AZGhost

Donovan/Phar Thanks for the kind words. To me the engine swap/upgrade is the biggest most important factor there is in figuring out what to go with. Once I figure out what Im going with, then like you said brakes/suspension all those other things. We pulled the L28 and tranny out today. More gutting to do this weekend, so we can start on the body/paint. I still have lots of time to figure it all out. The mechanics at the shop are as just as excited as I am, and just cant seem to wait, they just want to throw it all together and hoon the hell out of it seems lol... The biggest most important thing I do is making sure that whatever I decide to go with, there are kits and things available going forward. Yes I have access to a complete auto shop and that helps with knowledgable people, but engineering new brackets and things takes time, where as I would rather just buy (and I realize that costs money, but you take the guess work out of it). I appreciate your guidance and words of wisdom

So engine swap to V8 is your suggestion? My thinking was to do the suspension/brakes semi-last. Why do this first? Please enlighten Coilovers and brakes are on my list, but at the end of it, and slightly on the longer term conversion plan. Along with a real axle swap to get disc brakes on the rear (like a Q45 swap or something). Would also like to get the 5 lug hubs up on the fronts, so I can get something more modern like 330m rotors. Need to find a good balance of getting newer parts on, but still keeping it old school. The body is really perfect other than the passenger door having rust on it in one particular spot. My father in law has a paint booth at his shop, so Ill be striping the paint, and getting a new coat on it for sure after everything has been stripped out. Interior is in very good condition, so it will all get saved. Ya, I read about the LD28 crank out of the diesel maxima, its like looking for gold from what i've heard tho. Goes back to my hard to find parts thing. I knew what I was getting into tho. I had one of these things when I was a teenager, so I cant wait to get this on the street, now that I have real money and not a teenagers budget

I am a proud new owner of a 76 280z here in Arizona. It was kept up in Flagstaff, literally in a barn for the last 10+ years. Spider webs, and pine needles everywhere in this car. Body is completely straight, but a little rust has set into the passenger door which may need to be replaced. No rust anywhere else. Paint is crap, and engine is seized. Weather stripping is all dried out, and needs to be replaced which is no big deal. Engine bay looks brand new otherwise. Hoses, wiring are all in excellent shape considering how long its been sitting. So with 10k in my hand, the question is, what engine do I go with? My father in law is leaning heavy towards V8 swap, with 700R4 transmission, and his shop guys are in agreement with him (they restore old chevy's at his shop). It seems cliche to me... The reasoning is lots of parts available for 350 SBC, easy to do, no guess work, which I get. I would like to stroke the L28 out with triple carbs. Robello has the stroker 3.0 kit for it, which has peaked my interest. Keeps it more period, but then you have the parts availability going forward. I have sent Robelloracing some emails, but not heard back from them yet. I am not looking to complete everything in this car in a month, but get enough done, so I can start to enjoy it and add to it over time. The 3.1 stroker would be sweet, but its 2k just for the crank from Japan, and I dont know anyone who sells a 3.1 do it yourself kit. (i probably need a new block too, the L28et?) The idea is to have a fun/weekend car. Occasional track/strip, but mostly just city driving. Want enough power for fun and show some old school power. So the question is, if you had to do it all over again, what would you do?