Bob Sharp Racing 4bbl intake & Holley carb

[kenz240z]

I went to look at a '72 240Z for sale yesterday. Body & interior are in rough shape. The engine is not stock, apparently came out of a '73. Instead of the flat top carbs, it has a 4bbl intake with a Holley carb. The 4bbl intake has "Bob Sharp Racing" embossed in raised letters. Does anyone know the value of an intake like this? The car originally came with an automatic transmission, but currently has a 5 speed.

I drove the car, and it is fast! But, the rear end is making a lot of noise, supposedly the differential was recently replaced. The suspension and brakes on the car would need to be rebuilt. The fenders, rocker panels, rear wheel arches & dog legs all showed evidence of rust repair. I'm wondering if it might make a good donor engine/transmission if a solid body/rolling chassis could be found. The seller is asking $2000 OBO.

[Zthing]

Funny you should mention the intake. I have just finished sealing all the openings on this one so I can polish it up a bit without getting any abrasives inside. This one includes what looks like a 2 bbl adaptor. Not sure what I will do with it yet. Have SU's and downdraft Webers at my disposal. Have not seen too many of the Bob Sharp one's around. Looks very similar to the Arizona one. Did some google research on Bob....kind of interesting. I think you will find both people praising and bashing it here on this site, but I found some ancient info on the web a while back speaking highly of it. Not sure of the value though....sorry.

[Zthing]

Oh yeah.....here ya go.

http://www.datsunhistory.com/Sharp.html

[theianmonster]

Arizona Z-Car is making these intakes as well.

[kenz240z]

Hi Zthing, thanks for the info. The 240Z I looked at had the same intake as shown in the picture you posted.

Thanks for the link on Bob Sharp, I'm still learning about the proud racing history of the Z car.

[SteveK]

I'm still learning about the proud racing history of the Z car

Please dont forget that the "proud racing history of the Z car" goes way beyond the shores of America.

There were and are significant racing appearances by Z's throughout the years in most areas of motorsport in many countries throughout the world.

Check out http://www.zclub.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6109

Posts of note are those especially by Albrect, Legendary5, Ben240Z.

Check them out, its my home club and very informative

IMHO downdraft multi barrel single carbs are not a performance improvement over well set up SU's or triples --- 90 degree turns and all that

[Zthing]

I am no authority....not even close, but it seems from what I have read the Sharp, Arizona, etc. intakes were in fact preferred by some over the later flat-top SU's. These aftermarket intakes seemed to have been most commonly found on the 260z. My opinion is still out on all the 90 degree comments. Seems no matter the carb, the fuel still has to make that horizontal run to the head. At least the top feeding carb gives it a good gravity induced pat on the back. At any rate as stated before, everyone has an opinion. I think it all depends on your particular application. Best bet, talk to someone that has in fact utilized this type of set-up, and installed it correctly. There must have been a market for them at some point.....companies don't usually continue manufacturing parts like this where there is no demand. Oh....by the way.....I think you mentioned test driving the car.....and your comment was that it was fast. The intake must work fairly well I guess.

[SteveK]

companies don't usually continue manufacturing parts like this where there is no demand

Sometimes the product creates the demand

friction modifiers

Splitfire plugs

Fuel vortex units

NOS cubes

All come under the catagory of "snake oil" no proven benefits but they still sell

[nwcubsman]

Hi Kenny,

Sorry I cannot help you with the value of the intake, but I can tell you that the intake was the preferred brand to have. It went out of production some years ago and the Arizona Z version is just that, a version of the BS. It is the best one currently available today via retail. I would think that the BS is the most valuable used holley style intake out there. I would guess it is worth $250, but I am not a 4 barrel guy. A friend has one and it is a very strong car. To me it seems the concept is lacking, but in the Portland area there are folks, including 2 Z specialists, that are solidly in favor of this approach. As I said, my buddies car is very strong! Good luck.

BTW, please check your PM as I have a request of you.

[Zthing]

Sometimes the product creates the demand

Very true. It is also true that people are quick to slam a product that they themselves have never worked with, because of something their 2nd cousin told them they read in a forum while surfing a BBS on a C64, or because they themselves have invested tons into their triple webers, and need assurance the money spent equaled the power gained. I feel sure it all boils down to the application. To each his own. :sleepy:

[clutchdust]

hey, this kind of relates to a subject close to my current project. i just lost an ebay auction for a similar type of intake. i have been fighting my round tops for six months, trying to get this thing to run correctly. i've pretty much made the decision to chuck the SU's in a box and go with a small holley. glad to hear that someone still has these intakes available. i will do a search for arizona Z. if all else fails, i'm going to fab an intake myself.

[Bruce Palmer]

Clutchdust,

Sorry to hear of the dial-in problems you're having with your SUs. There really isn't all that much on an SU to FIGHT....... They are the world's simplest carbs, but when they are worn out they can be a bear to keep tuned.