New Project 81 ZX
03-05-2013, 10:41 PM
#1
New Project 81 ZX
Just drove her home, posting a few pics. That gray stuff on the dash is cigarette ash, nasty. It has the typical rust in a few spots. So I have a lot of work ahead of me. Need to remove the front bumper to get the hood up. Looking forward to the weekends 
03-06-2013, 05:24 PM
#5
Rust
I was able to push my bare finger through the bottom of my spare tire well, but that's all I could see. I just got under her and the floorboards look good from underneath, but I haven't pulled the carpet out yet. I'm going to take the interior out and start replacing pieces and changing the color, never liked red. The Dash can be restored and changed color, I can use the seats out of my 84 and get everything to match. Good news, went from a cut back at work to working 7 days a week 10+ hours, so I can sink some greenbacks into my project as soon as possible, she has almost 400K miles, so she could use a lot of attention. I'm gonna order a connector kit from Fricfrac, hopefully he still has a few on hand. Trick now is finding time to do it. I did a quick search for replacement tin for the spare tire area. I would really love to find a turbo for the conversion, or just piece it together. Overall she seems to be fairly sound, a good base for a restoration. I'm a bit giddy atm, I really missed driving my Z and even though I just coaxed her home last night, was still fun to drive, and will only get better -
-
03-08-2013, 05:32 PM
#7
Floor is rust free
I removed the carpet on the drivers side, it was soaked in oil, perhaps brake fluid,as the brakes were loosing fluid mysteriously according to PO. No rust, just pieces of old carpet pad and lots of glue. Any pointers on cleaning it up, as far as getting the glue up? I was thinking lacquer thinner.
Removed the front bumper, it has some damage to it and the headlight bucket on that side also was also damaged.
The engine looks like it has most the original parts, nothing deleted except the heater, which I have a new core for. The vacuum lines are very brittle. Oil leaking out of the valve cover. There is what appears to be a serviceable air cleaner, has anyone seen one of theses before, Im guessing they are common.
Removed the front bumper, it has some damage to it and the headlight bucket on that side also was also damaged.
The engine looks like it has most the original parts, nothing deleted except the heater, which I have a new core for. The vacuum lines are very brittle. Oil leaking out of the valve cover. There is what appears to be a serviceable air cleaner, has anyone seen one of theses before, Im guessing they are common.
03-09-2013, 01:45 PM
#9
Turbo On the way
made a deal with Jamal, complete Engine, ECU and harness, just need to make a little road trip to pick it up. This will make the conversion much easier, and with the engines out I can do any cleanup or gasket changes etc while on the stand. So a Big CHEERS out to Jamal , Thanks Dude While I'm at his place I'm going pick up a few other parts that I need to get the car 90% or better, since my hood is dinged, I'm opting for a Turbo hood to dress her up a bit. I really like the look of many of the Rat Rod S30's Ive seen with fender flairs, but I haven't seen any examples in the 280zx, any opinions ?
These are a few examples of the look I'd like to achieve.
03-09-2013, 10:11 PM
#10
Mr Z++ Wiki
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
I haven't personally dealt with Jamal but I have recomended him lol. He seems like a stand up guy and man he get's a lot of S130s! He must be connected
If you want to flare the S130 you're gonna have to go big - standard flares are the same size as stock flaring. Get the big ZG flares... You're gonna need huuuuge wheels though to fill 'em up. I'm running 17x9.5 with -19mm offset on stock rolled flares.
If you want to clean up the sound dampening try dry ice. You'll need oven mits to keep from freezing your hands but once you freeze it you can hit it with a rubber mallet and chip it off with a flat blade screw driver, etc. Works great!
If you want to flare the S130 you're gonna have to go big - standard flares are the same size as stock flaring. Get the big ZG flares... You're gonna need huuuuge wheels though to fill 'em up. I'm running 17x9.5 with -19mm offset on stock rolled flares.
If you want to clean up the sound dampening try dry ice. You'll need oven mits to keep from freezing your hands but once you freeze it you can hit it with a rubber mallet and chip it off with a flat blade screw driver, etc. Works great!
03-10-2013, 11:05 AM
#11
tires
I like the fit on yours and this white 280, and all you did was roll your fenders ? Did you use the same tire size front and back, offset etc ? I can live with that, looks sweet how the tire fills it up so nicely. For the full effect, what springs and shocks / struts do you use ? If I did go with flares than Id be looking at a little more than rolling the fender, which can get messy. I'm not against the idea, but it is nice to be in the option phase. I'm going to search for some write-ups where cutting back some of the fender and welding it all up etc, what is the ultimate flair install that involves form, fit and function.
Appears both cars have the same wheels too, coincidence ?
Appears both cars have the same wheels too, coincidence ?
Last edited by PredatorZ; 03-10-2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason: added detail and pic
03-10-2013, 11:46 AM
#12
Mr Z++ Wiki
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
I'm running HPK255's (for now - I'll likely do an S13 coil over conversion when funds allow 
) with Rota RB-R 17x9.5 -19mm 235/255. Yasin is running the same but 255/275 and they look wicked!
No coincidence - once I saw the Rota's on Yasin's car I didn't care if I was copying IMHO they are the nicest fitting wheels for the S130
) with Rota RB-R 17x9.5 -19mm 235/255. Yasin is running the same but 255/275 and they look wicked!No coincidence - once I saw the Rota's on Yasin's car I didn't care if I was copying IMHO they are the nicest fitting wheels for the S130
03-10-2013, 12:11 PM
#13
Racing lab
Racing lab had a set, 13 offset front and 19 rear , ROTA Wheels RB Stagger Package (Datsun 1975-1978 280Z, F: 17x9, R: 17x9.5) crazy shipping costs
03-11-2013, 06:16 PM
#15
Body work
Decided to try and pound out that major dent in my drivers rear quarter panel, after taking apart the inside I was able to get to 90% of the dent. I didn't have the correct tools so I improvised with a sledge hammer, framing hammer, 2x4 and framing pry bar. I was pretty happy with the results, now I want to get a few pro tools like Super price on Mechanics Time Savers PB47K at ToolTopia.com, looks like I could fix anything with them... hehe. So heres the B4 and after so far.
03-14-2013, 07:31 PM
#16
Shipping an Engine
Looks Like I might have Jamal get the engine on a pallet for me, 3 day shipping from Phoenix to Boise is approx $200 for 523 lbs with USF Reddaway, which is about what a fully dressed motor weighs, at least that's info I got off Hybridz. Has anyone shipped an L28et b4 ? I did a rough measurement about 40 inches long, 28 wide and 30 high. Would save me a ton in gas and time. Just waiting to get Jamal's Input, since he will be the one pulling the motor, so I wanted to make it worth his time(crossing my fingers and toes). I used Freight Quote, Freight Companies, Freight Shipping Companies, Shipping Rates - FreightCenter.com to get the quote, I was surprised, figured it would be a lot more. Was planning a road trip, but we are working 7 days a week 10 to 12 hour shifts, and getting time off isn't going to be easy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bookmarks
