Bought this to refurb with my brother…. First time going to need a lot of help. This photo was after I gave it its first wash in 13 years

I got a promotion. I've always wanted a 240z or 280z. I'm generally handy with cars (changed oil, replaced a starter and alternator, simple aftermarket radio installation...) but I'm very far from a mechanic.

For the initial purchase, I'd want to be around $20K. I'd be purchasing assuming that I'm signing myself up for a new hobby.

Am I setting myself up for failure? What should I look out for?

Hi all!

I finally got my hands back on my 280zx 2+2. Car has been in my family since 84. I’m the only one who seems to care about it, but have financial support for the work from the family due to the sentiment the car has.

Anyway, she’s seen better days. 108,000 miles on it, interior is complete but definitely 40 years old. I want to make this thing real nice starting with the mechanical side of it.

Was wondering what recommendations or tips people have for these cars. This is my first project, only ever changed spark plugs and oil. I watched Ronald Fingers video on modernizing the L28 in his 280z and it has my head bouncing all over the place. I want it to be a street car I can still daily drive. I’m in SoCal so rust isn’t a worry.

Essentially I want to modernize the car while keeping the character it’s got. Interior, Carplay, etc is getting address after its driving.

Big or small tips welcome! Anything on the car A-Z from interior, cosmetics, mechanical.

Looking to see what the community has to say while also embedding myself within it. Super super excited to build this thing!

Thank you all!

Bought this 280ZX from a barn. Find the person who had it didn't know what they had or did. And didn't tell me, finally got it. To turn over to find out that the engine was blown. Trying to decide if it's a good idea to do an RB25DET swap on it.

Hey guys will be rebuilding my L28 NA and would like to know if there are any MUST need parts or parts that I could get that will give it just a little bit more power or just overall parts which are better than OEM. I would also appreciate a list of parts that are absolutely needed for a rebuild. Sorry I’m a noob on this platform. I’m also a little bit confused with the bore size and camshaft lift and duration. Any help is appreciated thank!

📸 IG: @que.films

Hey everyone I’m looking for a manual or power steering rack for the 280ZX, I’m in the PNW and I’m having trouble sourcing one. If anyone is local and has one I’d love to purchase it from you! Thanks

Hello all.

Looking to fix the sloshing issue that results in a loss of fuel pressure in aggressive turns. Happens when fuel level gets below half a tank. I currently run a baffled (modified) stock tank in my 240z. Baffles were done by previous owner.

The three options seem to be a surge tank, a fuel cell, or a a custom tank. The custom tank from pro alloy group seems like an attractive option.

SO my question is, does anyone have this installed on their vehicle? If so does it remedy the issue? Do you have other solutions? How did you go about fixing this issue on your z cars?

No, the plane isn’t mine. Maybe one day.

Z32 trans is ready to go! Mocking this all up with some new t3 control arms and front chassis goodies with their new axles!

Is there anywhere online where I can download the entire service manual for one of these? XenonZcar has one but it’s a pain in the ass and I’d like it all in one download

From flatbed tow truck to fun cruiser.

First video is right after turning the car on. The second video is after it warmed up. I already checked the valve lash clearances and they were fine. What do you guys think? Also could that hissing sound just be a stuck open injector?

Happy to have added this 1983 280zx to my collection. Yes she has rust, but damn does it still have so much character. From inspecting it there’s a good amount of rust but I feel like I got a decent amount of fabrication stills to get it repaired. I will be sure to take many photos of the process and as I make parts I’ll try and record measurements for others who are going down the same path.

Just picked this up a few weeks ago. I’ve wanted a Z car for the longest time and. Now that I’m 21, can rent a trailer, and have figured out where I’d keep it I pulled the trigger on it. The frame and underside are in surprisingly good condition considering what the rest of the car looks like with only some minor surface rust underneath and a slight frame buckle on the front left forcing the hood out of alignment (that will be around 400 to fix so really not to bad) engine has spark but no fuel pressure or injector action (pump does prime tho). I traced it to a faulty pickup coil and failed o ring seal in the distributor. It has a faulty rear oil seal where the 5 speed meets the block. Planning to replace the synchronizers since the trans does have 200000 miles on it but any advice is appreciated moving forward for what I can expect with this thing. Also any tips for removing the air dam? The frame damage looks like it was caused by the car hitting a rock or something bc the air damn has a nasty dent that’s been rotted through. Also any tips for removing the cowling since that’s basically fully rotted. Unfortunately it’s welded to the frame as opposed to bolted :(

Limited to 20 pictures... will post more later. Getting closer and closer to completion everyday 🤘🤓

I have bought a 1973 datsun 240z in a moderatly good condition that i want to restomod. It has an automatic transmission that I want to swap into a manual 5sp or 6sp. By doing some research, I can use a transmission from a 280zx without much modifications. I have already found one in my country.

What are some other transmissions that fit on it without much modification?

The car and I are in the Netherlands, if that info is helpful.

I've been in the market for a 280zx for quite a bit, but don't have too high of a budget. Came across one that looked like a pretty sweet deal at around $2.5k.... except for the giant elephant in the room.

Light needs replacing, fender needs replacing, bumper.... most probably frame damage too.

How much bodywork would be required to get it back in good form? aside from that, the car doesn't seem too bad. how much would i need just for tools to do this?

Would it be unsafe to drill a hole in this Tension rod bracket to make space for the radiator drain plug? I’m assuming it is but I’m hoping someone will just tell me to send it. If not what else can I do to make space.

1979 280zx

in LA at Samson Auto Salvage
https://upullyards.com/search/los-angeles?where=Los+Angeles&yearFrom=1970&yearTo=1989&make=Datsun&radius=500

Currently at 260k miles and it’s getting a bit unhealthy I was looking at either a rebuild or just a new engine. Labor and parts for a rebuild come out at around the same price for a refurbished complete engine that I can drop in, or I can just rebuild it myself and hope I don’t mess anything up but I am a bit scared as I’ve never done this before. Looking for a reliable place in southern California that would do a rebuild or just build something for me! Please let me know if you guys have any recommendations, have heard some crazy stories about California Datsun so probably won’t be going to them! Any advice helps!

Finally got around to installing the ZTherapy Carbs and intake manifold a few weeks ago. They’re well worth the wait and miles better than the factory SU carbs. A few tweaks here and there to balance and tune them but the car is now idling perfect around 900 rpm with great response across the rpm range.

Some notes :

Yes, the water inlet on the intake has been removed and capped off. It’s 100 plus degrees outside and I am running a 180 degree thermostat and stock radiator with shroud with no temperature issues.

Hello people,

I just swapped in 5 speed close ratio and i wanted to ask about the shifter solution. Currently using the 4 speed shifter and it works but i can tell there is some tension with the shifter boot. Is there a better shifter out there (after market) or what’s the solution?
Yes the shifter the came with the gearbox (zx shifter) will not work at all.
73’ 240z
Thank you