Hello, all! I'm looking for someone in the Northwest Arkansas Area to help me repair and "restore" my 1978 Datsun 280 Z 2+2. For all intents and purposes, let us consider I know nothing about cars. I'm looking to: replace the engine with a "new" one, switch the automatic transmission out for a stick, rebore the cylinders for more horsepower, install (laugh if you must) nitrus oxide boosters, fix a few small dents (nothing dry ice and a hot day can't take care of), replace the breaks, replace the fuel rail and intake manifold, reupholster and repaint it, and "tweak" it as much as possible (without doing anything too crazy) for more torque and pony power. I'm looking for someone who has respect for and enjoys working on classic cars who is willing to share their knowledge. If this sounds like you, please send an e-mail to Fairl8y@yahoo.com, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Peace,
Natalie



P.S.-Please don't bother telling me the car won't be worth what I put into it when I'm done, because I already know. The monetary value others see in it is far from my mind. Whatever I end up spending (it's looking upwards of eight grand at the moment) will be well worth it to me to have a great reliable car [re]built to my specifications. Also, please don't bother suggesting I throw a Chevy V-8 in it. It's a Z, and I want it to have a Z engine. Just my opinion, but hey, it's my car and I'm entitled to it :P. Any suggestions you may have (other than suggesting I toss my current Z to buy a pre-restored one or put an American engine in it) are welcomed and will be greatly appreciated! Please feel free to e-mail!





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Well, as you know I ain't in NWA, but if I can make a small suggestion, if you can't get Nissam to replace your engine, go to a salvage yard and try to find an engine from an '83 ZX and use it to replace your dead one. It will be the same cu. in. size as your original, with the latest upgrades to the engine. If money isn't too much of a problem, leave the stock ecu with the car and buy a programmable ecu. Then I'd suggest a T-5 tranny out of a zxt and either the driveshaft out of an a/t car or get a custom built driveshaft, whichever will work. For pure performance I'd go with a triple carb setup (Weber,Mikuni, or whatever) but be warned carbs are a little more finicky than FI is. Maybe change the diff. for a 3.9 or a 4.11 LSD, but definitely replace the stock suspension components for better shocks/struts/springs, and replace all the bushings with urethane. Just my .02, take it for what you think it's worth. And as for the cost of restoring your car, we all love these cars too much to suggest that they aren't worth it; we all know what most people think but we do this for the love of our Z and NOBODY here will tell you to get something else. Where's the fun in that?

Jeremey L. Britton
IZCC# 12491
ICQ# 9975840
Sheridan, AR
'81 ZX N/A Daily Driver, Needs Much Work