casperzxt

i bought my 81 for 500 cash in a junk yard.
it was sitting for 16 years in one spot, i towed it home and sucked all of the gas out, put fresh gas in, put a battery charger on and it started right up ha ha it shocked the hell out of me

the turbo and auto tranny are still good, everything seems mechanically sound still.

i just recently totalled my 90 mazda miata and saw my datsun in a junk yard and made an offer.

the interior was junk from sitting out in the wyoming weather for so long so i gutted the interior, put the stock driver miata bucket seat in the datsun driver seat spot, i removed cruise control and the charcoal canister, ( AC stuff and power steering stuff are next to go), and i installed a BOV.

what are some basic DIY mods people do on these cars, i am a big DIY'er and i love home made pioneering mods ha ha, anything original is awesome in my book so i would love to see some cool pics or mods you guys have done and whaimprovements have they made? also what goes wrong with these cars typically, i used to be a mazda guy so help me out thanks in advance

carfanatic

Welcome. Do you have any pictures? I love new 280zx pics straight from a junk yard!

First of all Datsun's are prone to rust. That's my first issue when I buy a car that I check. They seem to rust ad the edges of the body lines, specifically around the back hatch area.

These 280zx are quite bullet prove if you treat it right and maintain it regularly and with the right parts.



And be safe! Althouh your Maita was rwd as well, the Datsun weighs a lot more. So be very carfeul, especially around corners or it will keep going straight into the wall


Above all, Congradulations!!

casperzxt

i just got it yesterday and i dont have pis, but its white, and rust ha ha but my friend is a welder thats how e got the bov knocked out in 30 min

whats lame is it isnt as fast as my dead miata but when the turbo lag finally ends at 3000 it puts a smile o my face thats what counts

do you know any good websites to look at for aftermarket stuff?

BlueKitsune

Add an intercooler and you can up the PSI slightly then you can do the Z31T ECU and MAF swap for more HP and better air flow then you can add a 240SX Throttle body for even better air flow. after that Tackle the exhaust and add a good flowing 3" exhaust.

Thats the best of the simple mods I can think of off the top of my head. lol Welcome to Zdriver too!

skittle

the Z31T ecu is an ok swap if you can get a hold of one. A better swap is to put in Megasquirt. Its a full stand alone fuel management system (can get it to control spark as well). It is tunable on any laptop and some palm pilots. Check out DIYautotune.com to check out their stuff. That way you can upgrade to bigger injectors and put more boost through it. Make sure u have a FMIC for that though. The stock turbo can go to about 10psi.

Z Car Barbie

Welcome, Casper! Congrats on your newest addition. Sounds like you have a nice little project ahead of you. I'm not sure what happened to the sticky we had in this section on where to buy parts for the 280ZX, but you can find most of the companies here: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/300zx-z31-forums-8/where-buy-parts-300zxs-z31s-20451/

SpeciallySpiked

The best upgrade/mod would be a Manual

Seriously, the Automatics really suck it up

casperzxt

ya i am not a big fan of the automatic, but i dont want to tackle a manual swap anytime soon.

the 240sx throttle body is from what year that will swap over?

also what are some good decent injectors that wont break my bank account?

njgheewala

I am offended, I don't mind driving Auto or Manual but don't say that Auto "suck it up." Mean

Welcome to Zdriver and congratulation!!!! yeah picture would be really nice when ever you get the chance.

SpeciallySpiked

Just the fact it's a 3 speed hurts me

GTH

Sounds like mine, cept 82 instead of 81, also the biggest difference is the fact that it dosnt like to run yet

Had to get injectors cleaned and a new distributor as well as flush all the fluids and new filters. Still having timing and advancing issues. Not sure whats causing them, could be air flow sensor i guess. still messing with it.

Z Car Barbie

If you are going to replace the fuel injectors, I would replace the O-rings and holders too, as they tend to crack over extended periods of time – even within 5 years with the car not being driven. I know from experience.

And since your car has sat for 16 years, you might consider replacing the FI harnesses as well.

You’re looking at about $800 just in parts, unless someone knows of a place that will sell all of those parts (injectors, O-rings, holders, and harnesses) for less, individually or as a kit.

260zturbo

nismotune is what you put on a z31 ecu is also fully tunable( have to send it off)...i have one from a late 87 turbo with afm in the classifieds

casperzxt

the only problem i am having now is i drove it around the block and it has a revving up issue, so i parked it in my drive way, tapped the gas pedal, it sputtered and died.

i think it is a tps issue? or a maf/afm sensor. i am new to these cars and engines and i dont have much time to tinker with it, any advice helps

njgheewala

I had the same issue when I first got mine (mine was sitting outside for about 2 years) and it turned out to be the AFM. Yours could be same or not but it does not hurt to check it out...there is a thread somewhere on how to for AFM. Its too late in the night for me or I would have done the search myself and posted the link here...sorry.

casperzxt

ok i will do a search, thanks for the advice. i just dont have much time during the day because of what little work i can find in a small oil state where all the roughnecks are out of a job ha ha

casperzxt

oh ya, there is a green and black wire harness by my computer that isnt plugged into anything and i cant see where it goes anywhere by the computere, what the hell is this little harness?

thetremendousti

hi new guy!
congrats on the buy!!


and btw pics or it didnt happen.

casperzxt

oh it did happen, i just dont want to make a photobucket account to post a pic when i can accomplish what i need without the hassle, personally i hate using computers but they are convenient when you need help, like me using this site so why cant you just believe me? plus its not the best looking car in the world with the rusted out spare tire compartment and rusted fenders, but its a 81 datsun 280zx turbo, its a t top and its white, it had what i call porno red interior which i took out because it was trashed from sitting for 16 yeras with the driver window cracked.

casperzxt

there ya go, i made a pic from my cell phne my avatar thingy, sorry its night time here in wyo and all i had was 2 flashlights, happy?

carfanatic

Redneck style... hihi...



Anyways casper, it does not look that bad at all from the front. Looks straight. Wonder why they left that perfect car for 16 years to rot?

casperzxt

i think it was a police repo or evidence car, there is an older 300zx next to it with police evidence stickers on it, so idk why it sat for so long. it is a little rusted but that is just natural weight reduction