Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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bernjean
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Posts: 1709

Re: Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU replica race car build...

Post by bernjean » Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:10 pm

Thanks posting
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:50 pm

Engine is no longer just parts!
Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

mikec(nz)
Z Club Member
Posts: 189
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand

Post by mikec(nz) » Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:11 pm

I spy a Kameari timing chain tensioner, just love the supercharge like whine those things make.

What other goodies are hidden in there?

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:02 am

Hi Mike,
Good spotting!
It's made up of mostly older Nissan Motorsports parts when they were available from the USA.
I'm sure the hot overseas builds may have some more up to date trick parts...
Its ~3.1L, and I think about 11.5:1 static compression ratio.
N42 Head, F54 Block.
Hoping for 500hp, but I then realize its not a V8 or Turbo, so will settle for something starting with a 3xx hp... :)

This engine has
- 89mm SPS Forged pistons with recessed & raised valve cut-outs,
- Race prepped L24 rods (they look awesome!),
- LD28 crank,
- Del-west oversized Titanium valves,
...all the normal race prep for the rods, crank etc...
- Block as been smoothed off inside,
- Nissan Motorsports valve springs, retainers and lash pads, new rockers, Cook Racing Asymmetric cam grind...
- Head ports have been welded and reshaping etc,
- Nissan Motorsports cam sprocket,
- ARP bolts everywhere,
- New Japan timing chain,
- Custom flywheel with 5.5" Tilton 3-plate race clutch,
- Nissan Motorsports Damper, with 36-2 trigger wheel for distributor less ignition.
- ARE dry sump system,
- EFI Hardware 'distributor' only for cam timing, individual coils, 50mm EFI hardware EFI on custom inlet manifold,
- Burns-Stainless Custom Headers,
- CSR remote electric water pump...
...and the most important part, the 'Bob Sharp Racing' rocker cover!!!!
Last edited by Grunzter on Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:04 am

L24 Rods Race prepped...
Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

BRONZEE
Z Club Member
Posts: 7200
Location: Auckland

Post by BRONZEE » Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:07 pm

Keep up the impetus! Really looking forward to seeing this being on the track!!!!!!
Next - Z Club events:
= Check out events page here or our Z Club NZ Facebook page.

mikec(nz)
Z Club Member
Posts: 189
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand

Post by mikec(nz) » Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:06 am

Nice combo, but even so 500 might be a little optimistic, unless you have some nitrous squirters hidden somewhere. :mrgreen:

Cant see all that good stuff by the rocker cover is worth a couple of hundred horsepower on its own.

Great choice with the old school drysump cant wait to see it going together.

I am off to the dyno tomorrow to see if my new fuel system gives me anymore power. Maybe I should borrow the rocker cover LOL, but then you never get it back.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:42 pm

Have fun at the dyno, please share pictures and results... :)

When the headers are done, will need to take a nice photo of it all together, Rocker cover included!

The Cam uses a CWC core, and read mixed reviews of those on line?
Not sure if this was the Billet cam I got from Crow Cams or something else Reg found?...
I found one source that said even Schneider Cams used CWC cores... oh well I guess I'll find out soon enough.
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:57 pm

The ARE dry sump was taken off the dummy engine to go on the proper engine, so deserved a good clean up.

Will tie in nicely with the 'real' engine going in the car with the new gearbox, so all the fit up and plumbing can be concluded finally.

Has two ARE -12 Screen fittings fitted for the scavenge lines, and an 'extra' blue fitting (plug) for the future Turbo oil return. 🙂

Image

Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:26 pm

Had a small measure up today so I can make the crank angle sensor mount.
Got the GT101 Hall effect sensor, just need a home for it.

Mounted the Nissan Motorsports USA Damper with the ARE dry sump bits and pieces (Thanks Reg), as well as the Aviaid Dry sump pump, all from ARE.
Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Mar 25, 2021 12:40 pm

Picked up some bits and pieces today.
The hatch and wing which is all done besides a little touch up here and there which I will do when I tidy the plexiglass seal joint. Good enough for now.
The two lightweight headlight covers were strengthened and painted white. They will be the cars eyes 🙂
Door cards done and fitted as well as a simple pull to open rope. Handles fitted and they have had a very good make over to tidy them up.
Many thanks to Bruce @ Fast Fibres.
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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Wed Apr 07, 2021 4:05 pm

Ok, bit the bullet to fix the last major gremlin in the car, that being the difficult to access master cylinders.
So the Wilwood/Tilton top mount combo is being replaced with a Tilton underfloor mount.
This way the reservoir can be moved to a nicer easier to access place, and the master cylinders can be easily bled and changed if required.
Why I did not do this earlier, I'm not sure, but probably due to cost...

There are other things that could also be done better but this is one I wont regret.

Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:50 pm

Had to machine the outside of the injectors to make them fit, as the throttle bodies are designed for EV14 type injectors, where the Bosch EV6 type units are a little chubby around the center.
These new 440cc injectors replace my old 363cc units which where a little undersized based on ~65% duty cycle.
The airbox will be replaced once the engine is in the car and final clearances checked, either with an off the shelf unit or a home made one...
Throttle bodies are the older EFI Hardware 50mm units, where the new ones have the tapered bores. The inlet manifold is custom made by Cook Motor Racing.

Image

Image

Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
bernjean
Z Club Member
Posts: 1709

Post by bernjean » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:38 am

Good quality work happening there, great to see the passion going into this build. Keep it up. Thanks for posting.
Bernie Kant
Club President

mikec(nz)
Z Club Member
Posts: 189
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand

Post by mikec(nz) » Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:57 pm

Love the build and the attention to detail. Great stuff.

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