ZachDaaron Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 (edited) So I figured I better get this thread started or it will never get done.. so HERE IT GOES! Last October I got deployed and the whole time while I was playing in the sandbox, I was pondering of what I was going to spend my money on. At first I thought I might just do an engine swap in my Subaru Forester and make it a quick little Forester STI but after searching all of craigslist for donor cars and ideas, I laid eyes on what has always been one of my dream cars... a Datsun Roadster. Unfortunately, the owner of said vehicle never responded to my calls or emails but I was determined that my next project was going to be a Datsun and so I set out to find my diamond in the rough... This is what I found!!! A 1977 280z on Craigslist which I managed to pick up for a steal at only $4850! The previous owner bought it and had the intention of dropping a RB25det in it and restoring her, but being that he was military, he got orders over to Germany and decided to sell it instead of finishing what he started (great for me). Included in with the deal was a great deal of parts including: 1st gen RB25det engine RB25 transmission converted oil pan converted oil pickup radiator Mckinney engine and trans mounts NEW Wiring Specialties conversion wiring harness RB25det ECU intercooler and piping 2 ton engine hoist spare intercooler stock wiring harness miscellaneous stock parts full unknown fiberglass body kit 2 sets of bumpers original NISSAN 77' service manual original NISSAN fuel injection manual full original interior First thing I want to do is get the car cleaned up and ready for the new power-plant. luckily, the previous owner had the same idea and he had already cleaned up most of the engine bay. Unfortunately, he also laid down some undercoating in the engine bay which I want to remove and spray with some rust preventative and smooth it out some more. As for the engine, I have already started to remove and label most of the external components so I can clean, inspect, and upgrade. I currently have a Greddy style intake, and lighter exhaust manifold on the way. both of which will be powder coated. OH! and look what I found in the glove box! a mint condition original shift knob, anyone need one? Edited May 24, 2014 by ZachDaaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 I decided to put the body kit on today to see how I like it. I got to say... it looks pretty good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleG Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Lookin good mate, just need to fix the 4x4 look and drop it a few inches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 25, 2014 Author Share Posted May 25, 2014 hahaha, That is definitely on the list of things to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Great find , nice looking car at a great price . Good luck with your project . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Great find , nice looking car at a great price . Good luck with your project . Thanks man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 So today it's hotter than Satan's naughty bits but my shoulder is killing me.... so what better way to get your mind off the pain then to get greasy, sweaty, and bloody? Today I did some more engine dismantling and organizing. I'm still trying to figure out what color to powder coat the engine components but at least I can decide which components I want media blasted! flipped it over Removed oil pan, scraped old gasket, swapped new oil pickup (old one left, new one right) New pan (temp installed) I'm not sure how I like it.. the welds are very sloppy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 (edited) The other day I found a guy at my base who just bought a new media blaster. He offered to blast any parts that I needed done on the cheap! I brought him my engine mounts, trans mount, and a couple accessory brackets. I also bought new rb25 valve covers on ebay for $40 that I am going to have him blast when they get here so I can powder coat them. I just didn't feel like having my engine exposed while I paint. Is anyone interested in the old ones? I can blast and powder coat those as well. I also spent a couple hours with engine degreaser and wire brushes on the rest of the engine to get it all pretty. the head was pretty easy to clean up but the cast block was a PITA! I never got it quite as I was hoping. next up powder coat!!!! before: after: Edited May 27, 2014 by ZachDaaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Ok, so today was an easy day, all I did was tape off the engine, prime the block for some high temp paint, and I cleaned, gutted and inspected the interior for rust. When I pulled out the original, untouched interior I found this stuff under the driver's seat in the hole in the seat mounting point. anyone know what this stuff is?? I was amazed that after removing the carpeting, there was no rust!! Edited May 29, 2014 by ZachDaaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steves72z Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Looking good man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 So I haven't been able to do too much on the car the past couple days but yesterday I got my intake! I couldnt help but mock it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theczechone Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Looks great Zach, I have a similar intake for my car. Is that the isis intake? Are you going to run the q45 throttle body or just your stock one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 I will probably run a stock one for the time being, but after I get it running I'm going to be saving up for the horsepower bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theczechone Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Understood. mine already came with the Q45 so I am just going to use it. It seems ridiculously big thou, I feel like you could shoot softballs out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxz6 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 What's the brand of the intake you have? Or is it a generic one off eBay, or the Isis intake? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 It is a generic one off ebay. I'd say one of the better ones though, casting is very clean and free of overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSamuri Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I think you got a better deal, I was looking for a replacement R200 and ended up buying a running "73 with a rb25det swap for close to what you paid. Unfortunately the PO had already installed a full bodykit, (rather than fix the rusted floorpans ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 i think i have a problem... i seem to be collecting seats... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theczechone Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Nice seats, did you ever fit up your intake? I didn't think of it then but I remembered that I have a spare adapter for RB25 throttle body to Freddy intake. If you need it, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachDaaron Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 i have the adapter but the problem i am facing is that the intake is too close to the strut tower so there is not enough clearance for the throttle body. im going to send the intake to my friend at EBB to have him modify and weld it up all sexy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.