Eva Racing? Mystery Import 280

[2ManyZs]

Make sure you get the VIN number off the firewall over the brake master cylinder, I think that will at least solve the mystery as to which market the car was built for. The prefix should tell at least whether it was built for Europe/Asia or if it is a "hack-job".

[HS30-H]

Good point 2Many,

I think it sounds like that "GS31" VIN prefix is correct ( and I`ll eat my hat if its not a Japanese "Home" market car that was brought back to the USA by a serviceman making use of "free" shipping from Japan ).

Don`t get too excited about the internals of the engine; fairly impressive performance can be had from pretty much standard internals on the "L" series engines. If it was a Japanese street fighter its probably fairly standard internally. Try to see what size Webers it has on it ( are they 40DCOE, 45DCOE or bigger? ) - you can see the model type stamped on the top covers. Also try to see what "series" they are: you will see this number after the model type ( EG: "45DCOE-9" ) which will help to identify how old they are / what state of tune the engine is in.

Notice anything else that looks "racey" on it? This might also help to identify its origin / purpose. Is that front airdam / spoiler signwritten / painted - or has it got "EVA" on it as part of the moulding? I`m very far from home at the moment, but I have a picture or some data of something like that at home in my archives. When I get back home I`ll try to find it.

Alan T.

[zoom240]

Phoenix_400, In 1977-78, they were selling only 260Z's in Europe. The 280Z's were marketed in the US. I know, because I ended up buying a 260Z when I lived in Holland. I thought it was a '74 & imported it back into the states as a 74, only to find out later (from Nissan), that it was manufactured between 9/77 and 6/78. My VIN starts with GRLS30. Brian Long's book, "Datsun Z, Fairlady to 280Z" says that the 280Z was for the American market. A few might have slipped into Europe, who knows? Long's book also has a summary of VIN codes - the S31's were Fairlady Z's(Z, Z-L, Z-T) , mfrd 1976 - 1978, in Japan. But they all are listed with 2.0 liter engines. Maybe EVA, or some previous owner, just nabbed a 2.8L engine bound for the US & popped it into your car? Presto - performance.

You have to watch the import laws. I believe if the car's more than 25 yrs old, you don't have to update it for bumpers & environmental (which I doubt the webers would pass). But it's worth checking to make sure the rules haven't changed.

You've got the Z bug bad.... you can tell by the itch when you talk about a test drive. Good luck.

[Phoenix_400]

I know the stock internals are stout on these cars, i just meant things like head work, cam, ect. Like i said, i guess i'll find out once that guy gets out there and actually cranks the thing up.

This guy's convinced it was built for racing for a European family, but considerin' it's near Ft. Bragg theres no tellin' where it came from. and that airdam has the lettering molded into it. "EVA DATSUN Z" in reverse lettering like on an ambulance, so it reads right if you see it through a rear view mirror. Its got wheel in this sorta cross or tapered x design, i completely forgot to check the size on it.

It has full interior, ac controls, and radio, there's 3 switches down where the console meets the dash that poke up outta the console strangely. and also a small panel added to the bottom of the dash between the steering wheel and the door, there's supposed to 2 things in there for sure but theres a hole where it looks like one was removed. I'm guessin' another switch or button or something. speedo reads 180kph. and the dash clock was still runnin too(Frikkin' wish half the gauges worked on my T/A. you'll never find a second gen w/ the tic-toc-tach still in full working order)

[Phoenix_400]

Hey Zoom,

I don't worry about emissions and crap anyway. All my cars are registered back home in Alabama. NO emissions testing or inspections. You wouldn't believe how many of my old redneck buddies cut off their cats, gut em out, and either have glasspacks,cherry bombs, or straight pipes and run around all day long with em. My bird has true duals no cats and glasspacks. with an edelbrock intake minus the smog crap and it used to have a holley double pumper on it.

One plus about livin' in hickville, you can do damn near anything you want to your ride and nobody gives a damn to hassle you about it.

[beandip]

I agree it sounds like you have the 240 itch , sound familar and simular to mine. I think that you should step back and read all the privious posts here again ,and hear what isnt being said right out. Be careful be vary carful . Please remember what Alan T said , this rust can turn into a money pit. Another thing If the rest of the car is in the condition that has been described , do you really expect the engine to be any better ? Vary likely you will need to go through the engine before vary long in addition to the body repair. Especially as you said you planned to race the car. There are clean Zcars out there that are in good shape to start with , wouldent it be better to pay maby 2K more for a car that wont require 5k in repairs ? What I am saying is to not be rushed into this car , just because it has a fairlady emblem and an airdam. Both can be bought on e-bay for cheep. 280zx F54 engines are rather plentyful at this time and are supposedly the strongest blocks a great starting place for a strong runner if that is what you are looking for. Calif and Az are a great place to look for rust free cars , Phoenix , if thats where you are keep looking. I dont think that is what you want to hear, but think about it. We all want to help here ! All the best to you , GAry Portland Or. If I come accross a good one I 'll post it >

[HS30-H]

That reversed lettering moulded into the front airdam / spoiler clinches it; that`s definitely a part I have seen before.

Forget about the "built for racing" and "European family" stories - as I think they are not accurate. I am willing to bet that the car has never been to Europe and was never intended to be a race car.

Sounds to me like a Japanese "Home" market "S31" Fairlady Z ( roughly equivalent to the US spec. "280Z" - but with the L20ET injected 2 litre ). Again, I think it was probably brought back from Japan by a returning serviceman ( sounds like you might be in the right area for this kind thing ).

Now you need to convince yourself that the condition of the car makes it worth getting involved with. Make sure its what you want. As Beandip says, everyone here is friendly and willing to help with advice - so they are not just trying to put you off by making cautionary words that sound negative. Some of us have learned from bad experience that a rusty car is a liability.

Make sure you don`t let those Webers persuade you to buy something thats actually not all that good.

Good luck,

Alan T.

[Ben]

2 things:

1.

180km/h Speedo = Japanese Domestic.

2.

Alan, I've found an error in your info (woot!):

"280Z" - but with the L20ET injected 2 litre ).

L20ET - it's not a C210 GT turbo Skyline, so it would have had an L20E (I know - picky, picky... ROFL).

I too am willing to bet that it's an ex-servicemans' car. Does it have a CDI ignition & no air-cleaners? Both of these are typical Japanese modifications to these cars.

[Phoenix_400]

I appreciate all the warnings you guys have given me. And just to put everyones mind to rest I AM having a friend at body shop going to thoroughly inspect the car Sunday. If its running good and the body is salvagable at a decent price i'll be purchasing it.

Ben- i don't know about the ignition, but i do know that there's no air cleaners on the webers.

Beandip- In past experience at least, most ppl back home'll build the engine, keep it running good, race it till the body falls apart on em and swap it to another body. A lot of the time i've a good a car with mechanicals in decent shape in a body thats been thrashed.

Don't know about this one though, but i'll know for sure by next week

[HS30-H]

Yikes Ben you got me ( Im feeling very far away from home at the moment over here in Japan ). You are dead right, I shouldn`t have tagged a T on the end of that engine spec. ID. Sorry. See what happens when I try to rely on my drink-addled memory.......

Good excuse dept: I`ve found some nice new Skyline books over here and have had my head buried deep in them over the last few days. Maybe that`s where the "L20ET" mis-ident came from.

Regarding the Japanese "Home" market speedos; the one on my ZG goes all the way up to 240KPH. I think all the L24 engined cars all had these in Japan. The 2-Litre L-series cars were probably the ones that only went up to 180. As far as I remember the S20-engined cars ( PS30 and PS30-SB ) went up to 240KPH too ). Makes Phoenix_400`s possible purchase car sound more and more like a Japanese market car that was brought back by a serviceman.

Ben, I share your thoughts about the ignition upgrade and open trumpets on the Webers; that`s typical Japanese street-tuned car stuff. That makes two us who think its a serviceman bring-home job.

Alan T.

[Phoenix_400]

Well, saw the guy about the car today. He's definitly alot nicer guy to talk to in person. Seems pretty cool, definitly likes to fiddle w/ cars. My buddy at the shop got too busy to break and look at it today, but i got look at it. The frame rails under the hood don't have any rust on them. the only it really needs is some surface rust repaired around the doors and a new floor pan on the drivers side.

The admits to not really knowing anything about the engine. But he's gonna try and get the address of the guy he bought it from. Apparently that is the guy who brought it over and did all the mods. Its an L28 block and the carbs are Mikunis, not Webers. The rear one seems to backfire a little but other than that the engine runs sweet. That thing moves too, took her for and test drive and she screams. I don't know which head it has though. I forgot where to look and the only mark i found was an "E" close to center on the drivers side. Cars got a header and exhaust on it already too. tip looks like a copper color.

I guess i'm gonna get the car. Seems like its not gonna be TOO much trouble. Couldn't get the guy to come down on the price though. Too close to tax time,and all little ricers nuts'll be swarmin'.

And the VIN# is GS31~003232

[beandip]

I am not supprised from the way you were answering the past posts . Keep us informed on your progress , and what you find when you get into your process of cleaning up and repair. I hope that she is all that you expect . Gary