Davey G

Anybody?

I want good street performance, not a track car. 1) The car is bone stock right now with the exception of removing the front muffler, having only a rear glasspack. So, what mods are possible with a stock EFI setup (if any), and where would I start to get into problems? 2) What would a Megasquirt upgrade involve beside the new fuel rail, what would I gain power-wise, and what would the cost be? Thanks for the help. Davey G

As the paint and suspension work are finishing up I'm wishing to formulate some engine upgrade strategies, probably in phases. Since the 280Z is fuel injected I want some help with knowing how far I can go with it. Mr. Cerutti's 280 is on far far end on my thinking - computer programmed 280 ZXT, raced out, etc., so that might be consider Phase 4 with an EFI engine. That said, what would be Phase 1 with the stock engine? My inexperienced thinking says K&N intake, 6-into-1 headers, 2.5" exhaust, upgraded coil, advanced timing, basically bolt-on stuff. Phase 2 at rebuild time perhaps a cam, lighter flywheel. Thoughts?

Here's a few pictures from down under (no offense Aussie bros). What am I up against...and how soon?

Well, it needed the taillight gaskets as well. It's a small fortune in rubber for these things! But I can't wait to get it all on and drive it to test wind noise. I got the J.C. Whitney window channel seals that have been suggested, so that should help.

I have read here on the forum that if the driver's window is down, but not the passenger's window it creates quite a vacuum that pulls fumes into the cabin. From my experience this is true. With both windows down I have many less exhaust smells. I am chasing down my exhaust fume sources as well.

After getting initial engine tuning (including reworked AFM), and the struts and bushing work done I'm moving on to some minor body improvements. The paint was freshly done just before I got the car. No, it is not the original color, nor did they do the door jams, door ends, or engine bay. With the engine running well it will be a while before the engine bay gets painted since this is currently a daily driver. The paint job was so so, but in a color I liked - let's call it grey metallic (not silver, as it is a much darker silver than the original silver or even the BMW silver) as you see in my avatar. I dropped it off with my paint and body friend this morning to get a few nicks worked on and a final light sanding (2000 grit) and polish. He will finish door jambs and door ends in the process as well. When done the new weatherstripping will go on - not every piece, but everything that is damaged/torn/missing. Once I know it'll shed water I'll move to the inside. ???Should I do the seat upholstery, or the CD/MP3 player, or the carpet/insulation first???. The carpet is new, cheap, and with completely botched installation. But being new...and black, no one can tell but me right now. Thoughts?

So far, I have found the following problems caused by the previous owner of this 280Z: - completely wrong timing - AFM ground wire left disconnected - AFM mounting plate left unattached - wires from battery to coil not tightened on coil - all clamps on brake boost hoses left untightened I'm sure I'll be adding to this list.

The smoke seems to have cleared up for the most part now that the oil level is down to the "full" mark rather than 1/4 quart over. The car is running better today. I found the grounding wire from the AFM was not reconnected after replacing it :stupid:. Seems to have leaned out a bit, reving smoother. Took a trip from Houston to Galveston and back today...60 degrees...sunny...lower humidity, including Ben-N-Jerry's on the seawall. All-in-all a good Z day. I drove it hard and the car did not complain. Planning to get the weatherstripping on this week, which should cut down the wind noise some.

Also noticed that the oil level looked like it was about 1/4 quart past full. Noticed in the manual that 4 3/4 quart was how much to put in. Would the extra 1/4 quart cause the blow-by?

The top end was less than 15,000 miles back (head still shiny and no gasket leaks), though I did not own the car when it was done, so who knows how it was done. I can pull the valve cover for an inspection of valves, etc. But, I do have a small exhaust leak up by the manifold that needs fixing. I'll let you know what I find out.

Oh I took it out for a long drive immediately upon completion. I maintained stock height for a daily driver, utilizing the original springs. Now on to weatherstripping and upholstery/headliner.

Ok, after getting the suspension redone (fabulous) I am noticing a thin bluish-white smoke coming from the exhaust when accelerating (friend was driving with me following). Also when decelerating there is a small backfire/fart sound. The tailpipe also looks oily/sooty. It runs/idles well. What's going on?

WOW! What a huge difference! It feels like a sports car again!

The parts for the suspension work came in today - new struts (KYB), bushings, tie-rod ends, strut mount insulators and bearings, sway bar end links, steering rack boots. When all together I'll see how the differential mount is doing. Rear control arms have new urethane. The car continues to run well, though a bit loud with only the rear muffler. It looks good on the exterior. Next it will get new weatherstripping (already in possession) and doors adjusted, and be taken on a day road trip! :classic: Then new foam & upholstery. I've already added new hood bumpers and levelers, new vent cowl grommets, new hatch door rubber bumpers and interior rivets. It's coming along!

Which one did you decide on? Pics?

I lucked out and won the bid @ $30.

Let us know how they work.

Seats are my next refurb, so I appreciate the info. Mine will go into the 280Z, and MSA note says the foam needs some mods to work with 280 seat frames. What, if anything, did you have to modify?

The '78 280Z came with a steering column cover that was twist wrapped because the screw holes were stripped out. I was able to find one on eBay and replaced it last night. I also found a new rearview mirror that was not all eaten up like the current one, but I haven't figured out how to mount it yet (haven't tried yet). The new weatherstripping goes on this week , along with some other new rubber bumpers, etc. It's coming along, but no new seats till I know it doesn't leak. The new struts and bushings are coming in this week as well . Excited Davey G

The '78 280Z is running well. But the strange thing is that as the RPM climbs, the tach tops out around 3900-4000 RPM - the tach, not the engine. What's up?

ZCurves I'd like that. I'll PM with some dates soon. Davey G

The suspension components are ordered, and hopefully on their way. Also some weatherstripping. Fuel filter, seat foam, and new vinyl come next.

Possibly. It was ugly under there.

I'm 2 weeks into ownership on this car and there's a ways to go. It has 2 glass packs, but the routing on the pipe takes it under the differential, slightly left. I can lift the pipe and it hits the diff. So today I had the shop look at it. Turns out the front glass pack had a pipe shoved all the way thru, making it like no muffler at all. And the glass pack in the rear was turned backwards. So I had them take the front pack out and brought back new pipe, routed correctly around the diff, and attached the rear pack the right way around. It breathes a bit better now, and looks better too.