sblake01

Did you buy that (the dealership sign) on eBay? I think I saw it there some time ago. I only ask because there is always stuff like that on there from time to time and it always seems so overpriced.

Sounds like someone's thoughts based on some facts and some personal opinions.

So it actually sounds to me like your old one was okay and just needed to be properly adjusted.

Whatever!

Nice car. I like the wheels. Those factory alloys are getting harder and harder to find. I have them on my 78. They're shown as optional for the earlier models like yours but I never see them on anything but 77-78s. Some even wrongly refer to them as the Black Pearl Edition wheels. Anyway, if it was me, I'd try to find the 73 bumpers and keep it original. JMO.

Don't do it! Get the radiator. I doubt if that thing would help with a cooling system problem anyway. It was designed to alleviate heat related fuel system problems on flat top carbureated cars. The only way I'd buy one of those would be if it was cheap like under 50 bucks and it would be to hang on the wall in my garage not put on a car.

Congrats, Ron! Living here in SoCal, I've had many opportunities to see the car in preson. And it's even more stunning up close than in print. As well as to have met John Morton at one of the old "Surfside" Datsun shows.

Well, I guess that I've accepted it. At my age, I refuse to pay more for something than I personally think it's worth. Getting what you want when you want it is not always and option. Besides, that can cause one to lower their standards somewhat.

That's basically what I said on page three. But as cegrover said, that doesn't mean that the Z33 wasn't part of the original plan for that platform.

Ya think???

Ain't worth $9000+.

I don't know if you'd say 'born from' but from what I've read, they share what Nissan calls the 'FM' platform which was a new platform in 2001. The Z was produced in early 2002 and released for the 2003 model year. So the G35 actually does precede the 350Z.

You know, that not really true. In the U.S. they changed the way that horsepower was reported for the 1979 model year from gross hp which had previously been used to net hp which shows a lower number. I think we've discussed that in other threads.

Ya almost had me there, Jason!

I have a 78 and in the past I have owned a 70 and a 72. Like Arne said and others alluded to, you can't really compare them. The smog check thing isn't really and issue. Both of my cars (the Z and the 810) pass every two years witn no problem. I have developed a pretty good understanding of the EFI system over the years and have a lot of replacement components should I ever need them. My 78 is very solid and does everything it was designed to do and perhaps a little more due to some of the improvements I've made in the A/C system, suspension, electrical, etc. I wouldn't exactly call this EFI system 'modern' however. For the point that I am at in my life, I prefer the 280Z. Less tinkering, and parts are somewhat easier to find. As far as being the most refined version of the S30? I don't know. It was just the last S30. And also the point where my interest in these cars ends. Nothing wrong with people being interested with the later Zs, S31, Z31-2-3, but I don't compare those to other Datsuns. An S31, maybe, but the rest don't have much, if anything, in common with an S30. But, I digress. It's all a matter of personal preference. I love the 240Z. It was the first new car and the first Datsun I ever owned.

The 280Z never had T-tops. And the 2+2 actually began with 260Z.

The 78 280Zs came with a R200 if they were a manual trans and a R180 if they were an automatic.

That would depend on how you drive your car. 'Drag racing' and 'drag racing from stoplight to stoplight' (neither of which I do anymore) are two different things. First year ZXs (79) had 3.70 rear ends like the 810s. The 3.90 came in the 80-83. I have the stock 3.54 in my 78 w/an 83 5 speed and for the way I drive, it's fine.

1/8th mile? Not sure you'd make that with just Webers and exhaust.

The is no difference. Same part numbers from 70 thru 78.

Turbo motors generally have lower compression heads, different electronics, exhaust, injectors, fuel pump, and differences in the oiling system. Not having much experience with the VG30E and the VG30ET, I would still say you can't just bolt on the turbo and expect the NA engine to work properly if at all.

That's how I bought my 1970. Not much of a story really. I was on the waiting list and one came in that was actually for someone a few cars ahead of me but they didn't want the tan interior. There were seven or so people ahead of me but somehow I was given the chace to buy it and I did. It's long gone now, I traded it in for a 72 and I can't find it (the 70) on any of the Z registers. I don't recall the 72s VIN but the 70 was 00488.

Take a look at the check valve and make sure it's not letting the fuel flow back.

The 280Z, 280ZX, 810, and 80-84 Maxima all use the same injector on the NA engines. I don't have any experience with the turbo injectors but they do flow more fuel an I wouldn't put them on a non modified NA engine. The extra fuel would create a rich condition and would have adverse effects on you catalytic converter. I notice that you are in California, your car is a 77 so I assume you still have to smog check.

Good catch, Arne! After looking again, I notice the lack of turn signal indicators.