1/12 Datsun 240Z - Replication project

[Kpbruka]

Hey all,

So after humming and ha-ing for the last while, I finally convinced a coworker we should build a scale replica of his car. The car in question is a Datsun 240Z, Powered by a RB26DETT converted over to a single turbo. Throughout the car there are quite a few details that we are in the midst of collecting reference images, dimensions etc. to try and duplicate the car as accurate as possible.

The kit used for the 240Z is the Tamiya safari car 1/12, while the donor engine will be coming from a Fujimi Reebok 12 Skyline. From that point on, it will be a mixture of hand fabricated components, modeled+3d printed components, and laser engraving small detail components (thankfully have access to one at work)

So far quite a few parts have been modeled and will be 3d printed shortly. As this is the first time dealing with 3d printing, I am sure there will be some trial and error.

I'll be gathering some in progress pics of what is going on so far and will update shortly.

 

[Kpbruka]

It sucks how difficult & expensive some of these 1/12 kits are getting these days.

 

The body was fairly decent, a few dips here and there that needed some TLC and filler. The safari car unfortunately came with some square holes in the hood and a raised section to mate to the rally lamps.

That was filled and sanded out nicely. after some cleanup of the mold lines, defects etc. I got a few coats of primer on the main body. Test fitted the doors, they seem a bit tight and need a little cleaning up before primer. The fuel door was very faint(almost non existent in spots) and needed a good scribe to get some clean lines.

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2015 by Kpbruka

[Kpbruka]

Did some testing with the laser engraver to cut out a foldable template for building the radiator, Only had brass shim stock at the time, however got a good idea of how it may turn out using aluminum.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Kpbruka

[Kpbruka]

Similar process for testing out the catch can/coolant reservoir.

[Kpbruka]

Right now is the gathering reference material / parts stage. I have a few solids drawn up now for some of the components of the build which will be getting 3d printed.

Single turbo conversion manifold for the RB26DETT - Based off the one used in the actual car, OBX manifold.

Front lip

Front mount intercooler

lower control arms from the kit(left) to be replaced with the control arms on the right (Techno toy tuning LCA's)

Hopefully will be placing an order in the next day or 2, excited to see how they turn out.

 

 

Edited November 22, 2015 by Kpbruka

[Belugawrx]

Hey now!!...Welcome aboard Keith !!

Great looking project,..I be followin'...

Any 1:1 Pics ?

Cheers

 

Edited November 22, 2015 by Belugawrx

[Kpbruka]

Here is the 1:1

Still waiting on him to decide if he is going to coat the valve covers black, would make things easier for the 1/12 lol

 

Edited November 23, 2015 by Kpbruka

[Belugawrx]

.....ummmmm..

oh ya well of course                                                                                                                                                                            Nice

Edited November 23, 2015 by Belugawrx

[cmfowler]

i'll be following this one, like the idea and work so far.

[Kpbruka]

So a small update of what I got up to yesterday:

The engine from the skyline kit (along with majority of the car) is unfortunately a screw together kit, nothing glue and filler cant fix.

As is, the transmission doesn't really work to well from the RB26 so some modifications were made. Its not 100% accurate, but spending 500+ on a 300ZX model just for the transmission is a tad out of the budget lol

Factory engine mounts are useless for this build, so more filling and filling

A touch of paint

:

 

And this evenings project, Rear sump oil pan to clear the subframe of the 240Z

 

[Belugawrx]

Nice work Kieth...

Carry on

Cheers

[Crusader101]

Great work.

A 240Z appeared in tonight's Chasing Classic Cars episode....2200 mile original.

[Reeves Racing]

Neat project. I am not real familiar with after market turbo setups, are the two tubes with the smaller flange on the header for the pop off valve?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Have always loved the body style of this era Z car

Your build looks great, will happily follow along

Edited November 25, 2015 by Twokidsnosleep

[Kpbruka]

Neat project. I am not real familiar with after market turbo setups, are the two tubes with the smaller flange on the header for the pop off valve?

Pretty much. The two tubes run to an external wastegate.

It bleeds off exhaust gases to regulate the turbocharger RPM / Boost pressure.

 

[Kpbruka]

little update.

Oil pan is complete aside from drain plug and bolts

 

The manifold that comes with the kit has less than ideal details, a merged throttle bodies/fuel rail/block of ugly.

So I chopped a bit off and got it down to the separate pairs of throttle bodies, added throttle linkage arms(that need some trimming)

And a quick test fit with a fuel rail placed roughly for reference (actual car has an aftermarket fuel rail) working on injectors and mounts to get the fuel rail on permanently

Valve cover needed some touch-up due to the slip of a knife while cutting off the factory/stock wiring loom box for the injectors

Also received a confirmation email saying that my parts have been 3d printed and are on their way! should see them sometime this week.

 

 

[DumpyDan]

Alright, nice work

[shortro]

yeah love it 

can wait to see some progress

[GTJUNIOR]

Very cool project, don't know how I missed it. That Rb26 motor is quite a monster. I have heard of tuners getting 1000+ hp out of them.

[Greg Myers]

Love those "Z" cars, looks like great fun Keith. 

[karambolis8]

Looking nice

[vintagercr]

Looking really nice

[SWAGON]

Loving this. Will be closely following along. My dad has 5 immaculate 240z's. Two with less than 40k original miles. One of my good friends also has a single turbo RB powered 260z. Looking forward to the progress. I bought two Tamiya 1/12 kits back in the day. The G nose and safari car, with the plan to make a cool custom. But I ended up selling the kits.

My dad's collection and my good friends RB car.