1977 Datsun 280Z
Jul 7th, 2009 by gene
Motor/electronics
- Installed a rebuilt L28 in 2005. Engine was broken in very carefully and currently has Royal Purple synthetic oil in it. Bottom end work was done by Awesome Z in Houston, TX.
- The head was ported, polished, and shaved, to improve air flow and increase compression.
- Block was cleaned and bored .20 over, and fresh OEM dished pistons installed. Painted to match Nissan’s stock blue color.
- Piston rods and bolts balanced by hand.
- Balanced crankshaft.
- Timing gear, valve train parts, oil and water pumps, injectors, and all hoses replaced.
- Mild street cam from Motorsport.
- Entire fuel rail rebuilt with new injectors and new wiring.
- New air flow meter, throttle position switch, air regulator, thermotime switch, thermostat, water pump, oil pump, etc.
- The fusible links have been replaced with 60a fuses in a fancy car stereo box inside the car.
- The fuel injection and recharge circuit harnesses have been rebuilt.
- High-output coil.
- This motor revs quickly and is a joy to drive on the highway. It’s has a nice rumble at idle.
Drivetrain
- Rebuilt 5-speed transmission from 1982 Maxima installed in 2000.
- Shifter shortened 1.5 inches.
- Centerforce II clutch.
Body/paint
- I have the original radio antenna, 14-inch steel wheels, stock hubcaps, and so on.
- Paint has chips and orange peel.
- Tip of hood is dented.
- There are a few dents and chips.
- Small rust spots on fuel-filler door.
- Rust in front of rear wheels.
- I realize there’s an emblem missing from the hatchback. It was like that when I bought the car, and I don’t know why it’s that way. I always intended to paint the car and correct that, but never got around to it.
- The side-view mirror is cracked. I have a spare.
- One of the hood vents is loose. I have a spare.
Interior
- Motorsport dash
cap. - Seats professionally rebuilt to match stock color. Total cost was $500.
- Rare peanut butter brown interior with rare brown door handles.
- Carpet needs to be replaced.
- The CD player shown in the pictures will not be sold with the car.
Air conditioner
- Stock a/c unit professionally rebuilt about eight years ago. It blows air but it’s not cold. I had the system inspected by the shop that did the rebuild (Carlisle Auto Air in San Antonio), and they confirmed that blower, compressor, evaporator all work. They think it’s an electrical problem.
Suspension/steering
- KYB gas shocks.
- Eibach progressive springs (car lowered one inch).
- All bushings in the front end replaced with new polyurethane (except tension/compression rod bushings, which are rubber).
- Both front strut assemblies have been rebuilt.
- Rebuilt steering rack and bushings.
- 16-inch Eagle aluminum wheels and Kumho Ecsta tires.
Intake/exhaust
- Ram-air induction with K&N air filter.
- Throttle opening expanded nd port matched to intake manifold.
- Motorsport silver ceramic coated 6-into-1 header.
- 2.5-inch pipe from exhaust manifold back.
- Magnaflow turbo muffler.
Really great car
I came across your pictures of your 77; I like the color combination. I thought long and hard about painting mine the same color green. I have a 1978 I am rebuilding. Your car is like many out there. All they need is a little bit more to get it where you want it….and a little bit more…..and a little bit more…..and a little bit more…..they are addicting. LOL