Have a chance to score a 280z cheap... Q's
08-14-2003, 05:08 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Have a chance to score a 280z cheap... Q's
Hello Guys,
Newbie here...
Sorry... 
I've been checking out the archives today, but didn't find much to help me. I have the opportunity to purchase an 83 280ZX turbo for dirt cheap. It's an auto, but hey, the price is right.
Here's the deal. It's a friend of a friend's car, and it was driven daily until it started running rich and flooding out a couple months ago. He said it'll run, but floods and tries to kill itself... It's only got 111k on it, so it's barely broken in. He's done some work to it: new head gasket, injectors, aftermarket exhaust (said it cost $600
) and a new vaccuum control module. Supposedly the only rust it has is a little under the front bumper. I haven't checked it out yet, but I will if I like what I hear here. My buddy said he rode in it a few times and it's in decent shape. And T-tops are fun in the summer.
So I figured I'd ask here if there are any common problems that could cause the flooding... What I found in my searching was it's most likely a vaccuum leak, or a FPR. Possibly just needs a tuneup. But what are your thoughts? I'm fairly handy with a wrench, so if it's something cheap and easy, I'll probably scoop the car up soon.
Oh... Here's the best part... I should be able to get it for less than 400 bucks.
Is there anything in particular I should watch out for? I looked for a FAQ on the net all day, and couldn't find anything... Any hints and tips you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Here's a little history on me. As you can see by my sig, I'm not really into the Z's all that much. I have a full size caddy that I have swapped a 6 speed manual into. The auto was just so boring! Heh heh.
AFAIK, I have the only 6 speed Fleetwood on the planet! I love driving it and go out racing in it and just having fun in general. I love that car... But I used to own a 78 280Z non turbo just out of high school, and I loved it, too. So I have some fond memories... I also always wanted to get another one as a project to stuff a monster LT1 V8 into. So this car could be just that.
So that's my story.
I look forward to hearing your responses!
Thanks!
Bill
EDIT: fixed spelling
Newbie here...
Sorry... I've been checking out the archives today, but didn't find much to help me. I have the opportunity to purchase an 83 280ZX turbo for dirt cheap. It's an auto, but hey, the price is right.
Here's the deal. It's a friend of a friend's car, and it was driven daily until it started running rich and flooding out a couple months ago. He said it'll run, but floods and tries to kill itself... It's only got 111k on it, so it's barely broken in. He's done some work to it: new head gasket, injectors, aftermarket exhaust (said it cost $600
) and a new vaccuum control module. Supposedly the only rust it has is a little under the front bumper. I haven't checked it out yet, but I will if I like what I hear here. My buddy said he rode in it a few times and it's in decent shape. And T-tops are fun in the summer. So I figured I'd ask here if there are any common problems that could cause the flooding... What I found in my searching was it's most likely a vaccuum leak, or a FPR. Possibly just needs a tuneup. But what are your thoughts? I'm fairly handy with a wrench, so if it's something cheap and easy, I'll probably scoop the car up soon.
Oh... Here's the best part... I should be able to get it for less than 400 bucks.
Is there anything in particular I should watch out for? I looked for a FAQ on the net all day, and couldn't find anything... Any hints and tips you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Here's a little history on me. As you can see by my sig, I'm not really into the Z's all that much. I have a full size caddy that I have swapped a 6 speed manual into. The auto was just so boring! Heh heh.
AFAIK, I have the only 6 speed Fleetwood on the planet! I love driving it and go out racing in it and just having fun in general. I love that car... But I used to own a 78 280Z non turbo just out of high school, and I loved it, too. So I have some fond memories... I also always wanted to get another one as a project to stuff a monster LT1 V8 into. So this car could be just that. So that's my story.
I look forward to hearing your responses!
Thanks!
Bill
EDIT: fixed spelling
Last edited by toomanytoyz; 08-14-2003 at 05:11 PM.
08-14-2003, 07:03 PM
#2
Externally Wastegated
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,220
Hi and welcome to the site! That's an awesome Caddy and I don't think there is anyone else with a 6spd m/t in theirs. That's cool. Well, some pointers for the turbo are to look at the injectors and make sure they don't leak and aren't wet around them, inspect the vacuum hoses on the underside of the intake manifold, check the turbo for play and look closely at the frame rails for rust cause those suckers love to rust. You could also look at the right rear spare tire well to see if there's rust, and also check the rubber boot to the air flow meter since lately there has been a lot of talk about those being cracked. Still though 400 bucks is a great deal on a turbo.
John 82ZXT
John 82ZXT
08-15-2003, 04:49 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey Thanks for the response... I didn't know about the intake boot... I'll have to check it out...
I know all about the rust though!!!! That's the reason I had to get rid of my 78. When I bought it, it looked awesome. No rust at all on the body. But when I tried to get it inspected, it failed due to rot... I was like "What??? The body is straight and clean!" but the mechanic showed me the undercarraige and it was totally rotted through everywhere! Yikes. Live and learn... I drove it like that for a few months with no sticker then sold it and got something else...
Anything else I should check for?
Are there any websites to get cheap parts from?
I didn't know about the intake boot... I'll have to check it out... I know all about the rust though!!!! That's the reason I had to get rid of my 78. When I bought it, it looked awesome. No rust at all on the body. But when I tried to get it inspected, it failed due to rot... I was like "What??? The body is straight and clean!" but the mechanic showed me the undercarraige and it was totally rotted through everywhere! Yikes. Live and learn... I drove it like that for a few months with no sticker then sold it and got something else...
Anything else I should check for?
Are there any websites to get cheap parts from?
08-15-2003, 07:12 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 903
My '83 280ZX n/a had a flooding problem. I replaced all the vac hoses, dropped the gas tank and cleaned it out, put a hi-flow fuel pump on it, and it runs stronger than when I bought it 10 yrs ago.
I don't know if that will solve your problem, but that's how I solved mine.
I don't know if that will solve your problem, but that's how I solved mine.
08-16-2003, 10:38 AM
#6
Externally Wastegated
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,220
zhome.com has a lot of info on what to look out for in a Z, you can try hybridz.org and zcar.com both are good sites for info too, but the zcar site is a little dated in its setup. For cheap parts, that all depends, if you search through the web sometimes you'll find some cheap things, but the three main sources have been Motorsports Auto, Victoria British and StrictlyZ. Junkyards are a good place for parts, some owners throw their cars away with some good things left on. Kinda makes me wonder what's wrong with them!
Not much else I can think of to look out for, except maybe inspect the manifold bolts to make sure they aren't loose cause I'm in the midst of changing out my gasket due to loose bolts and it's no fun!
John 82ZXT
Not much else I can think of to look out for, except maybe inspect the manifold bolts to make sure they aren't loose cause I'm in the midst of changing out my gasket due to loose bolts and it's no fun!
John 82ZXT
08-18-2003, 09:06 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Plaistow, New Hampshire
Posts: 126
Hey Bill from Hampstead. Ifyou check out that 280zxt and do not want to buy, let me know as I will buy and use it as a parts car.
My 83ZXT had a front end crash and I require a parts car.
Thx,
Steve
My 83ZXT had a front end crash and I require a parts car.
Thx,
Steve
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