THSCC Forums

Ok, I need some advice so I am offering myself up to the pack of wolves here. Even though I have been doing the HPDE events for a while, I have not been doing the TT or ANY AutoX with THSCC. The last time I did an event was in the 80’s. Things have changed a lot since then. I plan to run in Novice if allowed and take the school in February as well. One thing I would like help on is to place the car in the “most” correct class.
The details on the car are it’s a STOCK Datsun 240Z except for the engine, which is from a 280Z (Still stock). Many know the car from the events. From what I interpret is this places the car in BSP where a linear change of this type is allowed. Why this car goes from ES to BSP I have no clue, where all others in ES either go to CSP or DSP. Yeah, I know, I bought the wrong car. I guess if it’s BSP I will go ahead and install the shocks, springs, and seats. But in a Class of M3 Lightweights, Corvettes and Older Ferraris, I am not sure how much that will help (I’m not bitter, really).
What other options are available? Or is there little hope for the SR and myself (don’t ask, the SR is just for those who already know).


Is there also a reference manual on How and why the cars are placed in the classes that they are. I have seen generic stuff, but no actual formula and such.

Thanks.
Marty

Bueler?

I don't have the rule book to check or not, but if those two cars (your car and the donor car) are not on the same line for SP, then it sounds like you will be in SM.

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In need of car.

If I'm reading my reference correctly (which is not the official rulebook), you would be in BSP as long as the motor is from a 280z built in 1980 or before. If the motor is from a 280zx (which I believe was from '81-'83), that would bump you to SM as Jason said.

I'm fairly sure about the model numbers but a little fuzzy on the dates.

Hopefully somebody will come along and correct me if I'm wrong.

Jim

The engine is a 280Z not a ZX.

looking at:
http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2003/stprepc.html

it looks like

BSP - Datsun/ Nissan 240Z & 260Z & 280Z - 280ZX Turbo ('79-'83) - 280ZX non-turbo

So it appears to be BSP for me.

So how crowded is BSP?

I think you need to look within the boxes there, not within the same lines. I believe the boxes are just used to condense the information. If you look at the lines, it would allow for some pretty strange combinations.

At least that's how I interpret it...

Jim

If you're looking at the actual rule book itself, it is the line that matters in SP. I don't know if Moutons is true to that, however. If we stick to Jim's "think inside the box" theory, SP update/backdate means all original Z parts (thru '77) are fair game.

BUT...motor swaps are no longer legal in STS (see the FrankenCivics), so I'm assuming that is the case for STX also, so that boots you out of STX for sure.

Marty - I think you've told me this before, but that's an L28 out '76 or '77, but with dual sidedrafts and the appropriate manifold - is this correct?

If so, that's a perfectly legal BSP motor. BSP is not terribly crowded locally.

If Moutons is true to the "lines" of SP, dropping an '83 ZX Turbo motor in an original Z is BSP legal too... There's a guy that runs with us occasionally that runs an '83 Turbo motor in a '77 280. I love that car.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

yes.. that is definately one NICE car

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'88 bmw 535is
'98 honda civic ex

Well if you look at the lines, I could drop a motor from an RX-2, 616, RX-3 or 818 (whatever that is???) into my Miata and run CSP. I'm pretty sure that's not SP legal...

Hopefully somebody with a real rule book will show up shortly and clear this up.

Jim

From the electronic version of the rulebook:

BSP
only 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z are on the same line.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Yes, Tom, Its a 280Z engine (76 I think).

So it's BSP for me.

So being in BSP, I guess it's time to prep the car accordingly. Any pointers before I dig into it?

Right now I Have a bunch of parts that have been waiting for an install for a while.

Just make sure you don't make any changes that would accidently bump you to an even more modified class such as removing any interior upholstery panels or adding any fiberglass body panels. You can change the seats, but it still needs to have two full sized upholstered seats. It's always better to read the rules first before making any mods, then make them one at a time so you can tell what effect each has on the car. The worse case scenario is someone who makes a bunch of changes all at once, and the car becomes an ill-handling beast. Now you're stuck with trying to figure out what mod or combination of mods is causing the problem. It was once said that each mod you make is potentially a rope to hang yourself with, making a bunch of mods at once is throwing yourself into a room full of ropes!

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

From what I know about Zs, if you haven't done polyurethane bushings all around, that's a must. I don't know if I'd do anything else before running an event or two, though. If you're having fun with the car like that, just leave it there for a while. Of course, it's the offseason and you've got a pile of parts...

You'll eventually want some more wheel/tire - you're running 15x6 or 15x7 with a 205/50/15 Azenis now, right?

Depending on how much discomfort you're willing to deal with, coilovers and camber plates can help also. I don't know much about spring rates and sway bar sizes for that car, though. Other than the Z internet resources, our own Charlie Guthrie may have some suggestions.

Ditto what Chuck said about adding a bunch of mods at once. Unless it's a pretty well known packge, making a bunch of changes at once can make for an unruly beast - see my old DSM.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

For info on how to prep a BSP Z contact http://www.dandos.com/Nissan/AboutUs.html
This shop/people prepared/drove the Z(s) that have won BSP twice at the Solo II Nationals . . . I used to autocross with Andy Craig and with Dan Kygar when I lived in the San Francisco area.

I think the guy who autocrosses occasionally with the 280Z with the Turbo transplant is my next door neighbor . . . Shawn Mercer. A very nice looking car . . . especially to a former Z owner like me!!!

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT