Check out the autotopiaLA Youtube coverage of Migel’s Awesome looking 240Z!
1972 Nissan 240Z This is the first ever air suspension equipped 240Z which has been built by Migel, his father and brother.
Here’s picture coverage of this classic Japanese car:
We had more minor modification done on this vehicle to make sure everything works perfect.
1972 DATSUN 240Z
ENGINE:NUMBERS MATCHING L24 BLOCK5 SPEED TRANSMISSION FROM 280ZX
KOYO RADIATORHPS SILICONE RADIATOR HOSE KITE88 HEAD WITH MILD CAMCUSTOM STAINLESS STEAL VELOCITY STACKS AND HEAT SHIELD280ZX ELECTORNIC IGNITIONNGK SPARK PLUGS WITH CUSTOM STAINLESS STEEL WIRE LOOM
SUSPENSION:
AIRRUNNER SUSPENSION (FULLY ADJUSTABLE DAMPENING)ENERGY SUSPENSION BUSHING KIT
EXTERIOR:
RESTORED ORIGINAL BODYPAINT – BLOOD ORANGEBRE FRONT LIP SPOILERBRE REAR TRUNK SPOILERERA MATCHING BULLET MIRRORSFULLY REPLACED ALL MOLDINGSHEADLIGHT COVERS280z hood
INTERIOR:
RESTORED INTERIOR WITH NEW CARPET, UPHOLSTERY .NARDI STEERING WHEELFRS BUCKET SEATS WITH CUSTOM MOUNTING PLATE/BRACKET
WHEELS AND TIRES:
ENKEI COMPE 15X8 0 OFFSETTTOYO PROXES R1R 225/45/15
From here you can see all hard restore work has been done by Migel, his father and his brother.
Ideas to completion:
I have always been a car enthusiast since I was a child. Both my parents drove manual transmission cars and there was always something about cars that fascinated me.
I have built a Scion FRS and was my show car that we showcase in SOCAL events such as SEMA and SPOCOM. My father has always been helping me maintain and play around with the mechanics of cars. One day I told my father I wanted to build another car as a project. He said he always wanted a Datsun 240z since he was young. So then I searched and checked around for a 240z that would be worth restoring or at least drive around in a fair condition.
I first found this car on craigslist and went straight after work to check it out if worth buying. car was complete however it didn’t run nor start. Also had backed fees dating 5 years. Body looked rusty as we looked thru it with a flashlight at 8pm. there was something about it that made me want to buy this car. It even smelled like cat urine inside and showed how much it was neglected out in the yard for years. I gave a deposit and came back the next day with a U-Haul trailer and our Tacoma.
After bringing the car home, we tried to start it but the engine didn’t budge. We then came to a conclusion to take apart the whole car and restore it in our backyard. We took the car apart to its bare shell with tons of Ziploc bags containing car parts. labeling them was a crucial yet tricky task. Our roof and pillars were rusting extremely bad and had to decide whether it was better to cut the roof off and weld on another off a donor or stop the project. Lucky we found donors via craigslist. For almost 1 year, I was on craigslist looking for local sellers that was getting rid of 240z parts. The 240z originally came in an automatic however we wanted to change that to a manual so I purchased a 4 speed at first.
Little by little as I gathered parts, my father and I disassembled, cleaned, rebuilt, painted all parts from the car in search of what needs to be repaired or bought new. The engine was taken out and we sent to a local engine shop and as that happened, the body was taken to paint. During this down time, parts were purchased and inspected if they were correct for the car. Metal trims were cleaned and some were even hand polished to give a distinct affect.
As parts were getting ready to be put back on, the car returned from paint. Every night after work we were in the garage working on something. It was like a puzzle putting pieces together and at times stumbling through a few hurdles. Parts may not have fit perfectly, arguments on what should be done next/correct between my father and I but in the end those were solved and was on to the next steps.
Our vision for this car was to be a restoration with a slight mod that isn’t visible too much. We did not go with the fender flares since we wanted to keep the original body lines. Just the front chin spoiler and rear trunk spoiler were the two that gave this car some more character.
For the Engine we kept the matching numbers block with an e88 head and also kept the SU carbs. Webers might be something in the future but the SU when restored work great with no problems.
After the car was all put together and drove for a few months we noticed the 4 speed we swapped in was not putting up with the high freeway speeds so purchased and swapped in a 5 speed off a 280zx. Now freeway speeds are much easier to ride.
We put in new KYB shocks with Eibach springs for about a year. I always wanted to have a car with air suspension, the thought of being able to adjust the height and ride with a switch was something that has been that I have been wanting for a build.
I approached Shin-san from Airrunner regarding an application for the 240z S30 chassis if they have or will be considering. I wanted to go with Airrunner because of quality and preciseness of their products. Not only are their products are made in Japan but their customer service and follow-ups are great.
Reliability and long lasting equipment for suspension especially air was always in my mind if I go this route. Shin was then looking to take on this project and make it into a production application so it can be available to more customers with 240z/ 260z /280z chassis. With their research and planning they were able to come up with a fully adjustable air suspension with dampening adjustability. The ride on this is as good as how the suspension was with lowering springs and the way it sits when lowered down is breathtaking. Purely one of the best modifications I have done to this car.
Its almost a year now and I have had zero issues. Also if I have questions, Mr. Shin can always help. Even my friend has issues with a non Airrunner brand he is willing to help out. Purely an astonishing company that stand behind their products and service.
Migel Armas
Contact us for more info: info@airrunnersystems.com
Tel: (714)978-2446