Never had a z before, but ran across this one on craislist. For the most part it looks like a decent car (to me). Is this something that might be an easy fix? Or something i should stay away from? I havent looked at it yet, but will be going on monday to take a look. Most of the info is in the ad, but ive gotten a little more info from texting the owner. He says its been sitting the way it is now for about 3 months. And he also says it has an aftermarket ecu in it. Im not a big fan on the aftermarket, and i have already looked at a factory replacement through my work and its going to run about $500 just for the ecu, but im not sure where to find the wiring harness for it though?

Here is the link, what do you guys/gals think?
79 Datsun 280ZX Project

 

Why in the name of god did they paint that car blue? It looks so funky with that rust interior? I don't know what the people here think but I wouldn't want to tackle a "wiring" nightmare when for a extra 1k you had ought to be able to get a clean car that runs now.

 

Im not sure why or even who painted it blue Theres no way im going to pay $2000 for it, i was going to offer him about half of what he is asking just for the fact that the computer cost so much, and no telling what else it "needs".

 

Pass on that one. It's been modified and unless you know what you're doing you're gonna have a mess on your hands. It's totaly doable but it sounds like it's not really somthing up your ally. Find a clean stock one and go from there... this one even looks a little rusty...

 

Went and looked at it today, and it wasnt what i expected. More rust on it than i was orignally told, and apparently the previous owner had megasquirt installed and thats the wires that were pulled out. Engine though, looked like it was in good shape with i Believe an aftermarket fuel rail. So i ended up passing on it.

 

Yup that is a Pallnet fuel rail...

 

If it's running megasquirt, you could probably sell the setup and the wheels for over 1k. So buy it for 1k, dick around with it for a while, and if it doesn't work, part it out for 2k.

If you have the time to mess with it, that is.

 

Pictures are funky and have bad angles, is it a turbo? (I say this because of the steel pipe in place of the regular rubber boot on the intake)

Also, whoever painted/modded this didn't even take it apart to do so, and left what looks like a mess: unless parts car stay away...

I would buy that kit/motor/ecu etc. from you but you're waaaay too far away. :/

EDIT:

And it doesn't look to have a throttle linkage either... definitely lots of warning signs...

 

That looks like a non-turbo to me. And it does look like the linkage is gone.

Forrer1990:
Unless you want to spend a lot of time and money keep looking. Check out my photo album... I paid 2k for my 280zx. If it wasnt for the awesome paint and interior I wouldnt have bought it.