zbane

Yokohama Avids! Great price to performance ratio!!!

Welcome aboard, it's nice to see another 79! I might suggest making just a couple little upgrades, nothing major, and see how it feels. These upgrades really just make sense, and might even be considered proper maintenance: 1. Tokico struts, or similar semi/performance struts 2. Lighter aftermarket rims (though not necessary) and a set of performance tires (several of us are running on Yoko Avid Something you should do is check your brake lines-they may be originals...

There are two floats, it is possible that the connections that transmit levels to the gauge are corroded. It is also possible that the electrical connectors are loose, disconnected, or corroded. While the thread I am about to link to may not relate to your current situation, I have the feeling you will be needing to read it sooner or later... http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22301

Curious about one thing: Is the radio original or after market? If it's after market, who knows what electrical lines were severed to get that working. I agree with Stephen about the switches. Remove your door panels and check connections. I would wager that they are corroded and not making contact somewhere.

Pop the hood, look just to the right of the radiator cap (passenger side) on the radiator support crossmember. There should be a sticker there giving you your three digit paint code. If not, just post a good photo of your paint. If you choose this method, go for a section of the car that rarely sees sunlight, like the spare tire wheel well. FWIW

Thanks, Brandon! There certainly were some nice sounding cars going by, be they stock or modified (there is something nice to the sound of the wastegate opening). I wonder how many of the cars in your vid are members here?

Arne, that's perfect. I just wanted everyone to see just how "parted out" a car could be, and all I see left on yours are some panels, and the aforementioned suspension. Great job recycling as much as possible, and helping to keep so many others motoring!

There have been some interesting points made throughout this entire thread, both for the good and bad sides of this (or any) "outrageous" modification of a Z car. But let us not forget that there are several "accepted" modifications that have been done that dramatically change the way a Z looks. The Ferrari GTO kit and the Pantera rear deck lid both come instantly to mind (I imagine there are others out there besides convertibles that I'm not thinking of). I'm not against either of the mods I just mentioned, that should be known; however I wonder what the Ferrari owners think of the re bodied Z car; perhaps about the same as some feel about the re-chassising of the Z car at the head of this thread.

I've always wondered what happens to race cars that have been "retired." Looks like some of them end up on epay! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___NISSAN-ZX-T-LOLA-T810-GTP-RACE-CAR_W0QQitemZ300226089869QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300226089869ebayphotohosting Wouldn't it be nice...

Arne, do you have any photos of the stripped out shell so that all may see just how much can be removed before being considered DOA (or in the yellow cars case, almost DOA)?

Agreed. The Solstice and its Saturn cousin are sharp. The only problem with both is their utter lack of interior space. It's so cramped in there that I couldn't even get in one to test drive. Being 6'4" with size 12 feet makes finding a "fitting" sports car (for a reasonable price) difficult. On that same token, a friend of mine offered to let me drive his 350, I sat in it and felt that I was sitting in a truck, due to having to slide the seat all the way back, sitting bolt upright so that I could work the pedals while barely clearing the steering wheel with my knees.

John, I remember how happy you were to get her; it's sad to see you letting her go... I hope that someone who loves her as much as you have will find that little beauty, and I honestly wish I had the cash to take her off your hands Of course if you were interested in trading for an I30...

When I went last year, there were 2 motorcycle fatalities on just the day I was there... The roads are not for the faint of heart, nor for those that feel they can go fast because they've got "fast" cars (or motorcycles).

It's not for a Z31 (300zx). The 280zx nomenclature is S130, and I can tell that that is what this one is for by the headlight bucket cutouts. Though the one being listed in the ebay link you've posted is indeed for a Z31, as it states.

Just don't try to shift using the wrong stick...!

Symmetrical, BRE or Sharp, and/or pinstripes. I think racing stripes work very well with the contours of the Z, and I do like period correct racing trim (but only on cars set up to back that heritage: racing trim won't make it go faster), but on a monotone car, pinstripes can accentuate the curves very well.

I agree Stephen that the Z would need a lot of work, but the underside does indeed appear clean. It is out of my league in terms of workability, but for someone with more skill/time/storage... The 610, however, was driven in under it's own power (original owner, an instructor at Clemson, died; wife wanted it gone) and apparently had an easy life. Internal parts (head gasket especially) would probably be harder to find than most, but it seems so hard to pass up (partly for its overall condition-interior especially; partly for its rarity)...

And the possible best for last... I won't be saying just how much the guy wants for the KPL, but I will say that I really hope the other person who has 'dibs' on it will not come through...

And a few more photos...

A nice (being a subjective term) 11/77 280 with a fairly solid battery tray area, complete (albeit messy) interior, solid frame rails and floorpans, excellent glass, and a mostly solid body. Certainly not rust free, but possibly worth considering. The owner of the yard is able to sell the entire vehicle (assuming he can find the title). I must admit I am tempted by this one, as well as a different Datsun on the lot (KPL-610 10/72)... The lot has all sorts of goodies, a great Karmann Ghia shell, Porsche 914, two Fiat x1/9s, Fiat 850 (pretty sad), and an S14 240sx, among other goodies. I ended up getting a set of Z hubcaps ($40!) even though I don't need them, but I didn't want them just rotting away...

So-so. What I like: the louvers, whale tail spoiler, side skirts, wheel flares, iron cross rims. Interesting: use of a Cavalier front bumper. Seems a bit out of place, but I appreciate the creativity needed to find a replacement part off of a completely different vehicle. I wonder how much work went into making it fit; perhaps it was a fairly simple procedure. Just finding s piece that would fit the s30's lines so well would take some patience (unless you just went to another s30) Don't particularly care for the rear lip and tail pipe treatment, nor the seats. It is interesting though. Lot's of work and love went into that one!

Here ya go: Lot's of clips to watch, but you will have fun doing so.

Not always. If there is corrosion, it is usually a white or green residue. It would be best to go from connection to connection and clean them all, then apply some dielectric grease (available at most all parts stores). The function of the grease is to improve conductivity and slow/prevent future corrosion. You may find that some of your connectors have become rather fragile, and they will break. Stephen did a great write up on replacing the FI connectors; I just searched for it but couldn't find it (perhaps he will post the link).

Welcome to the site! Speaking for all of us here, we would love to see some photos of your Z cars!

My guess would be crud in the lines. Have you taken a peek inside your gas tank? I wouldn't be surprised if there is all sorts of stuff in there... Before you go and spend more money, check the tank.