WIP - Fujimi 1/24 Datsun 240Z mild custom

Recent thread about Tamiya's 1/12 240ZG and the fantasy box art of the orange Z inspired me to make a customized 240Z in 1/24 scale.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1133832

I picked Fujimi's Wangan Midnight 240Z because it comes with an aftermarket front spoiler, and the kit is cheap (less than $14+shipping)
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt00m_zpsffa53f62.jpg

This is one of the added parts to this kit. It's not exactly good looking, and all those details are too shallow. The kit also includes fender flares, but I'm
saving them for something else, and keep the side of this model clean.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt01_zps16d813a0.jpg

I've read that the body is not exactly accurate, but I'm not too picky about it. The kit is not one of those 70s' motorized kit, but was designed as a
static model in late 80s (I believe), so it's not terribly bad.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt02_zpsf4c3de93.jpg

In case anyone's interested, the tires are ADVAN HF 195/60HR14 and 225/60HR14. The kit includes both stock and Watanabe 15 inch wheels,
but I'm thinking of using 17 in Watanabe, instead.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt08_zpse1b35eab.jpg (http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt08_zpse1b35eab.jpg)

I have earlier releases of the 240ZG and Z432 kits, and the front tires didn't steer well because they interfered with the chassis, but this Wangan kit has
an updated chassis, where a corner is cut off. Subtle, but good improvement.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt09_zps18b2f7c3.jpg

This is how the font looks like when the bumper is fitted. I've seen some built-ups, and people seem to have a problem with the fitment of the
bumper because it's designed to cover the stock apron.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt11_zps4b5713d0.jpg

After cutting out the radiator opening, I discovered that the stock apron became visible, so I ended up removing the stock apron completely.
I glued pieces of plastic rod to the body, so the chassis can be properly positioned.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt12_zps51e500ea.jpg

The kit comes with engine parts, but nothing else in the engine room (except for the radiator). I scratchbuilt engine mounts with pieces of
styrene, though I might redo this with a brass sheet instead.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt13_zpse8b71e5a.jpg

Position of the engine seemed too far back, so I moved it forward by about 2.5 mm.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt14_zps32ccda0e.jpg

I wanted this model to have a unique engine, so decided to go with one of the holy grails of the L series engine, the cross-flow LY head.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt15_zpsee26945e.jpg

Complex part can be made with a collection of simple pieces.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt16_zps6dd62261.jpg

Test fitted engine is shown. Notice the LY head engine is tilted to the opposite side of the stock.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt17_zps395142c7.jpg

LY head is rare enough, but I'm adding two turbos! (Someone actually built a real thing.) This build also gave me another customization idea with
completely unrealistic engine, which I'll share later.
Here, I started with a very simple shape, then I cut and sanded the corners.
After that, I glued the piece to a sheet of styrene with a tiny amount of superglue to make an identical copy. Once two pieces were separated, I
adjusted the thickness to the width of a half-round rod. Then I carefully curled and glued the half-round rod to the center piece. Easy, right?
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt18_zps42d09efb.jpg

I test fitted the turbines to check the clearance.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt19_zps4ff38d5d.jpg

I already scratchbuilt a turbo before, so I just copied the compressor part with Oyumaru thermo clay and Tamiya Light-curing putty. The reason why I
didn't do the same for the turbine was because this method only works with thin parts.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt20_zps306b6d1b.jpg

I also started sketching the bulkhead details to make a vacuum-forming master.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt21_zps3ccf3b75.jpg

Body color will be arancio atlas, with either Alclad or Spaz Stix chrome wheels. My goal is to finish this in one month, so I can take this to the
contest in Houston on Aug 2nd.

Great work on the engine, and the turbos look very convincing. Thanks for the tutorial!

Fujimi's 17" Watanabe arrived, so I dry fitted them.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt22_zps798945c3.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt23_zps48d3d369.jpg

15 inch version is definitely smaller, but the rim is deeper than the 17 inch version, especially
the rear wheels. I'll probably keep the front as is, but add a piece of plastic ring to make the rear
wheel's rim deeper. Tire size is the same at the front and rear, and it's 245/40ZR17.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt24_zps52643162.jpg

In order to increase the wheel offset, shocks have to be moved inward.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt25_zpsbf36da3b.jpg

I lowered the ride height by removing a portion of the shock parts at the top.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt26_zps9781c22a.jpg

Front is lowered about this much. The wheel arch is covering the very top of the tires, but not too excessively.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt27_zps6b73429e.jpg

And here's the modified rear.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt28_zps11f3836e.jpg

Now the stance looks more like the way how I had imagined.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt29_zpsaff7d1fa.jpg

Next will be the engine room.

stance is perfect. keep it up

Nice build. Can't wait to see the progress on the motor.

nice build, great work so far.
this reminds me, i have a 432 that i must get onto!

Hiro, your WIP is awesome as usual!

This weekend, I fabricated most of the engine room.
I used masking tape to make a template for the front chassis frame near the headlight housing.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt31_zps1fb38e06.jpg

Both right and left wheel housings were copied with Oyumaru thermo clay and polyester putty. Then I added pieces of styrene and putty to make a
pair of more accurate-looking shock towers. The masters were vacuum formed as shown in the right picture. I only made one front chassis frame
template. It was vacuum formed twice, one on each side, to ensure symmetry. It also saved time. :wink:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt30_zps7cd027e2.jpg

Shock towers and front frame were installed.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt32_zpsf063ca84.jpg

Firewall was also made by vacuum forming. Here is the master part Ver. 1.0.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt33_zpscfe5d507.jpg

Firewall is installed. I had to cut the lower portion, because the back part of the wheel housing is inaccurately raised in Fujimi kit, and it'd require a major
surgery to correct it, so I took the easier and less time-consuming way by trimming the firewall to match the shape of the kit chassis.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt34_zpseb83da42.jpg

Once the battery and brake booster are installed, the inaccurate area shouldn't be too noticeable (I hope). At least, the master part represents
the entire firewall, so its copy can be used in other 240Z kits, such as Aoshima's 240ZG custom, which I'm getting in a day or two.

Next will be the radiator frame.

ADDED:

Radiator frame is done. As usual, I made a master with layers of styrene sheets.
I also made the firewall ver.1.5 with thinner ribs because they looked too wide.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt35_zpsf5da50b2.jpg

Now the engine room looks much fuller. What's left is the front side of the
lower radiator frame, and the chassis will be ready for priming.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/hirofkd/Model%20Cars/240Z-2/240zlytt36_zpsf83e561e.jpg

awesome project. you made that look easy!

Wow this looks incredible!
How do I go about buying some those panels from ya?? Lols

Now this is truly stunning work!!!

all that vac forming you've done is incredible.
it will put my 250z to shame when i do it.
.....or maybe you can do some reproductions i can buy from you?:biggrin:

all that vac forming you've done is incredible.
it will put my 250z to shame when i do it.
.....or maybe you can do some reproductions i can buy from you?:biggrin:

great idea. i would love to aswell ;)

Very interesting approach.

all that vac forming you've done is incredible.
it will put my 250z to shame when i do it.
.....or maybe you can do some reproductions i can buy from you?:biggrin:

I had PM'd him asking the same thing the other day :D