Bryan's 77 280z Auto Resto-Mod
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 8:17 pm
Pics will be added in the next few days.
A while back, as some are aware, Ashley really liked my Zcar and wished she had one. Easy solution I said, lets build you one!
First, what is the goal-what do you want your zcar to be?
Answer:
1) Must be an Automatic trans.
2) Must cruise freeway speeds with ease
3) Possibly fender flares of some type.
4) Must have some get-up-and-go.
5) Be able to be a daily driver to be able to drive it anytime.
6) Must have a/c.
7) Would like a Gate type shifter.
So these were my starting guide lines.
What's been done so far.
1) found a 1977 280z and we started out on this venture.
2) Dropped the 4sp manual, replaced it with a Jatco 4N71B automatic. This is a 3 speed auto with an Overdrive unit mounted between the trans and the bell housing and has a locking Torque converter.
3) Found a Mercedes gate-shift on Ebay and mounted it up.
4) Located an F54 engine with P90 head. engine was stripped of exhaust manifold, turbo, intake. I patiently waited for the turbo exhaust manifold to surface and finally found one at the right price. I had a spare intake with an aftermarket throttle body I had picked as someone's scrap sometime ago and I have a z31 turbo parts car so Turbo solved. Found the P90 was rotten through due to being run with only water and corrosion won. Replaced with an excellent condition P79 which has the same combustion chamber as the P90 but has shrouded exhaust ports.
5) Installed the "new' turbo engine and mated it to the auto trans
6) Installed an intercooler & piping
7) Installed 3" mandrel exhaust to ease breathing
8) Installed Poly bushings through out
9) Added power windows
10) Added power Mirrors
11) Added power door locks
12) Installed Overdrive (OD) lock-out switch.
13) Removed Clutch petal and installed an Auto brake pedal
14) Installed new cheap tires to allow car to be drivable until permanent tire size is determined
15) Installed Saden style a/c compressor & parallel flow condenser
16) removed and refurbished the interior a/c system including air vent tubing
17) Performed a Kia blower motor swap
18) Installed new door & hatch seals
19) Replace brakes all the way around
20) Media blasted and painted engine bay
21) Installed a 3rd brake light
22) Installed a forward facing camera to ease her parking and not bump the air dam
23) Installed a backup camera to assist her with backing up
24) Installed LED bulbs in tail and turn lights to ease electrical load
25) Installed a Walbro fuel pump and prefilter
26) removed old interior insulation and replace with Rattle Trap
27) Replaced all interior carpet
28) Replaced center console, mounted pwr window switches and OD switch.
29) Installed Radio and speaker box across that back of the car
30) Replaced headliner
31) Replace radiator
32) Rebuild door hinges
33) Replace door locks and rekeyed to match each other
34) Fogged interior to find/fix cabin leaks
35) Replaced horns
I'm sure there are things I've not listed
Interesting how long a list gets when you actually start writing it out..lol. We've all got our long lists
Next up is;
Door shimming
Front daytime driving lights
A while back, as some are aware, Ashley really liked my Zcar and wished she had one. Easy solution I said, lets build you one!
First, what is the goal-what do you want your zcar to be?
Answer:
1) Must be an Automatic trans.
2) Must cruise freeway speeds with ease
3) Possibly fender flares of some type.
4) Must have some get-up-and-go.
5) Be able to be a daily driver to be able to drive it anytime.
6) Must have a/c.
7) Would like a Gate type shifter.
So these were my starting guide lines.
What's been done so far.
1) found a 1977 280z and we started out on this venture.
2) Dropped the 4sp manual, replaced it with a Jatco 4N71B automatic. This is a 3 speed auto with an Overdrive unit mounted between the trans and the bell housing and has a locking Torque converter.
3) Found a Mercedes gate-shift on Ebay and mounted it up.
4) Located an F54 engine with P90 head. engine was stripped of exhaust manifold, turbo, intake. I patiently waited for the turbo exhaust manifold to surface and finally found one at the right price. I had a spare intake with an aftermarket throttle body I had picked as someone's scrap sometime ago and I have a z31 turbo parts car so Turbo solved. Found the P90 was rotten through due to being run with only water and corrosion won. Replaced with an excellent condition P79 which has the same combustion chamber as the P90 but has shrouded exhaust ports.
5) Installed the "new' turbo engine and mated it to the auto trans
6) Installed an intercooler & piping
7) Installed 3" mandrel exhaust to ease breathing
8) Installed Poly bushings through out
9) Added power windows
10) Added power Mirrors
11) Added power door locks
12) Installed Overdrive (OD) lock-out switch.
13) Removed Clutch petal and installed an Auto brake pedal
14) Installed new cheap tires to allow car to be drivable until permanent tire size is determined
15) Installed Saden style a/c compressor & parallel flow condenser
16) removed and refurbished the interior a/c system including air vent tubing
17) Performed a Kia blower motor swap
18) Installed new door & hatch seals
19) Replace brakes all the way around
20) Media blasted and painted engine bay
21) Installed a 3rd brake light
22) Installed a forward facing camera to ease her parking and not bump the air dam
23) Installed a backup camera to assist her with backing up
24) Installed LED bulbs in tail and turn lights to ease electrical load
25) Installed a Walbro fuel pump and prefilter
26) removed old interior insulation and replace with Rattle Trap
27) Replaced all interior carpet
28) Replaced center console, mounted pwr window switches and OD switch.
29) Installed Radio and speaker box across that back of the car
30) Replaced headliner
31) Replace radiator
32) Rebuild door hinges
33) Replace door locks and rekeyed to match each other
34) Fogged interior to find/fix cabin leaks
35) Replaced horns
I'm sure there are things I've not listed
Interesting how long a list gets when you actually start writing it out..lol. We've all got our long lists
Next up is;
Door shimming
Front daytime driving lights
