280ZX_NZs 1983 Datsun 280zx T-top

[280zx_nz]

Discussion thread: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/36223-280zx-nzs-1983-datsun-280zx-t-top/

Came across 2x 280zx on trademe, one is in very good condition for its age, L28E 5 speed manual, Targa top, low k's, only done 180,000, mint untouched interior, 14x8" rims, little bit of rust, worst being in front of bonnet, needs to be reconstructed at some stage. Exhaust system was very rusty as you expect of a car of such age. It still has factory spare wheel that hasn't been inflated, tyre is compressed in, i'll take a photo. Jack and tool kit is untouched too, all of it looks new! The other 280zx, well, its far too gone, extremely rusted, but has some very useful and hard to get parts.

Since then, I have done the following things:

-Put in Black interior out of a JDM Fairlady Z

-2.5" exhaust, lukey muffler,Twin 3" pipes attached to a 5zigen muffler.

-17x9 and 17x9.5 Rota RBXs, 245/45/17 tyres all round

-Recovered parceltray and surrounding bits to match the interior, it was covered in horrible grey carpet beforehand.

-Bumpers are off a JDM fairlady Z, chrome parts aren't in the best of condition though.

-Tail lights and Chrome between side windows are also off a JDM fairlady.

Most likely left stuff out.

Been a few months since I purchased it, here are some before photos:

And these were taken just before Christmas:

Still got to prep passengers side guard and touch up drivers side, the paint reacted with something in a couple of areas, I'm thinking the primer absorbed something. Was meant to have this ready a month ago but that didn't quite happen haha. In pursuit of more power, the running gear was ripped out and purchased a L28ETT that was on Trademe for a very nice sum of $500, freshly rebuilt, externally it wasn't the nicest but inside, clean as hell:

The guy I got it off said it was a Early N42 block with a P90 head. Turns out it has a N42 head, very interesting bottom end setup. Looks to be a stock L28 crank with L24 rods and O5U oversize rb26dett pistons, according to the L6 series engine calculator, it has a CR of around 7.8:1.

Over the last few weeks I had decided to ditch the weird twin turbo setup and go to a big single, Holset H1E, older version of a HX40 with a equal length twin scroll manifold which i'm getting started on shortly, workshop is hell of a mess.

Engine has been cleaned up, got the old rustic powdercoat off and polished the rockercover:

Removed webbing off the intake manifold and stripped the old paint off it:

Turbo in the picture was one of the pair that came on it, unknown brand, construction of it is fairly good so not cheap Chinese shit, similar trim to a t04e 60. The other turbo was off a l20et

This is how it is sitting at the moment, all rust was treated, etch primed etc:

Only rust was under the battery tray. Quite a bit of the front was chopped off due to a accident, when I was pulling out the old engine the chain broke and it sort of came crashing down onto the radiator support, 2m in the air! Quite a thick chain too. Going to reconstruct it out of 1mm sheet metal and get it looking factory as possible with holes for intercooler piping, the passengers side already had a hole for the air box but none on the drivers side.

Installed gauges, Innovative MTX-L wideband, 3x Autogauge gauges, boost, oil pressure and water temperature.

So pretty much, the engine setup will be comprised of the following items/setup:

-1mm steel headgasket

-Bosch D-Jetronic 480cc injectors, RB20DET fuel pressure regulator

-Holset WH1E turbo, 14cm2 turbine housing, roughly .096 AR.

-Winged sump

-Equal length twin scroll manifold fabricated out of sch40 mild steel,

either 2x 38mm wastegates or a single 50mm.

-Methanol injection

-V6 commodore throttlebody

-Megasquirt ECU, fuel only for the moment.

-Modified distributor, shortened shaft to clear throttle body and advance locked.

Aiming for around 350hp

Waiting on parts to arrive from the U.S before I can do anything more.

There are so much more photos and info but can't be assed with it at the moment, i'll add some more later.

[280zx_nz]

Got stuck into it today, last night I attempted to put the new engine in, the blasted sump fouled quite badly on the steering rack!! LH engine mount wouldn't even line up, soo........out came a hammer haha. One of the welds split so rewelded that this afternoon, now the engine fits perfectly:

Had to change the fitment of the intercooler, it would have fouled on the hood. Works out better anyhow, it won't interfere with the airflow for the radiator.

Part number one to arrive:

Fucking hell, what a nightmare it was to pull the turbine housing off. Combination of WD40, heat gun and a BFH " Big fucking hammer" it came off after a couple of hours, man these things are heavy duty as!

Its in excellent condition, tons better than expected, won't bother rebuilding it until the engine has been run in, bound to get alot of crap in it.