I just bought a 1983 Datsun 280zxt last week. When I test drove it I didn't notice any major issues. It didn't shake, pull to the left or the right, very minimal play in the steering and best of off very minor rust.

Anyways the issues I'm having is, while driving I cant accelerate at full throttle. It'll sputter and jerk, when it does finally get going it wont go past 3000rpms. My first thought was bad spark plugs so earlier today I replaced them and am still having the same issue. I'm wondering if maybe the fuel pump is starting to go out. I can accelerate just fine under normal acceleration, it'll go past the 3000rpm mark just as long as i ease into it and not floor it.

I've tried doing a few searches but I haven't been able to find a post relating to the issue I'm having. Any advice or a point in the right direction would be amazing! Also I don't want to spend to much money to fix this issue but I do need the car running smoothly for the next month or two(ish). I plan on doing a motor swap but that's another discussion

Thanks in advance!

 

have you checked your ignition timing?

 

Welcome to the forum. It's actually been discussed about 4.687 bazillion times.

Here's what I'd check first:

Spark - good plug, wires, cap and rotor? Timing correct? Good ground and battery connection is important for all things electrical....

AFM - Major sensor for the ECCS system also a major pain. Can be easily rebuilt - search and all will be revealed. Connectors are also a prime suspect with this sensor. It's big and oxidization is often a problem as is the often missing clip that holds it on.

CHTS - probably not an issue in this case but it can cause a lot of running issues. Worth checking out anyhow.

following that vacuum leaks, etc...

XenonS130 and download the FSM

 

Should have posted just a little more info... Before I bought it the guy replaced the AFM it has about 6months on it, he also replaced the wire, caps and rotor as well.

Tonight I got in it to go get me some fat kid food, gotta love McDonalds, and while driving it started making a "humming" sound when the turbo would spool then I'd lose pretty much all power. So I'm starting to think that it might be the turbo going out. Either way its starting to look like it might be more work then I'm willing to put into this motor so I may very well end up doing that engine swap a bit sooner then I thought.

 

Just a little follow up... I started messing with the AFM some, since everything I've read keeps pointing me in that direction, and while it is new (I couldn't find a spec of dirt in there) the connections appear to be old. It looks like the previous owner did try and clean them up some but they were still a little dirty. The biggest issue is the male adapter's clips that hold it in place are broken off so when I went to unplug i found it only half plugged in. Some well placed zip ties seem to be holding it in well enough for daily use.

It doesn't drive as well as I would like but after all it is a 30year old car. I do however have more confidence that it will last me the next couple of months

 

Fricfrac, our resident Electrical Engineer has put together a really nice modern set of connectors that would fix your problems, read this thread, I think it should help you out. https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...remlins-34055/

He has put a lot of work into it and these are nice Hi tech parts, a lot of problems your Z will have will boil down to wiring / electrical problems, mostly on corroded connectors. Also I have seen him recommend adding a ground from the frame to the Plenum, since a lot of sensors are getting ground from there, never hurts to have a solid grounding setup. Make sure your battery has good ground also.

 

Definately take the meter and read from the connectors at the ECU as per the FSM instructions. I'm trying not to be a sales man but it really sounds like you need to replace the connectors. Actually what am I saying - I'm giving the procedes of the next two kits (minus $10 for shipping) to World Vision so buy a kit - save your car and help someone in need at the same time