UofA_ZCar Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 My Z has been a Vegas car it's whole life and I'm the third owner. It was sitting in a storage unit as project yet to be started when I picked it up. Most of the interior panels are in good shape, minimal rust, and of course 30 year old bushings. I bought the Z because my 1978 280Z (my first car) was hit when I was in college and the unibody was destroyed. So I've named this project The Phoenix because I will be putting the 280Z drivetrain in the 240. My 280Z drivetrain consisted of a rebuilt motor, custom cold air intake, 12lb flywheel, 280zx close ratio transmission, and 3.9 R200 rear diff. Getting it home: The original window sticker, warranty card, and manual: Cleaning out the old carpet and the only rust I can find so far: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted April 11, 2010 Author Share Posted April 11, 2010 My favorite part of a project is buying new tools! Removing the rear suspension and repainting it: My buddy came over to help so we did a quick Z/Charger picture: Leonidas put the Tokico struts and springs on for me: Lately I've been stripping the old undercoating off with the needle gun. It's a slow and dirty process since I don't have the car on a rotisserie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted April 18, 2010 Author Share Posted April 18, 2010 Picture of my first Z as it sits now Pictures of the 280zx turbo I picked up for $260! I don't think I'll go turbo because I want to do a 3.1 stroker using this block/head, but the turbo stuff is there if I decide to. For $260 I couldn't pass it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonix_digital Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Wow! Great find on BOTH the project and the Turbo zx. I gotta say Im jealous of the price you paid for the Turbo, and to make it worse you're not going to use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModernS30 Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 Yea, you have my donor car. Can I haz it back? That 280z is in perfect condition, nothing a tube chassis cant fix! HAHA NOT! Sorry about the 280z looks like you found a great car though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Stripped down my old Z last weekend and took anything off that was still useful. Had to sawzall the driver frame rail off because it was pinned against the engine from the impact. Still prepping the bottom of the 240 for the Rustbullet paint. Almost ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 I'd reconsider the turbo swap. You have all the pieces there. The 3.1 is going to cost you a lot, and you may be dissapointed with it in the end. Has your old Z allways been in Vegas too? If so, you could part out the body pieces if they are rust free. Doors, rear quarters, floor pans. You know, while you got the sawzall out 8^). Good luck on your project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MREDDLE Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 WOW, There are all kinds of Z owners in Vegas now. Good Luck with everything. Let me know if you need any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 Has your old Z allways been in Vegas too? If so, you could part out the body pieces if they are rust free. Doors, rear quarters, floor pans. You know, while you got the sawzall out 8^). "once again good information to know YESTERDAY!" -Adam sandler quote. I didn't even think of that I already dropped if off at the scrapper. WOW, There are all kinds of Z owners in Vegas now. Good Luck with everything. Let me know if you need any help. Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 The rear is finally painted and ready for the suspension to be reinstalled! I clean it all off with acetone followed by Metal Blast, put the first coat of Rust Bullet on, sealed every seam that the paint didn't with silicone (let it dry), and then did a final coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nullbound Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Wow, that looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78nismoZ Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Did you roll, brush, or spray the rust bullet on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Did you roll, brush, or spray the rust bullet on? Brush. I'm not brave enough with paint yet to buy a spray gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78nismoZ Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Nice! It looks great! I will be doing the same thing in hopefully the next week or two, I'm currently fighting against the factory undercoating on my 280z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 22, 2010 Author Share Posted May 22, 2010 Nice! It looks great! I will be doing the same thing in hopefully the next week or two, I'm currently fighting against the factory undercoating on my 280z. Get a needle gun as they work great. Ok polyurehtane bushing on and rear suspension installed! Time to start the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahraini240z Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 lookin good bro... keep up the good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 (edited)  Keep on chugging! You have a lot of momentum.  The build will be finished before you know it.  Looks great so far. +1 on the turbo swap. Edited May 22, 2010 by cygnusx1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New-to-240z Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 (edited) hope you don't mind me asking . . . but what is the tool you used to remove the undercoating of the Z? I'm looking to do this myself as I want to be sure I don't have any bad rust spots on my car. I don't want to buy a compressor (i live in a condo and my garage shares a wall with my neighbor's house) but if I have to I will and just do it in sections over the course of a month or so. (EDIT, just did a search and those things are expensive!!! $150 just for the gun?!?! You feel like selling yours after your finished? HAHA) Edited June 2, 2010 by New-to-240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 I've been stripping the front drivers side down over the last few weeks. I'm less motivated since the hotter weather started moving in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010  +1 on the turbo swap. I rode in a local 260 with an L28T in it and I'm going turbo for sure now. what is the tool you used to remove the undercoating of the Z? just did a search and those things are expensive!!! $150 just for the gun?!?! You can get a needle gun at Harbor Freight Tools for like $30. You do need a compressor though. From what I've read it is the easiest way, but I've also read dry ice and a hammer works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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