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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 19:47:03 GMT -5
Hello TA family!! Well 2013 is over and 2014 is here. As with every year, theres new possibilities. 2013 was a good year, had a ton of fun and great experiences with everyone, but, like all good things something had to end; and that was the RX-8. Due to some unforgiving engine problems (no matt it didnt blow up ) and insurance skyrocketing, my ownership of the 8 had to end. Although it wasnt what I wanted, it was for the better. Anyways before I go on and on with that, where one door or "chapter" of our lives end, another opens. So without further delay, I announce my proud ownership of a 1981 Datsun/Nissan 280zx!!! I found this little gem 5 hours away in Maryland. Quick story of the car: Car has been a one owner from its production date until 2011, which in that 30 years it had only 108xxx miles on it. Carfax came back clear, no accidents no flood and no damage/odometer issues reported to DMV. So that friday I rented a uhaul truck and trailer and made my way 130 miles to pick her up. When I pulled up to the gentlemans house, the car was running, all lights working, heat was warming up the cabin and that inline 6 was purring to the tune of the 1,000 rpm idle looked the car over for any issues I could find, some rust here, some rust there, tear here.....normal stuff for a 33 year old car thats been outside majority of its life. After standing in the pouring freezing rain for almost an hour sharing stories and goals, I negotiated my way from 1,200 dollars to 900, which isnt bad if I say so myself. Now as good as this seems to be, yes, theres a wrench in the process. Now, as luck would have it I got back to VA, headed to DMV only to find out, its still in the original owners name! How stupid I felt! The original owner and the gentleman I bought it from had the same first name, same middle name, and similair last names!!! So after a couple weeks of the gentleman I bought it from running around on me, avoiding me, and not being home when the detectives showed up (yes, I called both the local and state authorities) I decided to give up chasing someone who couldnt help even if he tried. Turns out Maryland has a 60 day period from time of title transfer before a title becomes void. So after some tracking down, I found the original owner, got in touch and im currently waiting on a new, updated title to arrive in my hands. But anyways.......back to the point!!! Heres a couple photos for your pleasure (dont forget, shes old lol)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 19:48:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 19:50:01 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 19:50:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2014 9:43:20 GMT -5
So as the pictures show there's some rust. Its not too bad, most panels are replaceable as a whole such as the hood, doors bumpers and fenders. Theres the normal surface rust under the car and luckily I believe the floor pans are fine. Eventually I will replace all the panels and get rid of the rust, but for now itll only be sanded/grinded and the rust sealed and neutralized.
Sent from my Xperia Z
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2014 10:02:29 GMT -5
Now onto the good stuff! MODS! I dont have anything crazy planned for the car, and the goal is a street able track car. Something I can drive several times a week, and go to the track on weekends (hopefully Dan and his z would join). Engine: Replace all engine accessories Paint valve cover Replace all vac lines with matching color lines New coolant lines Install cold air intake Eventually either a rebuild to a rebello 3.3 liter or turbo, not sure of either yet. Interior: Replace factory speakers Install amp and sub Replace funky red carpet with new black carpet Replace seats Replace steering wheel Definitely a new shifter Get the windows tinted Change interior lights to LED New head unit? (I'd like to keep OEM for looks but not sure how the wiring will go) Exterior: Sand/neutralize rust and prime, throw on a quick Plasti Dip paint job on car until I find out how bad rust is New wheels (need opinions...classic or modern?) Drilled and slotted front/rear brakes Paint calipers to match accent color Replace door mirrors for fender mirrors Maybe fender flares (opinions) Suspension: Replace all old bushings for poly bushings New shocks/springs (probably invest in coilovers) New tie rods, ball joints, any other joints I can find These are my plans so far, and will change as time goes and I discover new issues. Right now I'm just getting the car road ready and safe, starting with tune up, new brake lines, new brakes, refresh the suspension, new wheels and tires, and new wheel studs. After I get these safety and necessary items done, thats when the wrenches will start turning every moment I have. I'm really excited to get this build started and underway, and hopefully give TA something in the classic/import category. but ultimately, this build is mine, and will be a representation of myself. I'll update this thread as time goes on, do stay posted! Like I said, I'm doing this alone (help would be cool) so it might take some time, but I hope to have majority done by April, and just the body work to be left! Sent from my Xperia Z
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Post by Dan on Jan 12, 2014 11:40:30 GMT -5
I love that body style. Looks like you have a good amount of work ahead of you. Would like to help you here and there if I can, but I have a busy schedule. We'll see what happens.
As far as the head unit, there are companies that make new head units with cd/mp3 and all that good stuff but leave the face looking stock. That might fix your issue with keeping it stock looking. I'll try to find the website.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 19:09:06 GMT -5
I do too. I like both styles though. Well pricing so far looks pretty good, nothing is too expensive but also not cheap. Sadly though I cannot say the same for body panels. Its about 800 for just a fender. Rest of the prices get crazy. I did manage to get under and look at the floorpans and pull up section of the carpet, which doesn't look good, hopefully I'm wrong.
I do have my eye on a 280z, and a 240z shell. So if those are in better shape that might be the direction I go. I'll keep it posted.
Sent from my Xperia Z
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2014 21:54:09 GMT -5
So here's a little update. My 280 is past the point of return with rust. At this point I'm looking at close to 10k for rust repair, much less if I knew how to do it myself. So ive been on the hunt and have found a couple of good bodied 280zxs. Hopefully this one I'm going to look at is in better shape, and judging by the photos its hardly touched by rust.
Sent from my Xperia Z
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Post by Mark on Jan 19, 2014 2:13:07 GMT -5
Good luck with your hunt
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2014 21:45:54 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2014 22:02:25 GMT -5
So anyways, where to start.....the car has its flaws. Interior is in bit of a mess, tires are no good, fan needs to be wired up. Car doesnt have bumpers, but I planned on going with a shaved rear, and new fiberglass front bumper anyways. There is no radio installed, but I do have the harness, adaptor plate (which is no longer made ). The original radiator has been removed and replaced with a lighter, better flowing aluminum one, and the original belt fan has also been removed and replaced with a 300zx turbo fan, just needs the controls plugged in. But with all this aside, heres the positives, car has pretty much no rust. Theres a couple surface rust spots here and there, but nothing I cant sand down and take care of. Engine needs a little cleaning up and some work to do. Body panels are good, no patches or holes etc, and it also came with extremely rare 15" gold turbo rims. When I went to pick up this car, theres alot of goodies that came with it, listed below: 280zx Turbo Hood 2x Front Windows 2x Side Windows 280zx Turbo/5spd ECU and wiring harness Aftermarket Radio Plate New heater core New NGK Wireset All new gaskets for the entire engine Headlight Covers Radiator Hoses (spares) New tie rods, tie rod ends New balljoints New steering rack boots All nuts and bolts that had been replaced All exterior lights that had been removed Extra 280zx wiring harness This car belonged to a Nissan Z enthusiast, whose intention was to restore this back to its glory, but lost the time to do so in other projects for customers and himself. (Dan wouldve been happy, never saw so many z's that belonged to one guy!) Ive been letting the car run last few nights when ive gotten off and havent noticed any major issues. The crank pulley is loose, but im hoping that the rubber has just separated from the front causing it to vibrate. It does stop after about 5 mins though. I guess the greatest thing about this situation though is the ease of having a donor car. Interior is pretty much swapable, although I will be cutting as much weight out as possible. So I now have my project car, 1979 Datsun 280zx, and my donor car, 1981 280zx. They both run, both drive, and both rock your socks off lol. Its nice knowing that ive got a spare to work with, in case anything goes wrong. But enough rambling, onto the plans!!!!
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Post by steve on Feb 14, 2014 23:44:01 GMT -5
Good luck Mr. James! The old Z cars are B-E-A-UTIFUL. Hope to see one good one come out the other side of those two
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2014 9:37:49 GMT -5
Okay! Ive been super busy here lately and just havent had enough free time to update. But I do this morning! So, heres the update.
Ive been focusing on getting everything cleaned up and painting before the show. Luckily, majority of the bushing and suspension components are new, so that actually saves me time and money.
I have been working on getting the aftermarket gauges installed, shouldnt be too hard to remount them into the dash. On another note, ive been working on getting the shock towers out, and cleaned (although ill be swapping from my other z).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2014 9:43:39 GMT -5
Rear control arm, cleaned it up and plasti dipped the edge just to see what it might look like painted. The brake calipers have raised my suspicion. I thought and planned on removing them and just wire wheeling them done, and then painting, although they do seem worn, and a replacement is only $35 dollars, so i may just invest in new ones. Heres a quick shot of a caliper, where I did use a wire wheel on one section. Next project was the valve cover, 30+ years and its actually not that dirty. After using the wire wheel again, it cleaned up nicely, although ill end up letting it soak, then pressure wash and wire wheel it all down, then polish the cover and prep for paint. Just like the valve cover, the intake was next. Its a little more complicated to clean, seeing how the original finish is textured.
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