V8Mongrel – 240ss

jason

• 03:45:10 am on September 3, 2008 | # | 0
  

  As I’ve alluded to before, this project isn’t just about building a v8 powered 240sx. I’m trying to build a car that will excel in a lot of areas. I’ve already put a lot of effort towards making the car handle well, and I plan to continue making improvements to the handling as I can. The end result of this project is that I want a street car with 300-350whp, under 2700lbs, full interior, and enjoyable to drive on the street. I’ve already got the car down to under 2700lbs, but that’s with the factory 4 cyl. While the aluminum block v8 weighs about the same as the factory iron 4 cyl, the T56 is the Big Bertha of transmissions.

  Seriously, this thing could hold it’s own if it were installed in a semi. For a comparison, here is a picture of the 240sx transmission next to the T56. I suspect there’s at least a 40lb difference there, see for yourself:Off-site picture

  The first round of Weight Reduction resulted in a fairly easy 200lbs being removed from the car. Keeping in mind, that I removed a substantial amount of 1-5lb items that add up when removed all together. There were some items that were removed for racing that I plan to return to the car during this project. Like the radio and front speakers.

  Anyway, in order to maintain my 2700lb weight goal and keep the car streetable, I’m going to have to “pay” attention to the details. The quotes around pay is obviously there to signify that this round of weight reduction isn’t going to be cheap. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a set of z32 rear uprights for a good deal. The difference between these and the stock pieces is that the stock pieces are steel and these are cast aluminum. There’s about a 3-4lb difference per side, plus it’s weight that the shocks have to control, so it’s a great place to remove it.

  Here are the uprights after I spent an hour cleaning them. One needs some additional time with the wire brush, but the battery died on my drill, so that’ll come later.

  

  In addition to those uprights, I also found a good deal on a Largus Swaybar, which is larger then my current Suspension Techniques Swaybar. It’s also hollow, so it’s considerably lighter. I haven’t installed this yet, so I don’t know the weight difference, but will include that once I have it.
  

  Future weight reduction will be centered around the following items:
  - Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber hood.
  - Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber trunklid.
  - Potentially a lighter steering wheel.

  With those components, I expect to take out another 30lbs of weight from the car, but those pieces get expensive real fast, so I will only get them if I can find a great deal on them.

   

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