I'm between Toyota's right now, but I thought you guys and gals would like to see what I'm currently building...

I have been interested in this Z for a couple years. My buddy has had it for about 5 years, slowly building it, but rarely driving it. He offered to sell it a couple times, but I didn't bite....until now. My wife and I have our 4th child on the way, so this clearly isn't going to be a practical car, instead it will be my budget built toy. I'll drive it daily, to work, and plan to attend autocross events with it too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390697959/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8391615428/
So far it has been pretty dependable transportation. I have replaced all the fuel lines, except the vent lines on top of the tank, since they are new. I also installed a new fuel sender o-ring. The brake lines were weathered, so those were replaced with braided lines from The Z Store.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8391828530/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390757529/
The motor is stock with a recent rebuild. I haven't checked casting numbers yet, but I'll do that soon. The cam is internally lubricated (??) from a newer L series motor, so no oiling problems there. It has electronic ignition (E12-80) already, and I added new NGK plugs and wires.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390763923/
Other mods already done by the PO...
-Suspension Techniques sway bars
-Suspension Techniques springs
-Tokico struts
-280zx 5 speed
-3 row radiator
-electric fan
-internally regulated alternator
-header (brand unknown)
-down draft webers
-Toyota calipers
-new carpet kit
-new weatherstripping all around (need to install)

I needed to fix the battery hold down, so I ordered the complete kit from The Z Store. I like OEM parts!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390784769/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390796847/
The headlights were terrible, so I got the upgraded harness, also at The Z Store.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390794149/
With the safety issues handled, I can start to have some fun with this car. Here's a shot of the engine, before I cleaned it up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390774799/
A friend hooked me up with a polished valve cover. This is the engine bay, currently. It runs good as is, so it will stay this way for a while...until I build something with more power.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390802937/
I sanded the body down to get rid of the surface rust. Sprayed it with etching primer. I've got a little rust repair to do, but not too bad. At least it's one color for now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390820403/
I wanted a little more rubber on the road, so I did some research. I found, in a 15" wheel/tire, I could fit 15x7 with low offset and 225/50 tires with no rubbing. I wanted all black wheels, so my choices were limited. I chose Rota RB's (+4 offset) and Kumho tires. Got them mounted today, and they fit perfect.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8390832807/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8391920220/

 

nice z!
those models have always looked sweet.

 

Thanks, Vitaly. I'm having a blast with this car.

Added this shift knob today...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8464407814/
And a pic I took the other evening...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8445717799/

 

Oooh. That's sexy with the green on black. Kind of understated but a little mean. Always thought one of those would be a fun toy. Looks good.

 

Thanks, Carl! Can't seem to go wrong with the OD Green.

I've got new rotors, pads, bearings, and seals, for the front end, which will be installed as soon as the rotors are done being drilled and slotted. The 4 piston calipers are far too powerful for the rear drums to keep up, so I ordered a disc brake conversion, for the rear as well. Can't wait for these to go on!

Will post up more later.

 

I got my rear disc brake conversion, today. The kit is from Datsun LLC. Uses Maxima rear calipers, which have built in parking brakes that use the original cables. This will match the front, 4 piston calipers, much better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8467104410/
Also pictured are new front pads, bearings, and seals. Still waiting for the front rotors to get back from the machine shop.

 

The front brakes installed. Toyota calipers, OE pads, and custom rotors...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8496447697/
Rear brakes. Datsun LLC conversion. Maxima calipers, 300ZX rotors, custom brackets...

Ran into clearance issues between the caliper bracket and rotor...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8497550266/
Ordered 3mm spacers to shim the rotor. Everything fits well now...



I will be removing the restrictors in the rear brake lines, to help with the bias, and looking into some more aggressive pads for the rear.

Pic from today...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8515863591/
I also got a smokin' deal on some Nismo seats. One cleaned up, and the other in need of cleaning...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8505724959/
Mounted up...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8511933544/

 

Aw man good come up on those seats! The Z is coming along nicely

 

Thanks! The seats worked out nicely. Next up are new windshield and hatch glass seals. Then I can put the carpet back in. I'm also working on a deal for a center console and ATO fuse box.

 

sweet. keep the updates coming!

joel

 

Man, that looks nice. What a fun project!

 

Thanks! This car is a blast to drive! It's definitely a lot of bang for your buck. Really looking forward to putting the 4.11 LSD in. One day at a time, though.

 

I got a good deal on an MSA fuse box. I installed it with ATO Smart Fuses.

Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Out with the old...

Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
In with the new...

Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I had to get a 6x32 screw for the main power lead, since the stock screw is larger. Otherwise, it bolted right in.

 

Nice!!!

 

Been getting ready for some paint. The primer is getting pretty thin...

Fender off...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8708975584/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8708980592/
And back on...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8712623283/
Primed...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8723057503/
I've been talking to Chris at Vector Vinyl. He's making some awesome stripes for me. Can't wait to see the finished product, and get them on the car!

Fast forward to today...

Got up early, to prep for paint. Out in the sun, curing...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8729392822/
Got the masking off...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8728920549/
Back together....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8729031447/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67622164@N05/8729028427/

 

Dang that is one sweet Z...

 

Thanks, Paul! Can you help me with these Flickr codes? I searched for a fix, with no luck. Noticed others having the same issue on YT, though.

 

http://www.flickr.com/help/sharing/
see if that gets you anywhere. Love the progress on the z

 

Thanks, Vitaly. I'll give that a read. Strange, that I'm posting the same way, as on page one of this thread, with different results. Flickr has been strange to me lately.

 

Thanks vital I don't know the first thing about flikr... never even been to the site.