Notorious Nerd

Hi guys! I'm new on here and to cars but hopefully I'll catch on quickly.

I originally bought my 280zx to convert it into a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO but have recently scrapped the idea because I have neither the money nor the knowledge to do such a dramatic transformation. Now its just being turned into a car to take to the drag strip, which hopefully doesnt make too many of you cringe in horror but it's better to wreck a $1000 dollar car than one thats worth at least 8 to 10 right?

There is a lot more rust on it than I thought there was. The previous owner had it for a year and left it outside and the guy before him had it sitting in his garage for 5 years. If nothing else it will be a good learner car. As far as i can tell its all stock, manual and not the turbo version though id like to put one on one day.

As for damage so far, somebody tried to steal the front bumper (when it was in that guys garage) which ruined the air dam cause the tossers didnt know about the 2 bolts connected to the fenders which are damaged too. Rust every where im finding out, hole rotted under passenger seat, rust bubbling up around the top of the windshield, the usual rusted on nuts and bolts (better get a dozen cans of WD40) and a mouse nest on top of the engine. Its just a track car but I want the little lady to look respectable, though I bet that will be a challenge going to a drag track with a mostly stock Datsun. I'm there to have fun and go down the track not beat anyone, though that would be a bonus.

The plan is to keep most of it stock since im on a pretty strict budget because i would like to attend an auto mechanics school in the fall. She's already undergoing severe diet surgery since that is one of the few things im capable of doing on my own.

My roommate is a mechanic and he told me the first thing i need to do is get a race brake booster which will be priced out today, and if its affordable enough, purchased.*

I'll worry about the rollcage later because its not going to break the 12 second barrier let alone the 10 second. Unfortunately its not run yet because there is no battery which will also change today. Still have to drain the several year old gas as well.

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of all the vacuum lines for the fuel injection system? Id like to minimize the amount of stuff in the engine bay. Also is there a better, inexpensive ecu I could put in it just to limit things and make it more effective?

Hope to hear from you guys. Pics to follow.

Thomas

MurphyEF

Actually, the first thing you should do is get her to run properly. Do a tune up, flush and fill all fluids, and while you're at it, check the entire brakeing system. Look for corroded or damaged soft and hard lines. Pumping additional pressure to your brakes won't do you any good if you blow a line. Check your brake pads, make sure she shifts smoothly, check for groans and freaks, etc. AFTER you know que runs well, then start looking at other things. Are the shocks still good? Alignment? Tires? No use flying down the strip if she pulls hard right or blows a tire.


If you really must clean up the engine bay (i did), use this guide :

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...anifold-19937/

Ht, make sure she runs properly, first. Things get a lot harder to diagnose when they get changed.

NismoPick

Welcome to ZDriver!

I've never heard of a "race brake booster" for the 280ZX... I'd like to know more. Just an FYI, the main brake upgrades would be bigger rotors and calipers, followed by an upgraded proportioning valve.

Click: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...alipers-31236/

Click: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...alipers-36122/

Click: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/fs-24...ailable-36748/

Click: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...anifold-19937/

There is a super easy Z31T ecu / maf upgrade for the 280ZX Turbo (usually less than $100). For the non-turbo, the best option is MegaSquirt (MSnS)... usually $300 - $500.

Feel free to search our forum. We have discussed 280zx upgrades and modifications MANY times.

SHADY280

I think the booster is a total waste. Cheapest upgrade is a set of porter field pads. That's all you need. With the rust you may not pass tech. At least fiberglass them to seal the holes and call it good. You will find a good engine upgrade is good flowing exhaust (2.5") even from the stock manifold and a msd or accel coil a cold air intake and adjust your timing to as close to 36-38 degrees total timing.

Notorious Nerd

Thanks Murphy! Ive been doing a lot of research the last few days and yesterday i pulled the carpeting out of the drivers side and found the floor was completely toast so i want to make sure that with all the other rust on this car that the frame rails are still intact. After that ill get it running.

That is a good link too. Came acrost it while i was looking for ways to clean up/upgrade the fuel rail. I plan on following it to the letter

Im a little scared about trying to get the engine going because ive never fiddled with one. Sure ive changed belts and simple bolt on parts but messing with much more than that with out any knowledge or experience makes me nervous as hell. But how else to learn and become confident if i dont try right?

Tires are a given because the ones currently on it are cracked and flat. Ill take the rims to get some used tires on it, cleanes up and properly sealed.

As for the brake booster i didnt know what it was and when the guy at the part store explained it to me i couldnt figure out why my roommate suggested it to me. I agree with you guys, lines, pads, rotors and calipers.

My main problem is that the place im working on it has a dirt floor and i cant find a workshop in my area that has free space. Im gonna try a place near me again to see if the space has opened up so fingers crossed.

Thanks Nismo! The wealth of information im finding on this and the other Z forums is staggering. Ive found answers to pretty well every problem im having. Still have to search for the type and thickness of metal to use to redo the floorpan but im sure it can be found. Common problem from what i can see.

Shady those are some awesome suggestions! I had planned on getting a K&N cold air intake and ill either run a straight pipe exhaust or just the exhaust manifold. I dont have a timing gun but a buddy of mine is a car mechanic, not my roommate, and he does odd jobs for people so some beer should do the trick. Tech didnt check over my other car as i just run test and tune but if i dont do some serious body work on this thing they might check this one. Now for the porter feild pads is that still using the stock caliper and rotors?

Thanks for all the info guys its really appreciated. I cant wait to pull up with this thing instead of my vette and have my drag buddies go "WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!?!"

Cheers!

Notorious Nerd

This is how I got her









And I'm still trying to figure out the vin. If I'm reading it correctly it's actually and 81 (B) not an 82 (C) like i was told and was on the ownership. Does anybody know for certain?

HAHAHA I dont think it conforms anymore!

Notorious Nerd

Ok. Why won't my pics show?

Notorious Nerd

Ok Im an idiot. Lets try this again.

This is how I got her
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And I'm still trying to figure out the vin. If I'm reading it correctly it's actually and 81 (B) not an 82 (C) like i was told and was on the ownership. Does anybody know for certain?
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HAHAHA I dont think it conforms anymore!

Notorious Nerd

Pics from when I first started tear down in 2012.

Just a little expired
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This is what was under the passengers seat
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and the rust hole to go with it
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Think I should find somewhere else to store parts
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There we go
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Hoods off now
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This reminds me of Medusa's hair
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The destroyed front fender. 3 bolts forgotten to be removed and they destroyed it
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Piles getting bigger
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Hood and bumper
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She's getting emptier
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What I found under the carpet
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Rusty wall
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Notorious Nerd

Some of the last few pics are from this week.
This is what I did last night:

I figured this was going to be the case but I'd hoped it wasn't. That used to be the frame rail I believe
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My top of the line exhaust system :P
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Junk pile
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The front fender isn't too healthy. The other side isn't much better
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She's starting to get naked
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More rust
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Somebody tried to run over something and failed
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Some light reading. Factory Service Manual. I'll give it to somebody when I no longer have a use for it.
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Notorious Nerd

A little bit of an update. Since March I've moved 3 times, got a girlfriend, started school, and spent a ton of cash on my Honda and Vette.

The Datsun is sitting at my parents place under a tarp and lean-to, and in boxes, 7 hours away. I miss wrenching on it even though I didnt have a clue what to do.

On the plus side the course I'm taking is to become an automotive technician. Can't wait for this time to fly by so I can get back to her and make her into the best damn track car she can be!

Hope your projects are going well!

Twiggs280zx

Just a thought. How long is this plan? Have you priced options?
From my research on this car and a lot of input from the experts, you are going to need the turbo motor or 6k of disposable income just on the motor to get it drag strip fast.
I rebuilt mine, including 2k for the car, for $5,500 and a lot of time. I am also not trying to get it super-fast.

cords z31

so will this car need to pass a safety? because that is way to much rust and I don't know if you're sure you know what you're getting into. don't get me wrong, but I did the same thing when I got my Z, I stripped it down, it was stripped down while I just moved from one project to the other just half finishing them, was like that for over a year....I cut the floors and rocker panels out and welded in new sheet metal (man do I ever have respect for people who do this for a living as it is dirty, hard work!) I did end up getting it saftied but sadly sold it 2 days later haha! anyways I got myself another project, good luck with yours, but without a solid place to work on it and the right tools, it will be a very hard job.

Notorious Nerd

I agree with you both. As it sits now it's a parts car. Floors toast, rocker not too much better. I am going to have to get it all stripped down to nothing, repair all the body work and then rebuild it all. Thank you for reminding me Cord. Id forgotten about getting it safetied first.
The plan is for it to just go down the strip not compete with everyone else otherwise id stuff a 350 in it with all the trimmings. For starts at the track itll be pretty well all stock then slowly she'll get upgrades. Thats the plan anyway but when do things ever go to plan? :P
Enjoy guys!

cords z31

im not trying to be a downer or anything, props to you, and I think its a great idea for a track car, you have to start somewhere and no matter what it will be fun to take it down the strip win or lose. Its just I was comparing your car to what mine was and how much effort and time was put into fixing mine the right way and how much frustration it caused me lol, but on the other side, they are beautiful cars and I believe worth saving, I also live in Canada, a neighbour to your left lol, you wont find a Z car that doesn't have rust. so I will be doing the same thing as I did to my other Z, lots of rust repair, will take a lot of time but I believe its worth it.

Notorious Nerd

I know nobody here is trying to be a downer. I didnt look the vehicle over well enough when i bought it. Too excited. Not very smart on my behalf. Itll be a take it how it goes kind of project.

Twiggs280zx

Just my opinion, take the body off and rebuild/strengthen the chassis. If that isn't done I believe you will twist or snap it.

FricFrac

Take the body off what? It's a unibody car - there is no frame... The best wa to go with this car if you want to drag/auto X is to build a tube frame for it and the rusty floor boards are much less of an issue.