Stephonovich Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 I finally have all the parts for my '75 280Z together. LS1 + T56, JCI kit, Tokico reds, Sanderson shorty headers, JTR radiator, Lincoln MK VIII fan, LS1 fuel tank, Racetronix fuel pump, Centerline 16x8 +0 w/ Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs... so sweet. Picture album here Having Swift Performance Automotive in Norwich, CT put it together for me. Going to get a complete chassis re-wiring, and mandrel bent SS dual exhaust for it. Interior and paint will come later, unfortunately. I would be doing this myself, but I'm in the Navy, and have very little spare time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sq_creations Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Nice project. Was the car in a fire or something? The steering wheel looks blistered. It should be alot of fun when its done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephonovich Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 My original Z, a '78 in beautiful factory metallic blue, suffered a fatal electrical fire (internal battery short, fire investigator said) in October of '09, so eventually, a replacement was had. A fellow in TX had a "mostly rust free" '75 in Maroon. Shell only, with aftermarket wheels. For $500, why not? It was a real doozy. There was also a hole in the passenger footwell (which he had alluded to), some minor rust on the front right quarter panel, and as it turned out, all over the seams for the floorpans. Also, the rear strut braces. Due to my boat (USS MISSOURI) being gone for most of the year, I gave the car up to a local speed shop and waited. And waited. And waited. Nine months later, I finally took delivery. The tach isn't in, the speedo sending unit isn't working, the heater doesn't work, the turn signals don't work, and it goes like a bat out of hell Drove it home tonight in the brisk New England air, ambient temperature 14F. Surprisingly, the Dear-God-These-Are-Summer-Only (Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec) tires actually bit around 3rd gear. Didn't do any hell runs to avoid attracting imperial attention, but anything below 5th pushes you back, and past what I assume is about 3K RPM, glorious, glorious noises ensue. Fine, I lied... on the onramp I nailed it in 2nd and after it decided to go straight, I snagged 3rd (traction, yay!) and watched as headlights behind me disappeared. Probably only about 80 MPH or so if I had to guess, but getting there is such a rush. So now, specs: '99 LS1 w/ T56 JTR CAI Sanderson shorty headers Texas Speed ported LS6 oil pump South Bend Stage II clutch Stock rearend, w/ RT Diff mount JTR radiator w/ Lincoln MK VIII fan Stock ECU w/ Wait4Me Performance tune Speartech reworked harness Stock rear brakes, Brembos in front w/ Hawk HPS pads, Russell braided brake lines Painless 18 circuit wiring harness Tokico Illuminas Urethane bushing kit Camaro fuel tank, with Racetronix kit Centerline 16x8 +0 offset (those also took about 6 months to snag...) Total price was, um... probably pushing $11K all said and done. (and it still needs paint!) I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibby Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 How do you like the stage 2 clutch? I have a DxD FE full face in my Z32 that I love but I think it might be to aggressive for a light s30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephonovich Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 First of all, here's a video of it revving, and two more pictures (because everyone does). The "HEY!" at the end is my wife coming out to yell at me for making the house rattle:D Quick idle rev As to the clutch, from what little I've driven it so far, I like it. It's quite grabby (550 lb-ft max rating), but smooth engagement. Not abrupt at all. No more difficulty in clutch feel than stock 280Z (never driven an F-body, so I can't comment on its feel). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhm Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Can't believe your wife didn't appreciate the throaty rev of an LS1 as much as you do!! Mine doesn't either. Nice progress...keep the updates comin'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxgsfmdpx Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Can't believe your wife didn't appreciate the throaty rev of an LS1 as much as you do!! Mine doesn't either. Nice progress...keep the updates comin'! LOL. I sometimes wish my fiance was the type who loved it. Some girls just don't get it. At least she's down to get her hands dirty and wrench on the Z with me though. I've been told I'm lucky in that regard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephonovich Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Just put in some fuel stabilizer, since it won't be driven much for awhile. The bottle said to run the engine for 5 minutes after. Seemed reasonable. Dry roads and daylight proved beneficial. Wound the motor up to near readline (at least, the torque tapered off - still no tach) in 2nd and 3rd this time. Got going way too fast, discovered something: the rear tires are too wide for the fenders, even after being rolled. Result is they are being shaved at a disturbing rate. I'm wondering if I stiffened the suspension (on all 4 wheels, naturally) if that would help; the Tokico Illuminas have 5 settings, and it's currently on 1 [Lowest]. Only other alternative is, of course, fender flares, which I am loathe to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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