The Millennium Falcon

Well, I figured that I should finally post what's taking all my time and $$$ away from my tractors, so here it is. My '74 Datsun 260z. Before you ask me what's the difference between this and a 240z it's 1/5th of a liter, tons of emissions junk and ugly bumpers that resemble park benches, all of which I've removed. There's more but it's all little stuff you wouldn't really notice.

Old motor is coming out and in goes a Nissan RB25DET. 2.5L Inline 6, DOHC turbo. My power goals are pretty moderate, I'm going to run two fuel/boost maps that I'll be able to switch between with a rocker switch on the dash. High boost setting will be pushing about 400HP, more than enough considering the car weighs less than 2000Lbs. Low boost setting will be around 150HP, just for putzing around and fuel efficiency considering this is my daily driver.

Now I know there's a lot I'm forgetting to say so I'm just gonna post the pictures until I remember.


Here it is as we pulled it out of the guys garage and loaded it onto the dolly, pretty nice dude. Got the car home around 11 at night, unstrapped it and left it until morning.







First thing I did was clean it up real good. Well, as good as it was gonna get within a hour.













Then it finally got pushed into the garage. First thing to test, lights!





So far so good! I then found my fire extinguisher and prepared to turn the key. Luckily I didn't have to use the extinguisher but the negative cable let off a lil smoke which scared me a bit. I grumbled and found my 24mm socket, favorite ratchet, and a four foot section of pipe. I then proceeded to do a set of pull-ups off the crank bolt. Uh oh. After learning that this engine was a solid chunk at the moment I pulled the plugs, sprayed penetrating fluid down into the cylinders, put it in gear and had me and my dad rock the car back and forth for about ten minutes. Still no es bueno. At that point I had given up on this motor starting. An hour later and it and the trans were out.









There's so much room for activities! Sadly though, it's sitting outside while I tend to customer cars. Sitting on my shelf waiting to go in is a new gas tank, full set of poly bushings, lowering springs, new shocks, ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, front brake pads, new brake master cylinder, and all the junk necessary ready to convert the rear brakes to disk. Oh yeah, also this awesome spoiler.




Well, that's all for now, feel free to ask questions though.

I'm not much of an import fan, but that is a really nice looking ride!

Thanks a bunch stretch, but looks aren't really my intent here. Honestly I would rather have it look a good bit ratty on the outside. The goal is to from a distance look like any other ratty, junky, unrestored Z up until I pop the hood.

WellThatsSurprising wrote:

Thanks a bunch stretch, but looks aren't really my intent here. Honestly I would rather have it look a good bit ratty on the outside. The goal is to from a distance look like any other ratty, junky, unrestored Z up until I pop the hood.

Then you gotta whip out the sandpaper and leave it outside for a while

Thunderdivine wrote:

WellThatsSurprising wrote:

Thanks a bunch stretch, but looks aren't really my intent here. Honestly I would rather have it look a good bit ratty on the outside. The goal is to from a distance look like any other ratty, junky, unrestored Z up until I pop the hood.

Then you gotta whip out the sandpaper and leave it outside for a while

Ehhh, I'm not gonna go that far. This thing is relatively rust free minus the floor pans and a couple spots on the frame rails, both to be patched up later this month when I have access to a TIG welder again. It's hard finding these cars in such decent shape so I'll settle for a shoddy rattle can paint job.

WellThatsSurprising wrote:

Thunderdivine wrote:

WellThatsSurprising wrote:

Thanks a bunch stretch, but looks aren't really my intent here. Honestly I would rather have it look a good bit ratty on the outside. The goal is to from a distance look like any other ratty, junky, unrestored Z up until I pop the hood.

Then you gotta whip out the sandpaper and leave it outside for a while

Ehhh, I'm not gonna go that far. This thing is relatively rust free minus the floor pans and a couple spots on the frame rails, both to be patched up later this month when I have access to a TIG welder again. It's hard finding these cars in such decent shape so I'll settle for a shoddy rattle can paint job.

Yeah it looks clean.

Oh hey, the original color, neat. Though something's not right in this picture... I know!





That's better. Fuel cell here I come!

Neat.

I wish I could afford a project car like this. I just want something I can beat around on but still drive it down the street. Guess ill just have to look at yours lol.

That's a damn nice project you've got there. It's actually in VERY good shape for an import that's very nearly my age! I always liked those, never lucky enough to have one. I DID have a couple Toyota Celica fastback, a '76 GT and a '77 ST. As you can imagine, there's styling similarities. Very nice. Heck- one of my Celicas had those very same 70s turbine rims

At the same time, I catch the Fiero off to the side in the garage there. I saw one for sale the other day, an 87 GT- sadly- oh, so sadly- it was an automatic. Bah.

Good luck!

Nice, I saw someone Ls swap a 240 and kept breaking aftermarket axle shafts. They were gunna switch to 8.8 IRS like what's in my truck. Nice cars though, suspension, weight, looks. Is own a 260 in a heartbeat.

Doug Fackler wrote:

Neat.

I wish I could afford a project car like this. I just want something I can beat around on but still drive it down the street. Guess ill just have to look at yours lol.

That's the plan for this thing, everything driveline is going to be bulletproof.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

That's a damn nice project you've got there. It's actually in VERY good shape for an import that's very nearly my age! I always liked those, never lucky enough to have one. I DID have a couple Toyota Celica fastback, a '76 GT and a '77 ST. As you can imagine, there's styling similarities. Very nice. Heck- one of my Celicas had those very same 70s turbine rims

At the same time, I catch the Fiero off to the side in the garage there. I saw one for sale the other day, an 87 GT- sadly- oh, so sadly- it was an automatic. Bah.

Good luck!

Dang, I have a thing for old Celicas. And these wheels are awesome. I'm so torn on whether to keep them or not. I want to slap a pair of 275's on the rear and 245's up front but there's no way I could do that with these. 205 is about as big as I can go and that's no bueno.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

Nice, I saw someone Ls swap a 240 and kept breaking aftermarket axle shafts. They were gunna switch to 8.8 IRS like what's in my truck. Nice cars though, suspension, weight, looks. Is own a 260 in a heartbeat.

I'm gonna be going with the VLSD and CV shafts out of a 300ZX, should be able to take a good bit of punishment.

If I found one of thoses cars I would do a 4.3L Carburated motor then turbo the sucker just for the fun of it, or something more like the roadkill rotsun

That thing is beautiful! holy cow, you lucky SOB always wanted one of those, i thinks it's one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. I love the idea of an rb25, all those people who v8 swap have trouble with handling with all that weight upfront. with the small lightwieght inline 6 it'll get up and move and still be able to take the corners like the sportscar it is!

They sent me the wrong motor. How does that even happen? After a month and a half of waiting for this thing to get here from japan I open up the crate to find a junky, grimy RB20DE. I already contacted the company and arranged for a refund, It's getting sent back on Monday on their dime.
So, apparently this calls for a change of plan. I'm going to be grabbing this 280ZX off Craigslist and throwing the motor from it in it temporarily. Also since this motor is only temporary and I don't really care if I grenade it or not it's TURBO TIME. braap

That should'nt be possible no, and that garage!!! Gimme!

Finally got some forum swag on there. Thanks Doug!

Donor car is finally home.

Paint suggestion...

Nah bruh, more like dis.

Finally time to bring em out of hibernation and get some much needed work done in preparation for this summer.

One needs more Ls. Hehehehehehehe

Usually I would be one to agree with that. But behold, the Japanese LS.

My freedom senses are weak in this area.

RB20? or something

As I said in my original post, RB25. Beautiful turbo choo choo