Like most of you Speedhunters out there, I am in love with cars. It’s an overwhelming obsession. On my 21st birthday I didn’t go out to party. Instead, I went out and bought a 1970 240Z. This one in particular was number 2,868 off the production line. The original owner laughed at the fact that he had owned the car longer than I had been on this earth. The car had been in his family since it was brand new, and he had his fair share of fun in it. At 75 years of age, it was time for him to give up the little orange sportscar and pass it onto someone who will continue its legacy. That person would be me.
I couldn’t wait to drive it to one of my favorite hang-out spots: Neptunes Net. As much as I hate to admit, I grew up on The Fast And The Furious, and my friends and I would always go on weekly cruises up the Southern California coastline, constantly recreating the famous Supra and Ferrari scene.
The odometer on the 240Z was only five digits, so who knows how many times it has rolled over, because it only showed that it had 25,000 miles. For all I know, it could have gone to the moon and back, but I loved everything about the car. It was 100% stock. It had no rust whatsoever. It even had the four-speed transmission. On the highway, I would have to cruise at 5,000rpm just to keep up with the flow of traffic. I just liked the fact that this was what Nissan intended the car to be like from the factory: noisy and super fun to drive.
The shocks were blown in the rear, so it would bottom out on speed bumps. On the way back down the coast, the motor cut out about five miles away from my house. It made a loud bang as it backfired and rolled to a stop. From then on my nickname for this car was Ole Orange Bang.
My endless project began with replacing the fuel gauge sending unit. Next were the blown shocks, which I finished replacing at 3am in the morning before my first trackday.
While I was at the track, I was soon tired of my friends making fun of my stock hood. They were afraid an alien would pop out of it because the paint was peeling so badly from sun damage. I also had to constantly shoo people away, as for some reason they had the urge to peel back the paint. They must have been those kids that ate lead paint chips.
So out went the 50lb stock hood and in went a 15lb fiberglass/carbon piece. I remember that day: a spider egg hatched in my car, so there were literally thousands of spiders near the rear hatch. I spent an entire day killing them off.
I vowed never to wash my car with water and never to drive it in the rain to prevent it from rusting. I was officially a ricer at this point, but I was far from done.
I was already making new Z car friends. It’s weird how you can make certain friends just from the kind of car you own, isn’t it? It’s funny because I have always been bad with names, but for some reason I can remember what car they drive. But if everyone drove an orange 240z, I would be totally screwed.
The more I drove my car, the more I wanted to modify it. The first go-fast mods I did were cams, header and a full exhaust.
I got the stock SU carbs cleaned and rebuilt as well.
Out with the old and in with the new. I dynoed it and was making 138 wheel horsepower. Much more than I expected. At 2,225lbs, it was pretty quick.
This coffee-looking drink was what came out of my radiator. The coolant had turned a doo-doo brown color.
So I replaced the radiator with a nice aluminum one from Arizona Z Car. I also cut open the intake, which gave me a dyno-proven 1hp increase.
Needless to say, I gave it a thorough tune-up and replaced as much as I could.
It was slowly coming together, as I was starting to get serious. I found a 1975 280Z five-speed transmission and swapped it in immediately.
I started to go to car meets and I started meeting people in the aftermarket industry.
The more car meets I went to, the more I started to shoot photos.
Eventually my friends and I formed a crew. We all grew up together and we loved our cars. This was one of our first photo shoots together. Since we all had such a wide variety of cars, we figured the only thing that our cars had in common were the lugnuts. So we named ourselves Team Lugnuts.
During the week, we would go up to the mountain pass and cruise around the Southern California Nürburgring.
On the weekends, we would head to the track or the autocross.
That is where I met guys with unhealthy obsessions like mine.
I never knew the Z-car racing scene was so strong.
I fell in love with auto-crossing, as it was super fun and was relatively cheap. With the little power I had, I would go through one set of slicks a year!
On top of that, I got to compete with cars that were very similar to mine.
Sometimes there were eight of us out there on the same day, ranging from 1970 to ’73.
I knew I had to get serious if I wanted to become more competitive.
So I got some custom coil-overs made by Beta Motorsports. They sectioned my shocks and modified my stub axles to fit a brand new 1.5 way Nismo LSD.
I replaced my entire braking and clutch system.
I got some fancy new rotors and race pads. To hold myself in place, I got some nice Sparco seats at their open-house sale.
Of course, every ricer needs proper strut tower bars.
It was slowly coming together. I removed my radio and heater as both were not working anyways.
I got new shift boots and other little nick-nacks that didn’t make the car any faster but they sure did look great. I left the wood-effect steering wheel for that really old school look.
I got the carbs tuned and the car was corner weighted. It had a bias of 49.9 in the front and 50.1 in the rear: near perfect weight distribution. I ran 225lbs springs up front and 275lbs springs in the rear. For some reason that is just what the Z likes.
I never cared about how the car looked, I just wanted to go faster, so I got rid of the 5.5 inch wide American Racing Libre wheels as they were actually quite heavy. Not to mention they were not self centering, so on the freeway they would make the car vibrate like crazy. I went with some 15 inch Konig Rewinds.
I installed an electronic ignition as there was no rev limiter. I was afraid of blowing up this motor with unknown mileage.
Those were they days where I did not have a care in the world besides making sure my car was ready to run on the weekends.
We started competing in team autocross competitions, where we would have to drive each others cars. I learned so much driving my teammates’ front-wheel and all-wheel drive cars.
It was some of the best times of my life. Sometimes we would win, but the competition was always really fierce.
The S30 was so easy to drive fast. I was very happy with how the car handled. Even when the car was completely stock with an open diff, it was super easy to steer the car with the throttle.
I even took it drifting a few times, but out of fear of crashing it I never really did much other than mess around on the skid pad in second gear. I was already getting much hate from the Z-car community for ‘hot rodding’ an early 1970.
After gathering all these photos for this article, I realized how much I miss driving. I made the decision to quit racing after pursuing automotive journalism full time back in 2008.
We would meet up on occasion, but the group was eventually disbanded and we all went our separate ways.
Some of the guys went on to compete on a national level. I still drove the occasional track day here and there when time permitted.
You guys can laugh, but this was before GoPros existed. I still have so many tapes from trackdays and car meets.
Eventually the motor gave away and Ole Orange Bang sat in my garage for years. My friends and family were telling me that I didn’t drive it any more, so I even tried selling it at one point.
I’ve had the car for eight years now, and I think it’s time to inject some new life into this beast. Boost perhaps? Stay tuned as I continue my journey with this 43-year-old Z-car.
Larry
larry@dev.speedhunters.com
Additional photos provided by Makofoto
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Such a fantastic car with a ton of great history, personal and in general. It's one thing to love looking at cars and taking pictures of them, but the greatest joy in the world (for me at least) is to go for a drive. Late night solo runs to nowhere are the best relaxation money can buy. I'm glad to see you are keeping the Z and I look forward to seeing it's rebirth here.
Nice storry Lary. And nice to see you speedhunting still.
I had a 1970 240Z also but not as modified as yours but still remember it for sure.
Just a simple beauty!
Great story, well told! Thank's for sharing. You do need to get her back on the road asap!
Paint it blue then drop a twin turbocharged L28 engine in it, bored and stroked to 3.1 L.....
Great article and insight into the mysterious car photographer god we call Larry Chen. I've thought about doing the tripod thing but with my Mark II hahaha. Can't wait to see more, dare I say maybe some Rocky Auto inspiration to be seen?
@mat88 ^ Exactly why I'm looking for an s30 xDDD Jk, my z33 is jealous now
cool ride! don't like the black bonnet tho..
"As much as I hate to admit, I grew up on The Fast And The Furious" - I'm very sorry to hear that Larry, we can still be internet friends though, lol
That's a beautiful chassis, inside and out. Hopefully we'll see more
Not boost Larry, how about a 350/370z V6. It wouldn't be to extreme for purists but still reliable power.
@AaronVenable Whats wrong with the fast and furious franchise. If it's what we love, who cares!
Great story Larry.
I have about eight Z cars, all in 1/24.
wow...this is emotional, and inspiring... I'm 21 now and saving up to get a eagle talon most likely as an AE86 is too old for me to work with just yet even though its my dream drift car.
1st car btw and it will pretty much be the focus of everything lol
i think you should restore it to its former glory when you were modifying it at your own pace. Relive those days when your were enjoying the car. It might bring back a dort of nostalgia like the pictures did. I grew up in the same era and use to street race in Compton.In the industrial part of course. My friends at the time were running a fx16 toyota corolla with a red top 4age. i had a 97' 200sx( sentra coupe) with a stripped interior and straight pipe ga16de, with a cold air. while my other homie had a eg with a straight pipe . We thought we wrre fast because we destroyed the late 80's z 28's at the time that the guys in my neighborhood were running.LOL. Good times indeed. Back to larry though. Maybe a O.S Giken twin cam head , stoker kit with two turbo's. Sort of a ol school RB30. That would be cool anc expensive. You got alotta options.
So where'd you put the second cam?
Good story! I had a '70, #721. Bought new, sold it in '77, bought it back in '07. Autocrossed the hell out of it in the early '70s, finishing 2nd to a race prepped Ferrari in Solo II run-offs in '72. It would scoot. You might want to upgrade your motor (if keeping the original) to a Stage III cam and triple Mikes or Webers. They sound good and the combo will provide an extra 35-40 HP. If you don't care about keeping the original mill, get an L28, cam it and triple it. There's another 50 HP.
Car was destroyed when a landscape trailer came loose and t-boned me on the freeway. Sad, sad loss. Enjoy your ride, sir.
I hope you didn't recreate the "veering into oncoming traffic" part of that scene, lol.What happened that it went "bang"? A similar thing happened to my dad's MR2 and it ended up being a distributor exploding (internally)...
Uggggh...don't waste your money and sell it to me???
Great story man, I've been eyeballing these things like crazy for the last few years...life just keeps getting in the damn way.
Uggggh...don't waste your money and sell it to me???
Great story man, I've been eyeballing these things like crazy for the last few years...life just keeps getting in the damn way.
Uggggh...don't waste your money and sell it to me???
Great story man, I've been eyeballing these things like crazy for the last few years...life just keeps getting in the damn way.
TT LSX SWAP NOW
TT LSX SWAP NOW
TT LSX SWAP NOW
is that mike's yellow Z? what's under the tarp in the "garage"?
is that mike's yellow Z? what's under the tarp in the "garage"?
is that mike's yellow Z? what's under the tarp in the "garage"?
300Z swap, if it fits in there.
300Z swap, if it fits in there.
300Z swap, if it fits in there.
@iamnotemonster I agree, I always say it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
@iamnotemonster I agree, I always say it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
@iamnotemonster I agree, I always say it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
@greenroadster I will never stop speedhunting!
@greenroadster I will never stop speedhunting!
@greenroadster I will never stop speedhunting!
It seems most car guys have a Z-car story of their own.
It seems most car guys have a Z-car story of their own.
It seems most car guys have a Z-car story of their own.
@DanielRamirez1 @mat88 Haha, you guys are funny.
@DanielRamirez1 @mat88 Haha, you guys are funny.
@DanielRamirez1 @mat88 Haha, you guys are funny.
You guys will see.
You guys will see.
You guys will see.
@shortgrauzis To each his own I guess...
@shortgrauzis To each his own I guess...
@shortgrauzis To each his own I guess...
@roeby @AaronVenable I know where you are coming from, but it was the timing for me. It was the car movie of my generation. We didn't have Steve McQueen etc..
@roeby @AaronVenable I know where you are coming from, but it was the timing for me. It was the car movie of my generation. We didn't have Steve McQueen etc..
@roeby @AaronVenable I know where you are coming from, but it was the timing for me. It was the car movie of my generation. We didn't have Steve McQueen etc..
@roeby Too heavy. I want to lighten the car more.
@roeby Too heavy. I want to lighten the car more.
@roeby Too heavy. I want to lighten the car more.
@jzx81 I have one in 1/10th scale and 1/24th scale.
@jzx81 I have one in 1/10th scale and 1/24th scale.
@jzx81 I have one in 1/10th scale and 1/24th scale.
@jdmflash Keep us updated on what you do with it.
@jdmflash Keep us updated on what you do with it.
@jdmflash Keep us updated on what you do with it.
@hanablemoore I'd love to restore it one day. I am just kind of limited on time right now. Should be a fun project either way. I do know I want it to be faster and lighter than it was before.
@hanablemoore I'd love to restore it one day. I am just kind of limited on time right now. Should be a fun project either way. I do know I want it to be faster and lighter than it was before.
@hanablemoore I'd love to restore it one day. I am just kind of limited on time right now. Should be a fun project either way. I do know I want it to be faster and lighter than it was before.
@LTDScott What cam?
@LTDScott What cam?
@LTDScott What cam?
@zcarfrank Wow, I thought mine was early. I think the earliest I have seen was number 500 ish.
@zcarfrank Wow, I thought mine was early. I think the earliest I have seen was number 500 ish.
@zcarfrank Wow, I thought mine was early. I think the earliest I have seen was number 500 ish.
I spy Quoc's house...
I spy Quoc's house...
I spy Quoc's house...
Looking forward to the next article.
Looking forward to the next article.
Looking forward to the next article.
Not the the veering into oncoming traffic part. Just the shit talking part. haha.
It went bang because I ran out of fuel. My fuel gauge was broken.
Not the the veering into oncoming traffic part. Just the shit talking part. haha.
It went bang because I ran out of fuel. My fuel gauge was broken.
Not the the veering into oncoming traffic part. Just the shit talking part. haha.
It went bang because I ran out of fuel. My fuel gauge was broken.
@Nick Hale That house was awesome, he had his own lift. lol.
@Nick Hale That house was awesome, he had his own lift. lol.
@Nick Hale That house was awesome, he had his own lift. lol.
@EvolveWRC It will fit, but it will be heavy, and that is no go.
@EvolveWRC It will fit, but it will be heavy, and that is no go.
@EvolveWRC It will fit, but it will be heavy, and that is no go.
@petewagen No that was my friends Z. It how has an RB25DET in it. Not sure what was under that tarp as it was my friends house.
@petewagen No that was my friends Z. It how has an RB25DET in it. Not sure what was under that tarp as it was my friends house.
@petewagen No that was my friends Z. It how has an RB25DET in it. Not sure what was under that tarp as it was my friends house.
I would get shot in the street.
I would get shot in the street.
I would get shot in the street.
Life tends to do that.
Life tends to do that.
Life tends to do that.
@Larry Chen "The first go-fast mods I did were <b>cams,</b> header and a full exhaust."
You put one in the engine, so I was wondering where you put the other one
@Larry Chen "The first go-fast mods I did were <b>cams,</b> header and a full exhaust."
You put one in the engine, so I was wondering where you put the other one
@Larry Chen "The first go-fast mods I did were <b>cams,</b> header and a full exhaust."
You put one in the engine, so I was wondering where you put the other one
@Larry Chen Its a choice of two then (for me at least) a S54 straight 6 from the old M3 with 340bhp or a F20C with 240bhp, they would be fun cars to drive. Mind its easy for me to spend someone elses money (so to speak).
@Larry Chen Its a choice of two then (for me at least) a S54 straight 6 from the old M3 with 340bhp or a F20C with 240bhp, they would be fun cars to drive. Mind its easy for me to spend someone elses money (so to speak).
@Larry Chen Its a choice of two then (for me at least) a S54 straight 6 from the old M3 with 340bhp or a F20C with 240bhp, they would be fun cars to drive. Mind its easy for me to spend someone elses money (so to speak).
Awesome post! Here's mine, Disco Lemonade:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/4780_565864431234_8292866_n.jpg
Mine is also sitting in the garage with a worn out motor.
Awesome post! Here's mine, Disco Lemonade:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/4780_565864431234_8292866_n.jpg
Mine is also sitting in the garage with a worn out motor.
Awesome post! Here's mine, Disco Lemonade:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/4780_565864431234_8292866_n.jpg
Mine is also sitting in the garage with a worn out motor.
@Larry Chen @Nick Hale yeah I wish I still had that house... However my new house is still awesome for car meets
@Larry Chen @Nick Hale yeah I wish I still had that house... However my new house is still awesome for car meets
@Larry Chen @Nick Hale yeah I wish I still had that house... However my new house is still awesome for car meets
@petewagen An old 560SL was under the tarp in the overhang
@petewagen An old 560SL was under the tarp in the overhang
@petewagen An old 560SL was under the tarp in the overhang
@Nick Hale you sure did! It brought back memories!
@petewagen It's also another 1970 Spec 240Z
please keep it L series , and no other fancy new engine ! beautiful car and beautiful story
Is it wise to use synthetic oil in an engine that old?
screen saver please. that 280 is sexier than a super model. Sano
A while ago I remember video about a potential SR swap, did you go with that?
larry, you gotta lose those SUs and move on to some weber's or OER's. also, check out Rebello Racing. they're based up here in the bay area and, if i remember correctly, i saw a trophy on their wall: "NASA Engine Builder of the Decade." they are probably best known for nissan/datsun motors and i think they've won at the SCCA run-offs several times too. they did two motors for me (KA24e/z24 hyrbrid both) and that was money well spent. give them a ring.
RB25/RB30 Frankensteiner N/A for mad induction and response.
@MattAtDoyle I've run Royal Purple 20w50 in both L24s I've had. ZERO issues.
4g63 ! been my dream, well more so on an AE86.
Whatever you do with the car, I would try to keep this stock, vintage personality it has: chunky tires, orange paint, bumpers etc.. I don't know much about Nissan engines, but I would try to keep a good weight distribution. Great article.
Amazing post very inspiring!!!
nice JDM poses
@weasel We were going for the cover of a Best Motoring DVD.
@Gipsy Danger Thanks for reading!
@pesugob6 Yeah, maybe if I had another car.
@varilight I've seen some really nice RB25 ITB builds in Japan. Not sure how much power you can get out of those.
Thanks for the suggestion. I am leaning towards a newer motor though. I guess we will see.
@Aldarris Shhhhh!
@rbliberty08 You mean 240?
@zcarfrank @MattAtDoyle The only Dino oil that I use is in the diff.
@elniner Wow, very clean. It looks like Mike Garret's.
@QuocPham @Nick You should setup a meet so I can come by and eat your food.
Argh, good to know I should now stay away from the "Southern California Nürburgring" for the next 6 months...
Still, Nice car. Glad you didn't sell it. She'll keep you out of trouble.
@QuocPham Now I remember! That old merc was cool.
@LTDScott I put it up my behind.
@roeby haha, those M3 motors are pretty pricey.
Thanks!
NA 20B Larry. You want lighter, right?
When i read the title I thought you were gonna refer to the common loud bang s30's get when going in reverse. People go nuts trying to get rid of that. "its play in the U joints.. no its that your diff backlash isnt properly set up... no its because you havent torqued down the bolts to the right spec under a full moon while listening to a Bee Gees Gold 8 track"
The great thing about a s30 is there are virtually unlimited options for engine choices. You would be hard pressed to find a engine thats has not ended up in the bay of a s30. If you do end up swapping out the engine make sure you look at getting a good LSD in there if you already havent. You might want to hit up John at Beta for some of his side axles to swap in a STi diff which come in a lot of different ratios that work well with that 5 speed you got. A hell of a lot cheaper than those Datsun Comp LSD's.
Thanks for the story Larry. You have one beautiful Z there. Hope you end up getting her back on the road soon. Gotta keep them running.
Lugnuts was probably that group of guys that would giggle (in a very manly fashion) at the sight of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel.
Dude, don't even think of selling the car till you're 75!
Keep it L series, with a sweet lumpy cam and 6 fcr flat slide carbs
The legends are true.
That was great. I can't wait to show what I got brewing: 73 240z, 73 toyota Celica, 74 260z, 75 280z vintage racer
Great article.... Time for an RB
wangan midnight racer ...
i loved this article. more of these would be sweet. average people with automotive obsessions
@Larry Chen @Nick We may do something before JCCS
@Larry Chen @varilight RB25 with ITBs sound amazing. Half of the stuff from Rocky Auto is RB with ITBs
@grandtouring Larry has an LSD installed, and he went to Beta to get his struts shortened =)
@QuocPham Ah how did i miss that That Nismo LSD is a much better choice haha
@QuocPham @Nick Please do!
@Larry Chen Your buddy with the AE looks more like hes trying for Takumi...
@Larry Chen @Nick You'll be the first ones to know. Shindig at mi casa JCCS
@LouisYio You have no idea.
@RaymondKLLai I may just do that.
@eddihughes You were there for a lot of my early hooning.
keep it L series, but with a nice L28. Don't stuff some massive amount of horses under it, only to total the Z.
Very nice read though.
@Larry Chen i see. VQ swap hehe. probably lighter than the iron-blocked L and the weight distribution should improve. or the more cost-effective twin-cam VG.
@post510 SUs properly built will run as well as webers
No, don't sell it! Nice post bru!
Great post dude. Awesome car.
@aussieANON much too late for that lol.
@sean klingelhoefer Why? The nice handling and slightly stripped interior with an L32 stroker for a classic period racer.
Just keep the custom coilovers hidden.
So... Jealous! If I thought there was the slightest chance that owning a car like this in the UK would be even slightly viable I'd do it in a flash, as it is the roads are so salty and the weather so unpredictable it'd probably end up living in my garage 358 days a year. Even an AW11 is a risky proposition due to the rot. Which sucks because I love AW11s.
Man it is great to see a souped-up Datsun get some love. Shame when you just see one rusting away in one of those <a href="http://www.teamnissannh.com/new-inventory/index.htm?reset=InventoryListing">nissan car dealers</a> that concentrate more on the newer models. Thanks for the post
i envy you larry! Glad to hear that your starting to restore it!
im planning on getting a Volvo P1800 as a project car...
@post510 but won't have the same cfm (if you need the extra flow). and SUs also have a bizarre vacuum secondary which is another limiting factor.
You're making me miss my 240Z, Larry! I sold my '73 this past fall as I hadn't driven it in 5 years. I accumulated a lot of nice parts like a Z32 trans, Z31 clutch-type LSD, L28ET engine, LS1 coil packs, AZC oil pan and radiator, blah blah blah. Never got around to completing it though. I'll tell ya, a stroked L30ET with triple carbs would sure sound mean and keep your retro flavor intact. Thanks for posting that pic of the MR2 - my friends always joked about doing that but no one had the stones to climb in the frunk and do it!
Your story reminds me a lot of my friends and I. We had a team called "Club 23" and we used to all get together and do auto-x, drift, drag racing and backroad cruises. Then life got in the way... shame, but we all still have our cars and get together when we can.
@neema_t S30Z's are a rare sight in the U.K. Yes, you're right about AW11's. I've managed to keep the rust on mine at bay by keeping it garaged and away from salted roads in the winter. They're both absolutely worth owning though!
If I were you, I'd keep it NA. Just my opinion.
thanks for sharing larry! so inspiring
thanks for sharing larry! so inspiring
You should ask Brad Lord to find the guy with the supercharged S30 here in NZ. Has a blower on it and puts down 700+hp. He races it in Targa NZ. Same colour as yours too!
@Ronnie_B How does something like that drive in a straight line?
Why life? why!
@Nikhil_P Cool, keep us updated with it.
@sean klingelhoefer lol
I was just browsing some old bookmarks i had when i realized i had seen this car before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h4TcKQoDKzc
Check out that hair. Oh and nice driving Spaceboy.
Larry Chen, although life may steer us away from certain things we have previously had more time for, we dont get rid of it. Especially a 1970 Z!!! Haha.
good luck.
I currently have a 75 s30 and have not been able to really touch it lately but i have not forgotten my goals for it. I personally love the old inline 6. Its power and sound is amazing!!! I have an l28et waiting to go in.
Keep that jewel and update your readers with what you do. I often find motivation by looking at finished s30 projects and going to JCCS annually.
Larry Chen, although life may steer us away from certain things we have previously had more time for, we dont get rid of it. Especially a 1970 Z!!! Haha.
good luck.
I currently have a 75 s30 and have not been able to really touch it lately but i have not forgotten my goals for it. I personally love the old inline 6. Its power and sound is amazing!!! I have an l28et waiting to go in.
Keep that jewel and update your readers with what you do. I often find motivation by looking at finished s30 projects and going to JCCS annually.
Larry Chen, although life may steer us away from certain things we have previously had more time for, we dont get rid of it. Especially a 1970 Z!!! Haha.
good luck.
I currently have a 75 s30 and have not been able to really touch it lately but i have not forgotten my goals for it. I personally love the old inline 6. Its power and sound is amazing!!! I have an l28et waiting to go in.
Keep that jewel and update your readers with what you do. I often find motivation by looking at finished s30 projects and going to JCCS annually.
Larry Chen, although life may steer us away from certain things we have previously had more time for, we dont get rid of it. Especially a 1970 Z!!! Haha.
good luck.
I currently have a 75 s30 and have not been able to really touch it lately but i have not forgotten my goals for it. I personally love the old inline 6. Its power and sound is amazing!!! I have an l28et waiting to go in.
Keep that jewel and update your readers with what you do. I often find motivation by looking at finished s30 projects and going to JCCS annually.
You spent all that effort on the car, a great effort. Car probably feels amazing. But you may as well paint the hood to match the rest of the car. So many people don't paint their hood "because it's carbon fiber". But yet they will paint their stainless DeLoreans. It really does show laziness in my opinion to see a hood that isn't painted just because of the material it's made from.
@Lastspark Thanks for reading!
@grandtouring I like this one better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7G9kFIdmm0
@Lastspark I think it looks good in carbon, but then I am biased
@Larry Chen @Ronnie_B Very Carefully
@Larry Chen He seems to do ok. I have two photo's of it. How can I send them to you? email address?
@Larry Chen @LTDScott Im laughing so hard right now
give the ole orange bang the same specs as the devil Z
Great post, one of those slowly upcoming builds many of us can relate too. I once too had taken some tires out of storage to see white balls in the tire tread, deciding to pop them was the worst idea ever. Spiders were everywhere.
@Larry Chen sure thing
Based on the last pic, did you change rims again? Anyway nice ride you have there. I hope my friends and I can make a little team like you did with your friends. Unfortunately my place isn't actually 'encouraging' for car enthusiasts like us.
@Gvk What do you mean by your place does not "encourage" car enthusiasts.
I have a bunch of different wheels for different sets of tires.
@Gvk What do you mean by your place does not "encourage" car enthusiasts.
I have a bunch of different wheels for different sets of tires.
@Gvk What do you mean by your place does not "encourage" car enthusiasts.
I have a bunch of different wheels for different sets of tires.
@AlexG Haha, Yeah now I know to burn them.
@AlexG Haha, Yeah now I know to burn them.
@AlexG Haha, Yeah now I know to burn them.
@nugundam93 I think you guys will like what I will do to it.
@nugundam93 I think you guys will like what I will do to it.
@nugundam93 I think you guys will like what I will do to it.
@ylee Thanks. Maybe I will see you at JCCS.
@ylee Thanks. Maybe I will see you at JCCS.
@ylee Thanks. Maybe I will see you at JCCS.
Vintage purists gave you a hard time for THIS?Sure, it's a very early car, but none of these mods are really irreversible, and it was a bit rough around the edges to begin with anyway.I'll bet you even kept the original hood.
How about SR20DET? No no no.. That's too tame. LS7? 1JZ? RB26? Damn.. Just go rotary then. Yo MadMike! LOL
Sweet ride Larry. Always want one classic Z. But here in Indonesia, it's like tryin' to find a needle in the desert.
@Larry Chen looking forward to it.
What is the final drive ration on it?
perpetualroad.wordpress.com
LS swap! Or if you want to stick with Nissan you should put in a NA RB26 with ITBs
Keep it real with a boosted L28! Old school ftw!
The smart money would be on a basic VQ35 transplant. Low weight, 2x the power while still remaining NA and alreafy with transmission. To be a bit more troublesome, but cooler, would be a vh45de with ITBS and a MOTEC(the ecu...not the 'exhaust') ...
The smart money would be on a basic VQ35 transplant. Low weight, 2x the power while still remaining NA and alreafy with transmission. To be a bit more troublesome, but cooler, would be a vh45de with ITBS and a MOTEC(the ecu...not the 'exhaust') ...
The smart money would be on a basic VQ35 transplant. Low weight, 2x the power while still remaining NA and alreafy with transmission. To be a bit more troublesome, but cooler, would be a vh45de with ITBS and a MOTEC(the ecu...not the 'exhaust') ...
Go Devil Z, twin turbo L28!
Go Devil Z, twin turbo L28!
@ThomasBuster Yup, I have the original hood still.
@Jordan Clark Devil Z huh? I loved that movie
Hi, great story. These cars get under your skin, don't they? Looking for an orange Z myself ... Any info on any, please let me know: greatrun@ntlworld.com
Yes I agree it is a great story. We need an update after a couple years, what have you done? I too have an Orange Z that I started to open track last year. Made a couple of YouTube videos. These cars are fast with a little work and a few parts. Last weekend I was running with V-8 Mustangs and a Corvette and my experience is limited to 6 track days now. Check out my channel at " sac cyclone" and look for 240Z at Thunderhill Raceway. Anyway, good luck with your build and hope to see you out on the road course circuit.
Hi Larry.
!
I follow your articles with pleasure although (shamefully) I've only just realised that you do in fact have a 240 - Good choice - had my first one at 24, only car (couldn't afford another) and drove it to work every day in London ! Now on my second currently being restored - hopefully with good taste but ultimately to mine !
Don't current-trend your Z and lose its' soul by swapping or losing the N/A feel - there are plenty of great engine builders in the States for al budgets, tech specs and performance and then they're numerous smaller workshops that could build you something to your needs - the parts are out there !
But think about changing that rather rudimentary exhaust - I mean header (to improve your torque already and power if you go further with the engine) and all the way back because that great big pigeon-rooster hanging uner the rear is g-damn ugly, ruining the flow of the S30 lines....either go classic or JDM (and yes, the twin rear exit WAS an option on ordinary JDM Zs - not just standard on the Z432 !).
Just food for thought - keep it up !
ps I've got some great videos on some European circuits - a well-sorted Z is just so easy
Hi Larry.
!
I follow your articles with pleasure although (shamefully) I've only just realised that you do in fact have a 240 - Good choice - had my first one at 24, only car (couldn't afford another) and drove it to work every day in London ! Now on my second currently being restored - hopefully with good taste but ultimately to mine !
Don't current-trend your Z and lose its' soul by swapping or losing the N/A feel - there are plenty of great engine builders in the States for al budgets, tech specs and performance and then they're numerous smaller workshops that could build you something to your needs - the parts are out there !
But think about changing that rather rudimentary exhaust - I mean header (to improve your torque already and power if you go further with the engine) and all the way back because that great big pigeon-rooster hanging uner the rear is g-damn ugly, ruining the flow of the S30 lines....either go classic or JDM (and yes, the twin rear exit WAS an option on ordinary JDM Zs - not just standard on the Z432 !).
Just food for thought - keep it up !
ps I've got some great videos on some European circuits - a well-sorted Z is just so easy
Hi Larry.
!
I follow your articles with pleasure although (shamefully) I've only just realised that you do in fact have a 240 - Good choice - had my first one at 24, only car (couldn't afford another) and drove it to work every day in London ! Now on my second currently being restored - hopefully with good taste but ultimately to mine !
Don't current-trend your Z and lose its' soul by swapping or losing the N/A feel - there are plenty of great engine builders in the States for al budgets, tech specs and performance and then they're numerous smaller workshops that could build you something to your needs - the parts are out there !
But think about changing that rather rudimentary exhaust - I mean header (to improve your torque already and power if you go further with the engine) and all the way back because that great big pigeon-rooster hanging uner the rear is g-damn ugly, ruining the flow of the S30 lines....either go classic or JDM (and yes, the twin rear exit WAS an option on ordinary JDM Zs - not just standard on the Z432 !).
Just food for thought - keep it up !
ps I've got some great videos on some European circuits - a well-sorted Z is just so easy