78280z

BSD, Por-15 seems to be one of those products that has a universal price. No matter where you look for it, it's pretty much the same price and I have only seen one sale on it (a holiday promotional sale on Por's website). You can consider similar paints such as Zero Rust or Rust Bullet if Por-15 is too expensive for your budget. I will probably be using Zero Rust due to the much more wallet-friendly price tag.

I need something that will patch in to fix this: It doesn't look to me like those will do the trick, will they?

I need a passenger's (right) rear quarter panel for my '78 280z. Anyone have one? Let me know! Thanks!

Oops, my server is dumb and caused me to double post. Admins, you can delete this one. Thanks!

Check out 240hoke's car. It looks similar to what you want.

Agreed. It looks as if they were not fitted correctly. Also, it looks as if the stock fenders/quarters were not trimmed. Doesn't that kind of defeat the functionality of flares as well?

Thanks for the tips. What gage sheet metal should I look for? 20ga maybe?

Yes, I know it will be a pain and it will be more cost effective to just get a different shell, but I want the learning experience. Thanks for the encouraging words TeamNissan. So anyway, I still have some questions... Also, if someone has a passenger's rear quarter panel, I'm in the market.

So, after much consideration, I'm just going to bite the bullet and save another Z from the junkyard. It will be a learning experience. What type of sheet metal do you guys use for patch work? I need to make some small patches in my floorpan as well as the one on the hood. Also, what should I do with those front rad supports? Cut out the rust and weld in sheet? Thanks in advance for your help!

I will place an order for the Tabco patch panels. I still need a used passenger rear quarter panel, so if anyone has one for cheap, let me know. Thanks!

I am looking to see if anyone has any of the following for my '78 280z project. I need a complete passenger rear quarter panel, patch panel for the lower rear quarter behind the driver's side rear wheel, two rocker panels, and patch panels for both fenders just behind the front wheels. If anyone has any used panels or patch panels, let me know. Thanks!

jmortensen: Thanks for changing it for me, that is a much better title. I would like to go with 16x8 rims with 225/50/16 tires.

Anyone have any input?

Right now I am planning on running Tokico HP springs and struts. I would like to run Konig Rewinds or Rota RB's with a wide tire under some ZG Flares. Would it be possible to fit a tire wide enough to fill the space under the flares while running the HP setup? Everyone with flares seems to be running coilovers...

Don't be so easily discouraged. Check out what I have to work with... http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=128333 As you'll read in my thread, anything is fixable with enough time, money, and patience. Just something to keep in mind when you're deciding what to do. Good luck with the project!

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far! I will have to look into some of those options. Keep me posted if you see any more around NY. Thanks again!

I think the red looks amazing. Hopefully I will someday own a Z that looks as sharp as yours.

My budget right now (realistically) is under $1000. That might be tough.

EvilC, I definitely see your point. However, I'm conflicted since Z's are so hard to come by here in NY, especially one with a clean shell. Plus, I am in college, so I need to find a good deal as well. So, I guess if you know someone who is selling a clean shell for a reasonable price, let me know. Thanks for your input!

So today I got the Z into the shop and really started looking over the rust. The interior and frame are alright, but the other body panels need some help (to say the least). At this point I would say I need a replacement passenger rear quarter, replacement panel for the lower rear quarter behind the driver's side rear wheel, both rocker panels, replacement panels for both fenders just behind the front wheels, and a patch panel for the hole in the hood. If anyone has some of this stuff and is willing to sell for a reasonable price since I'm currently a student, let me know, I can't stand to see that rust any longer!

Thanks for the offer TeamNissan, I'm definitely going to need some metal to weld in when I cut those rust spots out.

As far as I can tell, the only other structural rust I have seen is below the driver's door on the interior. I am not sure what to do with that or with the rust on the rad support (since it is structural, I'd imagine I can't just cut and weld in sheet metal). I am willing to fight for the rest, though, where I can cut and weld.

Sorry for the delay in responding. I wanted to get some pics of the actual car to show everyone what I'm up against as far as the bodywork battle goes. Okay here are the pics... The hole in the hood: The rear-quarter: The following three are from the driver's side: Frame in front of radiator: So, there's the rust in all its glory. I have to admit, with no experience in bodywork, every time I look at the car, I feel completely overwhelmed. So, if anyone has any advice on how to tackle these areas of rust, that would be great. Thanks!

IMO, Globerunner513 hit the nail on the head. If you want a car that has all of the things you listed in your post, get a Subaru. They are extremely reliable and both the 2.5L and 2.5L Turbo models are very fun to drive. Plus, depending on what kind of space you need, you can go with either an Impreza, a Legacy, or a Forester. The initial price for a used Subie may be higher than for other cars, but if you make the initial investment, you will not regret it (you will not be paying as many repair bills and Subaru's have very good resale value). So, I think you just can't go wrong with a Subie. I also very much agree with your choice of a FFR GTM. After sitting in the drivers seat of the one in the FFR showroom, the I decided I will have to own one at some point in my life.

While my project is still in the resto stage, I can't help but drool over some nice wheels. I'm also wondering what you guys used to roll the fenders? I tried the baseball bat method for mine but the old fenders have some thick metal on them and I couldn't get the leverage I needed to roll them.