG flare sit flush.



Using spoon and hammer to help stretch the inner fender. I also used the 5 lb sledge.



Also using the spoon and hammer to flatten the back corner.



Here's a picture of using the copper backing to tack weld. The weld will not stick to the copper plate. If you happen to blow a hole through the thin sheet metal, you can back up the hole and fill weld it. I kept the copper pressed up hard against the inner lip and tacked welded, It seemed to help a lot.



Mostly done, just a cleanup grinding, maybe a few more welds...



Wheel back on.And drop it another inch lower on springs.



Hmmmm...not bad.

Gord

[kelloggman]

sexy

[truckmtr240]

Shes going to be a beauty!

[DanDrath]

look great. Definitely going to be gorgeous.

"Wheel back on.And drop it another inch lower on springs." maybe 2 or 3 inches heh

[tmeyer29]

Love this thread

[gmac708]

well...I got the Z turned around and started on the front end.



I figured I should get the front end put together bafore I start on the ZG flares, that way everything should fit. The air dam trial fit was OK, not perfect. I suspect something is not together properly or bent.



So I put the front end together...all original. I'm going to play with it for a bit.



I sure like the way it looks....maybe the MSA air dam is not the way to go....maybe BRE spoiler...

gord

[nissangirl74]

I just sat down and read this whole thread. What you have done is nothing less than spectacular. I only hope my build goes half as smooth.

I'm hooked.

[Logan76]

Hey Gordon, the car is coming along fantastically, I can't wait to see the finished result. Think those nut inserts would work on a door skin to hold a mirror by chance?

[justinedible4]

Just read whole thread and amazing, simply amazing.

[Didderson]

I want to subscribeee because this build is the best there is.. I hope you choose factory orange respray it's beautiful and original FEEL THE PASSION! LOL...

My first nissan love was the oldest Z body, I went with a 240sx because 4cyl would give me better gas mileage at the time.

Keep it up and great job, you're redoing absolutely everything so I'm sure it will be mint when complete

[spooled240]

you know what, I always find myself drooling over skylines, s15 silvia's, cressida's and other japanese cars that were never available to the US but then I think about getting an old Z and swapping a skyline engine in it and not having to worry about customs and the feds confiscating your s***..then it seems like going through all that hassle to get a 250 hp RHD silvia is not worth it. Old cars FTW! (Especially in CA)...just my .02

[gmac708]

you know what, I always find myself drooling over skylines, s15 silvia's, cressida's and other japanese cars that were never available to the US but then I think about getting an old Z and swapping a skyline engine in it and not having to worry about customs and the feds confiscating your s***..then it seems like going through all that hassle to get a 250 hp RHD silvia is not worth it. Old cars FTW! (Especially in CA)...just my .02

Good point! I like the way you think. This is a "get out of jail free" car.

I want to subscribeee because this build is the best there is.. I hope you choose factory orange respray it's beautiful and original FEEL THE PASSION! LOL...

I do like the original color but...what would you do if you could have any color?

Hey Gordon, the car is coming along fantastically, I can't wait to see the finished result. Think those nut inserts would work on a door skin to hold a mirror by chance?

Hey Logan I think they would be perfect.

well... I'm stuck in Phoenix...driving to Tucson tomorrow....Back up in Phoenix on Tuesday...then over to LA. Not going to get much done on the Z this weekend.

[hypcodiiihop]

I do like the original color but...what would you do if you could have any color?

R33 midnight purple.

end discussion on paint options.

great build.

[svairman]

lol i'll probably get flamed for suggesting such blasphemy but what about ford mineral gray? I think its a great color for older cars with 70's style lines. The way it shifts from gray to silver then gold. Not lame like though tacky chromalusion paints but just a nice pearlescent

[IanS]

well... I'm stuck in Phoenix...driving to Tucson tomorrow....Back up in Phoenix on Tuesday...then over to LA. Not going to get much done on the Z this weekend.

Hey dont feel too bad, at least your car is still at home where you could work on it.

[gmac708]

Hey dont feel too bad, at least your car is still at home where you could work on it.

lol...you'll have your baby back soon enough.

lol i'll probably get flamed for suggesting such blasphemy but what about ford mineral gray? I think its a great color for older cars with 70's style lines. The way it shifts from gray to silver then gold. Not lame like though tacky chromalusion paints but just a nice pearlescent

R33 midnight purple. end discussion on paint options. great build.

Meh...good ideas, but not feeling anything....

[gmac708]

I finally got some garage time in this week. It's been a while. I did receive my replacement right headlight bucket from Z car source. It was used, but in great shape. Better than the old one, and it did make a difference how everything fit together up front.



I have been playing around with the front ZG flares and they have a sweet spot that they like to sit in. I followed the same basic rules as the back. I tried to maintain the same outer flare lip on the new flares. That left the top of the flares about 2.75" above the old lip.



I used the clecos to hold them on, drilling and securing them, starting in the middle.



Then started on the other side...



The tire rubs on the fender when the wheel is turned. I will start out getting my clearance up front and go from there. I was playing around with the front fairing and this is going to take some thinking to get everything fitting just right. It's kind of scary cutting the fenders, I just want to make sure.

Gord

[JDMZ32]

Looking good.

[gmac708]

Time for an update! Things seem to have slowed down a bit, but I am learning as I go and the next car should go a little faster...

This bodywork stuff is hard!

I started cutting the front fenders today. Here is the before picture.



I laid out the tape and marked the top of the flare, and then another line 1/2 inch for edge distance. That should be enough space for the support of the flare.



The tire rubs the fender at the front lower corner. This shows how much I am going to be removing.



I cut with lots of room to spare.



Here it is after cutting. I left 1/4" extra. I am thinking about rolling the edge under to give it a little extra strength. I was initially concerned that the fender would loose it's shape and flex around to the shape of the flare, but it turned out to be stronger than I figured...which is good



Lot's of room now...no more tire rub.



Flare looks good!



I will start on left side tomorrow, I'll try and figure out about rolling the fender edge.

And hope everybody has a happy holidays!

[boro drift]

The old Z is looking good Gord. Nice work.

[phanatikz32]

OH MAN I'VE BEEN MISSING OUT! great build thread. i wish i had a parent that agree'd with tuning cars.

[gmac708]

I got a chance to work on the Z today. I have a new bestest friend in the garage with me today. I purchased a space heater. This should help this winter. (getting old)



I am starting on the front air dam. I purchased the MSA p/n 501402 fiberglass air dam w/ducts. I figured the glass would be a bit easier to modify. I had to open up the fenders to accommodate the larger tires. I attached the air dam in a position where the original fender line flowed down from the ZG flares to the air dam.



You can see here that it causes the air dam to sit about an inch forward from where it was designed to sit. The rear corner of the air dam is 4.5" aft of the fender/light bucket flange.



This made the turn signal area about 1" forward of where it should be.



Here it is with turn signal and bumper attached. I think it needs to be moved back and follow original lines.



But I love the air dam, it's perfect!



So I cut the support area off the air dam and attached them to the light buckets. This way the turn signals will tuck under the bumper and will not sit so proud, if you know what I mean.





See... lot's of room under here and now.



Guess I will get to play with fiberglass tomorrow. Yuck, I'm scratching all ready.

That's it for now...Gord

[USsil80]

Guess I will get to play with fiberglass tomorrow. Yuck, I'm scratching all ready.

That's it for now...Gord

looks awesome... you said it is cold in there... turn the heat off.. put on the long sleeves and gloves... and tape the cuffs shut over the gloves... fiberglass tears me up really bad... so i know how you feel

[spooled240]

nice!

[gmac708]

I was playing around with the AD (air dam) and I think I got the turn signal fitment issues figured out in my head. I now need to secure the AD so it does not move around. The AD is designed to "hang" from the light buckets and the fender, but since I moved it forward, I need to make a few modifications. I started by fabbing up a few support brackets.



These are attached to the inner fender where the forward bolt for the bumper bracket attaches.



Both brackets are the same length, so everything should hang level and square.



Here is a view inside the left fender looking forward. This is where the original chin fairing attached. We are going to secure the back corner of the AD here.



I'm a little concerned that the bracket will not support the AD. I don't think it would last very long.



So...I made a bracket...



Welded it in. Now the fender has some support in that corner.



Now I trimmed the AD and secured with Cleco.



All good, this is rock solid now.



OK Now I can play with the turn signals. My big concern was to make the AD so I could remove and install it and get it in the same exact position every time. I started to adjust bumper and measure everything. I must have had that damn bumper on and off a million times today...



Time for a beer...Gord

[USsil80]

[QUOTE=gmac708

Time for a beer...Gord[/QUOTE]

a well deserved one at thatawesome work

[spooled240]

are you gonna do the rear spoiler?

[gmac708]

are you gonna do the rear spoiler?

Yes. Looking around at different ones, not quite sure if I should have one piece or three piece. One piece looks cleaner. Leaning towards BRE type.

I spent yesterday putting an exhaust on Cam's 240SX. I Hate working on the floor under a wet car, dripping sand and salt, what a mess. Got it done



Update on the Z

I need to make some fiberglass parts fit the air dam to the turn signals. I ran down to NAPA and picked up enough to do the job, not quite the composite repair / fab shop stuff, but it will do.

Step one. Need some fiberglass stock. Garbage bag, fiber matt, resin.



Pour on and try and work out bubbles. This is where vacuum bag and rollers would help, but this is good enough.



Now fold over other bag flap and put in warm dry place. I placed it between two flat pieces of particle board and stuck in basement overnight.



Next day...peel from bag. It's got wrinkles but no air bubbles and it's flat.



I cut out strips and held them in place.



I cut out a flat piece for under turn signal.



Fit pretty good



Other side...



And start glassing the back side.



Pretty boring stuff...I hope to get this done by next weekend. Everything itches.

Gord