Fast Floridian's 1972 240Z Track Build

FastFloridian · 1972 Datsun 240Z

Datsun 240Z (S30)12-page write-up

Fast Floridian's 240Z Track Build

Read the full write-up at Fast Floridian's 240Z Track Build ↗

Photo: Fast Floridian's 240Z Track Build

A 1972 Datsun 240Z being rebuilt into a V8-powered track car

FastFloridian is converting a 1972 240Z, bought after surviving Hurricane Milton, into a dedicated track car. The thread documents a full teardown, a Ford 302 V8 swap with EFI, an Apex Track Attack suspension conversion using 370Z components, and fabrication of custom mounts, brackets and brakes. The build is ongoing and not yet complete.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine: Ford 302 V8 with new camshaft, aluminum heads and Holley Sniper 2 EFI
Fuel system: Holley Sniper 2 EFI with digital dash
Rear axle: 370Z R200 differential rebuilt with Wavetrac LSD and 3.3 gears, Nismo diff cover
Suspension: Apex Track Attack front and rear kits with 370Z wheel hubs/bearings and coilovers
Steering: Electric power steering conversion kit
Brakes: Wilwood dual master cylinder assembly with adjustable bias, aftermarket rotors and calipers front and rear
Fuel cell: ATL 12 gallon fuel cell
Body: Carbon fiber doors fitted for weight reduction
Oil system: Accusump with custom mounting bracket
Clutch: Hydraulic clutch setup via custom bracket

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 2

Ford 302 V8 with twisted wedge heads
Rebuilt with new camshaft and aluminum heads as the track car's engine
Accusump
Added for oil control on track, mounted with a custom bracket

Fuel & Ignition 2

Holley Sniper 2 EFI systemHolley
Fitted to convert the V8 to electronic fuel injection with a digital dash
In the shops
Holley Carburettor Kit ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $106.00 USD
Holley Carburettor Lever 1063-720 ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $7.00 USD
ATL 12 gallon fuel cellATL
Replaced the oversized 20 gallon fuel cell that came with the car
In the shops
Pro Sport 8 Gallon Fuel Cell ↗Rally Design· £359.35 GBP
Pro Sport 12 Gallon Fuel Cell ↗Rally Design· £370.15 GBP
Pro Sport 16 Gallon Fuel Cell ↗Rally Design· £455.00 GBP

Cooling 1

CVF pulley/belt kitCVF
8-groove pulley kit used for standard engine rotation accessory drive
In the shops
Timing Belt and Pulleys Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $99.99 USD
Fan Belt & Pulley Kit, 3/8 inch (BPNW) ↗bpnorthwest.com· $7.99 USD
Narrow Belt Alternator Pulley ↗TRGB· £36.85 GBP

Gearbox & Drivetrain 3

370Z R200 differential
Rebuilt with a Wavetrac LSD and 3.3 gears for the rear end
In the shops
R200 Differential Cover Gasket ↗JDM Car Parts· $50.00 USD
R200 Differential Mustache Bar ↗JDM Car Parts· $498.00 USD
R200 Differential Side Seal Set ↗JDM Car Parts· $59.00 USD
Nismo diff coverNismo
Replaced the stock 370Z diff cover
OEM 370Z axle shafts
Required for the Apex rear kit, sourced used and later replaced after a fitment issue
In the shops
Nyloc Nut 3/8 UNF Thin, Prop/Axle Shafts ↗James Paddock Ltd· £0.28 GBP
Speedi Sleeve for Girling Axle Half Shaft ↗TRGB· £54.95 GBP
Nyloc Nut 3/8 UNF Thin (Prop/Axle Shafts) ↗James Paddock Ltd· £0.28 GBP

Suspension & Steering 4

Apex Track Attack front suspension kitApex
Front suspension conversion with adjustable geometry and 370Z spindles/bearings
In the shops
Front Suspension Rebuild Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $173.75 USD
Front Suspension Rebuild Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $184.09 USD
Front Suspension Upgrade Kit (Mk II) ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $1,160.99 USD
Apex Track Attack rear kitApex
Rear suspension conversion using 370Z R200 diff and axles
In the shops
Rear A Frame Apex Swivel Top Hat Bush Kit ↗Kelvedon Lotus (Kelsport)· £15.00 GBP
Superflex Rear A-Frame Apex to Axle Bracket Kit ↗Retroford (Gloucester)· £26.18 GBP
MK1 Cortina Rear A-Frame Apex to Axle Bracket Kit ↗Retroford (Gloucester)· £0.00 GBP
Electric power steering kit
Replaced manual steering, using original shaft with new u-joint configuration
In the shops
EZ Steer Power Steering Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $3,996.55 USD
EZ Steer Power Steering Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $3,629.50 USD
Power Steering Box Seal Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $23.50 USD
Coilovers
Front coilovers installed as part of the suspension rebuild

Brakes 2

Wilwood dual master cylinder assemblyWilwood
Allows separate front/rear master cylinder sizing and adjustable brake bias
In the shops
Wilwood Rotor Hat ↗Flyin' Miata· $179.00 USD
Gasket, master cylinder dual ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £1.80 GBP
Wilwood Rotor Hardware (6-Bolt) ↗Flyin' Miata· $21.99 USD
Front and rear rotors and calipers
New rotors and calipers fitted front and rear as part of the brake upgrade
In the shops
Front Brake Upgrade Kit with Wilwood Calipers (No Rotors) ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $726.00 USD
Front Brake Upgrade Kit with Wilwood Calipers and EBC Rotors ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $1,156.25 USD
PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Front & Rear Brake Kit - Drilled & Slotted Rotors, Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Pads (06-11 Civic) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $308.00 USD

Body & Trim 2

Bad Dog front and rear frame railsBad Dog
Replaced the car's frame rails as part of chassis fabrication
In the shops
Frame Rail/Butterfly Hardware Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $29.99 USD
Alignment Bolt Set - Rear Sub-frame Front (NC) ↗MX5 City· $16.86 USD
Alignment Bolt Set - Front Lower Arm Front Bush & Rear Sub-frame Rear (NC) ↗MX5 City· $22.50 USD
Carbon fiber doors
Fitted in place of steel doors to reduce weight
In the shops
NISMO Carbon Fiber Front Spoiler for Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z ↗JDM Car Parts· $539.99 USD
JDMuscle Spec C Carbon Fiber Hood ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $1,499.00 USD
Racing Art Carbon Fiber Fairlady Z Emblem ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $19.00 USD

Interior 1

Digital dash displayHolley
Holley digital gauge display mounted in a custom cut dash to show engine data
In the shops
Geartronics Gear Position Indicator Digital Display ↗C Bradley Motorsport· £159.00 GBP
Quaife Gear Position Indicator with Oil Temp Digital Display ↗C Bradley Motorsport· £350.00 GBP

Photos

306 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Fast Floridian's 240Z Track Build. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

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How it was done

Starting condition

The owner bought the 240Z just before Hurricane Milton hit, and the car survived outdoors. It already had a roll cage installed from a prior owner. Teardown began almost immediately, with fluids drained, hood, bumper, fenders and cowl removed, revealing only light surface rust underneath.

Teardown and planning

Over several months the engine, transmission, driveshaft, dash, steering column, subframe and front suspension were stripped out. The owner researched gearing, transmission options, and parts compatibility while planning a V8-powered track-focused rebuild with a wide body kit and big tyres.

Suspension and brakes

An Apex Track Attack front and rear suspension kit was fitted, using 370Z wheel bearings, hubs, custom spindles, and rebuilt 370Z R200 differential with a Wavetrac LSD. Aftermarket rotors, calipers and a Wilwood dual master cylinder brake bias system were installed, along with new brake lines and sway bars.

Engine rebuild

The Ford 302 V8 was torn down, cleaned, primed and painted, then rebuilt with a new camshaft, aluminum heads, timing cover, water pump, windage tray, oil pan and a Holley Sniper 2 EFI system feeding a digital dash. A custom engine mount cradle was fabricated to clear the new suspension bracing.

Chassis and fabrication

The owner cut a notch in the frame to clear the 370Z diff, fitted Bad Dog frame rails, learned to weld, built harness and side bars, and fabricated brackets for the sway bars, Accusump, and engine mounts, repeatedly test-fitting the engine and cradle for clearance issues.

Progress so far

As of the latest posts the engine has been test-fitted in the bay multiple times, with ongoing clearance problems around the steering shaft and oil pan still being worked through. The build remains in progress with final assembly not yet complete.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Fast Floridian's 240Z Track Build ↗

Worth knowing

Soak header bolts in PB Blaster ahead of time to make removal easier
Order correct hardware up front, as the toe arm jam nut was not included with the kit
Double check oil pan compatibility before installing, to avoid having to redo the work
Carriage bolts are needed in some Apex kit locations because plates cover the bolt heads