Project: SR-71 (make an S30 drift like an S13)

[boost_dependent]

I have been working on this project for about 2 years now, and I still have a long way to go.  But I feel that the majority of the hard work is, for the most part, finished.  This is a 71 Datsun 240Z that I am aiming to drift.  I have fabricated in the rear subframe and complete IRS from an S13 as well as the S13 front crossmember.  This allows me to utilize all of the S13 suspension components without trying to adapt them to S30 suspension components etc.  I'm also using the sr20de-t as the powerplant.  In order to make all of this work, I actually had to extend the wheelbase by about 7.5" :-)

 

I have extensively documented as much of the build as I could with hundreds of photos.  Most of which are cell phone pics because trying to build a car yourself and be the photographer just doesn't mix too well.  A few months ago I created a facebook page strictly for the build, so if you want frequent updates and be able to look through any of the hundreds of photos, please check that out here:

https://www.facebook.com/ProjectSR71 

[boost_dependent]

I thought you guys would like this build?

[]2eDeYe]

I do, but following a link to more pics is a bit of work lol, especially a facebook link. There a few guys here that will never click a facebook link.  :)

[jalen]

I like it. I'm just curious to see if it will get finished. A lot of people talk about building a s30 to drift...nobody ever finnishes

[Mirrorimg]

How are you attaching the radius arm mounts to the frame? And is the cross member welded to the frame rails or did you tap/weld in nuts to bolt it to?

 

 

Im with Redeye, I would rather not travel to another page to look at pictures. Good luck with the build, I'm doing something similar with my truck but dont plan to use it like you plan to use this.

 

Edit: I mostly lurk and post on my build thread, so with that in mind you should keep an eye on your thread views if you want a better gauge on how often this gets visited. In a couple days it has gotten 150 views.

[boost_dependent]

I also have the photos on my actual website, but I have so many photos of the build over the course of 2 years that I would know what specifically to post here lol
Here is the link to the photos on my website, but just a warning, there are hundreds...
They should be in chronological order for the most part.
http://www.nostalgicimaging.com/Cars/SR-71/27396666_wvrPPv#!i=2303839523&k=dg9SkCB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[boost_dependent]

[Tristin]

So where did the name come from?- SR71. Is it because youre endgame is high speeds? Or maybe because the Z slightly resembles a Blackbird cockpit? Or maybe you want to paint the car flat black?

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like nice work so far. Like mentioned, it will be interesting to see you actually finish. No one really seems to successfully drift Datsuns... not outside the parking lot anyway. 

[Mirrorimg]

Thanks :) thats perfect.

 

I like what you're doing, keep it up.

[aintnobiscuit]

Pretty rad, definitely following this build. Have fun and keep up the good work.

[r0p0doe]

Thoes are ssr gp-0 in the rear right? would you happen to have the center locks and caps? ;)

[boost_dependent]

Oh, this getting finished for sure.  I've just been doing all of this in my spare time for the past 2 years now.  I'm fairly certain that I have done what no others have done yet.  I have had all of the suspension components bolted in already and the car rolls with ease with one hand.  Essentially, I could just bolt it all back in, wire the engine, make an exhaust, custom drive shaft, run new brake lines, fuel cell, custom seat brackets, and a racing seat....it would somewhat be drive-able then.  But I'm planning on taking my time with each part til it's all finished.  I still need to make a roll cage too.  And I got the name because it's a 71 Datsun 240Z and it has an sr20de-t motor--hence SR71 :-)  And of course in the end it will be black.

[its_karl]

 Is the front end being lengthened by 4 inches to change weight distribution?

[boost_dependent]

It's actually about 7.5"
It was a necessity in order to utilize the S13 front crossmember.  If I were to mount the crossmember where it should go so that the motor would mount to it, it would have shortened the wheelbase.  No matter what I tried, the only solution was to move the crossmember forward and make my own strut towers and motor mounts.  I think it solved the issue of the 240Z's and their short wheelbase anyway.  Right now the wheelbase is about an inch more than the S13, so it seems like a win to me.  As far as the fenders go, I will fix them later as all of the body work is pretty much last on the list.

[boost_dependent]

Going back a few hundred photos, but I found this one that shows more of the subframe mounting.










This one shows where the center line of the stock struts were (the furthest silver line from the front).







 

 

My alignment method LoL




 

 

Hmmm, will this damn motor ever go in there?  Yeah, old photos :-)




 

[boost_dependent]

Before I cut the strut towers out








After....
 

 

 

Would have been motor mount center line...see the dilemma?




 

 

 

Of course I didn't go with this because it was just dumb lol

 

 

 

Those are 1" bolts that hold up the front feet of the S13 subframe :-)















 

[jalen]

Good luck! I love this thread! :thumbsup:

[boost_dependent]

I just keep going further back in time...












When I first got the rear end and subframe in and rolled it out of the garage.



































Front feet of the S13 subframe
 

 

[boost_dependent]

Well, I guess I won't go back in time anymore unless anyone wants a photo of something specific I may have skipped.  From now on it will just be current progress photos.   :thumbup: 

 

[its_karl]

Hey it's RB-ready too!

 

You could extend the cab metal under the existing front fenders for a viper-ish look... Seems like you have a few hours wrapped up into this, how much time do you average a week on it?

[boost_dependent]

It's hard to say how many hours per week because I work on it in my free-time, which is usually only on the weekends if I can.  Sometimes, like lately, I go a few weeks without touching it.  Then other times I will work on it for 3 weekends in a row.  

Side note, before taking on this task, I had no prior welding nor fabrication experience.  I just wanted to teach myself as I went along :-)

 

its_karl, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by extending the cab metal; can you explain in a different way or maybe some photos?  Thanks!

[Spoona_Jay21]

So where did the name come from?- SR71. Is it because youre endgame is high speeds? Or maybe because the Z slightly resembles a Blackbird cockpit? Or maybe you want to paint the car flat black?

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like nice work so far. Like mentioned, it will be interesting to see you actually finish. No one really seems to successfully drift Datsuns... not outside the parking lot anyway. 

 

 

i understood it as an "SR" powered "71" S30. therefore SR-71.

 

Love the build man! hope too see this do well!

[Tristin]

i understood it as an "SR" powered "71" S30. therefore SR-71.

 

Love the build man! hope too see this do well!

 

Yeah I immediately went to SR71 Blackhawk... the supersonic spy plane. 

[yellowdatsun]

If there's a will, there's a way......you should have kept the wheelbase stock for a few reasons: The first is that the car is gonna look whack 7.5 inches longer. The second is that shorter cars are easier to swing around.

[its_karl]

It's hard to say how many hours per week because I work on it in my free-time, which is usually only on the weekends if I can.  Sometimes, like lately, I go a few weeks without touching it.  Then other times I will work on it for 3 weekends in a row.  

Side note, before taking on this task, I had no prior welding nor fabrication experience.  I just wanted to teach myself as I went along :-)

 

its_karl, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by extending the cab metal; can you explain in a different way or maybe some photos?  Thanks!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=d3NP2O8_gCxWuM&tbnid=f2y-sBtg1gsNtM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmodernmusclecars.net%2Fforums%2Fvbgarage.php%3Fdo%3Dview%26id%3D2464&ei=0dbDUfWdIIna9QSki4GoAg&bvm=bv.48293060,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNHvlAgT_2V0qoW1lFsgwDyFXEEHGg&ust=1371875305172975

 

Still havent learned how to make the link into an image that shows... anyways, the viper emulates what i'm describing. I was however, half-joking...