240ZX

Stephen, Come on, you know you want one of those engines..........don't you!!! Seriously, I have to agree with you, but hey not everyone is the total detail guy...obviously. As you well know, there are lots of cars that at first glance appears to be this awsome car, but once you really take a closer look, like under the car and else where, and see that all the little detail items that make a real nice car awsome, have either been over looked, are so so, or just look like crap. (Out of sight, out of mind) And of course there is the photo factor! Photos certainly do hide alot of little stuff. One thing is for certain.....this guy is going to go through alot of rear tires. Shoot, it's hard enough to get 300 HP to hook up with these light wieght cars....wouldn't you agree?

Well I just had to jump in on this one! Very very cool Z, first off! One additional little detail to point out about the underside photos...correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the oils pan look mighty low. From what I can see, it looks to be lower than the front cross-member. Here is a possible sinerio...take one lowered Z car, add an engine with the oil pan lower than the front cross-member, hit one really good bump in the road (by accident of course) and you will have something akin to the Valdez oil spill. OK, maybe he drives the Z on a billiards table or something of the sort. Next item on the modification agenda......Modifiy Oil Pan for better ground clearance!!!! Or maybe spend some real $$$ and go the route of a dry sump system....ya, that's it!!! Just my two cents worth.

Hey Carl, This is totally off the subject, but your new avatar is funny as s_ _t!!! Is this a Pleasanton Olympic Event? So what's the prefered meal before an event? ......just having a little fun with you. If you use your imagination, you can imagine you are viewing practice of this event through a pair of night vision goggles.

Eric...............S T O P driving that beauty to work!!!! You know how many brainless sheeple (people who function like a sheep) there are on the 101 or any freeway during prime time. I'm sure you own a commuter! If not, get one. Your Z is way to nice to subject it to that sort of a risk. I can certainly understand the urge to drive such a classic, but please please please spare us all from having a heart attack. Just a note; I live about 30 minutes from T.O. Also, good luck with the wifey.

Guus, Absolutely beautiful!!! I guess you wouldn't want to misjudge one of those corners, yes? If I had the money, I'd certainly join you guys. Sound like it would be great adventure!

That was kinda harsh I admit................I apollogize. Rememeber however, that the brake system is comprised of a number of components. Troubleshooting is always a process of elimination. If you have a basic understanding of mechanics, purchase a repair manual and start reading! Then get your hands dirty. If you are not confident with doing a repair of a brake system.......take it to a professional! Otherwise you may become a causulty and a canidate for the Darwin Awards.......if you know what I mean? Again, my apollogy for being too harsh.

You mean to tell us that you fly a C5...................OMG, we're in trouble now!!! What do you do when the brakes on your C5 are not working correctly?

CCC77, The existing trans you have (early model 5 spd) has a lower 1st and 2nd gear than the ZX trans, so you are likely to feel a little difference when taking off using the ZX trans. However, the ZX trans (late model 5 spd) has closer overall gearing than the early units. 4th gear on either trans is a 1 to 1 ratio with 5th gear having only a slight difference. Of course, going to lower diff gears will improve your acceloration.

Thanks for providing a better description of what works and what doesn't work. Now that I think about it, and it's been more than two years ago and I'm over 50, I recall going through the exercise of trying the wrong rotors from an 81ZX. Lance, I'm assuming you've done this mod! If so, did you use a proportioning valve with your Z. I did'nt, based on Terry Oxendales write up on the conversion, and the front to back bias for a street Z is good.

ScoHo, Way to go!!!! Very nice score. IMO, the price you payed is a good deal considering the PO has most likely got a lot more than that invested in parts alone, forget about any labor!!!! Plus, think of all the time and effort you would have had to put out to put a Z in this condition! But now, all ya gotta do is drive it and love it! Yeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaw!!!! We're all excited for you. Have fun.

frank13, Looks like your doing a good job there. The only thing I will elaborate on is the 280ZX and 280ZXT calipers. The latter of the two, the 280ZXT calipers, are the prefereable units IMO and from the info coming in, they are just like the 240SX units with the exception of the e-brake cable attach points. Don't know for sure but who knows? The difference between the ZXT and ZX calipers is visually significant! The ZXT's are a nice looking cast unit and have a similar look compared with the ZX front calipers. The ZX rear calipers on the other hand incorporate some funny looking stamped out pieces that just look cheap IMO...although they work just as well as the ZXT units. Regarding the rear rotors, you definately want to use the non-turbo, standard issue 280ZX rotors. The turbo units have a larger offset and will not work for this upgrade. My reasoning for choosing this upgrade was basically because it cost a lot less than going with Brembo's or an equivalent brand. To sum it up, my 240 weighs about 2300 lbs and the ZX system was designed for a car that weighs in at about 2800+ lbs., add in a good set of pads and SS flex lines, and now I have a factory 4 wheel disc brake system on my series 1 car. I've been using them for approximately two years and I'm more than happy with the upgrade. It even looks pretty cool....kind of a factory installed look!!!

More details on the car ( trans type, serial #, pictures, etc.) will help determine a value but, most importantly you want to look it over really well to see how much if any damage the rust monster has done, which also may be hidden by the fresh paint. Search the archives on this site regarding rust on these old babies. A little research done now will help avoid big headaches and lots-o-money later. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Chris, you have good recall..............mine is at the top of the glove box door as well (HLS3002126 Manf. date 3/70). I'm curious about the other type too!

So Carl, Thanks for the congrats............regarding the balance of your post......your kidding right? My guess is they had no clue who's car it was. I did however shoot them an email to inform them.

OK, OK, I'm probably going to catch some flake on this one but, here goes...........In regards to the MSA 2004 show, had a very good time and was stoked with the responce I got from people about my 1970. Anyway, Gav240 sent me a PM regarding MSA using a picture of my Z on the home page....was I ever excited that they thought it was a worthy specimen. Seeing a picture of your car being used by the likes of MSA is pretty cool in my estimation. It's just a little reward for all the time and effort that was put into the car. Thanks MSA...I think you folks have good taste!!! OMG my head is swelling.........help me Mr. Wizard

gema, What's wrong with using Mobil#1??? Haven't you been reading the rest of the posts???? I mean, why do you wear the underpants (or is it panties in your case) you wear...that is if you wear underpants. And Mike, I'm sure there are many FOOLS who buy the same oil you us as well!!!

I have to agree with Mike....for that matter, everyone. I am a fan and user of Mobil#1 syn. Been using it for over two decades..... Just like what someone said in an earlier post...."If marketing folks say it enough, it just has to be a fact!!!" Yah right!!!

Carl, I once heard it put this way......."For some people, their taste is only in their mouth" ROFL But hey, someone thought is was cool at some point or else it was just a joke from the start!