Oldestzguy

Will do.

Sorry, no 2+2's

I just bought a project car and it came with three parts cars. Given time, I will pick them up and offer the parts for sale under the classified section here. They are all 280z models. One is 75, one is 76, and two 78's. Can I assume they are all 5-speeds, and if so, how can I determine the ratios.

I just bought a project car (280) that came with three complete parts cars. If you give me some time to pick them up and check them out I might have some fenders for you.

I am hoping I can get some ID help I just bought 5 280Z cars all in a project situation. Which rear ends are the best for a mild V8 and how can I identify the gear ratio etc.? I would appreciate any help on this. Thanks

First off , thanks for this input, For some reason, I assumed all of the 700 transmissions were computerized. I do not want any computers on this car, so to learn that there are 4-speed non-computerized transmissions is great news. Embarrassing that I did not know that. I now understand that 1992 back were the non-computerized GM four speed autos. I just have to worry about the shifting timing and the kick-down. My project car came with the JTR manual which, when it gets here, I will follow without fail. Although I am going to upgrade some of the suspension parts, it is good to know I am starting off in a safe place with the stock parts and can just go up from there without much hotrodding or unique fabrication. I have inside acess to a great driveshaft company here in Orlando. I am feeling much more confident now and am only worried about the little things like the mirrors, windows, etc, of which can be a headache, but I am more qualified. Thanks,

It seems I have read every thread on this website, but with my limited knowledge of conversions, as well as, REAL auto repair; I believe I have finally defined a realistic goal for my son and I. However, it might make sense to see if someone that has ALREADY COMPLETED all of what we will be trying to accomplish, would "bless", via a reply here, all of my decisions listed in this thread/forum. The car I want to build for my son is an outrageous looking 1978Z (big flares, etc.), daily driver with a basically stock carbed chevy (simple) small block with only a "sixtys" sounding (bumpity bumpity) cam with flowmasters, A/C and an automatic. Is the following correct? 1) We live in Florida so except for the gas mileage we will be losing, we really don't need the fuel injection with sensors, computers, wiring, etc. 2) If we prefer an automatic and also because of the carb, I should use a computerized 700 four speed automatic to help in the pursuit of gas mileage we've already lost rather than the three speed non computerized automatic 3) I should use the JTR install kit for simplicity 4) I need a large size radiator (rather than thick) with a ford Taurus 2-speed fan, as well as, two small fans in the fender wells to pull the hot air out, in addition to some actual hood vents. 5) Shorty headers are the easiest and can be purchased for this conversion 6) I will need to convert, throttle, speedo, and a few other misc items 7) I will need a new driveshaft and it has to be at proper angle and balanced 8) The stock 1978 280z rear end will be suitable if we don't hot rod around too much 9) All the stock front suspension, struts, brakes, etc arre suitable 10) All the stock rear suspension, struts, brakes, etc are suitable 11) I want power steering. I put Mustang II power rack & pinion steering on my old Z. Is there a better/easier conversion for a 1978 280z? 12) The factory a/c system (interior) will work with the chevy a/c parts required in the engine bay if I have special hoses made 13) I need to improve the windshield wiper speed on any 280 Z 14) Later, ZX power mirrors will adapt to the door of the 280 and provide the right angle needed as far as cosmetics go 15) What is the easiest way to do power windows and locks on the 78 280z? 16) What is the easiest bolt on rear disc brake conversion on the 78 280z? 17) I need to have the conversion work finished before the body work (assuming it is not in the engine bay, etc OK, so I need advice for sure on the three questions, #11, 15, & 16; but can anyone tell me that I am pretty much in the ballpark as far as my goal is concerned. I have already purchased a 78 280Z project car Thanks, in advance for anybody's help

I just spent six months researching my Z project; just bought two project cars and three parts cars, lined up the garage to work in, lined up storage for all the rest and was ready to start the decision making process concerning which small block to use and I stumble across this thread. With the wide flares I am hoping to use, that chopped top would look fantastic. Oh no! another decision. I will wait and see how the glass situation works out. Peugeot windshield sounds good.

Just trying to test if my ability to post replies is turned off like it says at the bottom of my page

This morning, I discovered all of my classified ads were deleted and this is what I have found since then: 1) I am stupid because I did not read the classified ad rules that were very easy to find. This adjective of me is self imposed. 2) I still don't know exactly who deleted them so I cannot easily contact them 3) I still don't know exactly why they were deleted so I may make the proper correction; as the reasons (form letter) evidently could have been multiple 4) Even though one of the reasons stated was for non payment of the ads (I did not know there was a charge) I have since found out there evidently is no charge, I guess? 5) Evidently, if you make a donation, you don't have to wait fourteen days or to build up a reputation or something 6) I have one green dot already which seems to mean I am somehow going in the right direction, but this somehow still did not keep my ads published 7) You have to have a minimum number of posts but I don't know what that number is so I can wait until then 8) I just bought one project car and three other Z cars and hundreds of brand new and used parts and having to list all of them would be a nightmare reserved for the ebay profit hunter types 9) I wanted the Hybrid Z members to get first crack at all the parts so I don't have to work so hard listing all of them on ebay for top dollar I am perfectly willing to make a gold level donation if someone would tell me this is the real problem rather than the other ones listed I need help from the decision maker that deleted them mostly because there appears to be even more contradictions to some of the rules, ie. payment, listed price, etc. and I don't want to go through this again, of course I was happy that I could give the members some of the stuff they need before I am forced to make it a profit hunt because of the time required Whoever you are, please see that my attitude is in the right place, my ability to donate is available, and please help me accomplish this. I have many many parts and I have now read everything and searched everything and am a little more confused than ever. This is in no way a complaint, it is a plea Please read number one again. Many thanks, John

It was the seventies. After pulling my car out of six paint shops, the car was finally painted correctly by a hobbiest (sp?) in his one car garage with a sheet thrown over the washer/dryer so his wife wouldn't get upset. He did the candy color stripes like a pro. If you look, closely you can see the stripes on the outside mirrors, as well as, the T shapped hood scoop and the front of the whale tail. We did not seem to have too many good painters here then or now like the guys out west do. I am considering using Dan in Arizona to do all of my bodywork/paint even though I am in Orlando. My only problem is that I am a bodyshop groupie and would miss "visiting" the car.

Where was it listed for sale?

The red front flares are exactly what I want. 12" wheels in the front and 14" in the rear. Don't worry about the shipping costs, my wife only has two jobs right now. Where did you find those four bolt 12" wheels? When I did my old Z there were only one set of 4 bolt wheels even 10" wide I could find. By the way, I am not going to do a gnose. Thanks I believe, in the old days, in Florida, Bob Lapp and I (I was a customer of his) got these as a kit (I think he had the gnose on his race car) from a now defunct company called: Z Accessory Products.

Yes, you are so right; and now let's find the full front fiberglass flared fenders that came with these and the gnose as a kit. I've also learned that if you go to the home page, select Albums, select Member's Galleries, then go to the page where you find dmsv8 and click on that, you will see Dan's flares. By the way, Zlalomz, who has the set in your photos?

Ok, I just talked to Dan today (dmsv8) and this is what he told me. He thinks the powdercoating guy is also named Dan and that he bought the big molds from Arizona Z but is located in Ohio. This Dan owns a body shop (which I knew) and lives in Phoenix. The confusion started by the same names and the fact that he has built and cleaned up molds for Arizona Z even though they were eventually sold elsewhere (Dan in Ohio). Because of this, he got a set of the flares and put them on his car and has the knowledge and facilities to create a mold of them and make duplicates for us if he eventually makes that decision based on the interest level here. He still says his target price, including shipping is $400 and wants me to continue to use that figure. We all know it could change when he actually begins the project, if he does, and we all also know that changes in price usually go higher, not lower. 280zone is an actual live friend of his in the same town so if anything he says goes against what I am saying in this forum; I would defer to him as he should have the lastest or most accurate information compared to mine. Dan said he has already received emails and calls with interest; so keep it up and lets make it worthwhile for him if we can. Also he wants everyone to know that he has altered the outside edge of the wheel opening of the flares to accommodate huge (tall) tires because his car is tubbed, etc., and that a little fibergalss might have to be added to conform to your own wheels.

Ok, lot of posts but now I have finally reached a result. Dan, the aforementioned guy above (powdercoating) will make as little as six sets of rear quarter panels (huge IMSA flares as seen in these pictures) for $400 per set INCLUDING SHIPPING IN THE CONTINENTAL US. This does not include the front fiberglass fenders as yet, only the rears. He owns a bodyshop and has made these before and actually has a set of them on his own car as well. He also has some front fiberglass flares he might mold onto a set of fiberglass fenders but we are just in the talking stage on that right now. If any of you want a set; please contact him at the email above and let him know.

Just received an email from Dan (the powdercoating guy that owns what I think are the right molds from Arizona Z car) and he said he does not mind people contacting him at dmsv8@netzero.net He said he needs six orders to make it worthwhile to produce the flares. If you want these, please contact him and tell him your wishes. I just sent him a note asking about the front flared fenders (these have not been mentioned by him yet),as well as, the quality, and the price of the total package. I will keep you guys posted when I hear back. Otherwise, contact him yourself as well.

Late last year while perusing the web for Z info I located Arizona Z car. I talked to Dave and he emailed me pictures of what I think were the exact same flares and fenders I was looking for and said he could make me a set. I think he had a Gnose also. Since then, this week, I found out from 280zone that Dave at Arizona Z had sold his molds to Dan who owns a powdercoating business. I called him and he told me he purchased over 100 molds from Dave at Arizona Z and had them in storage. He also told me that when the weather gets better, he is going to look at all of them and see which ones to keep. Someone else told me, I can't remember who, that they thought the molds for these flares (that Arizona Z had) were of low quality. Dan (powdercoating guy) told me that if that is the case, he would probably improve them and make some sets to sell. It is my feeling that there seems to be a lot of interest in these flares so maybe we could all get together and make it worth Dan's effort to produce us some. He seemed like a great guy. By the way, that purple Z is exactly what I want to build, less the Gnose to make it shorter, stumpier, and more aggressive.

Thanks for the offer 280zen If I can locate a donor car and these big flares I am looking for; I am definitely going to join. When that happens (I am working on one deal right now) I will contact you for the next meeting. thanks, John

To John Washington: From the posts here; I am, of course, assuming you produce fiberglass body parts. Do you know where I can find the IMSA flare kit in my picture here of an old Z I had years and years ago. thanks, John

It seems everyone has these flares but me. Zlalomz, how much would you charge me for copies of the cd's with pictures you were speaking of. Also, if you don't mind, where is Craigslist? El240z, you have the type car I am looking for. Everything there but, because it is not finished yet, it is available to be customized to my own taste. If you see another one around in this condition, please let me know. In addition, if you want to sell yours, I might be interested in the car, and would sell the wheels to Zlalomz and the Gnose to someone else; or you could do the same beforehand. To everyone else, I will not be using a gnose and the front flares that go with the IMSA kit I am looking for are really full fiberglass "flared" bolt on fenders. Many thanks

Hey el240z, I would love to see a picture of your car. It sure looks like you knew what you were doing with wheels more than I did. By the way, everyone, the set of flares that I thought I had found were not the right ones. I am still looking if you see any. thanks,

I would, of course, never hope for this, but would it not be unbelieveable if my old car (25 or thirty years ago) was still around somewhere. The last owner I know about would be about 65 now and bought it as a present for his son who was graduating from Auburn university via a wrestling scholarship. The Bob Lapp connection happened quickly; maybe the car is still around !!!

Well, that was very productive. What a website. Looks like I have already identified them, found at least one set for sale, located who has the current molds, and some great pictures of them. Believe it or not, the Z I built before (actually about 30 years ago) was stock (other than Mustang II rack and pinion power steering, Nissan SX power outside mirrors, Olds Cutlass tilt column, and Racing gas filler flip cap) as I was not into really technical autos then. Larry Cole now has a picture of it he will be trying to post here for me somewhere. I used wheel adapters (1 ") (yuck) and 10" wheels in the back with 8" in the front. You will be able to see in the picture that I had a good two inches of space left for wider wheels in each flare which annoyed me terribly. Flares should be filled up. What I want to build now is similar to the gray one posted here in these pictures. One that looks "all business". Might be able to use 13" or 14" in the back with the right hubs and 12" in the front. At the risk of losing your respect immediately I will offer this story. I remember going to the Paul Revere 250 overnight race in Daytona a hundred years ago (that is the race that was the night before what used to be called the "Firecracker 400") which is now the Pepsi 400, I think.) At any rate, I pulled the car through the tunnel going to the infield (I had a friend (Bob Lapp) racing a Z in the night race and therefore had a pit pass) and came upon what seemed like hundreds of Z cars. Turns out it was the national Z club annual meeting or something. A few of the guys that seemed to be in charge ran up asked me to lead the parade lap before the night (IMSA) race (because mine was the most outrageous looking)..I turned them down and have regretted it ever since. I was afraid that being stock (and pretty tired), it would not be able to handle the banking on the curves etc. Sorry guys, next time I will be the first on the track. My son, still cannot believe I did not do it.

Hi, I need the big wide body kit.