Big Phil LT1 280z Tons of Progress lots of new pics

[Guest Big Phil]

I gotten a lot done over the last few months. The motor is installed including ac and wiring. All the emission equipment (EGR, air pump, etc) has been connected. I received and mounted my new 17 inch rims. I added a rear gas fill door between the 89 300zx tailights. I am especially proud of the cold air intake I made from 3 1/2 tubing.

Here is a few pics, there are more on my website

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=277

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=274

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=275

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=278

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=279

[jonzer12]

I have been looking at creating a new panel for the rear, I am not a big fan of Z rear, I think they could have used some work. Anyways how difficult was it, My plan was to just take a new piece of sheet metal and start from scratch. Can you shed some detail on your process?

[jonzer12]

I forget to mention my main point which is that it looks GREAT! Love the taillights.

[Tim240z]

Phil!! Way cool man....will it be ready for the next BBQ?

 

 

Jonzer12: have a look at my link in my signature if you want some ideas about starting with a blank sheet of steel. I would very strongly advise against it though. It has taken me way too many hours of excrutiating work top get everything straight. If you have a close look at the rear of a Z, it has a curve from left to right......very difficult to reproduce!

Tim

[mas28O]

It looks like you used 3" tubing for the cold air intake? I need to make my LT1 cold air also but I need to find some 3.5" tubing, the LT1 MAf is 3.5". So if you used 3.5" tubing please let me know where you bought it from.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[Guest johnny1913]

Read again Mas280, he did use 3.5 inch tubing for the cold air intake. it says in his post and I think it says on the webpage with the pics too.

[jaime240z]

BigPhil, I think the project looks sweet! Looks like you've put in a lot off work, from the stereo to the body mods. I especially like the Kenisis wheels and the gas door.

Q: How did you get the gas door flush? And were you able to find a gas cap that fits behind it

[Guest benjlv]

thats how it should be done

[flibuoy]

Phil the intake looks good. It is a little more centered in front of radiator than I had planned, just to save a cut or did you have another reason?

I owe you bigtime since your guidance and experience with the LT1 install pitfalls has saved me time and money. I am staying a little behind your progress and always getting ideas. The S&P mounts with your adjuster bar measurements worked great etc. I moved the battery and mounted ECU in the hole it left. The fan shroud looks great....IMO the most important part of good streetable swap. john

[Guest comeandzpa]

Are those tail lights from a 240SX? They look really nice, whatever they are from. Oh yeah, so does the rest of the car!!

[DavyZ]

You have a car to be proud of---excellent work, my friend!!

 

Davy

[Guest Big Phil]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Let me take a few seconds and answer some of your questions.

 

Mas280 & Filbouy: The cold air intake is made from tubing 3 1/2 inch that I got from Ed Hanson's Muffler shop in Spring Valley, Ca. I bought two 90 degree pieces and cut about an inch off of one and 2 inches off the other. I had to place the filter exactly where it is because the filter is huge. I think it was intended for a diesel pickup. The silcon couplers are also from an turbo diesel pickup and are available from Napa. I am going to get the tubing powercoated later.

Total cost $150

 

Jaime 240Z: You can buy a gas door kit from Hagan Hot rods. Any hot rod shop can get it and it retails for about $100. There are several door shapes available. If you don't have a hot rod shop near you, it can be ordered directly from Hagan via their website.

 

Jonzer & Comeandzpa: The taillights are from a 89 300ZX. The matching center piece, that contains the reverse lights, will fit if you trim off a few inches. I used a dremel to cut the piece to size. Theres alot of sheet metal work involved and you need a mig welder. Definitely not a project for a beginner. There are step by step pics on Tim240z website as well as mine.

[RPMS]

Heya, BP!

 

Ya know, I've long been curious about what 300ZX taillights would look like back there, and like many others I'm drooling over your side gas flap door. You're definitely going in a direction that I LIKE!

 

I notice that in your most current picture, it looks like you now have a gas flap in the middle of the taillights replacing the 300ZX backup lights. Have you abandoned the side filler so you can have a fuel cell in the hatch, or what? I've been pretty much off the board for a couple of months, so if you've already explained this a dozen times I apologize.

 

Anyway, kudos to you for your work, and I've got to say that it takes huge, swinging brass cojones for someone to dive in and modify a car that looks as nice as yours did to begin with. My hat's off to you for being a true hot-rodder!

[Guest Big Phil]

I decided that I wanted a smoother look so I abandoned the Motorcycle fuel door for something a little slicker. I just need to add the reverse lights and the rear will be finished. I think I'm going to use the round backup lights from a new beetle mounted low on the rear roll pan.

[Guest Vince]

Very nice work! I love the rims. May i ask how much it was for the set and what size they are? Were they custom made for the Z bolt pattern and offset?

[Scottie-GNZ]

Links are not working for me.

[DavyZ]

Links are not working for me.

 

 

Scottie, I checked this morning and they seem to work fine. This is the link to all the pics:

 

http://groups.msn.com/Datsun280zClub/bigphils78280z.msnw?albumlist=2

 

Hopefully that will do.

 

Davy

[Guest Big Phil]

They are 3 piece Kinesis Motorsport rims. They were custom made to fit a Datsun offset and bolt pattern. They are 17X7 front and 17X8 rear. I didn't have to convert to coilovers and they fit without rubbing. They retail for about $4000 per set. They are replacements for a set of 17 inch HRE wheels I owned for 7 or 8 year (I paid about the same for the HRE's). They are extremely light, super strong and the fit and finish is flawless.

[JustAFantaZ]

Man, that engine bay is so beautiful! Isn't it funny that the motor is much cleaner than the body?

[JustAFantaZ]

Read again Mas280, he did use 3.5 inch tubing for the cold air intake. it says in his post and I think it says on the webpage with the pics too.

Well, it does "look" like it's 3 inches, without having a ruler or being up close to examine it. I think that's what mas28O meant, but I could be wrong. Oh well.