Hey,
I'm new to the car community in general and looking to start my first build project with a Datsun 280Z.
I've been going through autotrader, cargurus and some japanese sites to find a suitable base car to work on.

I chose the 280Z over the 240 mainly because of the EFI and taillight design.
For appearance, I will definitely be swapping out the front bumper .-. as soon as I can. Also thinking of adding side skirts and a widebody kit.

As for the engine I am still considering whether to stick with the stock L28 or swap to a RB26.
I'm also thinking of doing other modifications to the manifold, turbo, fuel system, suspension and sway bar in the near future.

The end result I'm looking for is a fun car I can use as a daily driver and occasionally on the track.
I want the car to keep most of its original styling with a few modern twists.

I need help with a lot of the specifics and would also like to make an initial estimate on the budget needed.
Any help with this would be much appreciated. Suggestions, improvements, advice, critiques whatever you've got to say!

Edited January 25, 20187 yr by peterth3penguin

Welcome.  Browse the Downloads area for useful files.  Menu on the right - http://www.classiczcars.com/files/

$30,000 at a minimum, unless you plan on doing a lot of it yourself

And even if you do a lot of the work yourself, the cost is going to be much more than just the sum of the nice shiny parts that you buy.  Most hobby-restorers don't really track the costs of the paints, solvents, chemicals, fasteners, special tools, etc. that go into one of these projects.  They add up pretty quickly.

Make a budget, double it and revisit it again often....

Peter,

Welcome to the forum, many Z's over the years have been modified and RB engines are one of the popular choices. If you haven't already have a look at http://forums.hybridz.org/  

It's a site dedicated to modified Z's, they also have a classifieds section, you may find a car that already has some of the mods you want and the price will be a lot less than doing it from scratch. It's a big project you've chosen and it is very easy to buried under the logistics and the expense. I don't mean to dissuade you but it's good to go in with your eyes open.

The Hybridz site is great for the the archives but you will probably get more responses and feedback here on Classiczcar,       happy hunting.

 

Edited January 26, 20187 yr by grannyknot

well my safe choice car is the miata rf, which would set me back 30,000. 

So, I'd much rather have a 280Z that's my own. 

Is there any website that allows configuration of 280z parts? to check for compatibility and prices?

I have been looking at classifieds and the main problem is I don't know what to look for. I have been avoiding all rust buckets ofc but I can't make out what is in good condition and what isn't.

This guy did a fantastic build of a '75 280, then sold it.  Here's the sale thread.  Read down to the bottom of the first post and click on the build thread.

 

Edited January 26, 20187 yr by siteunseen

Hazmatt's car sold for way less than he paid to restore it... Buyer's always win in those situations. Especially on a well documented build like his!

15 minutes ago, wheee! said:

Hazmatt's car sold for way less than he paid to restore it... Buyer's always win in those situations. Especially on a well documented build like his!

Don't ever sale your's! 

 

55 minutes ago, siteunseen said:

Don't ever sale your's! 

 

At least not for what I told the wife it has cost us so far....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Datsun-Z-Series-280Z-V8/162869138425?hash=item25ebc1d3f9:g:NdYAAOSw9V1aaTtB&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Datsun-Z-Series-280ZX/323016678364?hash=item4b354b5bdc:g:Hf4AAOSwa81aKrbf&vxp=mtr

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Datsun-240z-280z-swap-racing-modified/222696241798?hash=item33d9bafa86:g:ZacAAOSwK~RZ9EMr

^ I really like the exterior of this last one o: pretty much the colour combo I would use.

Can you guys take a look at these and see if any are worth the asking price or worth negotiating for?

Thanks!