ZDriver.com - Updates to the car

I know its been quite a while since i have really posted anything on this site. I do most of my posting now on Zcar since I can access that site at work.

For you that don't know I have a 1976 280Z. When I bought it from my friend it has seen many things done to it.

When I got the car it was converted to Dual SU roundtop carbs and had a 6-1 header. Thats all it had performance wise. For looks it was missing the carpet, seats were cracked and it had/has 1981 turbo 15" rims.

About a year later I came across a great deal to get a rebuilt turbo long block. It had a rebuilt turbo and a lightened flywheel. After installing the motor and trying to get it to run the turbo harness caught fire (long story). Since it was hard to source a replacement I took the plung and installed Megasquirt. Since I had to ditch the headers I got the MSA downpipe and a full 2 1/2" exhaust with a high flow CAT and turbo muffler.

Also during that time I bought the MSA type 3 body kit with fog lights, as well as the BRE rear spoiler. I also tried doing a custom rear tail light panel using Trans Am assemblies (wish i didnt try them after all). Also I have since installed 94 Miata seats and a cheapish sound system.

She sat that way for a while untill I bought a FMIC and manual boost controller to allow me to up the boost to 12psi.

On the way home from work one day the car started to act up and she decided to quit running. At first I thought the timing had some how jumped. My friend and I retuned the megasquirt and got her running somewhat. Then the worst thing happened I thought it spun a bearing or worse in the #6 piston.

Luckily I was able to buy another block for $50 and swapped everthing over in a day. While doing that I pulled off the lightened flywheel and low and behold the previous owner did not torque down the bolts correctly (came out just by using my fingers).

Long story short I ended up selling my complete turbo setup from the waterpump back to the transmission. While searching craigslist I bought a 1994 Camaro Z28 LT1 engine with everything minus the wiring harness (cut up) for a cool $500. So now I have pulled it apart to clean up and paint. also am in the process of sourcing a transmission to go with it.

Now what I have yet to do is;
get the JTR kit made locally for free (i supply the materials), get a transmission, shorten the driveshaft, get a standalone wiring harness, exhaust, and a few other minor things. Also install a full bushing set and repaint the engine bay.

As far as the body I either need to reinstall the kit or sell it and get some wide body rears for wider rims. Then I want to get a custom "ram air" hood and a rear tail light panel that will allow me to use Vette lights. Last but not least I will need to paint the sucker and call it a day. (that will never happen).

Next post will be pics of the progress minus the LT1 engine.