afbrian13

If the stock pattern is 4x114.3 and you get wheels with a 4x114 will they work? I seems like 1.5mm on each side is less than the play that is built into the wheels. I know my factory ford truck wheels have alot more play between the studs and wheels holes than that. Wondering if this would be ok. Any opinions? Thanks

So I have a 76' 280z. I've had it for years through different engines etc-all I6 but none ran quite like the original before a blown head casket. If i didn't try to half ass it ($$$ wise) I'm sure it would help, but it is what it is. I'm at a crossroads. I like how the Z looks, handles, etc. I think part of it is I'm getting bored. I've thought of 302 swap, I6 turbo, 350, but haven't decided. After thinking of these different options I started thinking it sounds like I'm trying to build a C3 vette? But am I? I can't deny the visual apeal-maybe the only 70's car sexier than mine. It comes with v8power. 2seeter blah blah blah.plus its a 'vette. classic American car. But it feels like cheating. I know its a bigger car built completely different. In many circles its not even considered a "sports car" in the way a Z, MG, Jag are. What I'm getting at: Anyone on here own a C3 vette and a Z? What are the handling, "feel", gut feeling differences? What about MX issues? I know the motors, but what of the rest of it? fiber body but i can fix boats so.... Should I consider one? or just go through with the V8 swap and keep the Z. I know this forum is a little biased but the opinions on here are generally more logical and honest than emotional. I know better than to even bring up this discussion on a vette forum. I guess I don't want to sell my car to get one that I won't be happy with. Are vettes more of a culture thing than an actual good car? Hopefully some of you have experiance with both and can help me out-thanks a ton for the input and humoring me!! Brian

I'm 26 now. I grew up in my Dad's 82zx sitting on booster seats to see over the dash. When I was in high school he bought a 73 240z. I joined the Air Force and was living in the dorms and REALLY needed something to work on-besides airplanes. (20yo) Always been into cars, I've had jacked up trucks come and go, worked at a Jaguar resto shop in high school (love e-types but can't afford one) I was looking for a 300TT and ran across a 4color 76 5speed w/96,000, no interior to speak of and got him down to $650! I took it for a drive and it ran like a top. More fun than any other car I had test drove. Plus I could spank my roommate 80's vette-the heavy pig. drove it once and told him to keep it! Just the personality of a Z. I have family with the vet, mustang, etc. I really like them, they're cool cars.They just lack...something. Went over a year just driving doing nothing but new fenders, hood, and spray paint. Then the head gasket blew.cold engine so no worpage yet she's never been the same. Has never quite been "right" since I took it apart that 1st time. Been together and apart countless time since then. all different I6 motors.stock, turbo(that leaked oil), back to stock-due to cost. My 3yo girl and 1yo son and I were actually peicing a motor together yesterday. Another generation of car nuts starting early (Ever install a manifold one handed?) There has been talk of selling for a 60's stang, or some other "family ie back seat" muscle car but it wouldn't be the same. Odd as it is to say, my Z is the only consistant (and longest running) thing I've had. I think sometimes my wife is jealous of my mistress in the garage (at least her car is!) I love V8 sound and feel, but the way my Z handles and looks, so I'm leaning towards a 302 swap. The kids just might learn about some good old american muscle anyway. I'll keep you posted...

Glad to see I'm not the only one that has to coerce to my hood to shut it! I love that sound! Its rather "european sports car". If I stay I6 thats a must to buy.

I didn't know if this should go here or in the V8 thread, but I figured it would require more body work than engine. Does anybody have a shaker scoop on a Z? I was thinking of one off a newer Mach 1 'stang, and I saw one from a 70's firebird on craigslist. I think it would look pretty cool on a z with the hood bump already there. Kinda kills the sleeper idea if your going for that. So any pictures/decriptions of one? Lets see it!

that was chevy saying "lets take a really good gas motor, make an unreliable POS out of it, and ruin the diesel car market in the US for a good 20+ years" - stay clear of them

I know I've seen some of you on here that own Mustang's and Z's. what year stang do you drive? How does it compare to the feel of a Z? I know about the mechanical aspects, avaibability of upgrades and mods. what I'm wondering is the "driving experiance". Anyone with a Z knows what I mean. I was tossing around the idea of a v8, 5speed convertible, 90's vintage. Any opinions let me know. Thanks

I can't help for length(thats never been a Z issue anyway) but I could check width and height. I have a superduty V10 in my truck. These guys are right about the reving thing. The power band just keeps going. My motor has been easy to work on because of the layout of components. I considered the same swap so 3/4 of my parts would match the truck, but the cost would not be cool. Was thinking a 5.0 but it might be time to start looking at newer tech.

Yes I ment that. I have an 83 turbo motor that runs well but the turbo needs rebuilt. I have my 76 that does not run so well. Just to get a decent running driver, and yes I have the correct parts laying around, could I put an NA exhaust on the turbo motor with turbo ECU and have it run fine? Basically the ECU would think it had no boost so it shouldn't matter. I'm just looking at a low cost way of getting my car running decent for now. And yeah - I have a garage full of random z parts to pull from (correct manifolds to match ports) Thanks

The black square on the coil bracket is the transistor. I'd love to know a part number but so far I just yank them from early 80s datsuns at the junk yard. Certain 4bangers have them

smoke machine=a good cigar i figured out having a spare distributor to hook up is great for troubleshooting. The engine doesn't have to be running to check injectors or spark, just spin the dizzy. You think these injectors are loud normally lol

see i deceided to part out a 78 2 seater only after it BENT when I jacked it up! I knew there was some rust but the ends of the car just drooped when i jacked it up. Honestly, it has still been worth having around for the mechanical parts My "good" 76 has a couple holes in the floors and left rear(and front hod hinge area" which i still consider not bad. Anywhere youget snow you need to learn how to weld.

Hi all, I've been reading alot one here and it seems alot of people are looking for good roofs ( un cut ). I have a 78 parts car - the entire "frame" is pretty much shot. I was going to use it for a t-top experiment and figured if i screwed it up oh well. However, if somebody is actually interested in a good solid, smooth roof, let me know. Its still on the car. i figured i'd cut it down the pillars so as to not distort the actual roof. Let me know Brian

I'd say look for some fox body shorty headers (stock replacement fitment) I know a different project i was working on - 302 in a 720 4x4 - mid 80's t-bird exhaust worked pretty well and seems like it would in a z. my 2 cents

Mine doesn't knoe that my 70 f-100 I6/auto/2wd body got bolted to a 76 f-250/360/4speed/4x4 Nor do they know that my 76 280z has a 83 turbo in it:grin: Just don't volunteer info and go with it. Don't lie, just don't....you know

Hi everyone. I'm trying to get some ideas to accomplish what i want. I can see my z in my head but you all know how the tranfer to actual car goes. I have a 76 280z I'm looking for i body kit that doesn't stand out and say "Look at me!!" I want something to be more understated and not as obvious with the intentions of visually lowering the car. At the same time i'm looking for an overall "mean" looking car that looks fast (they do that stock so that helps) I hope this makes sense. I just don't care for the very stand out, ricer style body kits. Any opinions are great - I know yall have those Look forward to the comments Thanks Brian

I know its been said over and over, but i'm glad i live without that headache. I'm stationed in NE and think i'll just keep everything registered here even when i get orders lol I asked about smog when i got here at the dmv and they laughed and said whats that!!!

check out this oil pan from summit http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG3520&view=32&N=700+4294908331+4294840126+4294889096+4294925232+4294839075+4294840045+0

Maybe this has been covered already, but I figured I'd relay a little info. Everyone seems to be having problems with oil pan clearance with the mustang front or duel sumps. Is there a reason why an f-150/bronco rear sump oil pan wouldn't work? I'm going to do a little junkyard measuring and see what i can find. I'm looking into a high performance 5.0 for my 76 280z, and a 2bbl truck motor for my 85 720 4x4.

anyone know of somebody putting a z31 v6/5 speed in a pickup? The reason i was thinking this engine was the turbo possibilities. any suggestions? Truck is a 85kc 720 4x4 lifted a little with the stock z24 motor. Truck is guttless. I love the I6 in my 280z but not enough room for one of those.

1st I'd like to say that today i got my very pain in the *** pass. door to close great with a little dremel persuasion per the sticky. Worked great, thanks On to the next fun power windows. I know I've seen ( and yes searched here ) the different universal pw kits and peaople say they work great. A couple questions, since i've never seen one of these kits installed: do you reuse any of that damned scissor mechanism? i can see reusing the front guide but thats it. where do you get replacement motors should the ones in the kit take a dump? are they standard gm car motors for example? Could it be modded to use a nissan motor easily? Any input would be great. I'd love to get power windows and locks working great before doing custom door panels, and i like to use as much nissan stuff as possible ( though i don't care what model it comes from ) Thanks as usual Brian

i want to make some for my 76, but first i'm looking into power window kits so i can elimate the crank handle. i'm building mine from scratch. i'll take and post pics

I know the automotive/general use primer from say Autozone sucks, but if you can use rustoleum paints straight on metal, then you would think that rustoleum primer would be ok for light fill, smoothing, etc. I have used it on some areas without any problems. My Z prefers the rustoleum semi-flat black:) what do you think mom's z?

dats240 I have that door dent on my pass. side - above and just behind the door handle, but they came that way on my 76. Plus it is a different door than factory on that side anyway. My car came without any door panels at all, so i was excited about my parts car. good doors, very little rust, no dents, nice panels, windows work great. Then when i went to swap i learned about the hinges parts car is a 78 if anyone wants some nice doors with all the parts for a 77 or 78 blue(paint faded of course) with black door panels, armrests and all PM and maybe we could work out a deal. I don't need'm

pulled the head today and found a piece of rtv in the oil gally between the head and block, pulled it out, let you kno what happens