Trys_Hard

nice looking air dam but kinda big.

Thanks that color is 307 Metallic Blue sometimes called Pacific Blue. For the most part they did a great job, except for the muffler which I have heard hundreds of comments by now. I'm pretty sure it will all burn off. The Wheels are 14x7 Konig Rewinds, and the tires are 225/60/14 Yokohama Avid S/T's. They are 360 treadwear but do grip fairly well, they are not a Falken Azenis but then few tires are. I have a set of 15" Turbo wheels with Falkens on them for autocrossing. Art

The muffler and the gas tank on the other side. They will repaint them silver. They are also correcting some minor blemishes. This is not a frame up restore, its just repainting a relatively clean car to begin with that had faded paint. I plan on driving this car almost daily, (I rotate between 3 Z's) but this is my most fun car. Its meant to be a 5/5 car 5' or 5 mph it looks great if you inspect it with a microscope you will find some flaws. Since it will see significant autocross time I don't expect the paint to remain perfect for long. Maybe someday I will go the whole way but I forsee the next 5 to 10 years this paint job holding up just fine. Art

Well this paint job still cost $2500 it is with good paint (2 stage) and good prep, slipped them a little extra to make sure. I'm still waiting on the pin striping. Art

What do you think? http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=4652 Art

I'll try to bring this back on topic. I was a junior in HS when the first Z came out. I fell in love with them then. But it was until I was 50 before I got my first Z. My first car was a 65 VW, followed by a 66 MGB, then a 72 340 Duster, a 65 Karmen Ghia, A 1981 Black Magic Capri, an 88 Ford Tempo, a 95 Eagle Talon, I still own my next car a 1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R, which brings us up to my 1975 Pacific Blue 280Z which I picked up in late 2003 for $500.00. Now approximately $5K later its ready for paint. But its not over, two months ago I pick up almost showroom quality 81 ZX which even though it is an auto it is a blast to drive. And just this week I picked up my third Z a 1983 Grey 280ZXT 5 speed! Who ho It goes on a transport truck 2/1/05 and I should have my greedy hands on it by the 7th. I had someone check this car out for me so I haven't had a chance to drive it yet. In Z heaven! Art

I'm in the same boat as soymilk. I am ready to paint my 75 280Z. I don't want to sell the car, I do want a nice paint job. I also want to drive the car as a shared daily driver along with my 81 280ZX, with the 280Z getting the lions share because well its just a more fun car, just not as comfortable. So I anguish over spending 4-5K on a paint job and stress over every chip or ding. Or I can pay 2K get a nice 2 stage paint job with quality paint and decent prep and not get all stressed out when there is a dump truck full of dirt and rocks on the freeway ahead of me, which happens a lot here in LA. Good Prep, a clean shop, and good craftsmen are critical, but so was price. So I decided that I would go with a Maico, 1 Day type of place but I would investigate all the ones in the area and find out which ones were the best. I found two places which I have seen their work, and it is good. You have to look hard to find flaws but they are there but hard to find. I am going with the 1day in Glendale. For about 2K I am getting a 2 stage paint job with some minor body work and rust repair. I have only a couple of dings to fix and some rust on the cowl. I seen several Z's painted there and they look good. Even some that were painted a few years ago. So that another alternative for you. One other thing, they said they would need the car for a week. I admit they won't take the car to the metal, but if it looks good and lasts and your not afraid to drive the car every day, that good enough for me. Whats good enough for others can be different. I have posted some before pics. I about three weeks I can post some after pics.

You live in OC same as Motorsport Auto! Your mechanic wasn't willing to look, AC and brakes there's no way it should take even a day to get the parts. I think you've been sold a bill of goods. Not to brag but I make enough to own a new 350Z but my 280Z is my daily driver by choice and with 257K+ miles its as dependable as you get. There are several Z specialist in your area. If you own a Z you should learn how to do simple repairs on it.

I read all 8 pages of the Chicken Coup Z but never found out what happened in the end. Anyone know how it all turned out? Art

With 275 in the front you may be overdamping the springs at 6 clicks. Try experimenting with lower settings. I've even used 1 click with success. The koni's are notorious for over damping Bump.

Yes Struts up front, and a Multi-Link Independant Rear.

On my Sentra which weighs about 2380 I have them set at 3. I used to run it at 6. But since changing to down to 3 the suspension is more compliant and the overall grip is better in turns. The autocross lots we typically run in including the nationals are bumpy and you need to keep the bump low so you don't skate in the corners. What spring rates are you running? I am currently running 380F/400R. Of course this is a FWD car. I am planning to go to 550F. Art