Project 240RR

[240RR]

Nothing to see here yet...picking up the donor 73 240Z this Saturday. I introduced myself in the new member area and see that I should go ahead and get a build thread going. Here is the big picture.

Strip the car and part out all the non essential Z components which will likely be everything but the shell and the windshield for the most part.
Nothing fancy and pretty much all business and the plan is for scrounging used and donor components along with used race components...very minimal new stuff...BUDGET. The idea is pretty much a street legal road race car.

>GT1/Trans Am style square tube chassis...building myself.
>Modified aftermarket fiberglass IMSA wide body kit...add some DTM influence with air management...I love those DTM cars. Think if a 240 and a DTM car had a baby...we get a 240RR.
>With the GT1 chassis it will be easy to do a flat bottom car with some sort of rear diffuser. I also THINK I can have a very low rideheight with careful frame rail placement in relation to rockers and using some jabrock in critical areas. Won't be snagging things...just rubbing asphalt.
>Engine will come back several inches so I can get optimal balance.
>Might go with a dry sump if I can come across a screaming deal.
>Lexan glass with exception of windshield.
>I think this thing should end up weighing around 2100 lbs or so.
>Nothing fancy...just bare bones but gonna have to be a panzy and have air conditioning as it gets a little warm here in GA.

[smcox1]

Sounds like a funny project:cool:

[smcox1]

My bad that was supposed to say FUN project not funny. I was using my smart phone with the word correct stupid phone:lol:

[240RR]

My bad that was supposed to say FUN project not funny. I was using my smart phone with the word correct stupid phone:lol:

haha....at first I thought that was a fine welcome and then I figured you were a foreigner and did not quite understand English words...but yep word correct can get you.

[240RR]

http://thumb14.webshots.net/t/72/72/1/36/68/2497136680105367394rexWzi_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2497136680105367394rexWzi)

Only have 2 so far...a front and a rear...but that will get me started...and not 100% sure if they will work but the price was right. 5x130mm bolt pattern so will have to work around that with whatever hub arrangement I come up with. Off a Porsche GT Cup car.
This is kinda the flavor I am trying to achieve with this project...I think the cool factor is the used race stuff as apposed to the trick high dollar aftermarket, which is out of my price range anyway...nothing against it!!

BBS Magnesium Monoblocs
18x9 frt
18x11 rr

[WSSix]

This does sound like a great project. I've always had a thing for the Z cars even the 280ZX.

[240RR]

The BBS wheels are obviously 5 x 130mm Porsche bolt pattern and after doing a little research I THINK I will use hubs, spindles and struts from a 928. Does anybody have any input on this combo? Any years better than others? I might need to jump over to a 928 forum but thought somebody here might have a little input....thanks
EDIT...a little more research and looks like the 928 corners should work.

[240RR]

300 mile round trip today and the project car arrives.http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/47268/2899340440105367394S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2899340440105367394xrAYjb)

[srh3trinity]

Looks like a great start. I would love to do a 240 someday, just not sure I would have enough leg or head room.

[Sandbagger]

Ls powered , really really fast ...

[240RR]

quick update...mostly researching and picking up a few things but getting close to actually starting work.
Picked up a Q45 LSD rear diff with a 3.70 gear. Infinity...supposed to hold up to 450hp or so, with the light weight of the car it should be a good unit.
I wanted to use Porsche corners but would mean going with a strut front...arrghh! Looked into 911 stuff but the rear is too complicated... and still strut front.
So looks like later Toyota Supra/SC300 spindles and hubs. Picked one up to look over. There are aftermarket upper control arms available so that is plus. This is a conventional upper and lower control arm set up so I can easily use aftermarket coil overs. I will likely have to use wheel adapters (will avoid this if at all possible)...I have minimal hope that I can have the hubs redrilled to the 130mm Porsche pattern.
Will source some used calipers from a 911...street or race.
Also I think I have changed my mind about the aftermarket fiberglass widebody kit...can't justify the $$. Thinking on just pulling the quarters and fenders out and pulling the rockers out to blend. This may involve raising the rockers up a few inches into the door and removing a few inches out of the bottom of the doors. Going to use lexan and side window sliders...doors will be gutted. Could still use fiberglass front fenders. Anyway, having some renderings done to see how this could all come together.
Moving my business into a different shop and waiting to get things organized and will move the z there to start stripping it down.
In the scheme of being creative with the $$ I picked up 4) 12' cross beams used on industrial pallet racks that will work great for a inexpensive chassis jig. They are about 4"x6" boxed with a notch that will work great for adjustable cross beams....more to come as I start building it. $80 for all 4 and they are straight. May not be good for a lot of use but will be good for what I am doing....much better than building it on the shop floor!

[larknut]

Can't wait to see the progress.

[240RR]

Boring update again but got the Z situated in my new shop and started tearing it down. Have a rendering being done!! Scheming and dreaming and the ideas are starting to gel...!
Researching power plants and leaning strongly towards a 350Z engine and 6 speed. They make an aftermarket ITB setup that is way cool. 100 lbs less than an LS engine and stock about 300hp. They make some pretty crazy horsepower with this engine so room to grow!

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/47172/2842846790105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2842846790105367394nflayU)

[legend]

have a look over on dpcars.net, or palatov motorsport denis is selling some amazing suspension setups that could be used on a tube frame build, all the calculations and clever stuff are done already, you'd just have to build it in

[240RR]

Those guys build some cool stuff!
Here is a little more exciting update. Ripped off the right front suspension just to stick a tire/wheel in its proposed place...mostly for motivation!
I have to get the chassis jig done and finish gutting the Z and then the fun should begin! Can't wait after getting a glimpse of a tire/wheel mock up on the front.
We are going to pull the fenders and quarters out maybe 3" per side (will be determined once things get set on the jig with suspension).
Will raise the wheelwells approximately 4".
Going to flatten out the sides of the front fender and rear quarter kinda like shown in the side shot....bringing the rockers out and blending to the rear.http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/48529/2350464220105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2350464220105367394bSmYBq)
http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/30879/2715210290105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2715210290105367394XWnlQG)

[Flash68]

Wheel looks killer on there.

[70rs]

Cool project! There is a local 510 that is heavily modified.
He is running a Subaru diff, Pathfinder based engine and a later model 280zx trans.
I only mention it because he did it on the budget too and said the mods were really straight forward. I thought maybe this might help somehow in your drivetrain plans.
Keep the pics & updates coming!

[240RR]

Cool project! There is a local 510 that is heavily modified.
He is running a Subaru diff, Pathfinder based engine and a later model 280zx trans.
I only mention it because he did it on the budget too and said the mods were really straight forward. I thought maybe this might help somehow in your drivetrain plans.
Keep the pics & updates coming!

I will try to look that 510 up...thanks!
After a bunch more research I ordered a front and rear drivers side upright from a 350Z as that looks like the way to go and the parts are reasonable.

[240RR]

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/48221/2274102900105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2274102900105367394gDkRaO)

Got a start on the chassis jig yesterday and pretty darn pleased with it so far. I have four bolt adjusters on the legs. I wanted to do minimal welding on the two beams so built the supports this way. I have to do a couple cross supports but I may just bolt some angle iron on each end where there already holes...to save welding and risking deforming the beams.
Have to do leg braces yet also...
I like the notches in the beams...a 2x4 fits in perfectly for quick cross supports. Also will see if I can pick up some 1-1/2" tubing I can tack in place.
I left the supports a little long and set them both at the centerline of the wheelbase...figure that might come in handy for placing the jigs for the uprights.

[240RR]

Picked up a 2003 350Z longblock with 53k miles on it. Waiting on 350Z front and rear uprights and some tubular control arms from Ebay.
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/45202/2185668350105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2185668350105367394PJRBLz)

I'm gonna have a hard time not wanting an ITB setup when the time comes!!
http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/47562/2246614170105367394S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2246614170105367394JdiQcO)

[240RR]

Got it stripped down to the shell. Next up is bracing it up and cutting out the floor and off with the front clip

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/46146/2445644930105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2445644930105367394HyWIue)

[240RR]

Rough hacked off the front clip and now will start bracing up the shell to cut the floor and firewall out.


http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/44312/2545645710105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2545645710105367394xiEJkt)

Jig is done except for a few more cross beams. Will probably permantly weld two on the ends and the rest will be placed once the shell is on the jig and I start laying out chassis tubes.
Everything is within .1 degree of level and 1mm from square...width is spot on, so I have a good starting point. Was really suprised to get it all that close!

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/4336/2342663010105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2342663010105367394OsYDby)

[aussiebj]

Z cars rock keep the motivation level high....:thumbsup:

[240RR]

set the shell at ride height and started taking measurements for the chassis. Jig is done and ordered tubing today for chassis.

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/45845/2397193570105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2397193570105367394yKVjZK)

[70rs]

Not much left! Very cool project.
I am waiting patiently for you to finish it.......lol!
:thumbsup:

[240RR]

yeah...should be done tomorrow:D

[70rs]

yeah...should be done tomorrow:D

Sweet! I expect a full report from the track......with video.:D

[240RR]

Here is the start and the basic layout of the chassis center section. I ended up going with 1-3/4" 14 gauge (.083) mild steel for the bulk of the chassis. The cage will probably be 1-3/4" x .090 DOM
I have a blueprint from a GT chassis and that is what they used so figure I should be safe as long as it is properly built and triangulated and such.
Waiting on a couple of Ebay axles so I can make sure I am OK on the track width before getting too far into the rear clip...which is next up.
I talked to a shop in Florida that said they can modify the 5 bolt output flanges to fit the 6 bolt 350z hubs. I ordered a Q45 and a 350Z left axle so I can kinda double check lengths and all are compatible.
Started making a fixture for the Q45 diff so I can get it set in place.

rear view

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/47555/2548428920105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2548428920105367394xKWwZf)

front view

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/46008/2238797470105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2238797470105367394nfaTCy)

[240RR]

Making a little progress. Realized I needed a surface at each corner to measure and locate the suspension so tacked on 2x2 plates at the rear corners to start with.
I think I have the diff located...fabbed up an adjustable height fixture for it so I can fine tune it as I move forward with suspension and driveshaft/halfshaft angles. So far I have the halfshaft angles at about 2* down to the diff and I think with that I can get proper driveshaft angles.
Got the rear clip upper hoop tacked in place and an upper rocker tube.
Also decided to add 1-1/2" to the wheelbase at the rear. I will pull the wheelwell back by pulling the quarter back when I widen and modify them. Needed a little extra space between tire and drivers compartment. Plus with widening the body about 7 inches it should not hurt the proportions.

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/47970/2455905730105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2455905730105367394iSWHXj)

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/47264/2505049920105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2505049920105367394TDhvot)

[240RR]

little more progress...suspension pickup points are kinda suspended awaiting final measurements and attachment points/tubing.

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/42069/2673296430105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2673296430105367394ISTNZQ)

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/8065/2079703230105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2079703230105367394paFnkS)

[scottysimp7]

This thing is going to be a monster! Cant wait for more pics. :D

[240RR]

Been busy getting a business off the ground but should be back on the project soon.
I have started building racing sim cockpits...kinda have the product line developed now so might find a little more time for the toy.
http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/18462/2738801070105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2738801070105367394ZkVTnp)

[240RR]

Getting back on the project now. Picked up a low mile 6 spd for $200.
Finished up the front of the jig so I can mock up the engine and trans and get started on the front clip and suspension.
I need to get the body on the jig to open up more shop space so that is also a priority. Getting anxious to move this along!

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/47425/2052014910105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2052014910105367394lYNwVF)

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/48310/2241916750105367394S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2241916750105367394Wglwci)

[aussiebj]

keep em coming....:thumbsup: