To get it to hook up with this much power, lots of fabrication work was needed. Using a beefy Z32 transmission (to do away with the AWD) and an HKS twin-disc race clutch, the power gets to the rear effectively. But that stock-based rear suspension also left a lot to be desired. Mark and his friend Chris Olney (ace fabricator at Charlie's Fab in Austin who also masterminded the RB swap) ripped out everything in the back and replaced it with custom-machined aluminum bits to tighten it up and make it as strong as possible (it helps that Mark has access to a top-of-the-line CNC machine). They also added a NISMO R200 LSD for that extra bit of traction. After driving it around a few days the front suspension showed its shortcomings, so another trip to Charlie's resulted in a custom aluminum front suspension to match.
Now that the car was well sorted and obscenely fast, it needed some help in the cosmetics department. The crew at Al's Bodyworks in Austin got the nod to bring the outside up to spec. With a modified MSA front spoiler, BRE rear spoiler, and custom-molded fender flares the shape was coming together. To release some of the monster engine's heat, a vented carbon fiber hood was swapped in favor of the stock piece before they applied the Porsche 911 Turbo Atlas Grey metallic paint with contrasting bright silver stripes.
When the car was unveiled at a race last year, it took a lot of people by surprise with its good looks and brutal speed. But it's no trailer queen. While it spends most of its life in Mark's garage, he never passes up an opportunity to take it out and beat on it as hard as he can. He's learned now what most of us Datsun freaks knew already; when something breaks it's not always a bad thing. Sometimes it's just an excuse to replace it with something better.
Fast Facts'71 Datsun 240Z
Owner Mark Rolston
Hometown Austin, Texas, Y'all
Daily Grind Product Designer
Power 612hp at 8500rpm
Under The Hood Nissan RB26DETT; Tomei PONCAM cams (10.2mm lift, 260-degrees intake, 270-degrees) exhaust with adjustable cam gears, Performance Upgrade valve springs; CP pistons; Total Seal rings; ported head; modified intake manifold runners; Garrett 2871R turbocharger (x2); custom intercooler and piping; Precision 1,000cc injectors; Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump and regulator; custom dual-feed fuel rail; 034 EFI high current ignition with ignitors; MSD Super Conductor wires; NGK plugs; custom spark plug cover; custom dual 3-inch to 4-inch air intake; custom downpipes and exhaust piping; custom five-quart oil pan; HKS oil pump; external oil cooler; Accusump external oil reserve system; Northern dual-pass radiator; Tomei Expreme header; custom chrome header heat shield; Magnaflow muffler (x2)
Drivetrain '95 Nissan Z32 transmission mated to RB26 housing; HKS Twin Plate clutch; NISMO R200 LSD; modified Nissan Z31 Turbo axles and CV; custom driveshaft
Brains Autronic SM4 computerized fuel injection and boost controller
Stiff Stuff Tokico adjustable shocks; Eibach springs (385-lb front, 345-lb rear); Suspension Techniques rear antiroll bar; custom ArizonaZ billet front suspension arms, rear differential mount, mustache bar
Rollers Street: 18x11 Boze Mesh; 285/35R18 Hoosier Sports Car DOT Radial Wet; Track: 18x11 CCW Classic; 285/35R18 Hoosier Sports Car DOT Radial
Stoppers Wilwood custom six-piston 13.3-inch front, four-piston 12.5-inch rear; cockpit-controlled adjustable brake bias control; steel braided lines
Outside Porsche 911 Turbo Atlas Grey metallic paint; custom fiberglass fender flares, dry-carbon fiber hood, MSA front and BRE-style rear spoilers by Al's Bodyworks
Inside Corbeau Forza seats; Simpson five-point harnesses; modified center console; MOMO steering wheel, shift knob and pedals; fire extinguisher
Ice BYO iPod
Props Chris Olney of Charlie's Fab; Al's Bodyworks and J.C. Bond; Jason and Clint at Tuning Concepts for the tuning and dyno work; Brian at BMEP Fuel and Tuning for the initial engine tuning; Motion Dynamics; Corkey and John at Automotive Specialists