71 2dr - mean blue machina

Ooooh... so neat & clean.

It's done...

All pictures are clickable.


Engine bay after all the 4cyl stuff was stripped.	Plenum after "trimming" EGR, fast idle, & other non-essential stuff.	Engine mount detail. Note how low engine sits. The pan is <1/2" from the x-member.	Trans x-member & oil pan detail.


I go through PlastiKote "GM Low-Gloss Black" like nothing else. I even use it to paint stuff around the house.	Did I mention wiring is my favorite part? Here is the harness after trimming & before taping.	Note how far back engine can sit with the EGR and misc plumbing removed. Also visible is the remote oil filter (un-mounted).


Here you can see where the cold start valve was relocated (behind the TB).	Ok... so the ECU mounting & wiring still needs some attention, but the rest of the car is more or less "done".

The ingredients:

(1) busted 200SX parts engine, ECU, harness & tranny.

(1) Low-mile '88 300ZX VG30 - completely rebuilt .

(1) Thump Racing VG30 conversion kit, exhaust, & countless trick parts & tweaks.

(4) Weeks of evenings building, cleaning, painting, fabricating, wiring, & cursing.

Lots of trick parts & ease of maintenance tweaks.

Big thanks goes to Jeff Klein of Thumper Racing for proving an awesome kit & countless custom parts.

Engine: Rebuilt 1988 Nissan VG30. Stock internal dimensions.


Shiny bores.	Heads after rebuilding. Note how clean the rockers were on this engine.	Same short-block with my neglected turbo Z in the background.	(1) Short block + (1) long Saturday = (1) fresh VG30 for my 510.

Oiling:

Pump: New VG30 pump, relief valve shimmed to 85psi (extra 15psi is for full flow oil filter & lines) .

Filter: Canton-Mecca remote 8-micron w/ replaceable element - full flow design (no by-pass!).

Misc: Plugged block by-pass w/ Oberg spin-on remote adapter, custom filter mount & Earl's -8 braided lines.

Horsepower: Est ~175 @ crank / ~140 @ wheels... ... for now ;^).

See my VG30 Tuning Page for the first dyno run.

Fuel Injection/Ignition:

ECU: Stock Nissan 200SX ECU & ignition w/ EGR & idle-control functions disabled.

MAF: Stock 200SX

Wiring: 200SX V6 harness, shortened w/ all non-critical wires/connectors removed.

Fuel Pump: VW Jetta w/ integral surge tank. >150 lbs/hr @ 40psi & 12.5V.

Fuel Filter: Canton-Mecca 1-micron w/ replaceable element.

Intake:

Plenum: Stock 200SX manifold w/ EGR, idle-up, & water fittings removed.

Throttle Body: Stock VG30E (55mm)

Exhaust: Stock 200SX manifolds. Thumper Racing custom system built w/ TIG'd mandrel U-bends.

Dimensions: 2" dia Y-pipe to 2.5" collector (behind trans x-member). 2.5" Sebring silencer.

Drivetrain:

Transmission: '87 200SX V6 5spd

Clutch/Flywheel: Centerforce Dual-Friction, 240mm / stock VG30, resurfaced

Driveshaft: shortened 2dr 510

Diff: R160 Salisbury LSD, 3.90:1 ratio

Battery: Odyssey 925 - light (26lbs), compact, & extremely powerful (625CCA!)

Mounted in recessed stainless box in trunk. Another Thumper Racing exclusive!


Battery is approx 7"x7"x5" & weighs 26lbs.	Battery is recessed into trunk floor in a stainless steel box. A clear plexiglass cover keeps unintended welding to a minimum.

Brakes:

Front: 280ZX calipers/rotors w/ Porterfield R4S pads

Rear: 200SX calipers/rotors, calipers bored for larger pistons

Master : 280ZX, 15/16"

Suspension/Chassis:

Front:

280ZX struts w/ KYB 4-way inserts, coil-over kit w/ 2.5" 175 lb springs

modified front x-member (pivots relocated)

custom heim-joint front control arms

"CarSan" TC bushings

ST front sway bar w/ heim joint ends

adjustable toe, camber, & caster

Rear:

Carrera coil-overs, w/ Carrera shocks, 2.5" 145 lb springs

modified rear x-member w/ fully adjustable toe/camber

ST rear bar w/ heim jointed end links

custom rear strut bar & reinforced rear upper shock mount