Your classic Datsun 240Z deserves some extra love - and you don't need deep pockets to make these improvements! You can find affordable modifications that pack a real punch - all for less than $100.
Basic upgrades to your 240Z will boost both its appearance and performance. An electric fan conversion can keep your engine running cool and save horsepower too. Some fresh brake parts can give you more confident stopping power when you need it most! Even a few small interior adjustments can create a more organized and fun driving experience.
If you just picked up your first 240Z or you have been working on Z cars for years, these budget-friendly improvements will take your classic to the next level!
Want to see how a few smart upgrades can improve your driving experience? Let's get into it!
P.S. We have many upgrades for the 240Z that are under $100! You can see them all here: https://skillard.com/collections/datsun-datsun-240z-260z-280z-datsun-240z?sort_by=price-ascending
Table of Contents
Electric Fan Modification
You can make your electric fan swap change your 240Z's cooling system without it being too expensive. When you replace the clutch fan with an electric setup you'll get better cooling at low speeds. You'll also free up engine power! Most 240Z owners usually pick the Ford Taurus 2-speed fan since it fits nicely and works.
Getting started is pretty easy - but you'll need to look at some facts.
You should take out the fan shroud from your engine bay first. Then you'll want to remove that old clutch fan assembly from your water pump. Since you won't be interfering with it anyway, you can keep the fan pulley right where it's at.
When you mount your new electric fan you'll only need some basic tools and a bit of patience. You'll want to line up the fan against your radiator. Protect it with the hardware from your kit. Just double-check that your fan has enough clearance around it and isn't hitting any objects nearby. When you run nothing should get in the way of the fan pulling air through your radiator.
Now for the fun part - wiring everything up so your fan works the right way! You'll need to hook up the fan to a 12V power source. This is usually your battery or fuse box. You'll want to add a temperature sensor or thermostat switch so your fan knows when to turn on and off. Adding a relay helps manage all that electrical load safely.
After you've installed your electric fan you'll see your engine runs much cooler. Your car won't overheat anymore while idling or stuck in traffic. The fan keeps pushing air no matter what your engine speed is. Getting rid of that heavy clutch fan means you've freed up some extra horsepower that was just going to waste before.
The Ford Taurus fan works because it's a reliable fit and comes with two speeds built in. When you have those two speeds you can fine-tune your cooling. This helps whether you're just cruising around or sitting in stop-and-go traffic.
The installation might throw some challenges your way. Some people have a hard time finding good mounting locations or figuring out the cleanest way to run their wires. Just take your time planning out where those wires will go. Make sure all your connections are properly insulated. For some extra help, you can always check out successful installations on 240Z forums.
Swaybar Upgrades
Sway bars matter for keeping your 240Z planted on the road. You'll actually see how they improve your car stay flat through the corners too! Your car can get pretty wobbly and hard to manage in aggressive driving without these parts.
You don't need to spend big money on suspension upgrades to get better handling. SPL subframe collars give you a smart and budget-friendly option instead of going for a full sway bar setup. These parts will tighten up your car's subframe right where it counts most. They cost way less than complete sway bars. You'll still feel a dramatic change in how your car works.
Installing subframe collars onto your car isn't rocket science. You'll just need some basic tools like a socket set and torque wrench to help with this project. First you'll need to take out the subframe bolts. Then slide those collars right into place. It's something you can manage in your home garage!
240Z drivers say they can feel the improvement instantly after putting in subframe collars. Your car will follow the road better in corners and respond faster when you turn the wheel. This change can become very clear when you're carving through twisty roads or pushing your car harder than usual!
Complete sway bar systems will take your handling game to the next level. These setups are great at fighting body roll and making sure all your tires stay glued to the road. You'll spend more money than you would on collars. But you'll get more adjustability options and improved performance.
Setting up a full sway bar system needs more time and knowledge than installing collars. You'll need to get your car up in the air safely and pull off the old parts. Taking the time to adjust your new sway bars the right way will make sure you get the most from them. Just remember to follow the torque specs that came with your equipment.
The weather outside and road conditions will change how your upgraded suspension feels. Your stiffer setup might feel a bit rough on bumpy streets but they're great on smooth roads. The way you drive your car will also affect how much you notice these improvements.
Front Caliper Upgrade
A Toyota 4x4 caliper upgrade will give your 240Z much better stopping power. Z car fans love this modification! You can find these parts because suppliers and junkyards stock them.
For this upgrade you'll need front calipers from pre-1984 Toyota 4x4s, new brake hoses and high-performance brake pads. You might also want to grab a bigger master cylinder. Specialty shops like Silver Mine Motors keep the parts you need in stock.
When you install of these parts on your Z it's pretty easy. First you'll take off your old calipers and brake hoses. Next, bolt those Toyota calipers in place and hook up your new brake lines. Finally, pop in those performance pads and make sure you bleed the brakes.
When you need to find parts under $100 you'll need to get creative and maybe wait for deals. Z car forums and local marketplace listings sometimes give you good deals.
Just keep your eyes open for a few challenges during this project! Sometimes brake lines and master cylinders don't match well together. And wheel setups might create some problems. Double-check that all your parts will work together before spending money.
Z owners who've done this swap seem to love it. Your brakes will feel more responsive and you'll stop faster too. People say starting with rebuilt calipers is the way to go. You'll save some cash and still get dependable parts.
This job's a piece of cake if you know your way around a wrench. But if you're new to brake work, those lines and bleeding the system might test your patience.
The local salvage yards are good sources for Toyota 4x4 calipers. Their prices beat regular parts stores and some even give you warranties! If you become a regular customer, you might find even better deals later on.
Finding quality parts for under $100 is probably your biggest challenge. Complete kits cost more usually. But you can succeed by hunting down used parts and doing the labor yourself.
Shift Knob and Boot Upgrade
A new shifter knob and boot for your 240Z is one of the simplest ways you can make your driving more fun! You can get better control with a quality shifter knob. It feels way more natural when you grab it. The right materials will also keep your hands from slipping around when you're making those quick changes.
Your interior will look completely different with a fresh shifter boot and knob. You'll see an upgrade from those beat-up factory parts when you switch to modern materials like leather or premium vinyl. Plus you can pick anything from basic black to strong custom colors that show off your car's personality.
Just grab a screwdriver to pop off the old shifter knob and get into the center console. Most people who like working on their own cars can knock this out in under an hour.
There's good options out there if you want to spend around $100 on your 240Z. Skillard (that's us!) makes exceptional billet aluminum shifter knobs that now stay affordable. ZSPEC Design also has some reliable Delrin knobs that you'll find with stainless steel hardware.
Maybe you're more interested in keeping some original styling - that's where factory-style replacement knobs come in! You can get these direct-fit parts from trusted retailers like Motorsport Auto. Original-style boots match up well with factory knobs for that clean stock look.
Modern aftermarket boots can manage wear and tear way better than what came from the factory. You can grab a tough vinyl boot starting at around $20 that'll last you a long time. Leather ones cost a bit more but improve the luxury factor in feel and looks.
You'll see instantly on your first drive how much better an upgraded shifter knob feels. Your hands won't get as tired during spirited drives or road trips thanks to the improved grip. You can also feel more confident nailing every change well.
The shifter knob you pick affects how comfortable your car is and how interesting it looks. Aluminum knobs are lightweight and perfect for quick changes while adding some modern style. Wood knobs give you that classic desirability and feel better when the weather gets cold.
Electronic Ignition Installation
An electronic ignition system upgrade will change your 240Z's performance and reliability! The old points system in your car needs non-stop changing. The parts keep wearing out too fast. You'll see a bigger spark and better performance instantly when you switch to something like the Pertronix Ignitor.
You can complete the electronic ignition installation right in your own garage. The process means pulling out the old distributor and putting the new electronic one in its place. The kit comes with complete instructions and all parts. Plus the wiring hooks up straight to your coil without any extra parts.
When you start the engine, it shows the real magic of this upgrade! Your 240Z starts up faster and runs way smoother across all engine speeds. The people who make the switch tell us they get better gas mileage and quicker throttle response too. Best of all, you won't have to manage those tricky points every few thousand miles anymore.
Watch out for a couple common installation problems though. Sometimes the wires are too short and the instructions might leave you puzzled. You might need to add wire length or check your Haynes manual for better directions. Just remember to test all your connections before trying to start the engine. One loose wire could leave you stuck with an engine that won't fire.
The Pertronix Ignitor costs around $63. Even as a beginner mechanic, you can probably finish the job in about 30 minutes. Someone who knows their way around an engine might knock it out in 15 minutes with the tools on hand.
Your new electronic ignition can give you a stronger and more efficient spark that makes your fuel burn better. The timing stays steady without non-stop adjustments. You can start reliably and perform excellently no matter how you're driving. Once you get everything hooked up right, you can basically forget about maintenance.
Right after the upgrade you'll feel the change in how your car drives. The engine purrs more and delivers more power throughout the RPM range. Those frustrating cold starts become easy. Hesitation problems fade away. Even when you're pushing your engine hard and temperatures rise, the electronic system keeps delivering steady and reliable performance.
Build Your Dream Car
Your Z car can get a big boost from some easy and affordable mods. From installing an electric fan that keeps your engine running cool to making quick suspension adjustments for better cornering. You can enjoy watching these changes come together. Each upgrade might not seem like much at first. But when you put them all together you'll see how much better your car looks, drives and performs on the road.
You'll want to choose the upgrades that match what you're trying to achieve with your ride. Maybe you're after that perfect weekend warrior setup with sharp and responsive handling? Or maybe you just want your car to start up reliably every time and run smoother? Some people also like giving their interior a fresh new appearance. A cool thing about these budget-friendly mods is that you can start with them one at a time. You learn about your car with every project you complete.
At Skillard, we're passionate about helping you turn your Z car dreams into reality. You'll find our custom-designed parts made specifically for Datsun cars - and many of them are under $100!
We have everything from aluminum door cards to sleek bumpers and spoilers. If you're just starting with your restoration or putting the final touches on your dream build, you'll find good choice items in our collection.
Check out Skillard.com for our full lineup. We're always adding new products to help make your Z car better.
