Real nice work, beats the heck out of having exhaust dragging the ground!!!!
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Real nice work, beats the heck out of having exhaust dragging the ground!!!!
Nice customization. Little stuff like this, makes them custom and yours!
The regular guy that walks through shows or see's these on the street have no idea what we go through NICE work.
Thanks guys.
Here it is painted and mounted.
Attachment 52159
My original plan was to relocate the battery to the trunk. But, after making some temporary panels, it's clear to me that there just isn't enough space to hide a battery. So, it's back to the stock location in the engine compartment. There was a lot of corrosion on, and under the original battery tray, so years ago, I cut it out and treated the area.
Attachment 52397
I fabbed up this new tray and bolted it to the fire wall and inner fender.
Attachment 52398
It sits a little higher than stock, but with a a couple measurements, a suitable battery was easy to find at the local O'Reilly's.
And now the part I've been dreading. WIRING! I have read the JTR V8 swap manual several times now, and it only seems to confuse me more each time I do. What sounded pretty simple and straight forward five years ago, now seems a little daunting. There are simplistic diagrams with color coded wires that don't seem to correspond with any colored wires in my engine bay. And there are a lot more wires dangling under my hood than appear in the manual. The manual does have a picture of a pile of wiring that can be remove, which looks impressive, but when I cut them I'm still left with bare ends that lead somewhere.
Don't get me wrong, the JTR conversion manual is worth every penny, and no one could ever cover all of the many wiring changes that were made in the Z models over the years. But for all the specific connections listed, there is this one non-specific phrase, "The extraneous wiring can be removed or by-passed with he assistance of the electrical schematics in the Datsun factory shop manual." Sounds good, until you look at the schematic. It is sooooo small that I can't even read the font, let alone follow the lines between items. I found a JPG version online and had it blown up as big as Kinkos could make it (3'X2'). It's hanging on the wall in the garage. And although I can now distinguish a headlamp from a hazard relay, the lines are still too close together to follow from one place to another.
Fortunately there is a rather large community among Z owners who have done this swap, so I should be able to handle it.
Sounds complex! Even my new wiring harness gets confusing as I add stuff!
Finally making some progress with the wiring. It was obvious early on that the Datsun Shop Manual schematic was too complex for my feeble eyesight to follow. I set about using my favorite image program and traced each wire using the proper color combinations. The process took a couple of weeks and is still ongoing. The result is a diagram I can actually use.
Attachment 52969
I cannot emphasize how valuable this new diagram has been. I've been able to eliminate the seatbelt ignition interlock system entirely, along with other systems I no longer need (rear window defogger for example). And I've added the representations of GM components that replace the old Datsun alternator, starter and distributer.
I still don't have turn signals or brake lights, but the running lights, dash illumination, headlights,back-up lights, starter and fuel pump are working. Tracking down whats left shouldn't be too hard.
I may try to start her up next weekend. (fingers crossed)
Nice work. Color makes it much easier to follow each wire!
That is a very nicely done wiring diagram, and you're making me wish that I had taken time to do that when I wired my car from scratch. It's only been 15 months or so, and I find myself wondering about circuits already....
A good wiring diagram is a real time saver!!!! Looks like you're making yourself a great one there!!!
Wiring diagrams are a great help now and later good job
That's a great way to do your wiring prep. I really can't 'read' it, but I do hope that you incorporated relays for the headlights, horn and fan plus a master battery shut off
After one traumatic wiring experience on a car I ended up with a 'kit'. S-u-u-u-re it was. Probably fine if I had all GM components. I still ended up making many mods and probably spent a weeks worth of time doing the paper work. But with that said, it was still much easier then another DIY wire job.
The headlights and horn are the original circuit configurations of the 260Z. There is a horn relay, but I don't see any headlight relays. The new fan circuit incorporates a dual speed fan unit out of a Taurus. It uses a two speed temp. switch from a BMW and dual relay from a Volvo. Combined those parts with the Japanese unibody, Italian style body, American power plant, wheels built in the Philippines and (I'm sure) several of the miscellaneous parts I've purchased being made in Mexico, and I'm calling this an international build.
I was planning on adding a battery shut off later, once I have everything running properly.
It sounds like your having to much fun
Just kinda curious is all - most wiring systems, aftermarket, anyhow, seem to skimp on wire size and folks wonder about hot switches, terminals and poor output. You get a bunch of light bulbs and start adding the wattages plus wire loss and suddenly you wonder why that 55 watt pair of halogens look like a couple of candles.
And that master switch - heckuva lot quicker to throw that lever or switch that latching solenoid then to try to find a battery along with a wrench to stop that melt down.:3dSMILE:
AMAZING!!! It actually fired up on the first try.
https://www.facebook.com/video/video...=2680453656789
I have to say it was a little scary turning the key and hearing the cacophony coming from the open headers. But when she started that even purr... well, lets just say that I'm still doin' the Happy Dance.:D:D:D
Not only started but sounds good too.
A happy day for sure when they fire up for the first time!
Excellent!
Hearing that engine crank up after all of the work is one of the greatest thrills. The next - moving under its own power. I know with my '31 that there were no bolts on anything that I hadn't moved some way or another so do know that 'moment'. Congratulations
Yeppers what Dave said. I'm still working on the safe movement phase! Fired it up the other day, gave it gas and lurched foward(have to adjust the auto shift cable!)
Thanks guys.
Movement is gonna' take a while. As I was wiring the backup light switch, I found fluid dripping from a frame rail. Seems the old master brake cylinder, that I tried to save, isn't gonna' work. New one isn't too expensive, but will have to wait a week or two. I gotta be able to stop once it's mobile, right? Also the tires are so old... I wouldn't trust them to back out of the garage without blowing.
I'll have to convince the wife I need to make these expenditures while the euphoria of the latest progress is lingering. If I only get one, I'm shootin' for wheels.:toocool:
In the meantime, I'll start getting the paperwork together for title/registration. Oh joy, I get to deal with California DMV.:eek:
Got the green light from the wife. Was looking forward to getting wheels today, but the little shop that imports them wasn't answering their phone today and their voice mailbox was full. Closed for the holiday I guess... maybe tomorrow.
Dontcha hate that?!?! LOL..
After three days of conflicts, I was finally able to pick up my new wheels. I spent no time getting them on and checking for clearance issues. The fronts are pretty tight, and depending on tire width, may need a small spacer to keep from rubbing against the spring. Even if no spacer is required, I may opt for a small flare to the front fender openings to get that hunkered down, slightly wider look, that I've seen on some of the Porsche Speedster replicas.
Attachment 53322Attachment 53323
Looks like the rears will need an adapter to push them out around an inch (again depending on tire width) to fill the tub completely. I anticipated this.
Attachment 53324Attachment 53325
Rota RB Royal Hyper Black
Front: 17x9 -13mm
Rear: 17x9.5 -19mm
While I wouldn't describe these as "top of the line", I do feel they are a great value. For me, they are a good compromise between the styling I want and cost. I get a deep dish,slightly muscle car look, and save some cash by utilizing the stock suspension / brakes, etc. Custom wheels made to the specs I need are three times as expensive. Who knows, I might even placate some of the Ferrari guys who feel that wire wheels are the only way to go on these cars. Eight spokes with that Torque Thrust look?? Not enough spokes? Oh well, I like them.
I tried to get the suspension to approximate ride hight, by supporting the car on its suspension as close to the outside as possible. But as one can see, it didn't work out that well. Can't wait to get them wrapped in rubber and finalize the stance. Alas, it won't be soon. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
Looks like some really nice wheels you got for the car! The black inner and polished outer wheel really look great, and I think the design fits the car very well!
X2, a great choice on the wheels!
I really really like those wheels! great eye. I'm a torque thrust kind of guy, but those just take it to another level.
Ok I had to go back and look from the start of this project, Hotrod yes. cool yes, beyond yes. I even got to the section about color, I am a black fan on my cars, but what did I wind up doing, try red on the Firebird, OK (well what ya going to do with that) Purple and lavandar on 31 ford, and daily driver Black, (finally got my black) I really like the white on yours, with whatever accents, just clean car
Wes
Nice choice. They really add to the overall look!
Oh no, those look great on that car specifically! I always wondered what those would look good on. Now I know!
Ok, dang it! Now I want one. :mad: :LOL: I'm serious! I have a 68 Triumph Mark III (with a hard top) and was concidering finishing it up with a destroked 400 but the little car just never looked right to me so I gave it to a friend 1/2 restored so he could finish it up for his son. I really thought I was clear of the little European cars but I guess not. What kit company made yours? I must of missed that reading through the thread. How did you like the fit overall. I've got access to an old Z reeeal cheap with a blown motor.
BTW, don't be to hard on me folks. I'm finishing my 36 first. :D:D
David
Those wheels fit the car. Glad that you didn't opt for the 22s and rubber bands for tires (like I saw on a dark blue Cherokee yesterday - not pretty)
Not that you need any more affirmation, but the wheels look just right - can't wait to see them wrapped.
Don't be silly... I always need more affirmation... just ask my wife.:LOL::LOL::LOL:
Seriously, thanks for all the responses. As a first time builder, I really enjoy hearing the opinions and suggestions of everyone here.
A 400 in a Spitfire??? WOW? My old high school buddy had one. We replaced his blown engine with a used stock 4 banger. The two of us just lifted it by hand out of his van and set it on the mounts. Easiest swap ever! My first car was a '66 Triumph TR4A. That's what got me hooked on the little British ragtops. An affliction that persists to this day.
I don't think I've mentioned the kit car company here. It's called Reaction Research. It's located in Arizona. The owner is John Washington. Great guy. He always thought the original Ferrari 250 GTO would look great as a roadster. He also makes a Ferrari Daytona kit for a Corvette donor and several fender kits for the Zs. You can check out the website here.
Reaction Research Automotive
In all deference to John though, I have to say the quality, when it comes to fit, is not great. This is not a bolt on body kit and it doesn't claim to be. Mine took a lot of trimming and modifying. Partly because the pieces are a little rough and partly because of the look I wanted to achieve. For example, you don't have to cut out the rear vents. Many builders don't and the finished car still looks great. But you do have to trim the one piece hood significantly around the windshield and doors.
Today I helped another VR builder bond the rear tub to his 280z donor. His seemed to fit much better than mine. Glad to answer any other questions you might have about the kit.
Around here, 22s show up on everything from SUV's to old pink Lexus'. I hate that stagecoach look.:mad::mad:
17s are as big as I'm willing to go. I generally prefer a little more sidewall on my tires than I've been able to find, but the prices of the 40 and 45 series around here are very reasonable. Another compromise to stay on budget, but an easy one to change if I just can't stand the look.:D
LOL's. Yeah, a 400 probably would've rendered that light suspension helpless. I finally saw the reality, and ditched the project. Funny, I pulled the OEM motor out by hand. Your right, they're not much bigger than my Mazda rotary engne. :LOL:
I know what to expect from fiberglass companies. I learned that with the fenders on my 36 with one company and the hood on my sons El Camino. For the amount of time and materials I have in his hood alone I could've painted the rest of his car. Think I spent nearly two months on it after work and weekends. :mad:
Well I'd love to have one of these but today I finally resolved what I thought would be a never ending decision for power plant on my 36. Problem solved. Pocket will be nearly empty soon. So now this will have to remain a desire for a while. I'm also liking the Daytona's till I saw the $$$ :LOL:
I'm going to watch your build. Very nice machine. Love the lines!
David
Couldn't wait for the new tires. After adjusting the front and back springs, I test fit the rims.....again.:o
Attachment 53438
Rear still needs to drop a little, but the front looks spot on.
Attachment 53441
Lovin the low stance:3dSMILE:
Attachment 53439Attachment 53440
That's about how it'll look with a set of 20Series rubber bands :eek::eek:
Attachment 53442
This is the tread pattern...
Attachment 53443
and specs of the tires I'll be mounting. A little over 4 1/4" sidewall. I'd like a little more, but, once again, the price is right on these.
Attachment 53444
Yeah, Wes, I really knew you weren't going to mess up the car with rubber band tires. It just hit me that for those who like that style their side profile looks much like your picture, except they'd be running 20's or 22's with a 10 or 20 series band of rubber. Your's are going to look awesome.
:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:Awesome? Crap, I was shootin' for Badass.:LOL::LOL::LOL: