Thoughts on an '83 280Z?

I have a line on a 1983 Datsun 280z. The price is right (free). It has been parked for 3+ years in a garage, it has a manual transmission. Ran when parked...One of my concerns is that the car has T-tops. I do not know the mileage.

I need to make sure I can get the title, and if I decide not to keep it as a project, I would think I could get at least the $100 it is going to take to get it home.

What do you guys know about these cars? I know the earlier models are more desirable, but hard to pass up "free."

cant beat free man! Besides there's a lot of options for you to pursue in both "stock" and aftermarket modifications. If I remember correctly from my 240z, it's that the stock engine components from all previous Z cars will bolt on to your current L28 motor.

If I could get the title, I'd sport it. It'd be an awesomely cheap way to attend autocrosses. If you wanted to make your money back, I'd be pretty sure you could sell the parts to recoup the cost + some.

do you have any more ridiculous questions you can ask after we answer this one?

GO GET IT

You guys are a bunch of enablers, which is just one of the reasons I like to hang out here!

I just asked for some pics...

It's a ZX not a Z - meaning ugly butt and rear suspension that sucks up to the bump stops every time you touch the throttle.

The 280ZX was more Buick than 240Z but I have seen a few nice ones. Free works for me. Enjoy.

I grew up with 240's and have owned and raced them, and inherited an '83 my parents bought new, but it did not have T-Tops. Anyway, here are a few thoughts:

The ZX is definitely softer and it's looks are subjective. It sold much better when new, but I still prefer the 240. The 240 also has an edge to it the 280 does not.

That said, as a race car you can make the ZX much faster. All the 240 good bits bolt on, and the body is more aerodynamic, mainly because the windshield has more rake. And if you use the ZX-R spoiler, it calms down the back as well.

To me, the ZX is like a blank canvas, you can do whatever you want to it and nobody care. 240's not so much.

The big thing to look out for though is rust. They rust just like the 240's, and in the same places. If it has a digital dash they can have issues as well.

Get it, the price is right!

That is a GREAT challenge canvas. Didn't a few 280zx win the challenge outright in like 2003-2004?

Even though it's a ZX, you're right, free is free - I would pass if it's a serious rustbucket though.

Go for it! As they said, watch out for rust - under the battery tray, foot area in the floor, rails under the floor (which many people mistake for jack points), rocker panels, rear quarter panels... pretty much everywhere. But for free, how can you go wrong?

Is it a turbo? And / or a 2+2?

racerdave600 wrote: To me, the ZX is like a blank canvas, you can do whatever you want to it and nobody care. 240's not so much.

Exactly how I feel, too. I'd feel ashamed and dirty if I modified a 240Z, while the 280ZX was kind of a bastard wannabe luxury car that needs to be shown the True Way.

Someone out there is making repop 280ZX floor pans, which is nice. Pretty cheap, too, if I remember right.

Get it and throw a RB25DET in it and rallycross it! Because everything is better with rallycross.

I will post some pics and specs as soon as I get them...wasting time surfing Datsun sites now...

SBF, SBC both fit nicely. Major hoonage potential.

Might be the perfect car for the LS swap! :)

Welcome to the world of Datsun's! Like what was already mentioned, the ZX was a little lack luster, but trying to improve on the 240/260/280 is no easy task! Look out for rust, rust, and rust!

The L series straight six is ROCK solid, probably one of the best motors Nissan has ever made. Change the oil and drive it. If you want to have some fun just swap it for a turbo model (same engine, just lower compression, turbo, different electronics, etc.)

Hybrid Z and Ratsun have some fun stuff, and if you want new parts you can head over to Motorsport Auto.

Have fun, and enjoy the lovely sounds of that straight 6!

The softened ZX was the "boulevard cruiser" wanna be Z car.... has the T-tops as prove it!!

I have one that I campaign in LeMons.

My suggestions/caution Rust sucks on these. Ditch the factory fuel injection and put on some round top SU carbs. Drop in some SM needles and it'll go like stink. The engines are like playing with Legos. That one will have a late head, probably a P79. Drop in an early head such as N42. E88, E31 and the compression will bump up to 9.8:1. Get a square port header and mild cam and hp should be in the 160-180 range. If you can weld, a five lug swap is pretty easy. If I remember right, you can just use early maxima rotors in the back, redrill the hub. In the front, lengthen the control arms 30mm, lengthen the tension rods to relocate the wheelbase to what it was, and use some 87+ 300zx front struts and brakes. That will allow you to run SN95 mustang wheels. If only I had the budget to do all these.

if you get this Black Dragon will become your best friend....prices on these cars just keep going up. you can buy every panel for the car and most parts new. Rust is a factor...passenger side frame rails are the worst and seem to go first but you can buy the panel. they are fun cars and there is tons of aftermarket support for them

Needless photowhoring.

Come on, what's not to love?

The 280ZX is underappreciated, it does have crappy rear suspension, basically the same as the rear suspension everyone loves on the E30? The T top drain tubes exit near the rear crossmember mouns and rots them. Rust is the number one killer, if the chassis is solid and straight (and a 2 seater), go for it. No need for a motor swap when you can simply add the turbo bits ot the engine that it came with, although you might want to swap the head, add the turbo bits, plus interooler and boost controller and you'll be around 250 dependable rear wheel horsepower. MLS headgasket, ARP headstuds, larger injectors, megasquirt, larger turbo and fuel pump and 400 whp is possible before the cast pistons melt. Or you can ditch the electronic's as suggested, still need to swap the head and maybe you can get 180 whp if you're lucky.

evildky wrote: The 280ZX is underappreciated, it does have crappy rear suspension, basically the same as the rear suspension everyone loves on the E30? The T top drain tubes exit near the rear crossmember mouns and rots them. Rust is the number one killer, if the chassis is solid and straight (and a 2 seater), go for it. No need for a motor swap when you can simply add the turbo bits ot the engine that it came with, although you might want to swap the head, add the turbo bits, plus interooler and boost controller and you'll be around 250 dependable rear wheel horsepower. MLS headgasket, ARP headstuds, larger injectors, megasquirt, larger turbo and fuel pump and 400 whp is possible before the cast pistons melt. Or you can ditch the electronic's as suggested, still need to swap the head and maybe you can get 180 whp if you're lucky.

Totally agree. The early SU's are awesome, but unnecessary on these cars (but if I have an earlier Z it WILL have these!). The FI works just fine, it's simple, and the L28ET has AMAZING potential. If I could have an L series in every car I own, I would. (I guess I need a Patrol, an 810, and a Z!) It's torquey, incredibly durable, and sounds awesome with headers and a 2.5-3" exhaust. People used to ask me at stop lights what V8 I had in my car. Just go find an old timer at a Nissan dealership and ask him what problems they had with these engines-his answer will probably be very short.

And just because I like being an enabler...

Did you get it yet?