Where to learn about 280z and restoring..
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I'm doing the same thing. Got myself a 1980 280ZX 10th Ann edition (my avatar).
The following sites are very helpful:
http://hybridz.org/
http://www.zcar.com/
http://zhome.com/
For parts, this is my only truely reliable source:
http://victoriabritish.com/
They have a limited selection of parts online, but order the catalog (free) and you'll have access to tons of parts.
Another parts house, but not as good IMO:
http://zcarparts.com/
Feel free to ask me questions as well. I've only been at this since August, but I've been learning a lot. So has my wife, she replaced the alternator.
Have fun, these are bad ass little cars. You'll get more attention with an old one than with a new one.
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Lion -
That's a hard decision for me: rebuild the inline 6, or drop in a 350 cu in V8. Part of me wants to stay all original stock, but part of me wants a 1980 Datsun "350Z". Hehe. I wouldn't be able to kill myself fast enough with something that fast and dangerous!
That's a hard decision for me: rebuild the inline 6, or drop in a 350 cu in V8. Part of me wants to stay all original stock, but part of me wants a 1980 Datsun "350Z". Hehe. I wouldn't be able to kill myself fast enough with something that fast and dangerous!
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33 Posts
http://www.classiczcars.com
They are good for 240z-280z stock applications.
Watch and watch for rust. Rust is expensive. Better to buy a good example for 5k, than buy one for 2k and spend 5k fixing things, and live with all the annoyances.
My favorite take on the early Zs was to get a 240 and bolt up a L28eT from the 81-82 280zx turbo. Information on this swap is all over hybridz.org.
Mix match gear ratios..
http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/
Idex of Z car stuff..
http://www.pape.ws/allan_and_rosanne/Z-Car_Stuff/
Another Performance site..
http://www.zcarperformance.com/
They are good for 240z-280z stock applications.
Watch and watch for rust. Rust is expensive. Better to buy a good example for 5k, than buy one for 2k and spend 5k fixing things, and live with all the annoyances.
My favorite take on the early Zs was to get a 240 and bolt up a L28eT from the 81-82 280zx turbo. Information on this swap is all over hybridz.org.
Mix match gear ratios..
http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/
Idex of Z car stuff..
http://www.pape.ws/allan_and_rosanne/Z-Car_Stuff/
Another Performance site..
http://www.zcarperformance.com/
Wow, my first z was a 1983 280zx gold with tan interior
it was 12 when I got it, had a list of problems longer than my arm, but it was my favorite car untill my 350... something about that looooong front end and i could reach out the window and grab the back tire hahahaabout 2 months after I got it I was on a first date with this girl, we got a HEAVY downpour of rain, I was thinking to my self WOW my T tops dont leak, well I was about to drop her off on her street when I Hit a HUGE puddle and flooded her half of the interor up to the seat I laughed hard... really hard (and we dated for another 9 months... go figure)
I got mine off ebay. I'm sure people have differing opinions on this approach, but due to where I live, it was my best option. The seller was very honest, and we talked numerous times prior to the end of auction. It took me 4 months to find the right one. This time of year should be easy to find a good deal. Just make sure you do your research and know what questions to ask, and what problems to be aware of.
Good Luck!
Aaron
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16,332 Posts
One are some things to look out for? I hear frame rusting might be a problem. i would like to get one that is in good running condition that i can feel comfortable driving around daily in before the restoration begins. Body work is not a problem. Just want a sound engine/drivetrain.
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Rust in the floorpans, front frame rails is quite common. As for buying a 'runner'...I'd rather find a car with good body & bad mechanicals....esp. since you never know what might get dropped in there....Chevy LS-1/6spd would be nice. There are a few of them on the road out here. Easy 10 sec. cars...with the Z06 intake & a couple other cheap mods.
+1 on the body condition.
Look for rust in: frame, floor pans, rockers, bottoms of doors, wheel wells, under the rear bumper, around windsheild and rear window, under the hood near and under the battery (this one and the floor pans are an easy fix). I have rust bubbles in the wheel wells and one spot at the bottom of the hatch window. 5 spots total, each about the size of a quarter. I need to wait for my bonus check to tackle that one.
Look or ask about Bondo. Walk away if rust was repaired with bondo vs. welded metal.
The electrical on these cars is shitty. Expect things not to work. Consider yourself blessed if the AC works.
Most leak oil and/or other fluids. An oil pan gasket leak isn't bad. Make sure whatever oil leak the car has, it doesn't leak like a quart + every oil change.
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158 Posts
+1. Ebay would be a good place to start. Another site where I've seen 240Z's, 260Z's, and 280Z's in decent shape was http://www.classiccars.com/. You can also check out http://zdriver.com/home/ and http://my350z.com/home/ for some private classifieds. Good luck.
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http://www.zcar.com/classifieds/index.php?...&fromfromid=29&
That motor new is >$3k......
Muahahahahahahahahahaha!
That motor new is >$3k......
Muahahahahahahahahahaha!
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