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View Full Version : Antihero's 1978 Datsun 280Z (ROUND II)


Antihero
07-18-2011, 09:56 PM
Yes, this is the second 280Z I've attempted to revive. The first one died on the table from...shall we say....cancer.

So yeah. I have an unhealthy obsession with the S30 chassis Zs, so I bought another one for short money that was in slightly (meaning rusty, but less rot and the firewall isn't swiss cheese) better shape.

It came with a bunch of parts, most of which are useless. So yeah. Bare with me, as this car is NOT a priority right now.....at least that's what I keep telling myself. :rofl:

9/18/10: To celebrate my then upcoming birthday, I bought this Z and trailered it to my friend's house in Epsom for safe keeping to keep it out of the elements for the coming seasons. Luckily it came with a *****in' car cover to help.

10/15/10: It didn't come with any keys, so my friend and I hotwired it to see if it would crank. IT DID! But it wouldn't fire. Bleh. It was getting cold as **** outside, so we called it a night, and thusly I put the \car away to hibernate.

a couple months ago: On a rainy day sometime in 2011, TwistedSymphony and I went to install the ignition I acquired (came with a key, which was...uh...key), and see what the engine WASN'T getting. We tear the ignition apart, turn the switch......Nothing. Not a single ****ing crank.

Great. It was rainy as hell, we were getting tired, so again the car was put away.

......Until 7/16/11. Yes, last Saturday. TS and I (mostly him, as he is leaps and bounds better at electrical than I) attacked the car once more, and found the huge six prong ignition relay WAS JUNK. So, we bypassed it. IT CRANKED! .....But did not fire. Ok, now my turn! I tested for spark, BAM on all 6 cylinders! The fuel pump was working, fuel was in the fuel lines....

.....but were the injectors, well, injecting it? Uh, negative ghost rider. So TS busts out his handy dandy (moreso handy than dandy IMHO) oscilloscope, and we find that there is no signal being sent to the injectors.

At that point, Sangria had been poured into our glasses (well mine and my wife's, as TS doesn't drink), and the sun was setting. We now knew more about the engine's issues, and it was time to grill and drink.

So now what? Well I am going to buy some MODERN relays, and TS is going to help me whip up a new ignition relay setup, and I think we had talked about bypassing the transmission relay as well, just to eliminate some wiring, as I will be swapping it to a M/T at some point down the road.

On to the crappy pics!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110716_212855.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110716_212909.jpg

Plans? Eh Some....

-Removal of front and rear bumpers.
-Remove crappy aftermarket sunroof and reskin roof
-Rust repair (lots of it)
-The car was originally light blue (just like my last one! Coincidence?!), but was painted BRG with a decent pearl in it, and I would like to keep it that way after the body work is done.
-M/T swap, probably just the 4 speed.
-Modernizing most if not all of the wiring harness at some point, so TS doesn't rip his hair out when he helps me with it from time to time. :lol:

THERE WILL BE NO ENGINE SWAPS. NONE. DON'T EVEN SUGGEST IT. And even if I did, I would only put a GM made V8 in it. None of that RB/KA/SR/CA/JZ bull****.

25rSTI
07-18-2011, 10:02 PM
I hate you :devil:

Subyspeed
07-18-2011, 10:28 PM
Engine swap?

98Wagoon
07-18-2011, 11:19 PM
2jz wiv nas?


http://astrx.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/2jz.jpg






also, cant wait to see some pics and such of this. that body style makes my pants fit funny..

serioussubaru
07-18-2011, 11:31 PM
great car

squeethebee
07-19-2011, 02:08 AM
1. Fix rust
2. LS1
3. ????
4. Profit!

ed

1982gl4
07-19-2011, 07:17 AM
Sweet. Glad to see somebody fixing on of these. I had an obsession with the before I got my Brat, looked into buying a few. Then realized, where I lived, RWD didn't make sense at all. Awesome project, hope you do make it priority :D

DHGurs
07-19-2011, 09:03 AM
Such a sexy car. 13b swap?

:lolno:

Nrw
07-19-2011, 09:24 AM
I have a small dream of owning one of these and doing a L28ET swap with a Z32 5mt since T5's suck ass.

boxer3maine
07-19-2011, 11:51 AM
2jz wiv nas?


http://astrx.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/2jz.jpg






also, cant wait to see some pics and such of this. that body style makes my pants fit funny..

the rear diff makes the pants fit funny.

when that blows up can I have the rear diff. :)

Antihero
07-19-2011, 03:01 PM
1. Fix rust
2. LS1
3. ????
4. Profit!

ed

I wish. I helped build a Ls1 powered 240sx and it is a blast. Someday...

Sweet. Glad to see somebody fixing on of these. I had an obsession with the before I got my Brat, looked into buying a few. Then realized, where I lived, RWD didn't make sense at all. Awesome project, hope you do make it priority :D

Soon. Things are happening that are going to cause me to lose my space at my friend's house so it needs to be running asap.

Such a sexy car. 13b swap?


:lolno:

26B. 13b in the front, 13b in the back! :D

I have a small dream of owning one of these and doing a L28ET swap with a Z32 5mt since T5's suck ass.

I'd rather just go right for the T56 :D But a 4 speed will be fine for now.

the rear diff makes the pants fit funny.

when that blows up can I have the rear diff. :)

I'll think about it ;)

Antihero
07-20-2011, 08:04 PM
Disregard females, acquire relays.....

.....now to put stuff together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110720_163105.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110720_163045.jpg

RCKSTR
07-26-2011, 10:54 PM
Update?!? yes, no, maybe :shrug:

98Wagoon
07-27-2011, 12:02 AM
pics of more than its dusty ass? :lol:




or more dusty ass pics.. those work too :wub:

Antihero
07-27-2011, 04:49 PM
Minor update...

Acquire a plug from Ebay that looks to be configurable to what I need for Ze Relay.

More pics? KAY.

Hi Alex....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110724_135724.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110724_135804.jpg

Also, a pic of the ECU for future reference, in case I need to order a new/used/reman one...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110724_135355.jpg

Seraphinwolf
07-27-2011, 06:00 PM
Thoughts of what this car could be makes my pants feel funny. :wub:

98Wagoon
07-27-2011, 08:55 PM
hey joe, hey..



if/when you need paint or refinishing crap for it, let me know.. :hide:

Antihero
07-27-2011, 11:23 PM
Oh trust me Alex, once she is driveable (aiming for the next two weeks, as I am losing my spot :( ) I will be in touch.

98Wagoon
07-27-2011, 11:27 PM
very well!

Antihero
08-05-2011, 02:33 PM
The plug has arrived! The harness should be completed this weekend hopefully.....

98Wagoon
08-05-2011, 10:05 PM
:munch:

axis
08-07-2011, 10:20 AM
Oh man, I wish I would've seen this earlier. I have relays and plugs right here at my house. I just had to re-wire kburnell's Hella subimods wiring harness due to a failed relay and heavily corroded wires. Oh well, I'm glad you found what you needed.

Oh yeah, and I love the car btw. Jess' uncle has one that he completely restored and it's absolutely gorgeous! I'm kinda hoping he leaves it to me in his will someday, haha.

Antihero
08-09-2011, 11:41 AM
^no sweat dude, I appreciate the thought though!

Ok! UPDATE TIME MUTHA****AS!!!

-The harness worked! The car cranks consistently!
-We did many wiring tests to figure out why the injectors aren't firing, including all of the tests listed in the FSM. Which is amazing to have for an older car.
-The ECU is not grounding the injectors, therefore they aren't firing. No fuel=no combustion, but we know this.
-I need a new ECU. And of course I cannot ****ing find one with the correct serial number, and it HAS to be the exact one.

If anyone has an A11-601-000 1978 280Z ECU laying around, please let me know. It's the last piece to the god damned puzzle (I hope).

Antihero
08-16-2011, 10:40 AM
Ze EAGLE HATH LANDED.

I have an ECU. I had to drive to Cape Cod last night to get it, but its the exact one, and it only cost me a six pack of Coors Light.

I will be installing it this week.

Also, given the rust around some of the grounds, I bought/ordered a HKS Grounding Kit. Just to be safe.

98Wagoon
08-16-2011, 06:48 PM
:munch:

My25RSL
08-16-2011, 07:51 PM
:bull:

RCKSTR
08-16-2011, 07:55 PM
plug that motha****'n ***** in allready :yaya:

Antihero
08-16-2011, 10:07 PM
A step forward. But yet, the battle rages on.

The ECU fixed the fuel issue. Car wouldn't start. Made the loudest backfire I've heard in years.

Found that the previous owner had the spark plug wires on the wrong points (in the wrong order) on the distributor.

Crank car...SHE RAN. FOR TWENTY ****ING SECONDS. Ran like crap then died.

Timing is the next target. I can tell the dizzy is in correctly, but the timing has been adjusted. I will return to the battlefield with a timing gun and more tools.

I will NOT be denied.

Antihero
08-22-2011, 09:46 AM
Still ****ed. Fought with it over the weekend, no luck.

I need to get the car to my work, as I am losing my space this week. FML.

Antihero
08-29-2011, 10:14 PM
First off, A HUGE THANK YOU TO RYEBREAD, HIS GF, AND HIS BUDDY NICK! for helping move the Z today.

And here's some new pics!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110829_190809.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110829_190838.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110829_190828.jpg

And this is my favorite...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/redevilrps13/IMG_20110829_190758.jpg


Also, I double checked the frame today, NO ROT. Just on the fenders, and the one patched up hole in the driver's floor. w00t!

98Wagoon
08-30-2011, 02:23 AM
I wanna touch it!

My Name
08-30-2011, 07:53 AM
that thing is so cool. I want it.

Antihero
08-30-2011, 12:10 PM
When its on the road I'll give ya a ride. :)

ryebread929
08-30-2011, 04:43 PM
First off, A HUGE THANK YOU TO RYEBREAD, HIS GF, AND HIS BUDDY NICK! for helping move the Z today.


:up:

Antihero
08-30-2011, 09:10 PM
Yeaaaaaaaaah buddy! :)

Also, the HKS Grounding kit arrived today!

RCKSTR
08-30-2011, 09:21 PM
Dude take those bumpers off allready :spin:

worldrallyblue
08-30-2011, 09:24 PM
:fp: Keep up the good work Joe!

98Wagoon
09-16-2011, 05:50 PM
bumpbumpin...



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v449/mrangerroy/2011-09-16_14-05-11_398.jpg

Antihero
09-17-2011, 08:44 AM
LOL WTF?!

Ok sooooo.....



......I drove it last night!!!!!!!

It doesn't run puuuuurrrrrrfect, but she runs and idles. Time to button up vacuum leaks and such now, and figure out why she has little to no brakes.

-III
09-17-2011, 12:33 PM
Fluids? Or just really old brakes?

98Wagoon
09-18-2011, 12:17 AM
Im here for you, Joe! I saw those and had to take the pic :lol:




Im voting fluid or absolute rubbish pads? button up dem vacuuuuums and make that whore run! like a whore!






:hide:

Antihero
09-18-2011, 12:40 PM
I will wagoon her vacuum lines until she sucks vacuum properly!

And I think it may be low fluid. I was too excited (read: had a boner) to check.

98Wagoon
09-18-2011, 08:57 PM
yuss!

-III
09-25-2011, 11:39 AM
Aaaaand?

Antihero
09-25-2011, 01:11 PM
Installed the HKS grounding kit, and it helped a bit, but not enough. No idea what's up with the brakes though.

-III
09-25-2011, 01:48 PM
Bleed them!

-III
10-04-2011, 05:37 PM
Brakes?

Antihero
10-04-2011, 07:18 PM
Haven't touched the car. Money issues at the moment.