Calico Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 2more im goin to look at and hopefully put down a deposit on a T-Top 83 280zx, maunal n/a car. I was curious about a few things after doing a few searches. Were there any of these cars w/o the option of A/c? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejracer Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I've never seen one without A/C or power windows. The only options i know of are automatic climate control, voice warning system and digital vs standard cluster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 The only true "base" models I've seen without A/C, Power Windows, Power Steering, T-Top, etc was a '79, in which that was much more common. It was in the junkyard and rust free. I cried. Those models also had the high speed dash that went to... 130mph or something? I've always wanted a complete base model S130 as a lightweight daily drive. Even using the L28 hopped up a bit and mounted 3 inches back and 2 inches down could make for a sick street car. Throw in a mild turbo 4 or more high strung NA 4 and it could be a truly wicked Z that would be completely unexpected by anyone you see on the street. I just realized that all had nothing to do with your question really... but I had fun sharing it. Anyways, if it had power windows (which most did) it should have had an A/C option. Most were also auto-climate though, especially '82-'83 when it seems like just about every car got every option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Contact Heroez, He seems to know everything about s130s. Personally I've never seen one anywhere without an AC ( I'm guessing since it was luxury they had it as a stock option). But I own a 280zx coupe base model with crank windows, no power steering and it doesn't even have the warning display in the dash. I weighed it on stock wheels at 2460 w/ all fluids but gutted( without me). That's actually lighter than some 280z models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aarang Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I've owned a base model '79, '80,'81. All had manual steering, windows, 5 sp and R180 diffs. I've owned an 82 and 83 slick top, the 82 was a base model, but still had A/C. Although it was not the auto climate control. The base 82/83's exsist, but they are even more rare than the 79,80,81 years. Probably as rare as the '81 turbo slick top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I parted out an '81 with T-Tops, but had manual windows, manual climate control, 5sp and no A/C. I kept the plastic shroud that goes where the A/C evaporator should have been after the blower. It was a Canadian car. It's the only one I've seen without A/C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 (edited) Contact Heroez, He seems to know everything about s130s. Personally I've never seen one anywhere without an AC ( I'm guessing since it was luxury they had it as a stock option). But I own a 280zx coupe base model with crank windows, no power steering and it doesn't even have the warning display in the dash. I weighed it on stock wheels at 2460 w/ all fluids but gutted( without me). That's actually lighter than some 280z models. Hey, that's lighter than my gutted bumper less 280z came I'm at... rude.. Edited March 12, 2012 by Gollum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 I put the deposit down on the 83 280zx. It has a few power options like windows ect. Thats good news about the non A/c 79zx since there is a local guy parting one out. here are sum more questions: 1. the car feels real floaty, like every other car from the 80s, it doesnt feel that much better than my 84 regal or my 88 gta trans am. 2. The brake pedal falls to the floor, the car will stop(w/use of the ebrake, clutch & brakes). The owner said it needs pads & rotors but i noticed the brake fluid reservoir was empty, although i didnt see any leaks wat so ever in the engine bay or under the car. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 1. The car shouldn't feel THAT floaty. Probably needs all new bushings, and might as well upgrade to ployurethane while you're at it. 2. As the pads get low, the fluid in the reservoir gets lower. If the rear AND front pads are nearly gone, then yes you could be literally running out of fluid when you press the pedal. I'd check the pads, replace as necessary, then bleed the brakes and put in all new fluid and see where that gets you. When I had bad tires (good tread) that were old weathered hard rubber, I could lock up the brakes at 80mph standing on the brakes hard enough. Your braking should be TIRE limited, NOT brake travel limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 @ gollum i dig!! Well the 280zx only has 123k miles on it, where as my t/a had 140k & the buick had about 115, but i mean its a buick. Then again the buick DOES have suspension upgrades. The tires on the 280zx look like crap, not for performance at all. The motor seems like its in decent shape, im curious what the l28 and trans will bring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Miles have very little to do with bushing condition. Age and time in certain types of environments are the largest contributors. If it only had 140k and had spent 90% of it's life living in a garage whenever it wasn't driven, then sure the bushings should be good. But if it's seen regular winters outside in the rain and hot days left out in the sun, then that constant stress on the rubber will eventually wear it down. Other than the typical squat on accel and dip on decel a S130 can feel more firm and planted than many cars built today. There's no reason they can't feel tight and sure footed. Poly bushings do a ton in getting a car there, and aren't a huge monetary investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 okay well then after the brakes that will be my next step. Now awhile ago u told me about how the rear subframe on the s130 flex @ over 450rwhp, can u sent me the link on how to correct this? why exactly does this happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I put the deposit down on the 83 280zx. It has a few power options like windows ect. Thats good news about the non A/c 79zx since there is a local guy parting one out. here are sum more questions: 1. the car feels real floaty, like every other car from the 80s, it doesnt feel that much better than my 84 regal or my 88 gta trans am. 2. The brake pedal falls to the floor, the car will stop(w/use of the ebrake, clutch & brakes). The owner said it needs pads & rotors but i noticed the brake fluid reservoir was empty, although i didnt see any leaks wat so ever in the engine bay or under the car. Any ideas? The 280ZX was a new breed of Z car with "luxury" in mind. That meant power windows, A/C, leather seats, T-Tops and..... yes really floaty suspension. Get some stiff springs in there and it makes a world of difference. You may need to replace the bushings but its the springs that make the huge difference. New springs are the FIRST thing to do to a stock 280ZX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Are these wheels worth anything to anyone, i wanna get ride of em!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 83 datsun wheels 4 sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I'd put them up on craigslist for $50 and see if anyone bites. They're almost worthless to anyone wanting to run larger tires on their Z car, but they do hold some mild value to other datsun make owners as many other datsun (b210, 510, 810 wagon/truck) came with 13" rims and/or narrower rims that 205's don't fit nicely on. The downside is that they seem to be the most common S130 rim in my experience. The 82-83 turbo rims for a bit more, around $200 if you're patient on finding a buyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I'd buy them for $80. $20 a rim, a little better than junkyard prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 damn was hoping they were worth more. Thanx for all the s130 help, im sure ill have a ton more questions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 forgot to re-ask doesn anyone know where the brake light switch is physically located? The previous owner disconnected it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Should be at the pedal stop, just like the clutch switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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