Im new here,but have owned many 280ZX's over the years..Just figured Id share some shots..All my stock gauges were on the fritz..Faulty oil sending unit,,sticky boost gauge,,and a clock that had a mind of its own..Not no more....I picked this car up out of Cali with the plans on leaving it stock..So far Im about 2k more into it with maintanance and upgrades and it is still nowhere near complete yet..Im shooting for next summer..Next comes the front mount install..I knew I should of bought an N/A..The fun never ends with boosted cars..

 

damn that is freaking sweet!!! what all did you drop 2k on?

 

The car was bone stock when it arrived from Cali to NJ...The car already looks alot different than that pic above..For cosmetic upgrades,,A new lower front airdam,,Sportmax002 16x8 wheels mounted on new 245/45/16s,,and a low profile rear wing..It needed new brakes so I splurged and bought brand new calipers on all 4s with drilled rotors and ceramic pads..I bought a complete Tokico shock/spring combo with all new poly bushings in the front..I went nuts under the hood and replaced the entire injector harnesses,,brand new turbo injectors,,all new water temp sensors were replaced,,and a serious tuneup was done as well as all fluids flushed,backflushed and filled..This was stuff that was needed..It runs much better now..For the stuff I didnt need but couldnt help myself..

Huge front mount Intercooler with piping kit
2 1/2 downpipe into full 3"exhaust
3"Intake pipe with K&N cone
N42 intake manifold
MSD 500hp Fuel pump
JSK fuel rail
All new gauges(pics above)
In dash DVD/CD player with new speakers,,,and so on..There is alot of other stuff Im forgetting as I just started to install some of the stuff..The car will be ran on 12psi once I get all the parts on..It will be driven like that until the stock turbocharger gives up the ghost and then I will prolly go to a standalone ECU,bigger turbo,,ect..Im looking for a solid 300-350hp when its done..The car looks good as it sits but Im not happy..It will be in the bodyshop for a big makeover within the next year...

 

Looking good. What is the line across the gauges? Are they liquid filled?

 

they look nice!
my liquid fill gauges had an air bubble so small you could hardly see it....

 

 

Yep..They are liquid filled..Thanks for looking..I have alot of work ahead of me but I hope to share as progress is made..

 

That is a super nice turbo.

 

yeah very nice, but if you plan on upgrading the turbo to a bigger size you might as well leave the DP alone. or if you think you can re-flange it might as well make it a 3inch to match the exhaust. but very very very clean car especially that interior. i LOVE the autometer guages swap in these cars and the S30... its like they were made for them. only down part is that low liquid line, but as long as they function the way they should fudge it right?

 

Below is a pic of my previous Z that I sold to someone on Zcar about 5 years ago..I worked in a bodyshop about 10 years ago and picked that one up hit in the rear..I only planned on fixing it and driving..Not the case..It wound up with a complete makeover as well as an old Raejay turbo kit..I know it was a little ricey with the kit,wheels,and decals..But I was much younger ..With the latest build I plan on the opposite..Just a very low laying car with nothing but a front splitter,rear wing,,and wide rubber..I cant wait till its done..

 

actually, (wihtout seeing the front is that the MSA II kit?) it looks nice with the kit wing is eh, but i dont think those wheels go very well.

 

Yeah..It was the MSA 2 kit..The wing came from them also..I liked the look of the car back then..But now being a little older,,looking back at that build,I realize I dont like it now either..Old school cars dont look great with modern positive offset wheels,,bodykits,ect...Thats why on this one,,Im gonna use the beautiful factory bodylines the 280ZX has alone,but with the exception of the front splitter and low laying rear wing,,and deep dish wheels...I know it will look nasty(in a good way) when done..

 

Check out the MSA 1 kit if you want to keep the original lines.

 

That is a sweet #ss turbo Mark! Verry friggin' clean bro'. Look forward to seeing you progress with this project. Definately keep posting pics as you go. And I agree with the green 280zx. The wheels are what off-set it the most. Otherwise it looks good in the pic.

When you are saying when you got older. Yeah there are some changes I have made in my plans. For my 280zx turbo project. Because I didn't like some of the original ideas. I got rid of the blue pedal covers, my bride wheel is not on anymore. Anyway you get the idea. I will save my changes for my threads. Keep us updated bro' and good luck.

 

Thanks again for all the comments,,positive or negative..Im a contractor so Im usually pretty busy but Im coming into my slow season and Im hoping to start making some real progress on the car.

Wildman-Thats a pretty nice car you got there yourself..Ive owned about 12 280ZXs in my life and I never get tired of looking at them..

 

hmmm... gonna go out on a limb here and say your also a big mitsubishi fan... DSM lover? if not, watcha got!

 

Been building and tuning Conquest/Starions since 94...Just sold my last Conquest to start the Z build..(I know--Im a pic *****)...

 

No problem, and yeah that is an old pic unfortunately. He is primer gray with a black hood now. But when I am finished he will be blue and silver. Nice conquest by the way. Post the pics, love to see them hehe.

 

ooohh those are fun. you building the stock motor or you going to 4G63 swap like the big dawgs

 

Although the 4G63 swaps became popular,I would never consider a swap..At one time the factory 2.6T was known to a be little bit tempermental with its funky TBI setup,and bad head design..That was a long time ago..The problems are now easily obsolete with something as simple as a Caravan head,,and a MPI setup..Years ago you wouldnt see many sub 12sec Conquests/Starions..Now there are alot of guys pounding out 400-600hp on MPI setups..Hell--making 250-300hp is pretty common nowadays even on the factory fuel in injection..Below is an example of an MPI setup on the factory 2.6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJ67xqHxHE