OldAndyAndTheSea

I don't know if he's a member here. I think he frequents Ratsun, but his name is Bruce Laureto. He's fairly active on the 280zx drivers. Facebook group, if you do the social media thing. His 280zx is on bags, with flares. I imagine it's probably one of the cars you mentioned, though. Maybe give facebook a try. Best of luck, Mate.

EDIT: Doh! misread. I haven't cut those holes to allow people to fine tune the mounting location. Personally, I'd stick a screw in the OEM holes. Put a dab of neverseize on it, carefully drop the console in place. Drill out the dots. Everyone's car. and project is so different. I want to drill the least amount of holes possible. For the door panels :Nut inserts. I used 1/4-20 inserts, the same I used for the fender flares. You can install inserts in whatever OEM holes your particular model of door has. Here's an insert installed next to an untouched OEM clip hole.

Hey everyone apologies for sort of (okay, totally) neglecting this thread. Thank you for the kind words and the continued support! These projects continue, behind the scenes. I haven't flaked out yet Lots to update, but I'll make this update a short and sweet one. First. We are in the process of finishing a website, so we will actually have a venue to market our parts from. I'll update on that as it happens. Second. In addition to the projects you've seen here. I've since made some door panels. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out. Still finalizing fit on the one piece versions but the two piece (using your existing OEM top piece) panels are lovely and what I'm personally going to run with alcantara, mimicked below with Jo Ann's Fabric faux suede. Third. Console ash tray delete (would allow for cup holder insert - as mentioned a long time ago by Madkaw) Finished the plug today. Keeping busy. As always.

Thanks guys. I'm happy with the results. A website is being finished currently. Then we will have a place to send people who may want to buy our parts. I'll be updating the revised center console thread after I post here. Cee Vees! Z31 axles and Whitehead performance billet companion flanges to make everything cooperate. I got a killer deal. ($650 for the axles, adapters, and a spare set of 27 spline stub axles.) Here's the link to the axle adapters if anyone is wondering - Probably not though, as these are fairly well known. Regardless. Available: http://www.whiteheadperformance.com/products/whp-billet-cv-300zx-z31-turbo-axle-companion-flange-adapters-27-spline-datsun-280zx/ OEM companion flange (left) vs. Billet z31 adapter. Time for the rear bearings! Marine grease...mmmmmm. For use with: Racecar! ARP Studs: pressed those in place. Outer bearings installed and packed. Tomorrow I will install the inner bearings, seals and pop these babies in place. Cool! Also, bonus revised console plug. Ash tray delete. Lookin' purdy. Ta ta for now.

Today I had some fun. Went to Jo Ann's fabric and bought some faux suede to wrap my OEM top sections. This is mostly some practice for the inevitable alcantara that will happen down the line. All I know is I couldn't be happier with how this is going to look. Exactly what I had imagined for so long. Very pleased, even just mocked in place, unattached, it looks great. And yes. That is the same fender welting that I've used on my flares and various other places on the car. Simple clean solution. I really like doing interior stuff like this. Very fun. Til next time.

Agreed. I always believe less is more. I love subtleties. This was always the plan for my car, but as mentioned with alcantara instead of vinyl.. But I figured, shoot for the moon (1 piece) but design in a fail safe (the two piece, which I knew was "easier" from the start). Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys. Although I ran into some trouble today... Long story short, the passenger's side doesn't fit in a way that allows the door to close easily.....sucks. I jinxed myself. This is the problem area. Stupid corner.... But I had a backup plan, should something like this arise. I never expected to nail fitment right out of the gate. ( I never do ) The driver's side truly shocked me. PLAN B: Two tone, using the OEM top. This is what I will most likely run on MY car. Except with alcantara wrapped around the OEM top piece, not the 42 year old vinyl. So my question to you guys, which do you prefer? The one piece? Or the two tone? Regardless, since I have a perfect driver's side (fitment wise) I'll modify the passenger's plug..etc.....to rectify the mistake. So looks like there are going to be two potential options. Nothing wrong with that...I guess.

Thanks guys, I am very happy with how they are turning out. More door panel goodness. It was an anxious day. Not only did I infuse the passenger carbon panel, which is always somewhat strenuous, I managed to actually fit the carbon door panel to my car. Had to hack into that beautiful laminate. Again, scary...But necessary. Pictures explain the rest. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy. Still need to locate, and drill hole for the door lock pull, and attach the inner window felt and it's done. Aside from a custom pull strap. Tomorrow I see if that panel looks, and fits, half as well as this one does. Progress!

Here's a composites update. Since I was able to successfully produce a skin that appears to fit the door(s), I needed to make a separate part for the felt window strip to attach to on the inside lip of the door panel.... ...So....another plug... I only care about the "square" edge and the top edge. I molded these plugs directly off the glass panels I have shown previously. These will make more sense in a minute. Made a mold from that.. Then...... I infused the carbon driver's door panel and some glass top flange pieces to start testing the fitment. Lovely! Here's the top flange piece, roughly trimmed. Flange piece, tabbed in place. This inner edge is what the OEM window trim/felt attaches to. It also helps hold the door panel in place. Which brings me to fasteners........ Instead of messing with interior clips, that just break, I opted for a slightly different approach. I enlarged four of the door panel clip holes to accept a 1/4-20 nut insert. Insert vs OEM Tested on Ol' Crappy. The theory works. Awesome. Time to drill some holes into fresh carbon. I like.

Mounted the calipers tonight. Here are the brackets. Bolted those onto the calipers. Loaded with Wilwood Sport pads. Awwwsheet... Pictures do no justice. Also installed my steering boots. Old - Baaaad New - Good ...And a sneak peak of what Monday/next week will bring. Exciting. Confidence is slowly returning with each successful task. Baby steps.

Front OEM hubs - Early Scalloped style. (Before) Typical.. Pull em... Clean.. Powder: ENGAGE Some goodies in the mail! ARP GM style long wheel stud bolts and replacement steering boots. Fancy! Here's the comparison from OEM stud length to the new ARP studs. Knurl was definitely comparable. I love how long they are too. And a quick, terrible, picture of the rotor assembly mocked. Looks delicious. Update/EDIT: Packed some wheel bearings tonight. Yay! I'll clean up the caps and pop those on tomorrow. This feels good. Chalk one up for Andy. Suck it car.

^^ Perhaps ...Lets see how they fit first. Front brakes arrived today. It's not often that I can just order a kit for this car..I'm really thankful for moments like these. More Techno Toy Tuning goodies. 300mm slotted rotors. Two piece. Billet hats. Comparison of OEM 2-pot caliper to Wilwood Superlite 4-pot Thickness difference, between the previous setup and now. And because I'm that guy... Exciting! My laundry list of parts is getting smaller!

David, thank you for the wonderful sentiment. The kind words are thoroughly appreciated. If it doesn't read easy, no one (myself included) will read it. Thank you, I am only getting a moment of RPM reading through tunerstudio on cranking. The most rpm I've seen and logged was around 160-170 rpm before the signal was lost...I, admittedly, have taken a small break from the efi portion and have swapped gears...I'm going to venture out there and check some wiring stuff, once again. Patience is indeed a virtue, however after 8 years of working on the car by myself, patience is sometimes on short supply. I've had to build this car twice because I'm teaching myself every step along the way. I'm ready to drive it. Okay. To date, I've only shown a couple pictures of my door panel progress. Here's the rundown of the process.... Took these pieces of garbage... And turned them into these plugs.. *Ignore the blue silicone/clay here - that was there initially as a molded vacuum channel while making molds, but we opted against it. * Tossed some of this junk on here. Surface coat of the mold. Dry cloth tacked in place. Infused. Popped, and trimmed. Release applied. First test door panel. Driver's appears to fit, I'm stoked. Made the passenger's today, and won't be able to test until Friday as I won't be going to work tomorrow. Almost a prototype! So much freaking work went into those damn door panels, I'm really happy to see them come to life. So at least I have that going for me.

Loudest would be open header.... Or fender exit exhaust. Straight pipe is next loudest. Twice pipes, comparatively, are not nearly as loud as the aforementioned. At least from my experience with them.

You can take the inner plastic ring out of the OEM horn pad, and cover that to make a sufficient temporary. I hated how comically large the horn button was originally. I made this to tide me over in the meantime.

I don't know what's worse.....The fact that winter is still here, with a vengeance...Or Megasquirt troubleshooting (once again...). Long story short: I still don't have a RPM signal - Everything else is working, once again, except the most important parameter. That is outrageously frustrating...Especially considering all of the revisions I have made to the system. So, while I ponder on that issue....I made a few purchases, and have made even more changes that once again clean things up in the meantime. After pricing custom plug wires, and thinking about the easiest, and cleanest way to route them....I finally decided to ditch the block mounted Chrysler coil pack all together and opted for a coil on plug setup. I'm, at this point in time, still going to run wasted spark, so very minimal wiring will have to be changed.... The entire setup, using Ford V8 coils, and the custom bracket actually turned out to be CHEAPER than the previously mentioned custom wires. Not to mention the challenge of routing them in a logical, aesthetically pleasing manner. So this was a no brainer. Here's the Chrysler coil pack that is being replaced. Here's one of the Ford coils. A new set of these was only $50, and I get eight of them. So I have two spares as well. 1 Fast Z's EDIS coil bracket. Luckily I found one - a beautiful piece. Saves me a lot of headache. Bracket - installed Coils - mounted So much simpler! Perspective So, in the midst of my agonizing frustration, I decided I need a confidence boost....So, I ordered T3's big (front) brake kit. That is expected within a week or so. It was either that, or ditching Megasquirt and going straight to Haltech, which I now feel I should have done from the beginning.....But, I've decided to not let emotions get the best of me, and give it one more attempt. I need to step back for a moment, catch my breath, and reassess the situation.... Ugh...easier said than done. Teaching yourself sucks sometimes. Installing the brakes should boost morale a bit. I cannot let the car stagnate; I need some forward progress. Winter really needs to end as well.... It was 10 degrees this morning. I shaved and got my hair cut too soon.....My face hurts.... Two steps forward......one step back, as always. Stupid car......er....more like stupid owner. Oh yeah....Almost forgot....A little carbon door panel (plug) progress as well. Lots to do on those yet.

Video! Also, I too just bought T3s big front brakes. Happy to see them on your car first! Loving the updates and progress you're making. It's putting most of us (mainly me) to shame.

Man....you weren't kidding......truly incredible car(s). Excuse me while I mop the drool off my keyboard...

That plenum! Ah!! More!!!

Third time is the charm. After three attempts, I have finally managed to stop all of the leaks. In order to make all of the various fittings cooperate, I had to install this female-female -6an swivel fitting. It's an $11 fitting, and I spent 35 dollars to overnight it from Summit.....But, what can I say? I was PISSED when I put things back together for the second time, and still had leaks...And new ones at that! No way this issue was going to last into the new week. Of course, I had to remake and redesign some things, yet again.. What else is new? Pretty close tolerances with the throttle linkage. Luckily, I managed to have just enough room. I set fuel pressure, although it doesn't want to pass a leakdown test... I'll investigate that tomorrow. Got to see my wideband working again. Had to trick the ignition circuit into thinking it still had a single coil. (prepare for the highest quality picture I have EVER taken.) And in the midst of all of this work, went up in the Piper with my buddy Ryan to assess the ice situation on the lake........Not looking good......Literally zero open water as far as the eye could see. Damn...I really want to go sailing... Obligatory pictures. That's all the work I'm doing today. I know not to press my luck. A couple small victories are enough for now. More tomorrow.

Thanks but the credit entirely lies with Kurk. :lol: From THE MAN himself. Progress...At a snail's pace. A roller coaster ride of emotions this weekend. I believe, I have the wiring sorted (thanks again, Kurk! You're a life saver!) ..I have yet to confirm definitively, but I made some steps forward, regardless. After some fiddling this afternoon, I finally got to hear my fuel pump run again. I also got to hear fuel spraying ALL OVER the exhaust manifold. HAHA! A couple of offenders.. One bad injector O-ring And one bad -6AN fitting (the capped end). Apparently I don't know my own strength and totally marred the 37 degree flare, causing it to leak as well. I saw this as an opportunity to, once again, change my fuel system a little bit. I reversed the fuel pressure regulator, as the latest version didn't work for a couple different reasons. 1. It screwed up the routing of the fuel injector harness, with the way the fuel line was routed. 2. Any provision for a fuel pressure gauge, or a sender for an electric gauge was on the underside, and was basically unusable in any way. Here is the before, in case you were too lazy to look at the last post. You can see the issues I mentioned. Not quite up to par. I swapped O-rings, and solved that problem. And I changed the fuel pressure regulator to this current setup. Once again, MUCH cleaner. Here is the after. Now with a usable fuel pressure gauge, and much cleaner fuel line and injector harness routing. I have ordered a few more -6an couplers, and a couple more caps....Just in case . But unfortunately, that means I have to wait for them to arrive; A common theme with this build. If I can find any locally in the meantime, I will certainly swap them out and work more...... But, I am doubtful of that prospect. I'll be honest, I'm looking forward to some mindless sanding once again. Wiring makes my brain hurt.....While I wait, I'll be making some door panels for the car. I welcome the task.

Started with the harness today. Kurk (FricFrac) really goes above and beyond on these things, I cannot say enough good things about his craftsmanship, and his customer service - what a great guy to deal with, on all fronts. Thanks for everything. That said, I'm taking my sweet time. Super messy, currently. That'll change. I just want to know things work, first. Slowly but surely. More tomorrow, as I have reached my breaking point for the night. Lots to do yet...

Tonight I tackled my oil cooler thermostat. Here are the mounting points. I'll use two of the four provisions. First little tab. As they say, you can either be a good welder or a good grinder.......Tonight..I was definitely (barely) the later. :laugh: First tab in place. Second tab Test fit. Initial touch up, with a brush. I'll follow up and blend it later. Perspective. I think that means tomorrow I start mocking the new wiring harness. I can't wait! More to come, as it happens. Thanks for reading.

Whoa! That's awesome! Harness install is coming up soon. Prepare yourself for, most likely, a barrage of questions, my friend. Haha Thanks for the ultra kind words. I'd LOVE a meet. I've always planned on taking the car all over....I've just never had it drivable for long enough. Haha. I have a feeling that actually might change this year. Fingers crossed...big time. Today, after work, I began to address fuel. Have I mentioned how much I love my new flaring tool? My phone sure hates to focus on flares though. I redesigned the majority of the system - A few things have changed since the last version, which necessitated new routing. I also introduced -AN fittings to the equation. Cleans things up quite nicely. I'm pleased. The devil really is in the details. I modified a 5/16" adel clamp to mount to the fuel pressure regulator in order support the length of line. I felt pretty clever... This is the type of stuff that really gets me going. Haha The new return is now behind the engine, instead of wrapping around the timing cover, and down the passenger side frame rail as it was previously. That freed up valuable real estate on the passenger's side; I plan to use this space for mounting my oil cooler thermostat and my EDIS module..... So this was pretty important. You can vaguely see the system's routing here. Feeds from behind the engine, through the fuel filter, leading to the injectors, then the FPR. Excess fuel is returned to the tank out the bottom the of regulator. I forgot that I robbed my fuel pressure gauge for the 280zx.....But, I am planning to relocate that to the cockpit, as a gauge in the engine compartment really doesn't make much sense. Other than that and a couple miscellaneous clamps.... fuel is done. Sweet!

^^ Thankya kind Sir! I was in Buffalo this past week, helping my brother recover from surgery. Otherwise this would have happened days ago... Also it's official. We are the snowiest region in America..... Woot....woot? http://www.syracuse.com/weather/index.ssf/2015/03/snowiest_place_in_america_tug_hill_lake_ontario_upstate_new_york.html#incart_river I guess we have to be the best at something This week should be interesting. Stay tuned..