1982_280zx

Well I got my first job a few weeks ago. Saved up a little and got a 1982 280zx N/A slicktop :]. Am 16 with a fresh permit and big dreams. Lol. For now the car is stock, needs lots of tlc (hope to have pics up later on today). Runs good overall. 5 speed . My uncle is swapping an LS1 into his 86 Vette, and ive inherited the 90,000 mile LT1 *Big Happy Face. Am hoping to get opinions on my first car and hopefully some inspiration. If you have any parts for sale please PM me as im looking to slowly restore my Z .

WildmaN

Hey man Welcome to Zdriver! You have come to the right place. To fulfill your Z needs. Well mainly for knowledge..although people do sell parts here and there. Definately put some pics up. I have extra parts lying around. And good job on finding an '82 slicktop. Slicktops are rarer after 80'. Anyway good luck..and congrats on your first car.

1982_280zx

Hey thanks for the welcome! I uploaded the pics. But am having trouble aligning em from top to bottom.. lol

thxone

Welcome to the forum...I know about the big plans and big dreams...best advise...take it slow...these cars are fun as they are but if you get ahead of yourself you may find frustration is easier to come by. The car is nice...doesn't look like it is in to bad of shape, should be a fun project. There is plenty of knowledge and advise on this forum and I am sure everyone can help you along.

WildmaN

No problem bro' anytime. Anyway if looks like you managed to do fine, posting this pics. Nice clean Z man...and a 2 seater slicktop. That is more rare than a 2 + 2 slicktop. Anyway you have the same color interior as my '82 T-top. And you can't go wrong with the 5 speed. Keep us posted on this sweet 280zx. And congrats once again..

1982_280zx

Thanks! I got it all for 550, registered till 09 too =D. First thing I plan on getting is the carpet kit, the interiors pretty shot, body is straight but needs a paint job bad!! Im thinking going Earl Scheib. But not sure. Once again thanks for the support I feel more and more proud of my car everytime I get a reply lol. And do you know were I can get the 1979 lenses for the tail lights? I dont like the ones it has now.

WildmaN

You are quite welcome. As for the taillights...how much are wanting to spend on them? I have extra sets from '79-'83. I was cleaning out my spare room. To prepare for my buddy to move in next week. And came across alot of parts. Just keep in mind..I paid a good amount of money for these lights. So shoot me a reasonable price. And if you want PM me your zipcode. So I can get you a quote on them. Oh also you are going to need the brackets, if you are changing the taillights. I am not sure if I have that as extra or not. Maybe I can find out this weekend. Otherwise you can find the taillight, and brackets on ebay for the most part.

raythenegr0

Congrats man! The slicktop is the sexiest 280zx out there. You're in luck, theres a few people who have done the LT1 swap on hybridz into a 280zx so you might even find a complete writeup on how to do it.

260zturbo

with gas prices at the moment i would think twice about swapping a v8 in a car. take it slow and have fun in the car. can always save the lt1 for a couple years. looks pretty good just needs a little tlc. almost every z has rust so its all good. congrats and welcome

SHADY280

hey nice start for a car. i have extra interior panels for sale, so if you want pm me and ill get some prices for you. i have black parts for sale, and some ive dyed charcoal, and some tan. tan and charcoal are gonna be cheapish, the black are gonna be a bit more.

duckyz

Hmmmm.... 16 yr. old, fresh driving permit, rare-ish Z.... I smell trouble...

But, I'm a grumpy old man, don't mind me.

lww

Before you start blowing money on "upgrades" make sure it's safe with good brakes and tires, make sure the electrical connections are all clean and making good contact, replace that hanger with a real antenna and drive it for awhile before you start tossing money at it.

These things have the ability to balloon out of control and consume unbelievable amounts of cash in a very short while.

1982_280zx

Lol yeah the antenna has got to go, am not planning to do the swap next weekend lol, but before anything I want to get a whole suspension kit and brakes. I had a 1973 260z when I was 15 that I worked on alot with my dad. That one was pretty rare as well, not too many 260's came that early, but I had one :]. I found a neat write up on restoring the dash and plastics, so ive got my hands full with that for the next couple of weekends, I love driving this car and even though its a little beater, I feel like its my own Ferrari lol!!! Thanks for your support and opinions once again guys, I appreciate older people paying any sort of attention to some KID lol. Peeeace!

snwbrderphat540

whered the 260 go? much better car than the zx specially for this swap.... its lighter and sexier!!!!

WildmaN

No way...especially when you say the 280zx is < in a 280zx forum.. Don't be hating...280zx's rule here in this part of the website..

1982_280zx

Heres the old 260!!!! I bought it on thanksgiving 2006, worked on it about a month, then got offered twice what I paid for it so I had to let her go =/

snwbrderphat540

at heart, you know its true wildman.

WildmaN

What's at heart? And what do I know is true? lol

lww

I prefer to race and track a 240Z, but I really do prefer to drive or cruise in a 280ZX. It's like putting on different clothes.

When I put on a 240Z, I expect to smell like gas fumes, burnt brakes and have bits of melted tire stuck to my rocker panels when I'm done.

When I put on a 280ZX, I expect to be able to comfortably make the drive from SanFrancisco to LA in comfort, with little exhaust note unless I need to work the throttle "in anger" and not reeking of exhaust and gas fumes when I arrive.

For those of you that have seen the John Morton commercial for the 240Z, it's like that, but instead of going from a CProd 240Z race car to a 240Z street car, I'm climbing out of a CProd 240Z race car into a 280ZX.

Now, if you wanna see a stinky, smelly 280ZX, check out our LeMons car build pics at:

http://www.kamikazeracing.org/galler...2791&g2_page=1

1982_280zx

Lol, hes talking bout the 260z being lighter and sexier! But guys, today I took the dash out, repaired the cracks, and prepped it to re finish it, I did most of the interior plastics, took the center console out, and cleaned up a perfect steering wheel a guy at the Good Guys show gave me for free yesterday!!! It was just really dusty. Ill try to upload the pics a little later today. Late!!

WildmaN

If that's the case..I disagree with him on that. To me the 280zx is the best Z, that was made. And nobody or anything will ever change my mind on that. It was my first Z..and my first sportscar. And my heart will always belong to the 280zx.. And it looks better to me..especially after you remove the gawdy side trim and such. After all of that...you have a sweet car with nice lines and curves..

hermultra

I"ll 2nd that...............wildman

BanditJ

1982, it looks like you have your work cut out for you. But if you have the time and the means, I'm certain it will be well worth it.

Hermultra, that is one beautiful 280ZX in your signature. What wheels are in that image?

Also, I side on the 280ZX. I think it's the sleeker and sexier shape. With the right paint, lowering, wheels and flares, I think the 240-280 is more menacing looking but I have to say the 280ZX is the sexier beast in the family.

280zx2by2

hey 82 280zx, im 16 too, and i just joined too, and i just got my z to... well i have had it for a year.

PS if your doing v8 swaps you have to go to HYBRID Z, just kidding, there *** holes over there

one ? though gas is like 5$ and your doing a v8 swap, wtf?

good luck on the project though no matter what route you take

you got a myspace, hit mine up, add, or some thing, or dont, your choise

and an extra ?, where do you get that body filler, all the stores i go to only have bondo, wich is good for big *** gashes but not for little scratches

SportBikeMike

I have to agree with snw on this one, and not to diss the 280ZX, but the S30 is the best-looking and sexiest Z ever!