[1975 280Z project]

And the new engine is in! I only have a crap phone pic for now...

[1975 280Z project]

Oops, no evidence of the new wheels and tires was included...

[1975 280Z project]

With help from friends, I finally had major progress on my Z project today!

 

Short version:

- Jan 2007: Bought car locally from original owner

- Drove off and on

- Jun 2007: Bought used 3.1L stroker, 3.90 diff, 5-speed trans, header and other related parts (head has turbo injectors and intake has larger throttle body).

- Jan 2009: Sent to Westside Group on Torrance, CA for media blasting to bare metal, rust repair (pans and rails), rubber coat, bumper conversion (MSA fiberglass 240-style) and paint, which is 2004-2008 Infiniti FX Beryllium

- Dec 2009: Sent engine out for rebuild and cam swap from MSA stage 5 (too much for fuel injection) to stage 2. Raised compression to about 9.5:1.

- Jul 2010: Got car back and started attempting to get it running again with stock engine (it had been out for all the work)

- Jul 2010: Got engine back (yeah, it sat at the shop a good while)

- Today, Jan 16, 2011: Pulled stock engine and started prep for stroker!

 

That's the short version - now to get the 'new' engine in and get weatherstipping, sound deadener and interior together. I'll later be looking at whether I feel 4-piston conversion and maybe rear discs are necessary. The plan is for a fun street car, but it could see the occasional track day. Anyway, I'd meant to start a thread a long time ago and I've found this forum to be a VERY valuable resource, so this is the update, well into the project. A few more details are below and some photos from along the way.

 

Details to be finished/added: Centerforce PP with stock equivalent disc, old Nissan Motorsport header to be ceramic coated, 3-inch exhaust, old Nissan Motorsport short shifter, carpet kit and door panel material from Too Intense Restoration, some emblems, dash coverlay, etc.

 

Parts already on the car: ST sway bars, Illumina struts, Eibach springs, 15-inch Konig Rewinds (need to space a little to fit center caps) with 215/55r15, Russell stainless brake lines

 

Shot from when I bought it:

 

In progess:

 

In progress (paint done!):

 

On its way home:

 

Back home in the garage:

 

Today (Jan. 16, 2011) after engine pull:

[Using an early 240Z rear bumper on a '77 280Z]

Hi Deja: Your front bumper looks great in the photos on your web site. That's where I'm headed with my '75 280Z stroker project. Have you changed the rear bumper?

[240z to 280z bumpers--- bracketry?]

Did you get the bumpers on and do you have any photos?

[1973 Z Bumper convert to 1972 Bumper - help needed]

Hi, do you have any photos of the new bumper on the 260?

[Best quality fiberglass front bumper for a 1973 240-Z]

I've found some decent info on bumper swaps involving 240 bumpers on 280s, but haven't seen a lot of info on fiberglass bumpers on 280s. Obviously, the mounting methodology should be the same if the fiber bumpers are designed to be direct bolt-ons for the 240; but I was wondering if anyone had experience and photos.

[Pics of my 280Z body mods]

Looks great! What bumpers are those?