280ZX (S130) Forums Dedicated to 79-83 ZCars

New to site! Bought 280zx as first car w/ Big Plans!!

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Old May 29, 2008 | 05:00 PM
  #1  
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New to site! Bought 280zx as first car w/ Big Plans!!

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 .







Last edited by 1982_280zx; May 29, 2008 at 09:31 PM.
Old May 29, 2008 | 05:14 PM
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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.
Old May 29, 2008 | 09:23 PM
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Hey thanks for the welcome! I uploaded the pics. But am having trouble aligning em from top to bottom.. lol
Old May 29, 2008 | 10:11 PM
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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.
Old May 30, 2008 | 12:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 1982_280zx
Hey thanks for the welcome! I uploaded the pics. But am having trouble aligning em from top to bottom.. lol
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..
Old May 30, 2008 | 12:14 AM
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Originally Posted by 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..
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.
Old May 30, 2008 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Old May 30, 2008 | 04:36 AM
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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.
Old May 30, 2008 | 06:19 AM
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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
Old May 30, 2008 | 06:54 AM
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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.
Old May 30, 2008 | 07:26 PM
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Hmmmm.... 16 yr. old, fresh driving permit, rare-ish Z.... I smell trouble...

But, I'm a grumpy old man, don't mind me.
Old May 30, 2008 | 10:35 PM
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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.
Old May 31, 2008 | 12:44 AM
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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!
Old May 31, 2008 | 11:39 AM
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whered the 260 go? much better car than the zx specially for this swap.... its lighter and sexier!!!!
Old May 31, 2008 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by snwbrderphat540
whered the 260 go? much better car than the zx specially for this swap.... its lighter and sexier!!!!
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..
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 07:46 AM
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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 =/





Last edited by 1982_280zx; Jun 1, 2008 at 07:51 AM.
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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at heart, you know its true wildman.
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by snwbrderphat540
at heart, you know its true wildman.
What's at heart? And what do I know is true? lol
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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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

Last edited by lww; Jun 1, 2008 at 09:54 PM.
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by WildmaN
What's at heart? And what do I know is true? lol
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!!
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:54 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by 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!!
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..
Old Jun 1, 2008 | 11:35 PM
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I"ll 2nd that...............wildman
Old Jun 2, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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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.
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 08:55 AM
  #24  
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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

Last edited by lww; Jun 6, 2008 at 11:56 PM.
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 10:01 AM
  #25  
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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!



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