Aplyedminds 75 280z Turbo

[aplyedmind]

Hi I'm Mark some of you know me and some do not ,I am a father of 2, I have a Z Itch that I can't seem to scratch , And a fetish for epsilon wheels But for those who didn't know that hello . This is My car Her name is Victoria aka Victory . I Bought her a few years ago and been working on her every since. I am a Z nut I have had 28's and still want More. I love every model Z and ZX, Theirs no room for hate in my Z world. I've always wanted a S30 With a turbo swap. So I decided It was Time to go out and find a 75 or younger Z car. After owning many S30's I decided I like the 280z better just felt like so Right when I drove it compared to the others. So I went on my quest to find a 1975 280z, and Yes I did find one. At the time of finding this car I had already bought a few other cars.Like my Twin turbo,My 77 280z , 91 MR2 turbo(blown head gasket tons of go fast parts),and a 1987 300zx turbo. Yes I have a car addiction I know But I also sell cars I get from impounds for a living .Well that's a little about me and my cars.

 

In The 1st couple pics you will see My current project The Green 1975 280z, My Orange 1977 280z was the cleanest of the many ever owned even had cold a/c only thing was the window need a regulator wouldn't stay up, and the dent in the fender That I was to lazy to have pulled out, And Last but not Least My 1991 Nissan 300zx Twin turbo Pushing 500whp With Ever Stillen Part you could think of from Rims all the way to the turbos and intercoolers. Picked up the 300zxtt For 4,800 locally I gotta say Epic deal, Great ride , Super fast, Bust most importantly It taught me respect for fast cars as I Almost lost control of it a couple times.Now I don't disrespect em any more , Now I enjoy them

 

I Picked up The twin Turbo, MR2 Turbo and My Green z all In the same month.And a couple months prior I had picked up a 1987 turbo That I got painted dodge viper blue by a random guy I met, and the orange z .I had Z Fever lol . Only Reason I got the Mr2 cause it was at a car auction Had a blow head gasket and I got it for $800(Put a fresh block in and Bam sold it for 5,500 ).

A couple of the local auction jerks Laughed when I bought the MR2 they said I overpaid but I got the last laugh When I rolled up to the auction 1 month later clean as all day and night and ready to sell

 

 

 

 

1/75 280z

Purchased July 2008

Price 700

Tags/plate fees:$425

Craiglist CA Wildomar aka Weirdomar

Color:Green

 

Pros:

Was a running driving 1975 280z w/ no smog needed

$1200 was his asking price , was cheap but not cheap enough with $400 of back fee's so I talked him down to 700, and paid the 400 at dmv the next day since they were close the day I bough it (such a Pain but worth it)

car was complete

Started every time

Original key and blue plates

3rd owner family owned

 

 

Cons:

Car was unregistered

DMV was closed the day I drove to see it

Car was full of fleas (You don't even know)

Blown Struts all around Car moved and danced like a stripper

Turn signals didn't work

Headlights And only the high beams were working.

Rust in all the right Places (Doors,Driver floor pan,Rear hatch area, dog legs you know the regular spots)

Sightly smoke from tail pipe (cleared up on drive home at 75mph biggest cloud of disrespect came outta my tail pipe Then poof was all good)

 

 

Donor cars:

81 280zx turbo 95.000 miles automatic ($350)(3rd owner)(Tranny line broke, fuel pump went out) Drove great after!

83 280zx turbo auction car 5pd and radiator donor ($1250)(blown motor found out after I had it towed home)

1977 280z Parts Car Craiglist $160 delivered to my home (Cut the rear hatch area out for my car)

Plus all the junkyards Gotta love them

 

My plans for my Z are like most others l28et, Intercooler, Big turbo, Disk brakes all around, ZG flares, Bre spoiler , A few JDM Fairlady parts here and there. Shaved bumpers and markers, 240z style front end , Rust Repair (You better believe that this car has Rust that's why I am calling my build a 2nd chance at life Cause my car Really needed a 2nd Chance. I could have easily swapped a L28et into my 77 But I much rather some one else have that one stock and keep it clean then me Modifying a perfectly good S30. Plus whats fun about a Z With no rust Right ?

 

 

I drove the car around for awhile as is cause I had a lot of money tied up in my other z's So one buy one I started to sell the to fund the turbo swap car. I figured it was time to let the twin turbo go , get the mr2 up and running so It could leave, And find the orange car also a new home So I could begin to build My Girl .

Edited May 16, 2011 by aplyedmind

[aplyedmind]

Like I said early the car had rusty doors and Blow struts, So 1st thing do was give it a tune up, Get a new set of doors, and put some new struts and springs on the car for starters. So I headed over to MSA for the Tokico blue struts with red spring combo,MSA sway bars, and a bushing kit,carpet kit,along with spark plugs, distributor, Wires , and rotor.

 

While in the junk yard stumbled across a very clean white 280z I tried to buy the whole car from the yard but they wanted 1400 I was like no way . So I took the doors,Enkei gold slotted wheels and a few other miscellaneous Items I could use on my s30. I sent the Z to My dad house since I live in a apartment and they don't allow us to work on cars here (Even though I do any ways ) to do my tune up and suspension. When car came back home we put the doors and wheels we found in.

 

I was very happy to have all my stuff installed especially the springs and wheels You know how us young folks are. I was kinda pissed that the junk yard guy broke my door mirror but besides that was very happy with my progress on the z.

 

What Really mad me sad is the 300zx got sold But my other car was now making progress.

 

Bare with me as I lost some of my better pictures to a virus

 

Picture of the Z with the 2 guys in them are my dad and my friend

 

(short story about my friend He broke my original transmission in my car driving it like a clown the 1st day after I put my suspension doors so I had him doing community service on my car , I was pretty pissed that I didn't get to enjoy my stock engine after dumping all the money I did. But none the less made me swap to turbo quicker)

Edited May 17, 2011 by aplyedmind

[turboHLS30]

Cool, I have a '75 also and I'm doing the same swap as you. I'll be watching for help with my swap

[aplyedmind]

Pior to getting 280z back home I was looking to find a 280zx turbo found one on for 500 on craiglist, ended up picking it up the whole car for 350. Needed a line for the Tranny fluid and a battery to get up and running .I planned to put all new gaskets and fresh up that motor also same as the 1st motor. So The night I bough go it towed it straight to the mechanic so He could get it running and pull the motor and needed components for the swap. Once me and my dad were done with the doors and other goodies I shipped the 280z off to receive its new power plant

[aplyedmind]

A few days before me finding the 280zx turbo parts car I sold the 300zx twin turbo on craiglist cause it was time to let it go.

 

Here are a few pics of me and the sad day it left

[aplyedmind]

As my car sat and the swap began I went to work (car auction) and found this little gem , that cost me a fortune I think I paid 1250 for it . I bought it to drive around but when I towed it home from the auction it was only running on 2 cylinders So I pulled the 5spd outta it and sold the rest of the car on gold old craiglist. This car was a set back because I really didn't need it and had may problems I believe I sold it for 800 after taking the tranny out . This is long before I had space or time to part out cars otherwise would have at least made my money back but u can't win them all I guess.

[UofA_ZCar]

Nice looking 300zx TT, must have been tough to see that drive away.

[datsun723]

The part about the fleas had me laughing so hard lol. Glad you finally started a build thread dude.

[aplyedmind]

Then rattle canned the engine bay (not the best of jobs but better than before),installed T5,Motor and its components, Centerforce clutch, NGK iridium Plugs, MSA Downpipe and A bunch of gaskets and other needed part to get it running. May not be the best looking but its runs and sounds great! I have an old video of the 1st start/run of the car I will dig out and add here later

Edited May 16, 2011 by aplyedmind

[aplyedmind]

Before bringing my z home from the mechanic I stumbled across another couple a great craiglist deal a 1984 Toyota Celica supra ptype with greedy exhaust , 20g Mitsubishi turbo, and a whole bunch of other upgrades car was for sale on craiglist for 1,000 . I ended up buying the supra just so I could get the epsilon wheels and Greddy exhaust. The supra had some problem where it was burning oil . I drove it around for awhile til the Z was ready to be brought home. I gotta say that supra was quick. I swooped those parts off it and sold it back on craiglist to make as much of my money back But I ended up making a 100 and getting my parts very happy.

 

 

I also picked up a 240z from the next auction for 350 But my wife said I couldn't keep it had 5 or so cars already I love finding Z's at the auction .

 

Here are some pics of the 240z , and the supra , and my 280z with the epsilon wheels and exhaust (Getting nicer not ricer )

[aplyedmind]

Finally taking it for a drive where do I go straight to the car wash to wash of the dust and Spray on the rust

 

All I can say Is I love turbo L Series!!!

[aplyedmind]

Story of a Crappy mechanic Never again

 

After driving my car for a few miles My AFM had came loose on my car and car was running like crap could barely move under its own power.

At the time I didn't know much about Turbo or air flow meters. The mechanic told me that I needed a new one he said it was gonna be 250.

I was like holy **** no way He said he already put a new one, I asked where is my old one so I can see the damage.

He replys I used it as a core. He was lying so now I'm in a situation where I owe him 250 more than the 1500 I paid to swap in my engine.

He basically tried to get every dollar I had not to mention I was about to pay him an additional 1800 for the new motor install into the MR2.

I Gave him 100 and said I can't afford 250, basically so he could reconnect my old AFM (remember at the time I knew nothing about afm's).

I know I got screwed but its to late to cry Just learn for your mistakes He will get his in the long run.

 

 

The guy who did my engine swap screwed me On the deal and charged me Tons as we can all see , With all the money I paid for the swap and work He didn't even change my hoses.

• 
   
  
• I had oil cooler lines leaking blew my rear turbo oil seal cause of it (paid 100 to the guy to get me brand new lines and install them!)
  
• Leaky injector and fuel filter hoses (said he would change all the hoses and vacuum lines
  
• Screwed on the AFM scandal
  
• Had picked up another turbo from craigslist or $50 for a 300zx turbo and paid A$$ clown money to install it $100 bucks and it was suppose to be free!
  

 

I could have got much more bang for my buck if I knew now what I didn't then . (LESSON LEARNED BELIEVE IT!)

[BluDestiny]

I wish I had space for that many Z's

[aplyedmind]

After trying to recover from the Mr2 and the l28et swap ,the mechanic from hell, and the supra. I decided I wanted to make my z all one color so Me , My friend Matt, And his dad went to town on making it happen.

We used his dads little shop , bought a Harbor Freight Sprayer , Some good auto primer from a auto paint shop and got the other supply's.

We spent a good 4 or 5 days on it came out pretty good for my 1st time painting a car . I got an air dam and painted it but never installed it cause I really wanted a 240z style air dam and turn lights. I removed the rear bumper cause it is very heavy and unattractive.

 

Well here she is after the primer job

 

I love the way the wheels made my car look but hated how they rubbed so much over every single bump

Edited May 18, 2011 by aplyedmind

[aplyedmind]

Since I had just primer my car I decided I didn't want my wheels destroying my car any more, and at the time I knew nothing about fender rolling/pulling. S

So I did what any looking for an easy way out would do , Here it comes ....Wait for it ... Wait for it.....

The day it was done being primer I sold the Epsilons on craiglist for $800 and the supra for 1000 after putting some rikens I found in the Just Yard on it .

 

EPIC FAIL on the epsilons and the rikens

 

Then the good :

 

When the 280z was being primer Me and my Wife were Going to a Baby appointment in the orange 280z cause we Had found out We were gonna have a Baby , After coming back from an appointment while going to get gas in my little city of Upland .We spot a z with a for sale sign I think wow a z for sale in my city I must have it .

 

Lucky for my My wife Loves Z cars as much as I do so she always tells me to buy them

 

 

It was a 77 Blue 280z ,5psd, bad paint up close but looked great from afar , Full MSA body kit, Light covers, almost perfect interior 9/10 , Nice ...I mean NICE Black pearl 280z wheels, MSA strut bars, fully rebuilt motor , steering wheel, all sorts of stuff .

 

Guy wanted:2200 I said no way buddy ,I left my z at his house and he let us drive it around for 45mins. The z drove wonderfully but still the price.I told him Ill Give me mynumber if u wanna sell it for a better price. He said he was firm .

Then the Z angels Shined there light down upon me for saving so many of there kind , I received a call from the guy few weeks later saying make him a offer.

He told me how he got the car from painting a house and the people couldn't pay him all they agreed on for the house painting so they gave him the z.

 

After that story I knew he really didn't care about the car like I did . He said they only owed him like a 1000. So I offered him 1200 or 1300 he said he would think about it then next day he called , It was mine.

 

 

So I took the black pearl wheels and switch them with the gold wheels I got from the scrapper in my early photos . The enkei wheels made the blue Z look good.Ive always had a think for blue on gold.

 

I also picked up a aluminum radiator for my z just because I always wanted to put one in my project so I did.

 

 

Here are some pics of My z with the Black pearls and the 280z with the Enkei wheels, and the the Radiator.

[aplyedmind]

The part about the fleas had me laughing so hard lol. Glad you finally started a build thread dude.

 

Yea those fleas where Crazy like an ant army, I had to hit em hard, They fought well and will never before gotten

 

Thanks man Can't wait to take her to the meet that happens every Friday In West Covina .

 

 

I wish I had space for that many Z's

 

 

I guess I'm kinda lucky even though everyone in my apartment complex use to hate me for taking up so many spaces at a time. The people with the houses in most of my pics didn't mind much as long as I rotated them around.

 

 

Nice looking 300zx TT, must have been tough to see that drive away.

 

 

Yea I think about it sometimes when the s30 acts up and how the 300zxtt seemed built proof and unstopable. It did sound Beautiful as it drove away I must say.

But yea A sad day Indeed

Edited May 18, 2011 by aplyedmind

[aplyedmind]

Next I found out some of my rear bushings were no good, and my spindle pins for the control arms needed to be replace.

I also found my borg warner Tranny from my auction car was taking a crap on me so I sold it and got another one for the scrap yard which was dead on arrival.

What a nightmare!!!!!

 

Me and my dad went pick apart to try and get some with basic tools and No way in hell that was gonna happen after hours of pounding at junk yard cars ruining spindles.

I said Screw it went to MSA Bought

 

Spindle pins, ball joints , and MSA Chrome door mirror To Fix My sad looking Mirror on the Z.

 

Then like the WheelWhore that I am I sold the Black pearl wheels.

 

I ended up selling the blue turbo z31 and keeping the red one.I also sold the blue 280z with the body kit cause I just needed to keep em moving out with the old and in with the new.

 

 

My new car line up was different since I was gonna have a baby , My friend had just got a RX8 so he sold me is 2002 Mitsubishi for $1200. I nearly peed My paints.

I was very happy cause my wife need a car and this was a winner.

 

We had just picked up a 260z 2+2 5pd and a 72 240z 5spd for super cheap ($800 and a old guitar body) for the pair of cars.

 

Here is the z31 turbo, eclipse gt, 240z, 260 2+2, and MY Girl Victoria(280z)

Edited May 18, 2011 by aplyedmind

[datsun723]

Yea those fleas where Crazy like an ant army, I had to hit em hard, They fought well and will never before gotten

 

Thanks man Can't wait to take her to the meet that happens every Friday In West Covina .

 

Yeah I need to make that meet one more time before I move. I'm going back to Temecula since I'm graduating. Also, I don't know if you remember me with all the parts you sell but I bought some 240 bumpers off you. I ended up selling them

[aplyedmind]

For a while I main used My z To Store wheels since I had acquired Like 15 sets. And I would sell one set and put the next on my Z. This continued

For a long time until I Got tiered of seeing My girl suffer.

 

 

Here are some pics of the car wheelwhoring and some pics of the rust building (More pics of the Rust Later I know we are all dying to see it)

 

In one pic you will see a set of Epsilons that were just couldn't fill the void of my original set .

Edited May 18, 2011 by aplyedmind

[aplyedmind]

Well As time went by and baby on the way didn't really have much time for the Z Had to worry about Real life for a while and all my other z's.

Z sat for a long time in front getting moved back and forth just to avoid the code enforcement .

As the Z sat She began to Resurface the Rust that hid so Well Under the Primer .

It seemed like it got more rust faster once sanded.

I'm sure parking my z car in front of the apt for months at a time didn't help with it with sprinklers hitting it constantly .

 

 

At this point it had already been a few Years I owned My Z. My son was starting to be able to walk and do all those good things. It was time to hop back on it.

I really got tiered of my Z sitting . Wife would ask me when I'm gonna get the old man up and running (SHHHH She doesn't know my cars a girl don't tell her )

Car ran fine got a brake vacuum leak but ran great really strong and fast still .

I was always impressed on how much different and how powerful the car was once it was swapped/

 

 

pics of the minor rust spots (There is more just You wait )