Globerunner513 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 well i havn't really posted up all that much about my project on here, but i guess since the project of the car is coming to an end i would share what i've been doin for the past two years. This is my description of the project that i posted on another forum, thought i'd save some time linky STORY: I got this car from a friend in 2005 during my junior year in HS. Paid $200. At first i only got it because i fell in love with the car the first time i saw it (literally, didn't know datsun made a sports car before then), and it was too good of a deal to let go. Soon after i decided to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. I would use the car for my Culminating Senior Project in high school, and that would in turn give me motivation and a goal to work towards. Although i didn't finish the car in time, i still had more than enough work into it to present my progress in the project. So after purchasing the car, i drove it about a mile to my house....then havn't gotten to drive it since *except on and off the trailer* I soon began diving into the project and began taking apart the interior. There were the obvious things...no carpet, cracked dashboard, torn seat covers, and decaying steering wheel from the california sun (don't ask me how a steering wheel decays, i don't know either) To my surprise there was extremely little rust. some surface spots here and there, but the only real rust was in the hatch area. Both the hatch and the panel had to be replaced. Next order of business was the suspension. Both front struts had siezed up, and the rear's were on their last leg. So i went with Tokico's Illumina 5-way adjustable struts. Found a good deal on ebay, and figured why not?. Also replaced the brake master cylinder, front calipers, and rear brake hoses at this time. Everything up to this point were all things that needed to be done to simply have a decently driving car, that wouldn't fall apart on me. But i wanted something more than that. I was looking for a daily driver that i would enjoy driving as much as i enjoyed just being in the car. This meant that the interior was gonna need a little help. I started off by installing a dash cap to hide those cracks, and give the dash a renewed look. Then i customized the doors to house a set of 6" front speakers. Got a nice new set of seat covers (bottoms not shown) And installed a new Alpine stereo and rear speaker box with Infinity 'Reference' 6x9's *previous owner had an old sony stereo with computer speakers lying in the back, it worked but music is one of my big passions, so had to put a little into that area* Also got some a carpet set, but no photos since it's still in the box. Next was the body work. I started by sanding down the original paint, and filled the side-strip holes with a layer of bondo. I shaved the holes in the rear by covering them from behind with fiberglass then filling them with fiberglass re-inforced bondo, then regular bondo to smooth it all out. Finally i was ready to take it to the body shop to have things finished up by a professional. Notice hand polished grill, and new MSA type II air dam to replace the front "sea anchor" Getting a low z car onto high trailer....Take I *actually ended up finding out that trailers make great see-saws when not hitched properly* oops Take II....had to think this time. Used a nearby driveway to get the angle right. At the body shop, getting smoothed out Back home from the body shop. Primered and ready to be blocked out. More sanding... Also Installed a K+N intake. having some fun... Back at the body shop for the final time. New layer of primer sprayed and being blocked out. I was working on some of the smaller tasks at this point, sanding down under the hood, door jambs, etc. apparently the last person to paint the car didn't do much prep under the hood and after i spent a good amount of time getting it all nicely sanded with 400#, we notice some of the paint starting to flake off...this is what we ended up with. DOH! (all good now though) So right now she's in the paint booth ready to get sprayed tommorow. color is gonna be Daytona Blue of the 350z. Beautiful color IMHO, and should look pretty nice on the Z. I'll take some pictures tommorow and post them up. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjc5500 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Nice man. good to see another person get one of these in HS and do work on it themself. kudos +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted April 27, 2007 Author Share Posted April 27, 2007 well here's a sneak preview. 2 coats of color with no clear yet it really looks amazing IMO. pictures just don't do it justice. clear is going on tommorow, so i'll show more pics as they come. anyway let me know what you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 Wow that looks really nice!! a really transparrent/deep look! Ive been working on mine since elementary school and Its finally getting close. Im hoping to swap a turbo motor in for my cumulative project. Whats the plan for the motor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zwannabe Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 i've been working on my current project for about a year now...motor swap, body work and paint is all thats left for the appearance of it. god only knows how long it'll be before the turbo motor goes in. it's good knowing there is guys my age on the board, i was starting to feel lonely....anyway nice car man thats pretty close to the color i'll be painting mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayolives Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e_racer1999 Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 i've always loved a deep blue on S30s... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONGO510 Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Nice work! There is hope for the younger generation yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodlefoof Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyder Z 15 Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Excellent work. Looks like it's going to be beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted April 28, 2007 Author Share Posted April 28, 2007 thanks guys! its really come a long way...never would have thought it would get a paint job like this to top it off...but im glad i forked out the cash for it. Whats the plan for the motor? well for now just stock NA...maybe a 60mm TB or something like that. since, like i said above, i've pretty much never driven the car...i want to understand the car perfectly before i start adding more power. though eventually i'll go turbo. i'd like to build something that will push about 350-400hp...probably 400 being my max...but im sure that can change as i get to know the car, and what i'll be able to handle. also, i see you're in spokane...thats awesome cause im moving out there at the end of the summer for flight training at Spokane Falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 The project is coming along great! Color is beautiful and I'm sure you're going to be very proud after it's all finished. These cars put a smile on your face when you drive them BTW Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 also, i see you're in spokane...thats awesome cause im moving out there at the end of the summer for flight training at Spokane Falls. Ill be going to Spokane Falls this fall for running start. Itll be nice to have another Z in Spokane. Hopefully Ill have my car finished by the end of summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkach Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 Looks good! I Love the color. quick question tho with the fiberglass and bondo mix on the rear end dont you fear that cracking? I only ask as I am looking into this option for my cars rear end, and to this point that has been the only thing holding me back from shaving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 Looks Great! EXCELLENT color choice! in the words of Borat "VERY NICE-HOW MUCH?" lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted April 30, 2007 Author Share Posted April 30, 2007 ^^ too much haha as far as the rear goes, im not too worried about it. i only used just enough to cover the holes..though it does look alot thicker in the pictures. also, the body shop i took it to layed their own layer over the whole panel, and im pretty sure i should be safe with it. Time will tell though. but if you're looking for a way to do it, without welding (i had no access to a welder, or someone who could weld)...its a great easy way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 Well guys, its not done yet...but it is back home and PAINTED!! no pics of the doors, hood, hatch, or air dam cause they're still at the body shop. im gonna wait about a week before i start wet sanding/buffing. then i have to install the glass, weatherstripping, doors, hatch, hood. Also gotta wire in the stereo and speakers. and put the interior back together. But anyway, here is what 350z Daytona Blue looks like on an S30 280z!! So what do ya think?? I'll keep it updated as i get it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 280ZForce Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 damn man, love the progress... did an excellent job on the body/prep work as far as I can tell and the paint color looks awesome! good luck on getting it all back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Very nice indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Awesome job...and you're how old??? Amazing, like someone above said there is hope for the younger generation. Love the color. You should be very proud of your work and sticking with this project for this long is commendable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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