First off: Thank you to those who run this site. It is extremely professional and I've enjoyed lurking around here and reading all the post.

This is only my 2nd post. I'm 24 years old and have finally purchased a 280zx that I found for 1k. I had to replace the front panels and bumper and am having it painted. Very little rust, thankfully and it's all primer right now. Lots of other little tiny things, but nothing amazing or expensive. Just trying to get her ready and nice.

It's the dash that I am concerned about. It's cracked badly in multiple areas and I want to replace it. I'm new to doing things like this and was wondering what all is involved, how much it would cost, and just wanted some guidance from anyone who has done this before.

Also, I kinda wanted some general 'newbie-advice'. Just the first things I oculd do to improve my Z, most common problems I should look out for, etc. Try and keep it inexpensive because my bills eat most of my money. Probably going to wait for my tax return to get anything major done to it (by then I'll have been driving it long enough to know what I want). Any ideas on what could be done would be appreciated.

Also, my dad is the mechanic, so I know basics, but I'm not as experienced as a lot of you all seem to be under the hood (in other words, talk to me like I'm 3 if it is really technical, I'm not intimidated by technical things, I just want to do them right the first time). Having said that, I'm not familiar at all with Turbos, but would like my ZX to be a ZXT--is it feasible in the least to add a turbo, and if so, what all would be involved and what kind of price tag/performance increase would I be looking at?

Anyways, thanks a bunch--it's nice to have such a knowledgeble group of people to go to for advice.

Bruce

 

Thanks so much for reposting this. I had tried to search for it before posting, but to no avail. Does anyone know where I could find a dash (83 280zx) in good condition?

Bruce