My first Z-car
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 50
From: Boulder, CO
My first Z-car (now with pics inside!)
Just wanted to drop a little note and say hi since I will likely have many questions as I work on my new toy.
I recently picked up my first Z-car a 1981 280zx non turbo.
It was listed on craigslist for $800 and needing a clutch.
I offered the guy $350 for it sight unseen (it was an hour away and I didn't feel like driving all the way down there to look at it.
Well $350 and a $100 tow truck bill later and the car shows up in my driveway.
I tightened the battery cables up, threw the charger on it and it fired right up. I was pleasantly surprised.
Put it in gear and nothing, not even a shudder or a squeak, definately needed a clutch.
Picked up a clucth and pp kit at autozone for $120 spent an afternoon and took care of that. No friction material left on the clucth disc whatsoever. (man this tranny is ridicuously easy to work on.)
Worked out a couple of wiring gremlins in the blinkers and the stereo (the front speakers are insanely difficult to get to especially the left/middle one)
So now for under $600 I have a halfway descent Z.
Now I have a few other things to work on as time permits.
1. Interior is fairly poor, gotta get to that.
2. Rust - as far as I can tell not too terrible, a little in the floor boards in the front and the ps lower door skin has a spot or two and the rear filler panel below the bumper is pretty much gone, otherwise seems fairly solid.
3. Weird startup problem, see other post.
Anyhow, just wanted to introduce myself.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
Justin
edit pics below
I recently picked up my first Z-car a 1981 280zx non turbo.
It was listed on craigslist for $800 and needing a clutch.
I offered the guy $350 for it sight unseen (it was an hour away and I didn't feel like driving all the way down there to look at it.
Well $350 and a $100 tow truck bill later and the car shows up in my driveway.
I tightened the battery cables up, threw the charger on it and it fired right up. I was pleasantly surprised.
Put it in gear and nothing, not even a shudder or a squeak, definately needed a clutch.
Picked up a clucth and pp kit at autozone for $120 spent an afternoon and took care of that. No friction material left on the clucth disc whatsoever. (man this tranny is ridicuously easy to work on.)
Worked out a couple of wiring gremlins in the blinkers and the stereo (the front speakers are insanely difficult to get to especially the left/middle one)
So now for under $600 I have a halfway descent Z.
Now I have a few other things to work on as time permits.
1. Interior is fairly poor, gotta get to that.
2. Rust - as far as I can tell not too terrible, a little in the floor boards in the front and the ps lower door skin has a spot or two and the rear filler panel below the bumper is pretty much gone, otherwise seems fairly solid.
3. Weird startup problem, see other post.
Anyhow, just wanted to introduce myself.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
Justin
edit pics below
Last edited by zeppelinboy; May 5, 2007 at 07:06 PM. Reason: adding pics
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
From: Colorado
I also have an 81 2+2. Bought mine with almost 73,000 on it. I agree do check out Blackdragon auto. I just got my new Monza header and exaust system in the mail. Cant wait to install when I get the time. Cant say I have really had to work on mine. I think or almost know my 2nd gear sync is about gone. Hope you enjoy your ride. I love the way my car handles. Z'S rock.
