It’s an
early January Friday afternoon in San Jose, California, and I’m sitting
in the shotgun seat of a 1971 Datsun 240Z that’s stopped at a traffic
light. A 240Z that just a few moments earlier completely blew my mind.
In
fact, my body is still recovering from the acceleration I just
experienced; my adrenaline slowly heading back towards normal levels.
This early 1970s Japanese sports car is unlike anything I’ve ever
encountered before.
A
guy in a BMW 1 Series pulls up beside us, likely having caught a
glimpse or heard the sound of the Z running through the gears. “What
have you got in that thing?” he asks with a mixture of confusion and
amazement.
“Just a little Datsun inline-six,” replies the driver of the Z, Mr. Rob Fuller from San Jose’s Z Car Garage.
And before the Bimmer guy has time to inquire any more, the light turns
green and we’re off again in a screaming symphony of naturally
aspirated music. Rob was not lying to Mr. BMW, and that’s the beauty of
the whole thing.
Of
course, this shiny black Datsun is completely unlike any other
L-powered, naturally aspirated Datsun in America. In fact, there are
just a handful of cars like it anywhere on the planet.
Say hello to the OS Giken x Z Car Garage 240Z.
This
car, officially unveiled at last year’s SEMA Show, is a project that’s
been a long time in the making; a build that would become the first ever
Stateside application of OS Giken’s legendary TC24-B1Z twin can
cylinder head for the Nissan L-series engine. Even in Japan, the OS
Giken head is about as rare (and as expensive) as an engine part can
get. It’s a component that feels more like a unicorn than something you
actually see, but here it was in the flesh and ready to rock.
This
collaboration is something that Rob wanted to happen for a long
time. Once he caught wind that OS Giken was considering bringing the TC
head to the US, Rob knew his shop had the experience and vision
necessary to build and showcase this exotic powerplant to an American
audience.
CHAPTER TWO
One Of A Kind
Rob
also knew he had an ideal car for the project – a 1971 240Z owned by
his friend and long-time Z Car Garage customer Gary Stephenson. The
plans were originally to give Gary’s S30 an RB swap, but when the OS
Giken opportunity came along it felt like the perfect match.
In
the summer of 2015 the dream started to become a reality; the TC24 head
arriving in the US in preparation for the SEMA build. But it would take
a whole lot more work than just putting the head on an L-motor and
calling it a day.
The
engine itself uses a Rebello-built 3.3-liter L-block with plenty of
displacement to pair with the high-winding OS Giken cylinder head
conversion. From the very beginning the plan was to go with a more
street-friendly powerband as opposed to an engine that’s only happy at
upper-range RPMs.
The
car breathes through a set of three 50mm Solex carbs which are
typically only used in race applications but are very well matched with
the OS Giken head.
And
on the other side of the motor you’ll find a one-off, equal-length race
header connected to a custom 3-inch stainless steel exhaust system.
The
numbers the motor makes in its current form are downright astonishing:
376 horsepower to the rear wheels with 281 foot-pound of torque, all the
while behaving without the finicky nature you might expect from a
fully-built N/A straight-six that’ll scream up to 9,000rpm and beyond.
And it’s not just the power, but the way it makes it. It feels just like
a 240Z should with decent mid-range punch and power that continues to
build at upper RPMs. Just multiply the power and the sensations several
times.
The
engine is mated to a 240SX 5-speed gearbox which handles the power
well. The TS3A clutch and flywheel also comes from the OS Giken catalog,
as does the Super Lock LSD inside the R180 rear differential.
FINAL CHAPTER
Exotic Yet Traditional
From
the beginning it was important that the car be able to handle all the
additional power, so you’ll find a set of Z Car Garage adjustable
coilovers, along with upgraded sway bars, T3 tension rods and Arizona Z
Car rear lower control arms.
There’s
also no way the original 240Z brakes were going to work with 376
horsepower, so they’ve been rightfully upgraded with one of Z Car
Garage’s popular 4-piston/328mm big brake kits.
The
wheels are Panasport Racing C8s that measure 17×8 inches on all four
corners and are shod with 255/40R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71Rs.
Despite
the width of the wheels and tires, they tuck perfectly under the
non-flared 240Z bodywork for a very subtle and mature look, particularly
when matched with the Nissan Super Black paint.
In
most ways the Z looks just like a factory restoration, and that
includes the largely original-appearing interior which cleverly
integrates a custom rollcage with low profile door bars.
The
steering wheel is a factory wood-rimmed Datsun piece and the original
seats have been swapped out for Recaro Specialist recliners that are
very subtle in their appearance.
And
speaking of subtle, check out the window cranks which actually operate
the power windows with a simple nudge up or down. This is just one of
many super-cool touches around the car.
The
S30 Z is a vehicle that’s been seen countless times on Speedhunters,
and in many different forms. But I can honestly say there’s nothing like
this one. It really is the perfect wrapper for one the most impressive
tuning products to have ever come out of Japan.
The
OS Giken x Z Car Garage 240Z manages to be incredibly capable while
also staying true to its Nissan N/A inline-six roots. There’s no fuel
injection and no turbocharger, but its performance numbers will put many
high-tech modern cars to shame. And at the same time the engine itself
is so rare and exotic that a Ferrari V12 might look tame by comparison.
It’s a classic Japanese sports car unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and also one that I’ll never forget.
OS Giken X Z Car Garage 1971 Datsun 240Z Numbers
Max Power: 376rwhp, Max Torque: 281ft-lb Engine
Rebello-built 3.3-liter L-series block, OS Giken TC24-B1Z DOHC cylinder
head, 3x Solex 50mm carburetors, Z Car Garage custom equal-length
header, Z Car Garage custom 3-inch stainless steel exhaust system,
Nissan Competition oil pan, MSD 6-AL ignition, Koyo race radiator Drivetrain
240SX 5-speed manual transmission, OS Giken TS3A clutch & flywheel,
R180 differential with OS Giken Super Lock LSD, Ermish Racing CV axle
conversion kit Suspension/Brakes
Z Car Garage adjustable coilovers, T3 tension rods, Arizona Z Car rear
lower control arms, Motorsport Auto sway bars, Z Car Garage big brake
kit with 4-piston calipers and 328mm rotors Wheels/Tires
Panasport Racing C8 17×8-inch, 255/40R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71 R tires Exterior
Fully restored exterior, one-piece rear bumper, JDM taillights, Nissan Super Black paint by William’s Auto Body Interior
Original restored interior, custom rollcage with low profile door bars,
Recaro Specialist seats, carpet & trim by Bascom Trim &
Upholstery More Datsun related stories on Speedhunters
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