S30Driver

Good job Geoff! I can't believe they don't have a head they can cross ship for you, maybe one with an internally oiled cam. Did you ever do anything with your clutch... (remember a helper is but a IM or phone call away)

Sorry it didn't work out well, but good that you were thorough and passed on them. Now you have a good idea of what to look for. Maybe some trusted members within a reasonable distance can check others out for you as you find them.

The vented part of the cowl area should be a plastic section held in by screws. The surrounding metal area is not removable unless you cut it out. I don't think overall the S130's rusted any worse than the 1st gen cars, just in some different places. (spare tire well, front of the hood) The T tops added another area where water can get past the seals and start rust. Maybe because they are newer, there are more of them still running around on the road, not well maintained, which makes them seem like they are more prone to rust.

Very nice! Is that rear carpet from motorsport? Any sign on the return of your motor?

Yes, I think those rails get flattened by years of going up on shop lifts with the pads in the wrong places. I think almost all the zx's I've looked at have had that issue.

Sounds like you're doing a thorough job checking them out. Better luck on the red car.

If the cold start valve system is actually working (7th injector mounted on the intake), the motor is in tune, and the charging system / battery is up to snuff, it should start. If the AAR is working properly, it should idle without your foot on the gas pedal. From my past trips to Chicago in the winter, it gets very cold there.

Good luck on your road trip Sarah. (I wonder what car she took, maybe the 78...)

Always liked those snowflake stock wheels. They look great on the black turbo car.

Getting serious about that turbo car... Out of interest, what did they want for instrument cluster? I'm going to guess you got a great deal. That speedo is highly sought after.

They look more sporty & stylish than the pedestrian looking ZX seats. Other than that, there are better choices.

Very, very, nice! If mine were not in good shape, I would be all over those, especially with today's sale. Probably cheaper than getting the originals re-chromed.

Dennis is correct. The national speed limit of 55 went into effect in 1974 as a response to the oil embargo shortage, and was not rescinded until 1986. many of the auto manufacturers changed the speedometers to reflect the low speed. I remember driving in those days well. Took forever to get from upstate NY to western PA.

The 79 thru 83 main instrument clusters are all the same except the 79 is the only one with the 130 mph speedo. You can change just the speedo. Also, the sensor for the cruise control needs to be moved from the 82/83 to the back of the 79 if you want to retain that. The only other difference with the turbo instruments is the boost gauge instead of the clock, and an oil temp gauge. You will want to replace the stock boost gauge, I put in an autometer boost/vacuum in its place. Should be able to find the voice module fairly easy from any 83 parts car, most of which are GL models. It is in the passenger side spare tire area, in the front of the wheel well area. Had a couple a while back, like a little mini whurlitzer jukebox inside, has a little record with betty's recordings on it. "your lights are on" "your fuel is low" etc. Have to look and see if I still have one of the records. You are right, the wiring is there on all models. The amp is under the passenger side dash & interfaces to play thru the front radio center speaker. You can still hear betty faintly without the amp & speakers. Most owners put in an aftermarket radio and didn't bother or couldn't hook poor betty up again.

Hey Sarah I agree about the ZX seats, they a very basic & I never liked them in any of the turbo Z's I have owned, (3). Miata seats are a popular conversion. As for the speedo, easiest to do is swap the entire gauge cluster from the 79, it will plug right in. You can change just the speedo as well but it is more work. Betty comes with the GL models (grand luxury), which unfortunately all have the digital dash. I don't think you would want the digital dash, speedo is 85mph & the tach is basically useless. Swapping the digital to analog is not a trivial job, not sure if you can retain Bitchin Betty after you do that. james

Don't know about the seats, but I'm guessing the rails were modified to get them in. It does have the speedo swapped to a 130mph one from a 79 ZX. Much better than the stock 85mph unit. Since it has the analog dash as opposed to digital, it should also have the manual climate controls. Looks like it has not run for a while, hopefully the price is very negotiable. I'm guessing Sarah, that you are not actually interested in that actual car, and just wondering if the S30 seats will fit one. james

What a terrible situation with that reconditioned head. Good that you caught it early though, before major damage. Best of luck getting it all sorted out.

Sarah, if you do go the S130 turbo route, make certain it is an 82 or 83 model with the analog dash & manual climate control. It is not a trivial job to convert the digital dash & automatic climate controls in the GL models back. On the plus side, you get power steering, power windows, rear disc brakes, cruise, etc. I vote you keep your beloved 78z. james

Looks like the pipe for the Exhaust Gas Re-circulation Valve. Tough to find a used one that is not already broken. I'm sure it could be welded. Many people delete it, as the parts parts can be expensive, a bolt in the threaded hole of the exhaust manifold & a block off plate where the EGR valve is.

Doug's advice was right on. I would have had a local to the car member assist with the sale before commitment to the deal.

Very nice Scot! Added those to my winter project list.

Those are stock ZX Iron Cross wheels. Came on the 79 & 80 ZX's. I think you will find that they are 14" rims.

I have owned three 83 turbo zx's. The Crank Angle Sensor for 82 & 83 is located in the bottom of the distributor. Mine would fail while driving, probably after it heated up. Replaced it with NAPA module, about $100. No problems after that.

Great looking chrome front bumper. May have to rethink my re-chrome of the rear bumper this winter & just buy a new one.

Looks absolutely beautiful. Great color. How did you find him?