ZBoost Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Hello, Ive read these forums for quite some time now but this is my first actual post. I have a '79 280ZX that I just recently decided to to start working on. I have been trying to get general idea of how I want the car to come together. My question is I really like the look of the Older Z with no bumper and the higher turn signals. I searched time and time again on this subject just could not seem to find it. Is it possible even with fabrication of the older front air dams, to get that look on a ZX? I even looked at MSA site. They dont seem to have that wide open look. I even tried looking through photos to see if anyone has done it but so many people do so much it gets confusing lol. Any help would be appreciated! Note - Hope this was the right thread for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 I doubt if you will get the same "open look" as a bumper-less early z because the front of the ZX hood is so much lower and a lot wider. Combined that with the different ZX headlight buckets and the integrated bumper and you just don't get the same lines at all. Grafting on an old style air dam won't match up at all. There are a lot of good looking ZX's that go for more of the ZX racing history of wide flat airdams that actually look pretty good. Have a search & you might see some creative ideas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 That is what I was afraid of thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Well, people still do interesting things with the ZX. Have you seen this thread? http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=156185 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Ya. It's amazing some of the things people make. This is my first project car, I may just have to come up with my own creative way of getting what I want. That's what it is all about in the first place though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackice280zxt Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Yes it does look better without the front bumper but look at these posts they tell it all on why not to do it. http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085182&postcount=47 http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085219&postcount=48 http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085480&postcount=50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Cool another ZX Houston member! You can modify any fiberglass front spoiler and MSA sells a variety. If you have never worked with fiberglass it is fun and fairly easy to get the look you want once you get the hang of it. I am debating putting the front bumper back on my car. Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Yes it does look better without the front bumper but look at these posts they tell it all on why not to do it. http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085182&postcount=47 http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085219&postcount=48 http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=1085480&postcount=50 Thanks this will give me something to do at work. Cool another ZX Houston member! You can modify any fiberglass front spoiler and MSA sells a variety. If you have never worked with fiberglass it is fun and fairly easy to get the look you want once you get the hang of it. I am debating putting the front bumper back on my car. Yah I use to work for car audio places for about 4 years. I started getting into fiberglass dash bezels and building trim stuff for radios and screens. Very fun stuff. Im hoping to build an entire dash possibly glass maybe sheet metal. Go Houston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 rusty, what front lip is that if I might ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeboost Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I removed the bumper before doing the bodywork to it, but I know what you mean, I kinda like the bumperless look with the air dam: The side profile does look a little funky, though, with the headlight buckets sticking out further than the rest of the car: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 Even that look looks better imo. Its just the spots were the bumper hooks around and stuff that makes it look bad. Guess its just time find a way to fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi303 Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 maybe someone needs to get busy with some fiberglass and make a pair of plugs to fill the gap between the lower valance and the headlight buckets, while leaving the front gap open... Call them Sideburns or something like this hideous MSPaint hack job of the previous nice car: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forcer Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 ^ I was just thinking the same thing. If a decent one can be made, I would get it for the airflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZBoost Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 Amen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkumaNoZeta Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 I'd like to see that made. If it looks good I may start searching for a S130. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackice280zxt Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 im game for some sideburns but will it help with the aerodynamics? The big problem of not running the bumper is at 60+mph it gets very unstable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi303 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 the problems mentioned in the links earlier mentioned floaty front, obviously from excess air being crammed into the engine bay and unable to get out in sufficient flow. Adding larger vents to the bonnet and some shark gills between the front wheel and the doors might solve that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkumaNoZeta Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Not to mention blocking off the grill just like with a S30. You can make a good grill design to make it less obvious that it's blocked. I've seen lots of OEM grills that when I got up close to them I saw that only about half the grill was actually open to airflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iestyn.lewis Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Here's my take on it - it is open above the bumper, but there's not a huge space there. The air dam is Home Depot's finest. The steel bumper and struts were removed and replaced with a new lighter framework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirk280zxv8 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 check out my kit on my zx maybey you can get some ideas lmk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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