Hi ! thank you for letting me join the forum.

I'm looking for some owner who has a Z with Rb26dett swap.
Is there anyone here?

anyone?

Hi S2007!
Everyone's here, and this Club website is almost constantly read. But of the 600+ members I know of, no one has made the DETT swap into an S30 car (that I know of). Many have threatened to do it, and several have actually had the money needed to do it at one time or another, but most of us held them down and sat on them until the urge passed.

What's your plan?

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1970 240Z

Thanks Frank.
Well, many years ago i transplanted an RB26dett to my 1977 280z. I fabricated lot's of things and made the engine & transmission fitment successfully. However, I kept the car for many years due to some personal problem. I was not able to continue the project.
I'm now able and would like to continue where I left. I need to find someone who successfully wired the Rb26dett to 280z to get some
feedback on this section. I went to Hybridz and asked the same question but not a single person reply to my needs.

Well, everybody here loves this technical stuff and we're all friendly, so you shouldn't have any problems getting answers ~ I just question whether we'll be able to give QUALIFIED answers! Seriously, I don't know a single member who has a DETT swap to date. Plenty of V8 swaps, but that's actually cheaper than a DETT swap, and we're all pretty cheap.

I know you realiZe what you're up against. Because the S30 cars stopped production in 1978, and the SR26DET and DETT engines didn't come along until about 10 years later, there is absolutely no relationship btwn the wiring of the RB26 and the wiring of the 280Z. I *suspect* (it's a guess) you'll simply have to wire everything by hand, and maybe even create a few electrical management looms yrslf. The 'computer' the old 280 had for the EFI unit would hardly be capable of managing your fuel system on the DETT.
However, this HAS been done (you can watch them on You Tube) so there are ways to achieve it (what one man can do, another man can do). I just doubt you'll find anyone in here who has hands-on working knowledge about that swap.
How about it, guyZ? Anybody know anyone who successfully completed a DETT swap into any S30 car?

Frank

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1970 240Z

Thanks again Frank......
I bought a standalone ecu called Apexi for RB26dett - I bought a used Rb26dett R32 Engine wiring harness that supposed to plugged and
play using the Apexi. My greatest challenge will be marrying the two systems (280z - Rb26dett).
I'm hoping someone will come out with the same transplant......otherwise, i have to tackle this myself all the way.

Well, there might not be anyone here who can help with that directly, but I think I zee a bright light at the end of your tunnel.

We (CTZCC) have recently become affiliated with the new-this-year Z Car Club Magazine (ZCCM) which serves as a new platform to allow more than 70 Z clubs across the USA to communicate and coordinate with each other. Whomever has successfully made a DETT swap into an S30 will surely belong to his local Z club, so you can put an ad in ZCCM asking for whomever has climbed your hill ahead of you, to throw you down a rope.

Personally, I would hope you establish contact with the larger numbers of people who FAILED to make this swap happen successfully, so they could warn you where the land mines are buried. It's SO much easier (and cheaper) to learn from other peoples' mistakes!

Here's our recent discussion about (and with) ZCCM's publisher Art Singer, who also happens to be a member of this Club. That makes you guys Z brothers so you're more likely to help each other out. Further, I would like to recommend subscribing to ZCCM as soon as you get a chance. It's the best bang-for-the-buck magazine on the market, and the only printed source of Z news in English as far as we know. Hi-quality item for $15, and it puts you in touch with THOUSANDS of Z owners:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7998

Frank

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1970 240Z

I will certainly explore that Z site Frank.
Here's my Z (original owner)

Holy crow !!!! That's beautiful !!

Our member Marc_A recently sold his 240. He had intended to paint it Toyota Spectra Mica Blue (8M6) but only got as far as the engine bay. In the direct sunlight, it simply daZZled. It would have equalled yours if he had finished it.

When you finish your car, it will win Voters' Choice awards in many car shows you enter.

Really great choice for color on the S30 body. Wow.



Are you missing the inspection lids, or do you have them?

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1970 240Z

Great looking car! Welcome.
Frank, dumb ? but do you think RDZ might be of some help?
Jack

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John D .... original 240 past, 260v8Roadster current

["Frank, dumb ?"]

Jack, YES, sometimes I think I am!!! Duhhhh.

S2007, as Jack (who has obviously had more coffee today than I have) suggests, our members at RDZ (Research and Development for the Z car) in Danbury can probably handle all your questions. They're specialists in hi-performance Z modifications and might even have made this exact swap in the past (that's a guess).

Call our member Scott Cole at RDZ (203.628.7725) and bounce that off him. Zee if he has some info you can use. This coming weekend he might be busy at Thompson Motor Speedway grand opening vintage races, but he's very good about returning phone messages. Tell him you're a new CTZCC member and what you're trying to do with your Z.

I also called Vinny Bedini but he has never made this swap. He will ask his co-mechanic over this weekend if he is familiar with the requirements for the RB engine management, and he'll get back to me Monday. Vinny says he only knows you have to have the old original wiring harness/loom to start with.

Thanks again, Jack ~ it's obvious which of us got more sleep last night!

Frank

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1970 240Z

Actually Frank, I only had 2 cups of java this morning, followed by 2 12 oz. cups
of double strong Black Tea.

I hope we've been of some help. If not I'd suggest a perusal of you tube to see
if any contact info for any of the rb26 vids can be obtained. Then a regular google
might lead to some direct contacts.
I hope we'll have the pleasure of meeting with you at some club event in the near future,
even if the car isn't up and running at the time.
Jack

_________________
John D .... original 240 past, 260v8Roadster current

RB25DET Swap Wiring Harness - For Datsun - Wiring Specialties
www.wiringspecialties.com/r33rbtoanyda.html Cached
Plug and play wiring harness for any Datsun with an RB25DET engine swap. Startup guaranteed with professional tech support.

SEE IF THIS HELPS
JACK

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John D .... original 240 past, 260v8Roadster current

Geez Jack, who's better than you???

_________________
1970 240Z

tHANKS guys....I will certainly give the guy a buzz. The wiring specialties is also a good option.
Looking forward to see all your Z in the near future.....I love to attend any of the function listed at the club schedule.

I will be back in Ct on Aug. 6 and plan on attending some of your functions.
At the moment, i'm busy @ Miami speedway (just club racing) racing my lotus 7. I love to try the new road course in Thompson course.
Someday, I hope to see all the Z's run around the Thompson course too.