'78 280Z "Natalia"

[Perandor]

I nicknamed the car Natalia after a model with fiery red hair...anyhow, I was really lucky and picked up this 1978 Datsun 280Z last June.  An S30 has been my dream car since high school.  I was originally going for something economical and powerful for an engine swap.  The only engines I had really considered for it, weren't really a possibility.  Then I was going to put in an RB25DET Neo.  However, I think I will now keep the L28 and rebuild it, stroke it, and add itb's.

 

Here is my list of completed upgrades:

 

Energy bushings - all around

Toyota (S12 + 8) 4 piston front caliper upgrade and steel braided brake lines all around

NGK spark plugs and wires

new light switch toggle

fuel pump

starter

LED tail lights done by zledslights.com (his first S30 mod)  - his 350z Iron Man lights look sick

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8Elbn8hGp30

'73 front bumper - fabricated new bumper mounts as the old one's wouldn't work.  My friend Matt helped me out. 

 

Annd the long list of planned upgrades:

 

coilovers

 

rims: 

 

leaning towards Fatlace F/ Zero rims ($800 is a good deal and they look cool), but also like Volk, Gram lights, Work, Watanabe...trying to go for something unique here

 

Techno Toy Tuning front control arms, rear lower control arms, tension tie rods

 

Arizona Z mustache bar

 

aluminum radiator

 

Dapper lighting HID's

 

Defi Advance RS gauges

 

Engine upgrades:

 

Orange wrinkle coat valve cover

 

Kameari manifold with Jenvey ITB's - yes I know the manifold is twice the cost of a Cannon one but I want to do it

 

Titanium velocity stacks...who doesn't love titanium?!

 

bored/ stroked to 3.2L, yada yada rebuild et. cetera

 

I love a clean engine bay too, so will have to make mine as clean as possible.  Either gloss black inside or have Line X sprayed in the engine bay for protection.  Ideas? 

 

 

I bought some Defi BF gauges last week and just got them.  Buut Defi had to be slow in putting the video up of the Advance RS gauges, so I will be selling an Ext. Temp and Oil Pressure gauge in order to get the RS gauges. 

 

 

Currently I am working on a split bumper set.  I bought a pair of Corvette Stingray rear bumpers and have finishing cutting/ welding them to fit the Z.  The next thing I have to do is have it plated and installed.  I will have the front bumper re-plated again too. It was my first time with an acetylene torch/ cutter so I was playing around on the scrap piece in the picture. 

[Perandor]

Defi BF gauges picked up in the mail today