conedodger

Frank Capua. The character that probably started it all...

Mine is worth a lot more. Of course, it was ported and polished and had big valves installed by BC Gerolomy in the 1970's so... (insert evil grin here!)

I bought one new from Nissan less than ten years ago for less than $200

PLN

Dave sometimes takes a few days to answer. Never failed to answer me within a week though...

You're still getting hung up on that number. When someone tells you 11.2:1 they're telling you static compression. Meaning the engine isn't running. Dynamic compression is the number you care about. There are a few of us here who have been around Z cars for decades that can impart experience but your next best move is to invest in a long distance phone call or email Dave Rebello. Be prepared to tell him everything you have and especially what your goal is. Ask him to sell you a cam. Dave has something like 30 grinds that he uses. He can set you on the right path. My ignition system is in pieces right now but here are the crank fire parts-

We are talking about two different animals. Static compression is a calculation related to chamber volume and deck height. It's a number that while it may sound dramatic, is only a factor your starter has to overcome to get things moving. Dynamic compression is where the pinging might occur. Your cam overlap should take care of the excess compression. As has been mentioned, you'll want a good ignition system. I'm going with crank fired coil on plug. I would be very studious about selecting your cam. While it can be changed later, do you really want to?

Here is my setup. I hid the gauge in the ashtray which I don't use. I welded a bung in the header after the six pipes collect. Originality or the appearance of originality is a guiding principle to me. This allowed me to tune the carbs as best as carbs can ever be tuned I guess. Then, when I'm done gathering my information, I close the ashtray cover and it's gone!

I would add to what Patton said, balance everything as an assembly, including the clutch and pressure plate. In fact, buy a second clutch and pressure plate so you have a spare when you wear the first one out. The long cranks in the L motors do not like imbalance!

Static compression only effects the starter. Your cam will mitigate the higher compression if you select the correct one. I would use an electric fuel pump. Fuel starvation kills engines. Oh, and the L motors love compression. I once overheated and had to rebuild and shave the head. Wow!

Morton...

Cool! I'm 5 miles away from the entrance at my smog shop!

Thanks!

I believe I actually said 250-300HP. Rebello says this combination of forged pistons, stroked crank and lightened H-beam rods makes up to 300HP and 290lbs/ft of torque. I'm using a ported and polished E31 head with big valves that has been modified with injector ports for the Megasquirt Pro EMS. This is all on Dave Rebello's website if you want to check it out...

Leon, I wondered about the Jenvey Tbodies. I'm trying to restrain myself from getting too wild. I'll watch for your build. BTW, I bought the smog shop in the same complex as Original Customs so I have rollers we can use for tuning! Not a dyno but we can laptop tune without worrying about traffic...

Leon, i don't think of it so much as going to the dark side, as I think it is bringing the car into this century. I get the style of the original which is classic, but the accuracy of a modern car. Let's face it. Stop light to stop light, we get beat by minivans. 300HP and almost that in torque evens that out. Controlling it all digitally is icing on the cake.

FAR 240Z Laguna Seca

I remember these cars...

Leon! My inspiration for going digital! Leon pulled into a carb clinic I organized sporting EDIS and the smoothest idle EVER!

Ahh, I see. I want to use the stock tank so that is out. Thanks for the show and tell...

I understand that there can't be more than 1/8" alignment variation. If it doesn't work, as I said, I have two of the euro dampeners.

I have two of the NLA euro dampeners. I think though that I'm going to use this instead. Pardon the stolen pic from the MSA site. Thoughts?

Madkaw, show me more about your plan. I went to their site but what you've told us so far is pretty general...

I like the idea of a surge tank though. My best friend has a restoration shop and he does lots of fab work. I made him a construction paper model which he will translate into a surge tank with fuel cell like character.