First Z 3rd Datsun

[TheGoat]

Hey everyone, new here and new to the S30 platform but not to datsun's in general. I'm 23 from Atlantic Canada and currently have a 1971 510 2 door with a 2.1 long rod (45 webers, 530/306 Isky cam,ported peanut head with Z car valves, comp header and plenty more) that I turned every bolt on myself except for the engine machine work. Car is done up in an older style, no newer style parts, even has an old Hitachi 8 track player. Also have a 1974 620 that's bone stock and going to be my parts hauler once it gets freshened up a bit, probably getting a KA here soon. 

I just picked up a 1977 280z and am very excited to get working on it! The car is from Arizona and a friend who heads down there frequently and brings back old datsun's brought it to my attention. 

Up here in the north finding a solid datsun is quite the struggle and a reasonably priced one even more so, so was very happy to get pictures showing not a spot of rust on the car  (which makes me very jealous of you guys in the south.) The car should be making the trip up here around April so have lots of time to plan up my build just need to narrow down my options. 

And some pics of course

She doesn't look like much in the pics but it runs, drives and stops as it sits and will get the doors/fenders/hood thrown on before being shipped. The main thing that sold me was how clean it is underneath

Interior isn't horrible, but then I have some extra Z seats lying around after getting some to swap into my 510. Dash is cracked but not a big deal to grab a new cap

Now I've already done the L series thing with the 510 and I love them, but the power to dollar ratio is pretty horrid so looking to stay a bit with this project. My initial thoughts are on either a rb25 or single turbo 5.3 lsx. The 5.3's initial price is attractive but damn t56's are expensive.... if anyone has a good alternative please share haha.

Hope to learn lots and recieve some wisdom in all things s30, glad to be a part of the forum!

[Zed Head]

4 minutes ago, TheGoat said:

She doesn't look like much in the pics

Now I've already done the L series thing with the 510 and I love them, but the power to dollar ratio is pretty horrid so looking to stay a bit with this project. My initial thoughts are on either a rb25 or single turbo 5.3 lsx.

Indeed....

Those are both expensive starting points, in general.  But they make power.  So your plan is to build a hot-rod Z?  Drag-racing?  The 5.3 alone gives a super power-to-weight ratio.  The turbo would make it ridiculous.  What's your plans?

[TheGoat]

8 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Indeed....

Those are both expensive starting points, in general.  But they make power.  So your plan is to build a hot-rod Z?  Drag-racing?  The 5.3 alone gives a super power-to-weight ratio.  The turbo would make it ridiculous.  What's your plans?

In all honesty the turbo on the 5.3 is probably just me dreaming, so easy to make power with them it's hard not to. A slightly modified L33 is probably more realistic of what I'd do. The car wouldn't be a drag car but I'd probably take it to the strip a few times just to see what it could do, probably just a weekend/nice day cruiser. 

[grannyknot]

Goat, that Z looks like a great starting point for anything you want to do, unless you are a glutton for punishment, stick with an engine swap that has been done a few times and is well documented. The rb25 is a good choice, have a look at at Hybridz, http://forums.hybridz.org/  

There are lots of threads there on that swap that will make your build go easier.  Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Chris

[Zed Head]

Good luck.  I'd put the car together and give it a drive before buying any engines.  The little L6 can make plenty of power.  The 280Z 2.8 liter engine is 1/3 bigger than what you had.  

If I read the pictures right, it's an automatic?  You could add clutch pedal and gear to your to-dream list.  You'll need that for whatever engine.  I just spend a week encased in snowy roads here in Oregon so I understand the need to dream.  I don't know how you guys survive (mentally) up there.

[heyitsrama]

I was driving in the hills of SF on Tuesday and thought to myself.


Could not stop laughing.
Do you guys have to get cars smogged in Canada?

[wheee!]

Not in Alberta!

[grannyknot]

Not in Ontario, not if the car is 1987 or older.

[Dr. 240Z]

Nor in New Brunswick

[TheGoat]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! 

My initial plans are to do some general maintenance on the car first then probably suspension/wheels and drive it with the l28 while I figure out my engine dilemma. 

 

And good eye, the car is an auto now, I've done a manual conversion on my 510 already with a 280zx trans so have an idea of what I'm getting into. 

 

 

[Patcon]

@TheGoat

I agree I would wait on the engine upgrades for a little while. Get it going then decide how much more power the car needs. I have ridden in an LS powered car and it is brutal fast as in jail time fast, but the car felt like it was going to disintegrate. The chassis is not designed for that king of torque and as I get older I just want a quick car. I am not trying to set land speed records any more...also an L28et would be almost a plug and play upgrade for a 280z. An intercooler and a boost controller it will make decent power for a fairly light car.

 

As an aside there is a 510 section on this forum too. Feel free to post up some pictures of your dime there, maybe a thread on the 5 speed swap. I need to do that on my son's goon sometime before long, would love a good how to...

Welcome aboard