240Z AutoX Worthy?
 

Im looking into getting a dedicated project car for AutoX, but I also want a 240z. Im curious if these are any good for autox? Ive read that any 280z would be worthy, but I am interested in the 240...

If not the datsun, I guess any Miata, CRX, etc would be a good pick for starting out (depending on the class)

Your thoughts on autocrossing a 240Z....

I just donated a first-gen Miata. It needed some work, but would have been a great track car for somebody. I just couldn't find anyone that was interested.

the amount of money you might be spending to bring the chassis up to par might not be worth it. Depends on your budget and how deep this project may become. Id start with a miata awesome little cars that are relatively cheap and aftermarket parts are more readily avail.

A 240z is totally worthy, even in stock form. In my local chapter of SCCA there are about 5 guys running 240z's with very little money put into them. I myself took out my street preped 280z and did fairly well in it.

Also why would a 280z be okay to auto-x but not the 240z? There is not a whole lot of difference between the two. Power to weight ratio is roughly the same. Also, if you aren't looking to stay in any one particular class just drop in an L28 into a 240z and call it a day. The 240z is a great cornering car and with some minor mods can be a beast.

any other questions let me know. I've been into the old Z's for about 11yrs now.

2010 Dixie National Tour Results

Jump down to XP and check out the results. IIRC that isn't even an XP prepared car, rather a FP car. 240Z is a highly capable autox car.

Definitely! Thanks for offering. I am pretty serious about getting a 240z. I am having a little trouble finding one however (i.e. checking craigslist, 311.org, etc), that is not in too bad of shape but for around a couple grand. Any ideas/suggestions?

SCCAForums.com - FS ITS 240z

Save some time and pick this sweet one up! Wish I could do it

yeah me too...11K a bit much right now

It's going to be hard finding a good non-rusted condition 240z these days for 2k or less. Most good Z's are running 3-5k. I think you are looking on the right places but may need to increase your budget. Then again, there really isn't much different between the 240z, 260z, and 280z. The 280z you can probably find for 2k in decent shape. I bought my 280z back 10years ago for 1200. Wasn't much to look at but ran strong and had a decent chasis. It's going to take patience and like I said, you might have to spend a little more than 2k. Also check out zcar . com for more help on older Z's. Good luck and let me know if there is anything else.

I would def increase my budget...my thinking is I would rather spend a couple grand more on a decent running 240z than get a rust bucket for <$1000 that will require a million hours of work. I see that 280z are easier to find, but I am pretty set on a 240 with the L28. The 280z is a larger car, so do they both have the ~50/50 weight ratio?

hey 280z/300zx any idea what class for SCCA or NASA a 240z would fall into?

The 280z is not really a larger car. The over length and width of the body are near identical. What makes the 280z "longer" are the bumpers which can easily be removed or swapped for 240z bumpers. Thats the pure fun of having an S30 Z or 70-78 Z. The 240z, 260z, and 280z are about 90% interchangable. Honestly you could easily buy a 280z and by swapping out bumpers no one would know (excpet true Z people) that it wasn't a 240z. Hell, my 280z has the bumpers removed and aside from the badging, at a distance people ask me if it's a 240z or 260z. The rule of thumb us old Z fans use is do not focus on what year the car is unless you are planning to make a show car out of it. What you should focus on is rust and body condition, everything else can be easily swapped. Seriously, if you got a 240z you are going to put the L28 in it, 5-speed tranny, R200 diff. Basically all the parts off a 280z.

Look, not saying a 240z isn't the ultimate way to go. Just saying weight your options and really plan what you want to do with the car and it's end result. In a perfect world I would have got a 240z myself but just couldn't find one in my price range at the time. 10yrs later I love my 280z to death.

As for weight distribution they are 50/50. I believe the 240z, 260z, and 280z, are all roughly 51/49.

As for the class for auto-x I can't remember. Mine has mods which put me in street prepared. Which is another thing, once you change that engine it will change what class you are in.

Good luck and again any more questions just ask. Love to help