C-Dawg Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 hey everyone! i've been lurking for a while and decided to post a few pictures of my 1983 280ZX. it's N/A and completely stock. it's very natural. meaning that it didn't get restored it or cleaned it up, it's just been well maintained and preserved. now, i wanna do something with it. i'm not very mechanically inclined, but i love to drive. and i love to drive fast : ) i was thinking about doing an engine swap. i would really like to do an engine swap, BUT i know i would feel like all those years of preserving it would be wasted. i also thought of taking it to Z shows and entering it into stock contests. do you think i would have a chance in winning an award? what do you think i should do? thanks! C-Dawg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Hard to say .. apart from the fact you should keep this stock in my opinion. Id say if you love driving it there is way without doing to much to the appearance but improving handling; So you preserve the stock looks and the effort in keeping her where she is today. -urethane bushings -Tockiko illumina's -Springs -Steel brake lines -Performance brake oil -Porterfiled r4s pads and new disks -Bigger sway bars Then it is up to you if you go with bigger wheels. A lower tire will give more road feel. I would leave the engine as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun723 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 That is one CLEAN ZX. What you want to do with it is totally up to you. If it were me, I'd be thankful that it was preserved so well and that hopefully there won't be need for rust repair, engine repair, interior re-upholster etc and start the process of making it my own. Wheels, tint, stereo, springs, exhaust, and then maybe think about a turbo swap. You can do all those things tastefully and not destroy the car but what you do with it is totally up to you. It's pretty sweet as is so you're already off to a great start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Beautiful car! I thought mine was in pristine shape when I got her... Now, this is HybridZ, it is a site dedicated to making these cars more powerful then stock. (drive train, suspension, aerodynamics, etc...) I myself have only done what my pathetic budget will allow, but do your car a favor, make her sing!! There is tons you can do to improve on 26yrs old tech! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Wow…that is simply a beautiful car. Love it. As for car shows I don’t care much for them, other than shows like MSA where I can see other owners doing creative things to improve performance, drive ability, suspension, brakes etc…regular show’n’shine stuff does not float my boat. To each his own though. You car is a perfect canvas for some awesome upgrades, I would start with a hot turbo engine..take your pick..SR20, L28ET, RB…and welcome to the slippery slope! Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 In the thought of keeping the stock look and driving fast. Rebuild then engine, maybe stroker, def. lots of head work and big cam. Aftermarket EFI and it should be pretty quick and look org. Very clean BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnum380Z Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 That is a very clean Example mine used to be that clean, but the KS winters were not kind to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Dawg Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 thanks everyone! yeah, i think i wanna keep it stock as much as possible. i was thinking of doing a major tune up (it hasn't gotten tuned up in a while) as well as updating the suspension. i WOULD like to make it faster without touching too much of the engine. i was thinking of replacing the cat and exhaust as well. do you think that would be distasteful? i was feeling that a cold air or short-ram intake MIGHT be an eyesore, but i dunno. thanks again, everyone! i'll be having some more questions soon : ) C-Dawg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The love of JDM Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Great looking stock car! G/L with the up keeping. If you are wanting to do a motor swap, I wouldnt worrie about how a intake may look as with a better hp motor you'll want more intake and exhaust flow. Just do it tastefull and clean looking and you'll be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilbertZ Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 that's a gorgeous car...I'll have to keep my eye out for it around the bay area I'd go with the suspension recommendations first - I'm in the middle of a polyurethane bushing install - my OEMs were shot.... Also, your car is newer than 1975, so doing an engine swap might be risky (smog laws). Your engine looks to be in good shape from the pics, and the ZX in its day was pretty fast out the factory door - it's a great package in stock form. that's my 2 cents - keep it as stock as possible - that's my long term aim with mine since i can't do much to my engine due to CA smog rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renatodato Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Hey C-Dawg, I'll see you 'round South City, homey. Nice Z. Don't mess with the car. It's fast enough as it is. You'll just get speeding tickets. Rey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bart628 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I'm not really a fan of S130 cars, but I like yours; especially since you're from SSF. I'd have to agree with everyone else and just keep your modifications somewhat modest. The CA smog laws are really too restrictive, so I'd say look towards pre-1975 Z's if you want to really get your hands dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 That is naturally another issue smog laws! is it your daily driver ? Or could you register it as historical? Anyway if you like driving it Id stick some diffrent wheels ( panasport Wantanabe like ) Or even xxr!! with lower profile tires. or in your case 16x8 ($350 out the door on ebay, but i would advise longer wheel studs and maybe some 1" spacers) This and the whole suspension package and you will note it will make handling a diffrence like night and day!! -shocks -springs -bushings -balljoints -tie rods -sway bars -strut tower bars If you really like wheeling it id say get an LSD. But since you are in CA you dont really get much rain i take ? A cold air set up wont do anything peformance whise, so i would not worry to much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Dawg Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 thanks guys! yeah, i'm gonna keep it stock. the engine runs great and the car is a joy to drive. it's not my daily driver, but i don't think i can register it as historical. i don't have any smog problems, but my ignition timing is a little off. i think i'm going to do the exhaust as the old muffler and pipe is a little damaged. the only modification plans i have (for now) are for the suspension, exhaust, and maybe headers. i'm gonna bring it in to zcargarage early june and have them look it over and maybe tune it up. thanks again for all the advice! if you have any ideas for me, please shoot them over. for the locals, i drive it 2 or 3 times a week, so if you see me, flag me down : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 thanks guys! yeah, i'm gonna keep it stock. the engine runs great and the car is a joy to drive. it's not my daily driver, but i don't think i can register it as historical. I think you can once it is 25 years old. it just puts restrictions towards your use of the car. But from what i understand that is not to much of hassle. Anyway keep us updated .. i love the s130's !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Dawg Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 oh frank, i wanted to ask you a question about the cold air intake. i've heard that they don't do anything beneficial to the car and/or the engine. it makes sense that with a high(er) flow air filter in the stock air intake can produce very similar results. BUT, what about throttle body? would a bigger throttle body affect the performance? and if so, would the cold air + bigger throttle body produce better results than stock air intake + bigger throttle body? thanks : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilbertZ Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I'm pretty sure that in CA, you'd not be able to pass smog with a larger TB installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Dawg Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 I'm pretty sure that in CA, you'd not be able to pass smog with a larger TB installed. : ( really? weak. but still, would a larger TB make much difference in this car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 NO. Honestly you really should read some about these cars. Sooo much can be done to "improve" on that ancient tech. You have a wonderful base car at which to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mylesblaq Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Beautiful car! I'd leave it exactly how it is. Go buy another one and experiment on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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