Custom builders from Nevada turned a 1971 Datsun 240Z with a 130 hp straight-six into a kind of race car with a 5.3-liter V8. The car is now for sale.
A Datsun 240Z from 1971 has appeared on the online auction platform Bring a Trailer - but not an ordinary one: custom builders from the US state of Nevada have completely disassembled the Japanese sports car and completely stripped its bodywork; They took the original 2.4-liter straight-six with a light-alloy head and initially 130 hp and put a GM LM7 V8 with a displacement of 5.3 liters in the front end. It is normally used in SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and, depending on the year of manufacture, has twice the power of the Japanese six-cylinder.
Roll cage and fire extinguishing system
The now dark gray Datsun has a new front and rear spoiler, LED headlights, fender flares and a powerful diffuser at the rear. Inside there's a three-spoke racing wheel, a massive roll cage and a vinyl-covered steel dashboard. The Corbeau racing seats are fitted with five-point harnesses and an Aeromotive fire suppression system is mounted behind the seats on a roll cage cross member.
Wilwood brakes with preload system
The lowered V8 Datsun sits on coilovers from Techno Toy Tuning. The front and rear wishbones are adjustable. The wheels are 17-inch bronze Rota RB rims clad in Toyo Proxes R888 tires. There are Wilwood calipers all round, with the emergency brake working with its own calipers. The Wilwood master cylinder is paired with two reservoirs. The brake system can be preloaded via a button on the dashboard.
5.3 liter V8 modified for racing
The 5.3 liter V8 under the hood has high performance electronic fuel injection, high performance camshafts and sport valves, new springs and rocker arms and a Holley intake manifold . All of this should do the power output good, beyond the 300 hp should not be a problem. The engine mounts are from Dirty Dingo Motorsports. A three-part aluminum cooler ensures that the heat is dissipated, and there is also a separate oil cooler with filter. The current owner had an oil change done prior to the sale.
Power goes to the propshaft via a 4L60E four-speed automatic, also found in numerous Chevy models including SUVs like the Tahoe. The rear axle is driven by a Nissan R200 differential with Nismo lock.
Under 300 km since rebuild
The total mileage of the 1971 Datsun 240Z is unknown - it has driven 184 miles (296 km) since the major rebuild. Currently, the bids for the single copy are at 35,250 dollars (equivalent to around 30,178 euros).
Conclusion
The Datsun 240Z is a sleek sports car that is one of the design icons of automotive engineering. The example now for sale combines chic with robust additional performance from the US mass production and sporty chassis technology. Anyone who doesn't give a damn about originality and thinks that the long-hood bestseller sports car should always have had a V8 will find a good opportunity in this offer: the conversion work on the body also leaves a good visual impression. The current price of $35,250 could still skyrocket.
