My RB26 260Z Project

[EF Ian]

Dave is certainly and artist and a perfectionist, and you are correct Andy, its these final details that make all the difference.




I think I might be getting a bit too anal about this. Though I have always overthought things

Spent about 3 hours tonight going through all my photos trying to work out where I could move my battery through panel connector to somewhere more hidden. It took a while because there are very few options where it doesn't get in the way of something else. I did find a spot though, only just big enough. So it should be getting moved. I wanted to do this from the start, but couldn't work out where so gave up, but decided it had to be possible so gave it another bash.

I've definitely wasted days thinking through all these little details, mostly how to hide and tuck things around the bay. Things that will go unnoticed on their own but together add up to make it something a bit more special.

 

[civicglacier]

Import costs are paid once the goods clear UK customs. They're paid by the courier and you reimburse they basically hold your stuff to ransom until it's paid.

Expect it to be around £250 though based on personal experience. I nearly keeled over when I got the letter lol

Yea I know. I’ve done 3 or 4 big orders from amayama in the past 1-2 years and have been usually around the £300 mark. Sick!

 

[EF Ian]

Gap looks so much better now.




Currently trying to decide which line lock to use. Electric one to lock pressure in the front brakes or a manual valve in the rear circuit to stop pressure going to them meaning you can just jump off the clutch and slam on the brakes without any resistance from the rear when you are warming the tyres.

 

[thefool1983]

Gap looks so much better now.




Currently trying to decide which line lock to use. Electric one to lock pressure in the front brakes or a manual valve in the rear circuit to stop pressure going to them meaning you can just jump off the clutch and slam on the brakes without any resistance from the rear when you are warming the tyres.

Looking close now!!

Thinking about a failure.... It would be better if the brakes stayed on, rather than not operating if the line lock malfunctioned. That would be my thought process anyway.
Although, you could probably limp home with no rear brakes, quicker than the fronts jammed on .

 

[svensktoppen]

Personally I wouldn't bother with a line lock unless you plan on doing a lot of standing burnouts/drag racing. It's really the only reason to have one.

And the last thing you want when driving is probably for the brakes to slam on just because a line lock failed. That sounds like a guaranteed accident. Normal brake circuits fail gracefully for that reason.

 

[EF Ian]

Thinking about a failure.... It would be better if the brakes stayed on, rather than not operating if the line lock malfunctioned. That would be my thought process anyway.
Although, you could probably limp home with no rear brakes, quicker than the fronts jammed on .

Good thoughts. Either should be fine though. Rear valve is a manual so can not fail. Front could really only fail once locked, which while annoying wouldn't be a hazard.

They are not budget items though so I'd hope for no issues, especially as they are actually quite common on many higher powered builds, certain muscle cars even dome equipped from the factory.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a line lock unless you plan on doing a lot of standing burnouts/drag racing. It's really the only reason to have one.

And the last thing you want when driving is probably for the brakes to slam on just because a line lock failed. That sounds like a guaranteed accident. Normal brake circuits fail gracefully for that reason.

They wouldn't suddenly fail and lock on, could only fail once locked.

Granted it won't get used much, but it add next to no weight, so if I ever wanted one, now is the time to add it.

 

[EF Ian]

Work continues, was actually still some metalwork left to set the panel gaps. Some adjustment required to get them all even.

4

All good now:

Rear quarter needed a relief cut in order to let the panel move into place.

 

[EF Ian]

Decided to mount the splash guards as bolt on items. this will allow me clean behind them without needing to remove the wing.

C Pillar joints needed lead loading

I have a spare set of access panels, these will get louvered. Then I have options for both, I feel they may be useful for helping with heat, can fit them for track only if I decide I don't like the look 24/7.

Will soon be ready for sanding back the body and applying the final layer of epoxy primer, Will be using Novol range for everything.

Got some parts waiting for me upon my return home, including the Tomei oil pump.

 

[svensktoppen]

Extreme OCD levels there with the panel gaps, way beyond OEM

But when you are in this deep you might as well go the whole way. You won't be doing this again any time soon!

 

[EF Ian]

I am very tempted to just say f*** it, just paint it as it is to reduce cost, but proper panel gaps make such a massive difference to the finish of the overall outcome that I guess I'll just have to abuse the finances for a bit longer.

You won't be doing this again any time soon!

Not a chance I ever do a build like this again, could be the last car I build, its just too expensive. Might have to give up on the V10 dream.

 

[lennyd]

I am very tempted to just say f*** it, just paint it as it is to reduce cost, but proper panel gaps make such a massive difference to the finish of the overall outcome that I guess I'll just have to abuse the finances for a bit longer.





Not a chance I ever do a build like this again, could be the last car I build, its just too expensive. Might have to give up on the V10 dream.

Worth it

 

[Mr.Mint]

This is just perfect and workmanship is fantastic.

Love the updates.

 

[Stebo]

I love this thread!

 

[EF Ian]

Starting to re do the epoxy primer

Couple of little panel gap setting jobs.

 

[svensktoppen]

Can almost see the light again

 

[lennyd]

Starting to re do the epoxy primer

Couple of little panel gap setting jobs.

Ah sure it's nearly done! Couple more weeks and you'll be laughing

 

[EF Ian]

Can almost see the light again

Almost, perhaps just a pinhole.

Ah sure it's nearly done! Couple more weeks and you'll be laughing

Will be a couple more months.

He wants to put this aside for a while once its all in the new epoxy so he can do other builds. Then once it comes out again it will be worked on until completion. But thats probably 3 weeks of work.

 

[EF Ian]

Louvers stamped in spare inspection panels.

Epoxy time

Panel gaps are on point:

Car will go to storage now for a month or two while Dave finishes other cars. When it comes back out it will be finished to completion.

Thats 1384 hours into this now.


Got raped by import costs between the Amayama parts and parts from RHD Japan the total this month came to £637, that wasn't nice.

 

[svensktoppen]

Those louvres - work of art! Just use them straight away. Getting that perfect is not easy, any deviation would be instantly visible.

Almost looking like a car again

Number of hours

 

[lennyd]

Can't express just how much I love this car and how much of a work of art it is! Amazing! Yes it's a huge investment of time, money and emotions but it will be world class once its finally completed

 

[Boydie]

This here

 

[EF Ian]

Those louvres - work of art! Just use them straight away. Getting that perfect is not easy, any deviation would be instantly visible.

I'll have to see how they look once fitted.

Almost looking like a car again

Its getting there




Off to storage for a bit. Looking pretty good considering its pre bodyworking

Will seem almost sad to be painting the carbon bonnet.

 

[Gaz86]

I'm honestly not a fan of carbon fibre bonnets, didn't even like the look of them back in the mid noughties when they were "the next big thing", I appreciate them from a weight loss perspective but always thought they looked a bit tacky on anything that wasn't black.

 

[EF Ian]

I'm honestly not a fan of carbon fibre bonnets, didn't even like the look of them back in the mid noughties when they were "the next big thing", I appreciate them from a weight loss perspective but always thought they looked a bit tacky on anything that wasn't black.

I feel the same, hence why its getting painted. But it still seems a little wrong covering up an expensive item which on its own it it very nice looking.

 

[cauld1]

I feel the same, hence why its getting painted. But it still seems a little wrong covering up an expensive item which on its own it it very nice looking.

Could you just paint the outside of it and then a satin lacquer on the inside to still show the carbon but look neat?