1980 280zx "Red Zed"

Well moving all build info to this thread. Should be fun!

Some info on the car: 1980 280zx 2+0 slicktop. Still NA but will be getting swapped soon. Only mods so far: Poly bushings New seats and a harness bar.

Now onto the build stuff!

Finally got around to replacing the struts and adding some tokico lowering springs my girlfriend bought me for our anniversary.

Getting ready for the job at hand:

One strut in the car:

Other strut on the bench:

The passenger strut was not fun the do. The gland nut threads got bent on removal. Ended up filing them as best as I could then forcing the gland nut in. Hope it holds.

Next step: get passenger strut in tonight and do the rears!

Lookin' good Jack! What are the plans for this one - turbo swap or some other motor swap?

In reply to mikeatrpi:

Going to drop in an l28et. Its ready to go but dont wanna take it down mid season.

have you experienced any troubles on the struts now? we would love to see the results of your build. impressive work, by the way!

Love it! I had a 1980 2+0 slicktop for a while, and if not for rust issues I'd probably still have it. Those cars are fun stock and I think you'll love how it feels now that it's lowered.

The 280ZX is my guilty-pleasure car. I just love the look of them so much.

Got the other strut in this morning. Doing the rears after class. Should have pics up tonight.

Some more progress!

Right rear:

Put some undercoating on the lower arms. Had a pair rust through on me.

Left rear:

And as it sits now:

And now for a shameless plug: Anybody who uses Facebook should go like my page "FitzAuto".

Should have some more pics down the road as things get moving on the turbo swap.

Hopefully Ill get some pics from track day tomroow for all you guys who think the Zx doesnt look like dog poo.

Well track day went great. Water pump broke after two 5 lap heats.

Car never overheated on the way home but now its turbo swap time because I am logical that way.

Zed is now in position for surgery.

Dang! What is it with Z's cooling systems revolting at track days lately? I overheated mine at Lime Rock a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy the turbo swap... welcome to life with BOOST!

mikeatrpi wrote: Dang! What is it with Z's cooling systems revolting at track days lately? I overheated mine at Lime Rock a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy the turbo swap... welcome to life with BOOST!

I knew mine was going to let go sonit wasnt to big of a surprise.

Boost should be fun. Hoping to get 225-250 hp at the wheels.

I already like zx's (owned an 80 slicktop as well for a while) but the spoiler/wheel combination has me ready to go change my pants

In reply to classicJackets:

Ill take that as a compliment xD

My track wheels are flat black with polished lip banana spokes.

Update: slowly gathering parts for the swap. Picked up a free parts car to make some money to dump into this one.

Love the old Z cars. Look forward to future posts.

Need help deciding on what flywheel and clutch to run.

Option a: put the stock NA 225mm flywheel on with an aggressive clutch

Option b: source the bigger 240mm flywheel and put a slightly less aggressive clutch.

The car will be autocrossed and tracked alot if that helps.

Whichever is lighter and strong enough for your power goals.

Option B. More room for growth.

In reply to mikeatrpi:

Im heading to the salvage yard on wednesday. Hopefully they have one.

Small update: new water pump is on and it runs as strong as ever.

However my brake lights no longer work. Hoping its just the switch and not some gremlin Ill have to chase down.

Boss build. Gotta love a Z. I am in the bigger clutch camp. Make it bullet proof so you don't have to drop the transmission for a good while. The older I get, the less I care about squeezing every ounce out of street cars. Lightened flywheels and poly motor mounts are great on track cars. Less so on street cars. Disclaimer- the above is an opinion.

In reply to wheelsmithy:

Im young right now so at tje moment Im gonna squeeze everything I can out of this car.

Fitzauto wrote: Im young right now so at tje moment Im gonna squeeze everything I can out of this car.

Excellent. Carry on with the awesomness.

Wow, those are some thick coil springs! What's the rate on those suckers?