280z as a PT car?

[280z]

I am picking up a 81 280z coupe, I was wondering what you guys think about this car as a PT car. I don't know how to post pictures nor have I taking any yet. Is there anything I should look for before I buy the Z? I have read through and looked at many cars on here, you guys do some great work. Thanks in advance.

[Rod]

hell yes! and they make some awesome LS1 conversion kits! Campbell Auto Restoration had a killer Z at goodguys kicking butt on the autocross last year

[280z]

The car has a blown head gasket and has sat for years, with that said Im really liking the idea of a Buick grand National (1986-87) 3.8L turbo V-6 FI motor. Factory power ratings of 250 hp and 350 ft lbs. Its a light motor and small which should help with weight distribution and balance. I could always upgrade injectors, turbo, intercooler and what not when I wanted more power.

My concerns:
-Wiring
-Trans
-Will the IRS hold that much power?

Any ideas?

[cobragt]

Look the car over very well they are notorious for Rusting out and as popular as they are there is not a lot available for them. Also the Zx is a heavy car compared to the early Zs. We had a 240z in the shop recently that had a turbo Zx motor that was hitting close to 450 HP so don't count out the Nissan motors.

[280z]

I really don't care for the style of the Zx cars, but how are the motors for reliability once they have been "tuned" ? How much is it to drop the Zx motor into a Z car? From what I understand the GN 3.8L will bolt in as easy as a chevy 350 motor, But I have been wrong before.

[cobragt]

If your car is an 81 then it is a ZX the last 280Z was built in 78. 280ZX ran from 79 to 83, the 300ZX with the V6 came out in 84. Your car still has the same Engine and drivetrain as the 75 to 78 280Z. As far as the later V6 motors bolting in I have no idea. I've never seen it done before but as far as the inline 6, you can get some pretty good HP ratings with the right person building it.

[280z]

cobragt- Thanks for the education. I didn't know that there was such thing as a 280zx! After doing more reading and research, I'm thinking about keeping this 2.8L if its rebuildable.

Went and looked at the car again today, now thats it's not raining.

Bad news is it looks like rust above the windshield. Also looks like it was leaking at some point and the channel was filled with silicone. There is some rust in the cowl panel as well. Also lots of fire ants under the panel on the hatch. Not to big of deal to me.

Good news is the floor pans LOOK to be good but until I jack it up and crawl under it, its anybody's guess.

[Six_Shooter]

I had an 81 280ZX as a parts car once, and while it didn't look terrible for rot, it was so rotten, that when I lifted it up on the hoist, the passenger side of the crossmember fell away from what was left of the frame rail. Check out the underside very well. Take a screwdriver with you and poke away. When they sit, they really rot away.

I have a '73 240Z that I will be PTing at some point in the (hopefully) not too distant future. For right now though, I've been playing with the 2.8L that came with the car (N/A version from '81 or '82 according to cast numbers, and installed pistons). I added a turbo and EFI, and it flies. It is over 200 HP, I would have to say close to 250 HP, on a stock bottom end and 12 PSIG of boost. I'm shooting for 300 by the end of the summer. I will eventually be replacing it with a GM V6, but for now this Nissan I6 has been fun to beat on.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

I have 2 240Z that im working on right now.. both perfect PT cars in my opinion.

a 71 and a 70..
one has the stock L series motor that im upgrading slowly..

the other is a 5.3 LS motor car with a turbo..

[280z]

Very cool. Now thats how it should be done. One all stock parts and the other done however you want. I like.

[Scarab z]

You should head on over to hybridz.org that's where ALL the info you need is located. Be sure to use the search function though! I've been a member over there for 11 years now.

My build car is a 72 240Z with a 383 stroker, ground up resto.

Here is a link to my build page.
http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/...ming-1tufzg-z/

The car now has paint on it but I haven't picked it up from the paint shop, need to do that soon.


My other Z car is a 1971 Datsun 240 Scarab conversion (SBC/4 speed)

[280z]

Got the 280ZX home last night, found out its a 79 not a 81. I don't know to upload pictures here, but here is a link. I hope this is ok.

http://pt280zx.deviantart.com/

I know she is rough but she is beautiful to me.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

niiiiiceee!!!

i like those!

[skooli]

I grew up with Zs and Mustangs in my family, and my brother and I both had Zs in high school. Great cars and are already somewhat fast and nimble. They're great looking cars that are fun to drive. Check out zcar.com for a little extra info. Good luck with your project.

[280z]

So the cam is rusted to hell, looks like it sat next to the Titanic since it sank. Broke a head bolt removing the cam. Damn thats going to be fun to fix. Dropping a 350 into this guy is starting to sound real appealing.

[280z]

Its late but im trying to figure out how hard it would be to convert the fuel injection intake over to carbs? Does anybody here know if the FI system is electronic or vacuum controlled? Just thinking out loud.

[280z]

I'm in to deep, the car is being sold. This isn't what I want to do but it is what I need to do right now.

[Ishmael]

That was quick. Too bad.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

aww thats wack..

[srh3trinity]

Vengeance,
We need some pics of you Z-cars. I would love to see what you would do with one.