Performance VH's Not so Fairlady Z

nice

 

any progress?

 

I decided to go a different route with the car. I was hoping to finish it up later this year, but with my new idea it might be a few months longer. Not that bad in the grand scheme of things.

So, since I am this far into it. I am going to rewire the body harness. I will be using a megasquirt stand alone MS3 ECU for the engine. This decision also prompted me to switch to the newer style S2 engine 93-96 as I was using an S1 1991 engine. I don't want to have to build a second harness down the road. Also the new intake flanges that I have designed fit the newer style engines. So I will be building another engine and selling the current one. The MS3 will also allow me to run a MAP instead of a MAF sensor So current to-do list looks like:

Finish Front Bumper Supports
Mount Front Bumper
Paint
Rewire body harness
Fuel System
Rebuild new engine
Fabricate Intake Manifold
Fabricate Header back exhaust 3" stainless w/ X-pipe (I'm thinking SLP LM-I mufflers)
Build Engine Harness for MS3 ECU
Reupholster Interior panels & seats

It doesn't sound like much, but that's the plan! I don't have much time to work on it (between working full time, renovating a house, running Performance VH, and spending time with the wife) but I've been trying to keep things moving.

So started working on the new engine already... Got the valve covers shaved! Off to be powder coated!

 

Some weekend fabrication progress!

Custom VK56DE Intake Manifold

 

Got the heads and engine block completely disassembled over the holiday weekend.





Got ARP stud sizes for the main caps.
Ordered the AN fittings for the crank case vent setup.

Figured out the best way to remedy the oil starvation issue these engines have getting sideways at high rpms. I'll be plumbing in a 1qt. Accusump to the front of the block where the main oil gallery is located. Any loss of oil pressure and the accusump will flow directly to the crankshaft. My larger capacity rear sump oil pan should also help with the problem as well.

Next step is to get this engine cleaned up!

 

Going to be mad.

 

I had a accusump on mine. Helped, but wasn't perfect. Would not recommend the pressure controlled isolation valve. Use the valve to isolate when the car is off, but leave it open when running. Can't react quick enough when th pressure drops.

 

Well I finally got back over to the body shop last night to work on the front bumper of the Z. I was able to fit up the brackets and measure everything up for the front splitter (or as I like to call it... my bumper shelf) I'll be drilling everything out tonight to fit the splitter to the mounting brackets. Once this is installed we can do the final bumper fitment and get the Z in paint! So very excited for that day to come. Here are some pictures.

The splitter is rigid enough to support the front bumper and will allow me to mount the oil cooler and other accessories to it. It's pretty light too considering the size and thickness of the aluminum.

 

Spent some time cleaning up the cylinder heads. Here's a good before and after picture.

I am sending the camshafts out to get reground this week and then it's off to the machine shop for assembly!

 

Here are some more progress pictures of cleaning up the engine before the machine shop.

 

Great work. I recently got my heads bead blasted along with the lower plenum and they came up so nicely.

 

Thanks Anti, gotta love clean engine parts! Got the valve covers back from powder coat. Textured Black finish. Pictures don't do them justice!

 

Hi mate, just read through your build, what a car! will be awesome once its finished. Is the wing you have the CLS-S or CLS-R I'm looking at getting one but can't decide which one to get.
cheers

 

Thanks, still working on it. I hope to have it back for engine install before November.

I have the CLS-R. It is molded into the hatch and is actually subtle from a front/side view As soon as you see it from the rear & side it pops.

 

Almost ready for paint! The R32 tails really make the back end look nasty!

 

Painted!

Big shout out to my body shop wizard Greg Howard for getting the chassis painted over the holiday weekend! These pictures were taken right after the clear was sprayed. It still needs to be wet sanded and buffed. Pictures do not do the paint justice, it is absolutely insane in person! Can't wait to start putting it together!

Ford "Gotta Have It Green" Metallic Pearl Tri-stage

 

looks stunning! congratulations :zlove:

 

Very cool!

 

Thanks guys! Can't wait to get it out of tape and start putting it back together!

 

The tail lights have been all cleaned up and painted, and the entire car has been buffed. The front bumper is just about ready to be painted, then time for her to come home! So excited to get to work on something other than the body!