To Build or Not to Build: Datsun EZ

So the results from my last post were not favorable. My poor little Datsun was bounced from one shop to another, to finally come to a slow rest in my garage. What originally seemed to be a starter, turned into a new pump, and what I had hope was just a head rebuild turned into my baby needing a whole new heart (engine).

Obviously when my baby is in the shop it is hard for me to think about much else... visions of car repair bills dance in my head and keep me up. Well my shop was able to get her running, only on three cylinders but she made it home and is at least cozy among my powertools and rakes again.

As I did some research into rebuild costs, looking for a shop to take on the task, figuring out what phase two after the rebuild would be a thought came into my head...

For those who don't know me that well, or know the "College Sam", or the "Beta Sam" or the new "Grown Up Married Sam"... you might need some background on my love of cars.

I love cars. I love driving them. In high school I joined the Electrical Vehicle team. I learned how to draft, how to CNC machine aluminum parts and use a lathe. I designed custom tube frames and learned how to lay fiberglass. We designed a recumbent electric motor assisted bike one year and one year a three wheel electric cart (we painted it like a cow and called it QuickSilver).

One summer in high school I did a week long program at Western Michigan with their solar powered car program and when I attended WMU planned to get involved with the team (other involvements - ie Fraternity took my time and I never fully joined the team). I always followed the progress of the GM Electric car and of course the hybrids.... but over the years my passion for electric cars died out.

So my issue with the Datsun got me thinking... and then Google confirmed my notion that yes, yes a Datsun Z could make a good electric car. I can't rebuild a motor... but you know what I can do, work on an electric car conversion. So if the Datsun needs a motor ($2000), and then new exhaust ($400), and then new fuel injectors ($300) and then I am sure a new this... and a new that...

Why Don't I Make an Electric Z! I feel like if I say it out loud more I will actually make the leap... I could build it for the cost of fixing all the Datsun motor related items and I could get a car that would do 60 miles per charge... I could still autocross it and have fun (gotta make a good battery case to handle the whipping around).

I haven't ripped the gas tank out of her yet... as I am still debating a little in my head. I am actually shopping for a replacement for the Altima right now...

For now... the Datsun is down for the count... how long depends on what I do... electric convert would take a year or two... engine swap a couple months and some loot. No wonder I can't sleep at night...

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

She rolled for the first time this year... unfortunately not under her own power. This winter she wouldn't start. Thought it was the starter, but it ended up the battery got drained. So I charged the battery but she still wouldn't go... I tinkered a little but didn't have time to figure out what was wrong.

So thankfully our AAA came in useful again and she rolled onto a flat bed and went to the shop. I figured, well if she is at the shop lets get that head rebuilt while she is in there all at once. Well the shop didn't want to tackle the head, so I just had them tackle the starting issue.

The fuel pump died... I tracked down and ordered parts. I hopes that iwas all that she needs. Rebuilding the head isn't going to be cheap, so the less I have to spend on the other stuff the better! I was thinking if she runs well enough with a new pump I can squeeze another summer out of the head and do the rebuild next winter.

The fingers were crossed... it was sad watching my baby drive away... and then worse news came. The shop she was at can't rebuild the head, and even with the new fuel pump couldn't get her running. Power isn't getting to the injectors for some reason and they don't have to tools and experience to get it fixed. So now I have to find a new shop and let the work continue...

All this just to get my baby running... ARGH. Hopefully soon she will be rolling, rolling, rolling... on her own power.

#1 Trophy

Well I got my first class trophy from the South Bend Region of the Sports Car Club of America. The past two years I got a trophy for being in the top 20 in overall points from the club... and I repeated this year but made it into the top 10! I have won individual events with the Furrin Group, SBR and placed in several other regional events (Detroit, Saginaw Valley and Fort Wayne). I have not however won an annual class trophy until now...

So this is a good feeling... I am the Street Tire Restricted (STR) class champion for my region. I already posted the info about the award... and wanted to show off my new swap... a great roller duffle bag for hauling all my stuff to future races!

For the record four other members and one novice ran in my class. So I didn't just win by default... well maybe a little, I ran the most races and got the most points. Either way it is a win, its a trophy and I am happy with my bag (even though it isn't a tire rack from the Tire Rack. Ha).