I guess this really will just be a note to myself, for future plans, just to keep it written somewhere easily accessible and at the forefront of my brain…
Future Plans for my 240SX-to-be
S14 shell, doesn’t matter the year but prefer Zenki and 1995 if possible. Must be rust free.
SUSPENSION: Clean/powder coat old 240SX suspension components. Check for damage/durability issues. Replace bushings if necessary. Change/grease bearings on all fully-adjustable suspension components. Have coilovers rebuilt and/or purchase newest iteration.
Possible Companies to Consider:
- Fortune Auto
- Bilstein
- Ohlines
- KW
- MCA Suspension
- Nismo
Look for bespoke systems, potentially air-ride/spring combo(?)
CHASSIS: Double check for rust. Remove/repair any found. Coat internal surfaces with 2-step system: See Eastwood.com for internal frame-coating and/or heavy duty anti-rust/encapsulator. Also, consider 2-part catalyzed epoxy primer/sealer for internal and Direct-to-metal exterior coat.
Look into color selection. Possibilities include:
- Basic Nissan Super Black in honor of my original 240
- Nissan Sunburnt Sienna Metallic (or something like that), OE on Nissan 350Z (2003+)
- Some shade of green… Duh.
- Toyota Dark Forest metallic(?) OE on 2009(?) Corolla.
- An electric blue, but not Si/Civic shade.
- A Malibu Blue similar to 1994 Mazda Miata M-edition OE color.
Seam-weld critical areas to increase chassis rigidity without destroying crumple-zones if possible. Similar to Mazda sky-active plan.
Look into chassis bracing options (Nismo or otherwise) to complement suspension/engine enhancements and provide extra safety and rigidity. Look into a weld in cage with removable door bars/padding for un-helmeted heads.
ENGINE: Take VQ35DE+R out of G35 plus either 6 speed out of that, or 5 speed out of 300ZX for stout-ness. Install with all emissions equipment into 240 shell. Hopefully, lightweight 240 combined with torquey and lightweight VQ+super charger (325hp at rear wheels as measured on a Dynomite-dyno in the G) will yield a fun, powerful and eminently controllable vehicle.
Look into:
- Excessive Manufacturing
- Raw-brokerage (RB) motoring
- Enjuku Racing(?)
- Sikky Performance (possible bespoke kit/design)
- Fueled Racing (as above)
CONCLUSIONS: Honestly, be aware this isn’t an overnight plan. Come up with a build list, price breakdowns. Document everything. Focus on acquiring rust free chassis and/or clearing storage space to hold/build/maintain project. Also potentially look into garage/workshop rental. Perhaps talk to Sniper Evo86 and/or jakster726 about it.
Order of Ops:
- Research/Price Breakdown
- Clear Unit/Acquire other workspace
- Acquire shell
- Acquire necessary parts for engine swap
- Strip shell
- Repair/Ready shell/paint/body/etc.
- Repair/maintain/repaint suspension
- Install suspension
- Remove VQ
- Prep VQ, freshen it, etc.
- Install swap parts.
- Swap engine
- Systems test, troubleshooting, etc.
- If all goes well, I’ll have a running/reliable and fun car by this point. – – Take care of it.
And there we have the plan. Have to start saving to make this a reality.