ww's Nissan JCR '82 Blow Thru-Turbo Mikuni Powered 280ZX: Readers Rides:

Here’s my 3+ year restoration project. I picked this car up from Sandy Cook, wife of the late Jim Cook of SCCA fame, also the namesake for the SCCA’s “Jim Cook Memorial Trophy” “An annual award honoring the memory of James Edwin Cook (1939-1985) is presented at season’s end to an entrant/driver who has made significant contributions to the overall success of the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships through promotional activities and a consistent display of good character and sportsmanship.” A very short bio of his racing career: “Jim Cook Racing dominated road racing for 23 seasons with an astonishing 24 hour endurance record of 7 wins in 14 starts, 3 wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 IMSA lap records and 5 United States Endurance Cup Championships. The Jim Cook banner has flown over 35 different types of cars on almost every circuit in the United States, plus races in Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.” Jim was a bit of an idol for me back in the 70’s at the height of his road racing career. He built this car to showcase his after market parts business. I’ve spent 4.5 years so far, stripping the car down to bare metal and building it back up. On the original blow through turbo triple Mikuni setup, it’s currently making 407 rwhp and 422 ft/lbs. I’m shooting for 450/450, but we may have already reached the limit of our ability to tune the Mikuni’s… So, I may have to resort to ITB’s and megasquirt. Anyway, the goal is to keep the car to the spirit of what Jim originally built, but upgrade the safety and modernize key elements for reliability and power.

ww
May 19, 2009, 8:59 a.m.

Some more pics: Original Promo Pic: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/280zx-small.jpg[/img] Nasty engine bay: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/02.emptybay2.jpg[/img] Going down to the bare metal: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/front-fender-stripped.jpg[/img] Primered and getting block sanded: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/right-front-mask-sand.jpg[/img] First coat of 350Z Pike's Peak White: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/paint-leftrear.jpg[/img] Engine bay is done! [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/09.front.jpg[/img] Short stay back at home: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/1stDayHome-b.jpg[/img] It's now going through re-assembly and getting the motor refreshed. With only a little over 18k on the odometer, there's not a lot of refresh necessary... Here's a pic of the motor: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/04.motor2.jpg[/img] The prototype Cartech Blow-Thru Triple Mikuni intake setup: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/05.intake1.jpg[/img] The interior is "mostly" done: [img]http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/1stDayHome-ReadyForTheTrack.jpg[/img] Next is to finish the motor and get it all re-assembled...

ww
May 19, 2009, 9:06 a.m.

Some more pics: Original Promo Pic: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/280zx-small.jpg"> Nasty engine bay: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/02.emptybay2.jpg"> Going down to the bare metal: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/front-fender-stripped.jpg"> Primered and getting block sanded: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/right-front-mask-sand.jpg"> First coat of 350Z Pike’s Peak White: <IMG src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/paint-leftrear.jpg"> Engine bay is done! <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/09.front.jpg"> Short stay back at home: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/1stDayHome-b.jpg"> It’s now going through re-assembly and getting the motor refreshed. With only a little over 18k on the odometer, there’s not a lot of refresh necessary… Here’s a pic of the motor: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/04.motor2.jpg"> The prototype Cartech Blow-Thru Triple Mikuni intake setup: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase2/05.intake1.jpg"> The interior is “mostly” done: <img src="http://www.kamikazeracing.org/jcr-zx/rebuild/phase1/1stDayHome-ReadyForTheTrack.jpg"> Next is to finish the motor and get it all re-assembled…

rwdsport
April 23, 2010, 1:05 p.m.

So much badass. Love it.

turboL24280z
June 13, 2010, 11:30 p.m.

I have this same setup. What's done to the motor?

madkaw
Oct. 14, 2010, 6:44 a.m.

I am considering buying this set-up for my 240z, but trying to convince myself this is a good decision. It seems like you have made it work well! You wouldn't be interested in sharing some thoughts at sfinnerty@indy.rr.com