Greetings,

I'm feeling the urge to buy a 280Z. First I need to get familiar with their history and nuances so I'll be lurking, reading and asking questions such as "Were all 280z models fuel injected?" .

About 25 years ago I did own a very nice 260Z (explains my desire for F.I.). Then I got married and practical. It's time to trade in the Sentra for some fun.

Thanks in advance for your help and patience.

CarZ

Jay, where in Western Oregon are you? There are lots of local Z people in these parts who can give you personal advice.

All 280Zs in the US were injected from the factory, although it's not uncommon to find carb'd ones these days after people who did not know how to maintain the injection have converted them. The carbs used on the '70-72 240Zs are highly regarded, and the injection on the 280Zs works well also, if it's kept up and maintained. The carbs that came on the '73 240Z and all US 260Zs are generally considered to be Bad Things®.

Edited December 11, 201014 yr by Arne

Start reading at Zhome.com. You can learn a lot there, too.

And to answer your question, stock 280Zs were all fuel injected. Just remember that any 30+ year old fuel system is going to have some issues, especially if it wasn't maintained very well.

An example of a very nicely running carb'd ZX is available for road testing at the World Headquarters of ZTherapy in greater metro Salem..... Call if interested in taking a look or a test spin.

Are you looking at the 280 because of motor size? There's also a 240 at the shop with a 2.8 w/ long overdrive 5 speed setup that needs a new home.

Edited December 11, 201014 yr by Bruce Palmer
Second car afterthought

Jay,

Congrats on the mid life crisis. Definitely do not be afraid of carbs. As stated above the '73's and '74's were kind of a pita, but once you get the earlier ones dialed in, they're bulletproof-so don't base your determination for model year on them.

The main differences you'll find between the early and later Z's are aesthetics and body weight. As far as valuation, I think most here will agree that these cars will be worth at least 70% of what we all have into them, so that should not be your barometer either.

Look at pics of each (focusing mainly on bumpers, running lamp/tail lamp location, and interiors) try to see some side by side (at a Z meet if you can) and see what YOU like best. I think most here will agree that it is better to pay a bit more for a body and electrical that is in really good condition. Mechanical stuff is easy, very interchangeable, and not that expensive.

CarZ,

I have a 76 280Z with a set of SU's (since 2005) from a 240Z. It's been very reliable.

If your Sentra is an SE-R model (91-94) perhaps we could talk.

Dave Ruiz

PS: I'm 1/2 joking! Welcome to the site!

Wow. I'm humbled. That is a ton of knowledge.

So, the World Headquarters is in Salem, okay I live between Eugene and Junction City. I can fix a lot of mechanical issues, but the fewer the better and I do not want to dents and paint. Don't have a budget, but what could I expect to get for $3000 or $4000? Looking for a daily driver. From what I've read so far this crowd doesn't mind mixing and matching parts such as transmissions and motors. What's the hard stuff to find, a full dash I suppose?

My Sentra is a 1992 GXE with 141,500 miles. One owner, yours truly. Thinking about trading it for some microbrew.

Thanks for the tips and links. I'll start with Ztherapy.

Enjoy,

CarZ

I found the classifieds. Lots to choose from.

Call me when you can see a time to buzz up to the shop and meet Steve. Steve is typically around 7 days aweek building carbs playing cars, providing a place for the rest of us to go hide, etc. This'll be a veritable Datsun playground. Lottsa stuff, lottsa knowledge, lottsa support and you get to meet us which can only be considered a bonus, huh Arne?

Monsoon continues today, better go check on the kids sump pump....

Edited December 11, 201014 yr by Bruce Palmer

Hey Bruce,

Thanks for the offer, the fly said to the spider. I'll stop on a trip to Portland one of these days.

Rain is coming down in buckets here and it poured most of the night. Our local weather guru said it's heavier the further north you go.

Stay dry.

Jay

Found out one thing going to the pool just now. With well sealed up floor pans, a 510 wagon will float for a ways. Nyuck nyuck

For you guys east of us (and that would almost everybody) these fronts that have been whistling thru here of late, should be laying down some serious white sruff in those areas of the country that are prone to white stuff.

Jay, Look forward to seeing you...

Wow. I'm humbled. That is a ton of knowledge.

So, the World Headquarters is in Salem, okay I live between Eugene and Junction City.

Jay, I work in Eugene on Hwy 99 N, a mile or so closer to town than Beltline. I drive my 240Z to work (yes, even in the rain) once or twice per week. I'd be happy to meet for lunch some time.