The Car I Always Wanted

[81_ZXTurbo]

Hi everyone. After lurking these forums for a good long while, I figured I'd sign up. I finally got the car I've always wanted - A 1981 Datsun "by Nissan" 280ZX Turbo. I am so excited to get started on fixing up my new ride. Although it runs and drives fine, it will need a lot of work in the months to come.

I'm not going to sell my Honda yet!

[Oiluj]

Congrats and welcome! This is the best board on the web, filled with helpful, knowledgeable people.

[inmocean]

You found the right spot for info...

My first Z was an 81 ZX as well, although mine was an NA...that car took me away from MG's and I've had at least one Z ever since...

Good luck

[esprist]

Hi everyone. After lurking these forums for a good long while, I figured I'd sign up. I finally got the car I've always wanted - A 1981 Datsun "by Nissan" 280ZX Turbo. I am so excited to get started on fixing up my new ride. Although it runs and drives fine, it will need a lot of work in the months to come.

I'm not going to sell my Honda yet!

That is a cool ride.

So it is AT right? 81 Turbo only came with AT if I remomber right........

[81_ZXTurbo]

I'm not sure what either NA or AT are...

[Bruce Palmer]

NA - normally aspirated.... non-turbo

AT - Automatic Transmission

[81_ZXTurbo]

It's turbo and standard transmission. Not sure how that happened, from everything I have read the 81 turbos were all automatic, and yet, mine has a standard and as far as I can tell the turbo came stock (it has the stickers on the side and above the license plate it reads "super sport". Inside the door jamb it claims to be an '81 model, also is registered as so. Only thing I can figure is the standard tranny was swapped in, and yet, the pedal, shifter, and master and slave cylinders all appear stock and not hacked in at all.

A mystery?

[tlorber]

Welcome. I'll tell you this, if your car will only need work in the "months to come" either A) The car is in extremely good shape you are a very fast worker or C) you are an optimist. You'll find that with the info on this site there are endless upgrades that can be done. In any case, I'm sure you'll enjoy the process.

[sblake01]

It's turbo and standard transmission. Not sure how that happened, from everything I have read the 81 turbos were all automatic, and yet, mine has a standard and as far as I can tell the turbo came stock (it has the stickers on the side and above the license plate it reads "super sport". Inside the door jamb it claims to be an '81 model, also is registered as so. Only thing I can figure is the standard tranny was swapped in, and yet, the pedal, shifter, and master and slave cylinders all appear stock and not hacked in at all.

A mystery?

The 'super sport' sticker aren't stock. I have a copy of the 1981 'Turbo suppliment'. The only trans shown in it is an automatic. Tranny swaps are done all the time. If the right parts were used, you wouldn't be able to tell. Here's a scan from that suppliment. Note that the automatic trans is the only trans shown (under refill capacities). It's a scan of a scan so I'm sorry the scans aren't better.

Edited March 5, 2010 by sblake01

[81_ZXTurbo]

Welcome. I'll tell you this, if your car will only need work in the "months to come" either A) The car is in extremely good shape you are a very fast worker or C) you are an optimist. You'll find that with the info on this site there are endless upgrades that can be done. In any case, I'm sure you'll enjoy the process.

It already is running, drives pretty well, so I don't see anything major needing to be done right off the bat. I am however, going to do the standard stuff - new belts (timing included), new water pump, and definitely change the oil, filter, and oil pump. Any other suggestions? I've heard these eat clutches so I'm going to just run it on the clutch thats in it until it needs a replacement.

And yes, the car is in EXTREMELY good shape considering how old it is and how long it may have been sitting. Good thing I get free help working on it!

[esmit208]

Hey 81

The factory put the holes in the firewall of all those models. It was easier (and cheaper). When I say holes I mean the holes for the clutch master cylinder. Have a look at one with auto trans and they should have a covering grommet over them. The swap shouldn't be a hack job because the only items needed are the slave and master cylinders, clutch and brake assembly.

[littleAngel89]

Hi everyone. After lurking these forums for a good long while, I figured I'd sign up. I finally got the car I've always wanted - A 1981 Datsun "by Nissan" 280ZX Turbo. I am so excited to get started on fixing up my new ride. Although it runs and drives fine, it will need a lot of work in the months to come.

I'm not going to sell my Honda yet!

Wow, that's really great. I hope that some day I will have a car of my own. In my country, afforting a car is really hard