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HybridZ

78 280Z LS3 Project


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Are you putting a cage in your car? If I had access to someone with the equipment and skills, I would. Now that my car is all shiney, I don't want to make any changes. I wish I'd put a cage in it way back when. Especially now that it is so freakin' fast. You are gonna love your LS hybrid.

 

 

Yes, I'm going with a 4 point all chrome cage. It's shown on the pitures at the beginning of this thread. I can't wait to get the car finished. I have a feeling it's going to be more fun than my Z06.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I finally got some parts in that I have been waiting for a long time. The heater core hoses, A/C control face plate and knobs were ordered from Japan and are original Nissan parts. Nothing fits better that's for sure but hang on to you wallet. :(

I also received a new evaporator with expansion valve from a different source.

I replaced all the vacumm lines for the A/C system and fitted the evaporator in place. Now it's waiting time again.

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First off the build is coming along awesome. Waiting for parts has to be the worst thing ever lol. I'm jealous of your axles by the way, but you definitely made the right call upgrading, my LS1 eats u-joints. And as RebekahsZ mentioned, you are going to love the LSx swap!

 

-Will

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  • 1 month later...

Just got some pictures from the body shop. They have completed re-working the rear flares and removed the drip rails from the roof. That should give the car a good slick look. They found some unexpected rust behind the headlight vessels and one fender.

They are taking the car down to bare metal one panel at a time and working it as they go. I wanted to make sure there was no rust behind old filler that could surprise me later.

 

Ordered a complete weatherstripping kit from vintage rubber, dammm they are expensive. It looks like we are heading the right direction, slower than I would like but at least it's being done right.

 

157 labor hours and we are a long way from paint....ooooouuuuch.... Who said restoration work was cheap? :(

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  • 4 weeks later...

Well after taking some measurements and giving it more thought I decided to re-do the fuel tank. The first tank did not allow much room in between the differential and fuel pump/fuel filter assembly. Making difficult for maintenance.

It also was too shallow for the factory fuel sending untit as the unit would not reach it's intended travel therefore it would not give accurate fuel level readings.

This tank is now 28X18X10 and about 21.8 gallons and still allow enough room for dual exhaust. It will hang down 2 inches more than the other one but I'm OK with that.

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Really love the deletion of the drip rail. I believe your right, it will give a slicker more aerodynamic look. Glad you kept the flares - Are they metal or fiberglass? They add just the right amount of attitude. Keep up the great work. Very inspiring.

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Really love the deletion of the drip rail. I believe your right, it will give a slicker more aerodynamic look. Glad you kept the flares - Are they metal or fiberglass? They add just the right amount of attitude. Keep up the great work. Very inspiring.

Thank you,

The flares are fiberglass, I bought those about 20 years ago from Jim Cook Racing. I agree with you, they add attitude but not overkill like some others I have seen.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Finally after 7 months of waiting I got my dash back. I'm very happy with the finished product. Now it's time to send the gauges to be restored, painted with white faces and chromed vessels. Hopefully that does not take as long as the dash.

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I can see why Nissan bailed out on the restoration. To do it right it cost a lot of money.

 

Here are some more pics of the roof without the drip rails and the fender louvers re-shapped.

 

 

 

Alainburon:

 

Where did you get those louvers installed in the lower portion of the front fenders? I really like those and would like to incorporate those on my 1971 240Z. Please reply. Thanks.

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Alainburon:

 

Where did you get those louvers installed in the lower portion of the front fenders? I really like those and would like to incorporate those on my 1971 240Z. Please reply. Thanks.

 

Those where on the car when I bought it. Sorry, I don't know where they came from.

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  • 1 month later...

Well after a couple of months we are making progress again. I got my plastic gauge pods chrome plated and all the metal trim that goes in the small gauges chrome plated as well. The gauges are being fully restored and the faces painted in white. It will be another 12 weeks before I see those.

 

The car is now partly in primer but coming along really well. The body is now straight as can be. These guys are awesome in the work they do and the materias they use.

 

My door panels are now finished and they are starting on the seats. Still going with the black leather and suede inserts. My budget is blown for sure now. :(

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Edited by alainburon
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Budget-haha! Who chrome plates hood hinges? You got more money than Ivana Trump's plastic surgeon.

LOL

 

You are right, not about the Trump's money but I have gone a little overboard on the chrome. I did not realy know how much chrome plating had gone up in last few years. It's just chrome looks so good when is done right.

Edited by alainburon
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  • 1 month later...

I can't say I have made tons of progress in fact things are moving rather slow. The body shop has been working on the car and I hear it is now primed and almost ready for paint. I will go by there tomorrow to take a look at their progress and take some pictures. In the meantime I have been ordering some of the parts I need to complete my interior.

 

The motor mounts made it back from powder coating, I also received the door sill plates and trunk divider from the chrome plater and last but not least I received my 6 channel 600 watt JL Audio amp along with the four 6X9" and two 6.5" speakers I will be running.

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Edited by alainburon
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Hello

 

Thats a nice tank setup you got there!! is this tank pre made or did you have one fabricated?

I also want to use a 20 gallon tank and have room for dual exhaust.

 

edit: I just read through the earlier posts and saw the comment about the tank being fabricated.

Looks awesome tho. Love the simple design.

Edited by _X_
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