ferrariowner123 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Hello guys, I had a quick question, i am currently working on my 280z, and i'm wanting to clean up the inside a little bit, i have an idea of how i want it to look, but that's for another time. My question is can i drill out the spot welds and remove these runners that would have helped support the false floor that my 1977 280z would have originally had? Or will there be some structural issues that would need addressing if i were to remove these? Pictures hopefully can better describe the pieces in question, the raised pieces with the black grommet at the rear of the runner. Thanks for the helps guys. -Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 70-76 Zs didn't have those. Whether or not you should, I don't know, but I believe you can. As far as I know they're just an add on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8pipez Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Judging by the hat channel shape I would have to assume that would have been for added strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 Thanks for the replies. But if there is anyone out there who can definitely say I don't need this, please speak up! Thanks! -Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 This should help Unless you plan on welding in a flat plate, I wouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Those structures were added to meet DOT crash regulations starting in the 1977 model year. They are a safety item. Your call on whether you want them in the car or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Whoa, awesome picture and info, sounds like I'm gonna put a piece in place of it then. Since 1/4 inch is as high as my Welder were go, I'm think that should work. Since it's spot welded it, I don't see any issues with plug welding the new bar in place, does that sound reasonable to everyone? Thanks again for the awesome info. -Kyle Edited July 16, 2015 by ferrariowner123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Measure the thickness of whatever came out, and use that. 1/4" thick is waaay overkill. BTW, in the pic that Dan posted, it's not easy to see, but it looks like the floor goes across the top, so if you take that piece out, there won't be an opening into the rest of the subframe. No need to add anything back in. Edited July 16, 2015 by rturbo 930 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Cleaned it up a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Rturbo 930- Wouldn't the box shape provide additional stiffness or rigidity? So If I'm going to take that piece out and replace it with a flat piece of steel,(per the recommendation of those here) putting that thin 18 gauge (or whatever thickness it is) in place would make it less stiff than when it started. So to make up for the strength but using less space, it would have to be a thicker steel? Right? While I will concede 1/4 might be a bit much, going to that thin OE thickness sheet metal seems like a waste of time. I'm thinking 3/8th's might be a winner here. Would everyone say that would be a safe choice? Thanks again for the pictures Dan. Gotta ask, did you just have that cut away lying around or did you do that for little Ole me? Lol Thanks again for all the input guys, really appreciated. -Kyle Edited July 16, 2015 by ferrariowner123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 I actually have the complete spare tire well cut out of a 77 280z in the shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Rturbo 930- Wouldn't the box shape provide additional stiffness or rigidity? So If I'm going to take that piece out and replace it with a flat piece of steel,(per the recommendation of those here) putting that thin 18 gauge (or whatever thickness it is) in place would make it less stiff than when it started. So to make up for the strength but using less space, it would have to be a thicker steel? Right? While I will concede 1/4 might be a bit much, going to that thin OE thickness sheet metal seems like a waste of time. I'm thinking 3/8th's might be a winner here. Would everyone say that would be a safe choice? Thanks again for the pictures Dan. Gotta ask, did you just have that cut away lying around or did you do that for little Ole me? Lol Thanks again for all the input guys, really appreciated. -Kyle First, you have to keep in mind that for the first 6 years the Z was being made, not one of them had that piece you're taking out. It was added only for the 77-78 model years. So while it may not be a great idea to take it out, I really, really doubt it's going to have a big effect. If it were me, I'd just take it out and call it good. Second, thicker does not necessarily mean better. For example, when installing a roll bar or roll cage, I believe the max thickness in the rulebooks for the plates is something like 1/8" - if not that, definitely under 1/4". And 3/8" is thicker than 1/4" lol. Did you mean 3/16"? But I can't think of a single place on the car (maybe the tie down hooks/plates in front?) where 1/4" steel is used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share Posted July 17, 2015 I understand that, but I'm big believer in,"it's installed from the factory, so it must be installed for a reason". I also understand there are exceptions and limitations to that rule. Idk maybe your right. It makes sense. I'll sleep on this one. And yeah, my bad, I'm terrible with fractions, not really a big fan of the Imperial system in the first place. Lol And thank you Dan, once again, I take it you have some future plans with the spare well? Thanks again for all the help. I truly appreciate it. -Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 No future plans for the spare tire well. It was in to good condition to send it to the scrapper after parting out the car. Someone will need one and I'll be able to help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrariowner123 Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share Posted July 17, 2015 Ah man, you are the real MVP! Storing parts for people is truly a testament to the car guy mentality, helping each other out, before they even need it! Thanks again for the photos. -Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8pipez Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) Rturbo 930- Wouldn't the box shape provide additional stiffness or rigidity? So If I'm going to take that piece out and replace it with a flat piece of steel,(per the recommendation of those here) putting that thin 18 gauge (or whatever thickness it is) in place would make it less stiff than when it started. So to make up for the strength but using less space, it would have to be a thicker steel? Right? While I will concede 1/4 might be a bit much, going to that thin OE thickness sheet metal seems like a waste of time. I'm thinking 3/8th's might be a winner here. Would everyone say that would be a safe choice? Thanks again for the pictures Dan. Gotta ask, did you just have that cut away lying around or did you do that for little Ole me? Lol Thanks again for all the input guys, really appreciated. -Kyle You could use 16ga steel if you formed it into a smaller hat channel like you have. Forming sheet adds a great deal of rigidity. Make it a 1/4" tall hat cahnnel. Edited July 17, 2015 by str8pipez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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