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'77 280Z Project, aka The Redneck Jaguar


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Is the carb manifold and tbi for ease of install, vintage look, both?

 

I just ask because wouldn't a megasquirt on the stock FI be cheaper than the manifold and tbi?

 

Do you like/use megasquirt ever?

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Is the carb manifold and tbi for ease of install, vintage look, both?

 

Both. I like the aesthetics, but also like the simplicity and easy install. It's self-learning so if I change cams, heads, etc later on it will quickly adapt.

 

I just ask because wouldn't a megasquirt on the stock FI be cheaper than the manifold and tbi?

 

Cheaper, possibly, but not by much. And it's also a lot uglier in my opinion. 

 

Do you like/use megasquirt ever?

 

I have, and it worked well, but I wouldn't again. 

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The first mod is always an irreversible one...   ^_^

 

 

Column out...

 

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Stripped it clean, and picked up a "sprint car" quick release for it...

 

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Done this a few times, so if you know me, sorry for repeating myself. 

 

First trim off the bottom bit...

 

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Then machine out the center hole by 4mm, and about 8mm deep, then shave the corners off the stock wheel nut, and press it in...

 

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Screw that on to the column and then have your buddy Tim weld it for you...

 

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Clean it up with a flat file...

 

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Cleaned up the column and painted it, bolted it back in the car, then dab a bit of grease on the quick release collar and job done...

 

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I had a complete set of AutoMeter gauges for another project that stalled out, so I dragged those out. Turns out the 5" speedo and tach fit like a glove...

 

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A was very surprised how easily these went in...

 

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Unfortunately, my oil/water/fuel gauges are 2 1/16" gauges and the center stack holes in the dash are 3". And the biggest ones AutoMeter makes are 2 5/8". Not sure what to do there...

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And it was. Here, that is.  ^_^

 

One of the people who "pioneered" the clean 302->S30 swap is a guy name Brian Laine and he made a website detailing all the things he did on his car. After a lot of people asked him about it, he started offering a kit to make the 302/T5 trans a bolt-in affair. He had several made, all water-jet cut, bead blasted, and powdercoated, and started selling them. Well he has said he isn't planning on offering them any longer after this batch is sold out and I was lucky enough to buy the last one he had.  :thumbup:

 

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And here is what it looks like unpacked and ready to install...

 

PartsLayout.jpg

 

 

It looks very well made, and beefy. Comes with new motor mounts and all hardware too!  :thumbup:

 

Can't wait for the first test fit...   :devil:

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I was going to suggest the VQ35DE as it is fairly cheap in many parts of the country and puts out near 300hp stock... but I'm too late.

 

Looks like a great starting point! Aside from the various colors, that appears to be a solid car and almost no rust.

 

 

What's up with that Ferrari body kit Z-car in the pic?

 

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I was going to suggest the VQ35DE as it is fairly cheap in many parts of the country and puts out near 300hp stock... but I'm too late.

 

Honestly, I was after a simpler 300hp, and I think a 302 is that. A VQ is interesting, but the wiring necessary for a swap like that scared me off. 

 

 

What's up with that Ferrari body kit Z-car in the pic?

 

Belongs to my shop landlord, who I got my 280Z from. He has (at last count) nine S30s. Most are being built to sell. The 240Z "Fauxrarri" is his keeper. It has an L28 with triple Mikunis, but sadly it's also an autotragic (it will be converted to a 5 speed eventually). 

 

I keep telling him it needs a V8...   :rofl:

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Honestly, I was after a simpler 300hp, and I think a 302 is that. A VQ is interesting, but the wiring necessary for a swap like that scared me off.

This is why i was thinking obd 1 Maxima wiring and removing the variable can timing, though i realize that costs power.

 

V8s work too

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This method but use a thin plastic beauty ring around each gauge to fill the space neatly?

 

Yeah, I thought about that...

 

i also have some textured plastic sheet about 1/8" thick that matches the stock dash texture. I could make a plate with three holes in it from that, then figure out a way to attach it to the dash metal frame maybe? 

 

 

Also found this in the parts stash and think I might use it. Blue stitching and stripe, and cool horn button, plus a 3-to-6 adapter.  :thumbup:

 

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That thing looks super deep. Is that going to put the wheel in your chest?

 

No idea.   :rofl:

 

My general rule of thumb with a Datsun is you want the bottom of the steering wheel even with the front seat frame rail. That usually puts it in a good spot for me, and that's where the current wheel is...

 

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Look at how deep of the factory 280Z steering wheel is. If anything, that aftermarket wheel will be at the same position forward, just smaller diameter.

 

I've been looking at steering wheel options too. I might just wait and spend money on wheels and tires first. I've had a couple cheap steering wheels in the past and I was always disappointed with the quality. I'm temped to just buy an expensive name brand one this time around.

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Look at how deep of the factory 280Z steering wheel is. If anything, that aftermarket wheel will be at the same position forward, just smaller diameter.

 

Exactly. This one is at most two inches deeper than stock, and that's with the 3-to-6 adapter. 

 

 

I've been looking at steering wheel options too. I might just wait and spend money on wheels and tires first. I've had a couple cheap steering wheels in the past and I was always disappointed with the quality. I'm temped to just buy an expensive name brand one this time around.

 

Personally never had much trouble out of "cheap" ones. I had one that bent on me, but it was flat, and I may have been a little too rough with it.. ^_^

 

The dished ones seem to be a good bit stiffer. 

 

I have a couple of flat Nardi wheels and a flat Personal, so if the dish is too much, I can change it. 

 

Also a big fan of the Mooneyes wheel in my 1200. It's a little less dish, and comes in a wide variety of colors...

 

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I drive with crap on my hands way too often to own anything with a white wheel. It would rapidly become tainted beyond repair.

 

This is a common refrain.

 

However, I do not.   ^_^

 

 

And the beauty of this style of quick release is that you can have a dozen different steering wheels if you want, and swap them out at will in 10 seconds. 

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