ZDriver.com - 280Zombie build (pic heavy)

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280Zombie build (pic heavy)

Hi all!!! I am in the process of doing a RB25 swap into my 76 280Z. I Got the car January this year and have gathered alot of the things I need to do the swap. I have a decent knowledge of mechanics and fabrication. I basically wanted to start a build thread for it.

http://s14.postimg.org/6sj3e62i9/WP_000005.jpg

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this was the car when i picked it up right after a big snow storm

http://s14.postimg.org/v03oipqgh/WP_000016.jpg
had these mirrors laying around for about 3 years

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Had to bust out my sheet metal skills to get rid of the door panels

http://s14.postimg.org/j0s6bekvl/WP_000024.jpg
panels finished and installed, flat black aluminum

http://s17.postimg.org/scq4l0bhb/398...31578551_n.jpg
pulled the suspension off

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my man Matt powdercoating the pieces

http://s11.postimg.org/hjjt66y9v/NOK...900_000052.jpg

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oh so pretty!!!

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everything all put back together

http://s11.postimg.org/9psuvnm6b/NOK...900_000339.jpg
fender flare install...

http://s11.postimg.org/f51kwmdqb/NOK...900_000340.jpg
finally got the hang of it about top of this wheel

the car is COVERED in body filler from the last owner im not looking forward to doing the bodywork on it

http://s11.postimg.org/7z9tu64n7/NOK...900_000343.jpg
flares installed

http://s10.postimg.org/b794bv8xl/IMG_0042.jpg
bracket measurement for the Wilwood disc brake conversion

http://s11.postimg.org/sqxpbf5z7/NOK...900_000058.jpg
stock rear drums

http://s11.postimg.org/lk0ltakg3/NOK...900_000445.jpg
Wilwood disc brakes in the rear!!!

http://s11.postimg.org/lzbvmb6df/NOK...900_000121.jpg
motor sitting in on Swap mounts

http://s11.postimg.org/q3373y6mb/IMG_0046.jpg
I love how this looks in an empty bay!!!!

http://s11.postimg.org/4obtjfj0j/IMG_0018.jpg
with the new Rad and intercooler, just sitting in there for reference

now the 280 was an automatic, I am using the RB25 transmission and it seems to fit perfect to the stock driveshaft in the car…. I don't know if it actually will work if anyone has any knowledge I would much appreciate the feedback

http://s11.postimg.org/y4rflupdv/IMG_0003.jpg
Looks like it is a perfect fit to the transmission

I need to fab up a better header, I cheaped out and got an ebay one and I should have just waited. Not sure how fast more progress will be on the car, this is all from the past 6 months

I am open to any ideas and input, I still have a far way to go but I'm hoping it starts moving along faster

So I decided to draw some Walking Dead comic scenes on the car along with some song lyrics. I figured if I didn't like how it was coming out i could always pull the plastidip off and put the car back to black but I love how it looks.

http://s12.postimg.org/68x6oct6l/NOK...900_000629.jpg

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Sharpies on the Plastidip work pretty good

http://s12.postimg.org/96u5i20u5/NOK...900_000634.jpg

http://s12.postimg.org/8rivp1ewt/NOK...900_000654.jpg
Everyone loves how it came out, I have a time-lapse video of me doing one side ill try and upload

http://s12.postimg.org/k7tw0tigt/NOK...900_000781.jpg
I liked it so much I'm doing the same to my bike so it matches the car

Amazing. Only think I don't like is its not my project!

Thanks. It has taken me many years and MANY started and scrapped projects to get to one that is actually worth completing.

I did a little bit more today.

http://s12.postimg.org/5c0juwqwt/IMG_0063.jpg
I cut out the bottom support, tack welded in a bar just to keep the rails from moving after I cut the support out.

http://s12.postimg.org/r78jo4cvx/IMG_0066.jpg

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I snagged a scrap piece from my old work to use for brackets and what not

http://s12.postimg.org/ihg210ksd/IMG_0073.jpg
I cut an angle piece out to plate the rail for the new support

http://s12.postimg.org/q68ayzvwd/IMG_0074.jpg
Now I just need to swing by the old shop again and buy a piece to fit in.

Im dead tired from the past week so I am going to call it for tonight

Well another night down and I am pleased to say that it was worth it

Visited my old work to say hi and grab a couple little things, ended up leaving with an old rear clip from a wreck last week at the race track

http://s12.postimg.org/3uj1lop6l/IMG_0094.jpg

My first instinct was to use the crossbar on the clip as the new bottom rad support. Once that was cut and tacked into place I started coming up with cooler and cooler ideas.

http://s12.postimg.org/sp2jfra0t/IMG_0095.jpg

http://s12.postimg.org/yenddt5kt/IMG_0100.jpg
I threw in some angle braces and semi-down tube from the shock tower to the rail

http://s12.postimg.org/nt3i1sz99/IMG_0102.jpg
End result is pretty cool I think

http://s12.postimg.org/iiyjaif0d/IMG_0104.jpg
Next is to mount the rad and intercooler to the new front end and then weld it all up. I may stick with the green and do the bay that lime green, I kinda just want the whole car to be obnoxious lol

very very sick buddy. keep up the great work. Love the artwork!!!

Wow,,

Too much to comment on. The artist renderings are great. Good artistry.

All of it looks over the top. More pics.........

Please explain the electrical tape X's on the headlights, I have no concept of this! The car is turning out awesome!!

Thanks for all the comments and looks. There are not many Z people in my area so it is great to share with people who appreciate the Z.

The X's on the headlights are just something I did. I am Straight Edge (dont drink, smoke, or do drugs) and the X is a symbol of that so it kind of fits me.

I pretty much finished up the front of the car this weekend. Had to have 1x piece made for the top rad support. My friend Steveo came over and helped. He is one of the best fabricators I have ever met, I wish I could be as good as him.

http://s18.postimg.org/x0dlf2515/IMG_0116.jpg
Bending up a piece for the top rad support

http://s18.postimg.org/puh8yv6k9/IMG_0119.jpg
Steveo cleaning up some stuff I missed lol

http://s18.postimg.org/pt7b5g4qh/IMG_0121.jpg
Installing the new top bar

http://s18.postimg.org/spyxjgzy1/IMG_0124.jpg
Tube mount for the top of the intercooler

I didnt get a picture of it but the bottom mount is just tube stands the plugs of the intercooler fit into.

http://s18.postimg.org/u123e7661/IMG_0126.jpg
Another shot of the mounts

http://s18.postimg.org/pdw1cfit5/IMG_0129.jpg
Test fit the hood and its pretty good to me. I didnt plan on it but the stock hood hinges actually work and still fit!!

http://s18.postimg.org/3mhuzh2bd/IMG_0132.jpg
Getting an idea of what she will look like when she is done

http://s18.postimg.org/rer6b04c9/IMG_0134.jpg
Im thinking it is a little Sleeper looking lol. Im going to be making sheet metal ductwork to help just flow the air through nice nice

http://s18.postimg.org/sv2ot5795/IMG_0137.jpg
Making up a template for the cover and also act as a rad mount. You can see the bottom intercooler mounts on the crossbar in this pic.

Well I havent really had a chance to work on the car recently. I busted my wrist at work and am kinda halted at the moment. I did order a rear sump oil pan so once that gets here i can finish the fab work for the trans mount and new header.

this is awesome...worthy of my first post!

Yes.

Yes..

Yes...

YES!!!

Very cool build! There seems to be a lot of talent in your neck of the woods.

Sorry I haven't been around for awhile (went through a divorce and some family things) but I have some updates and pics to share with the progress of my car. Unfortunately the engine has not been worked on much due to I keep finding rust and keep having to make repairs to hold the car together.

http://s16.postimg.org/itz8c733p/IMG_0336.jpg

http://s16.postimg.org/ut655rjat/IMG_0337.jpg

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Stripped the car interior and some of the engine bay

Well from looking from under the car I saw the inner frame rails were very worn out and rusted away. I decided to cut them out and replace with 2x2 square tubing.

http://s10.postimg.org/wlcr12dq1/IMG_0678.jpg

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No clue what this red stuff is...

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Supports for the new floors...

http://s10.postimg.org/60etj90qh/IMG_0741.jpg

http://s10.postimg.org/lbt7xlng9/IMG_0742.jpg

http://s10.postimg.org/ohdtnt62h/IMG_0745.jpg
Still working on getting this rail out of the driver side

http://s24.postimg.org/noe4r0ps5/IMG_0748.jpg
This is how she is sitting right now. I am hoping to get the drivers side rail, floor supports, new trans tunnel supports, and floor templates made this week at night after work. Hopefully it won't be too long between updates....it is hard fitting everything by myself but so much more satisfying being able to say I did it all myself.

Wow! That's a huge undertaking. Props to your skills and perseverance.

I was able to get the driver side rail in and the rest of the floor out. Next is to make a X for the center of the car, make new trans mounts, and make templates for the new floor.......this is way deeper then I ever wanted to get with this swap but I will NOT have my car rusted and falling apart lol

http://s7.postimg.org/pmqczgc2z/1528...66924208_n.jpg

http://s7.postimg.org/e93to91kb/1545...57789724_n.jpg