hey guys!
im about to get my first '79 280z turbo w/5-speed.
i just wanted some opinions to see what should i do while
having my engine rebuilt?
like gettin certain parts to upgrade the performance
or keep an eye out for something that other z cars have
issues with. anything will help. thanx guys.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

We should clarify some stuff first.

#1: There was no 280z in 79, it was a 280ZX

#2: There was no 280zx turbo in 79... from the factory anyway. The first 280zx turbo was produced in 81.

So is your car a 79? Is it really a 280z? Is it really a turbo?

 

Clean the engine bay and related things while you can.

When I do an engine job, I like to replace certain other related things. This depends on my budget and the known history of the vehicle.

Motor mounts.
Radiator.
Water pump.
Thermostat.
Fan belt.
Hoses, radiator and heater.
Fuel pump.
Fuel lines.
Carb rebuild.

When we did our 240z, we also replaced the rack bushings and the steering coupler. They were a lot easier to get at with engine out of the way.

When I did my F250 recently, I knew how fresh all those related pieces were and skipped most of them.

The list can easily be added to. But the $$$ quickly add up into a scary price tag. I like to view it as an insurance policy, they help protect my new engine. Some of it is easy to change later when it fails, and some is harder with the engine in the way.

If you don't know the history, and want to keep the car for a bunch of trouble free years, most of the list needs to be followed. Close your eyes and bite the bullet.

 

well like i said i havent gotten the car yet. from all the pictures he has sent it has turbo in it and it look like its been messed with. im still pretty new with the z's so please give me a break.

 

See if you can post a couple here. And we can tell you what year and type of Z it is.

 

its not turbo. just have a valve cover that says it.

 

Interesting... quite the mix of parts thrown on that car.

How much are they asking?

 

they are asking 800 bucks and throwing in a '75 280 motor and tranny with it. are any of those part interchangeable?

 

Going by the pictures, I would say it is a '79 280zx with a Turbo valve cover on it.

 

Let me guess, you're 18 and fell in love with a loud muffler. That car is a huge money pit. Save some of the money you will waste on it and find a better Z.

 

yes its a 79 or 80. it has the81-3 hood, but all the 79 emissions crap. I agree ramz its going to take a lot to fix.

 

that car looks like a huge money pit to me.. judging from the looks of the car i bet the interior is just as rough as its exterior.. you figure your prolly gonna spend AT LEAST another $8,000 to run and look decent.. i agree with everyone on here.. you should pass and find a better Z to start with...