I’m the Original Owner of my 1973 Datsun 240Z, having purchased it from Yokem Datsun, Houston, TX. The “901 Silver” paint is original as well, having never been disturbed by rust, accident or touch-up. Over the ensuing 33 years, it’s been modified extensively for performance and handling, while keeping a mostly-stock exterior…the consummate “sleeper.”
About every eight or ten years, I’ve embarked on another project to keep abreast of the latest technology. The latest iteration (Mar ’03-present) began, as they all have, in collaboration with my best friend, Turbo Tom Wyatt of Atlanta. We’d made great progress, when Tom met his fate in a massive, I-285 pileup in January ’05. After his death, I trailered the car home to Hendersonville, and ultimately down to Spartanburg, where I now reside.
The project has mostly been on hold, as I wait for my P-90 head to be massaged by another Atlanta car friend, Stuart Anderson of Psycle Racing. He’s slow, but does surgeon-quality work…so it’s worth the patience required. Tom and I did manage to dyno the car (Oct ’04) after initial rebuild, and recorded 270 RWHP with only 7 lbs. boost. As I plan to run a max of 15 lbs. when the electronic boost control is sorted out, I expect to approach the “400” number.
Major remaining work includes reattaching all external engine components (after head swap), finishing the console and building the roll bar. The “old” 280ZXT block cracked #2 cylinder wall in three places, during the dyno run. An autopsy revealed a thin wall section due to core shift during initial casting. The overbore exacerbated an existing condition.
That’s the “short” of it…I hope to begin enjoying/sharing a lot of the Club’s fun events, before much longer. It’s been a LONG dry spell.
Specs:
Year: 1973
Color: Original "901" Silver
Engine: 3.1L “Big-Bore” L6
Transmission: Richmond Street Six-Speed
Horsepower: 270 RWHP @ 7 lbs. Boost (Estimated 400 RWHP @ 15 lbs.)
Torque: 267 lb-ft. @ 7 lbs. Boost
Modifications
Performance:
- 3.1L “Big-Bore” F54 Turbo Block
- JE Pistons (9:1), reverse-deflector, coated/balanced w/JE Steel Rings
- 280Z Rods, conditioned/balanced, fitted w/free-floating pins
- Web Cam, dual-profile on coated NISMO blank
- P90 Head, prepped by Stuart Anderson, Psycle Racing
- Head/Manifold Dowels by Stuart
- 3-Angle Valves, Titanium Intake & Steel Exhaust w/Titanium Retainers
- Custom Steel Crankshaft Wiper
- ARP Head Studs/Main Cap Bolts (180K-psi)
- Competition Oil Pump, w/Aeroquip external pickup
- Exhaust Manifold, modified stock w/HPC Hi-Temp Coating
- Throttle Body, Stanza (‘91) 65mm, w/custom Nautilus/TPS/IAC
- Electromotive TEC-3 Computer w/Direct-Fire Ignition (Triple-coil)
- AEM (Bosch) Wide-Band A/F Ratio Gauge/Controller/O2 Sensor (5-wire)
- Nissan D21 (’95) Alternator & late-model, Gear Reduction Starter
- HKS Intercooler w/Bypass Valve
- Griffin Radiator, custom alum. cross-flow
- Turbonetics TO4E-57 Turbocharger, w/ceramic ball bearings
- TiAL Wastegate, 38mm
- Custom Stainless Exhaust System, 3.5”/3”, V-Band Clamps, Cermachrome
- Borla Stainless Muffler (3/3)
- Random Tech Convertor (removable)
- Fuel Pump, Bosch external
- Custom aluminum Fuel Rail
- Bosch 55pph Injectors, matched & flow-checked
- Custom JAZ Drag Race Fuel Cell, foam-filled, 16-gal.
- Comp. Crank Balancer/Pulley
- Custom Stainless Exh. Manifold Heat Shield
- SPEC Aluminum Flywheel, 240mm
- SPEC Pressure Plate
- SPEC custom Disc, cu-ceramic/Kevlar w/spring hub
- Tilton Clutch Slave, hydraulic remote
- Tilton Clutch Master Cylinder (5/8”)
- 280ZX Bell Housing, modified for Richmond
- Richmond Street 6-Spd. OD Transmission
- “Long” Shifter, Corvette model
- Driveshaft, custom aluminum 3”
- R-200 Diff. Housing
- Quaiffe ATB Differential
- NISMO 3.70 Ring & Pinion
- Strange Axles w/Porsche CV Joints
- 280Z Stub Axles
- Comp. Wheel Studs
- Ground Control Coilovers (F. Struts shortened 1”)
- Tokico Illumina 5-way Cartridges
- Custom Strut/Firewall “X-Member” Brace, 1” chromoly tube
- Energy Suspension Bushings, All
- Simmons “FR-17” 3-pc. Wheels, 7”F & 8”R
- Kumho Ecsta MX 215/45-17F, & 225/45-17R Tires
- Corvette C5 Calipers/Pads
- Brake Master Cylinder, ‘94-‘95 300ZX (1”)
- Rotors, Coleman custom, center-vane, tangential slots, BBE-coated (12.5X1.25F, 12X.810R)
- Torsion Bars, custom Heim-joint rod ends (1”F, .75”R)
- Line-Lok Brake Valve w/Proportion Valve & RPV (Rear system)
- Aeroquip Stainless Brake/Fuel/Coolant/Oil
Show:
- Front Bumper/Brackets, ’71 240Z
- Front Air Dam, body-colored fiberglas, non-ducted
- Louvered Fender Inspection Covers
- Recaro “Ideal N” Seats
- Schroth 3” Harnesses, 4-pt.
- Halon Extinguisher, cockpit-mounted
- Honda S2000 Shift Knob
- Valentine One Radar/Laser Detector
- Odyssey PC-680 Battery, under pax seat
- Console, custom fiberglas w/shifter boot, clock & intercooler temp & switches
- Dash Gauges: Autometer 2-5/8” (Mech.) Oil Press/Water Temp/Fuel Press
- Radio Panel Gauges: Nordskog 2-1/8” (Elec.) Fuel Quan./Volts
- AEM 2-1/8” (Elec.) A/F Gauge/Controller
- Spearco Boost Gauge, 2-1/8” column-mounted
- Custom 5-point Roll Bar, 1.5” chromoly tubing
Awards:
- Top 3 - 2002 Carolina Z Jam - First Generation
- People’s Choice Award - 2002 Carolina Z-Jam
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