Project car

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:52 am

I finally convinced my mom to let me buy a project car. She wouldn't let me before because my dad had an old truck he was working on in the drive way forever and he never fixed it up. She didn't want me to buy a car and just let it sit there for ever. I have my heart set on a 1970'2 Datsun 280z. I'm probably not going to get it for a while since I don't have a steady job, but once i get one I'm buyin a datsun. I think it would be a good hobby to start because I've dnoe everything else around here 40 million times. Plus 280z's are one of my dream cars...I plan on buying one without the original l28 engine because I want to drop in a 350. Here are a few pics of my favorite one I've found so far...I want to find one with a good body because I don't know anything about body work... I can build the engine and everything else but the body is the only thing I wouldn't be able to do.

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Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:53 am

Another.This Datsun's price was $970 at the time!

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russ257 · Post by **russ257** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:53 am

i ahve a buddy that had 2 of those one one was liek a base model and his daily drive and the other was a bit sportier nice cars. he let me borrow the dd once so i could go somewhere i wasnt too expierienced driving stick and must have stalled like 5 times most embarassing was in front of a bus stop people must have thought i was retarded.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:02 am

One of my friends has had the same 240Z for 23 years. He's had 3 paint jobs, 6 engines and full $6,000.00 inside and out make-over 3 years ago. It's Maserati Gold with a black interior, triple Weber 2-barrels and a Doug Nash 6 speed. He never had kids but this is his baby. I wish I had a picture to post, the car is gorgeous.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:56 am

Yep...very beautiful machines. That's why I want one. I've seen one with a 350 once that's where I got the idea to replace the L28 with the 350. I'm probably gonna buy what I can for the Vibe first and then get the Datsun...who knows. Maybe instead of buyin that crotch rocket or snowmobile with my grad. money, I'll buy the 280z for $900 and I'll use the rest of the money to restore it! lol decisions decisions.

kostby · Post by **kostby** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 12:55 am

Watch out for total rustbuckets! The torque from a 350 might just twist the car in half! LOLA friend of mine bought her 280-Z new, and by the time she sold it in the late 1990's there were big holes rusted through the doors and elsewhere.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:04 am

That sucks...I dunno how to do body work yet Now that I've been thinking about it...forget about the 350...I'll just keep the l28 and buy a turbo for it instead

JohnC · Post by **JohnC** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:37 am

I have owned a 78,81 & 82 280s, one of the best things about these cars are the bullit proof engines. They are great! Except for the turbos which have a tendency to catch on fire. I stongly recommend not dropping in a small block V8, I have seen several of these conversions and it takes alot of modification to the rest of the car. The unibody WILL bend if you ever get on it, this will cause the doors not to latch closed, the top to wrinkle and 4 wheel allignment problems. Even with a frame connector kit (which gives up already too little ground clearance) you will be plagued by body tweeking problems. Then there is the lack of brakes, cooling system capacity and all around pain that too large of an engine in too small a space causes. Check out some of the z-car web site forums if you want the particulars. About 25 years ago I put a 350 into a Vega wagon and ran into all the same type problems. PS...WATCH OUT FOR RUST!

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 6:06 am

Hmmmm. Thanks alot for the insider info. I have about another year to decide for sure what I want to get. My neighbor across the street had an old dinged up orange datsun he started working on. He got it to run and drive but then he just left it in the street for a year and finally I gues it sold it or something.

faygolovinjuggalo · Post by **faygolovinjuggalo** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:31 am

The way i look at it is simple... if you love cars you gotta have one to play with.... at 29 years old i have spent many long nights tearing things up... its all about trial and error.... my last project car was a 1996 s-10... when i was done it ended up with an isuzu hombre front end, convertible top, cage, layin frame on airride (completely built buy me) 17" sacchi's, tilt bed.... you name it i did it.... their wasn't a single piece left of this truck that i didn't cut, weld or modify.... I had my hand in on every portion of this truck.... except for the roll cage cause i wanted it to be the same height as the cab with the top off, maily for structural support..... but if you look at the picture you will see what 6 hard years of work will get you.... something to be proud of..... needless to say... i completed the truck back in august of 2002 and shortly their after sold it on ebay to some kid in new york.... it was time to start over....

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Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 4:25 am

That's sweet! Good job.

Project car

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