Hey All. New Guy Here
03-29-2010, 08:24 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 15
Hey All. New Guy Here
Hey everybody. Hopefully I will be joining the ranks of older z owners this week. It's pretty exciting for me because at the moment Im all rotary.
Im not new to cars in any way and I have a little experience with 280s because a friend of mine had an 82 and 83 but Im just looking for a little advice.
The car I found is a 81 290zx turbo with 93k original miles with recent replacement of turbo and injectors. Another sweet thing about it is there is virtually no rust on this thing. It is as solid as my 04 rx8. The interior isnt perfect but pretty good for a car that is almost 30 years old. and it needs a paint job.
Purchase price you ask? Im trading a 2006 Polaris Predator 500 that no one uses anymore.
The only let down with the entire car is the fact that it is automatic. I hope to eventually do a tranny swap. Correct me if Im wrong but isnt the tranny used in those a boyd warner t-5?
Anyway, any advice, tips, or general comments from you guys would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Im not new to cars in any way and I have a little experience with 280s because a friend of mine had an 82 and 83 but Im just looking for a little advice.
The car I found is a 81 290zx turbo with 93k original miles with recent replacement of turbo and injectors. Another sweet thing about it is there is virtually no rust on this thing. It is as solid as my 04 rx8. The interior isnt perfect but pretty good for a car that is almost 30 years old. and it needs a paint job.
Purchase price you ask? Im trading a 2006 Polaris Predator 500 that no one uses anymore.
The only let down with the entire car is the fact that it is automatic. I hope to eventually do a tranny swap. Correct me if Im wrong but isnt the tranny used in those a boyd warner t-5?
Anyway, any advice, tips, or general comments from you guys would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
03-29-2010, 09:22 PM
#2
w00t! Welcome to ZDriver, and to Z ownership! 
About the trans... all 81 turbos had the 3speed auto. The 82-83 had the option for the BW T5. Many people run the stock n/a trans w/ their turbo motor too.
About the trans... all 81 turbos had the 3speed auto. The 82-83 had the option for the BW T5. Many people run the stock n/a trans w/ their turbo motor too.
03-30-2010, 07:44 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 15
thanks nismopick. Its too bad though, my friend just junked his 82. I couldve used everything from his car. Oh well, Ill just drive it as is for a while anyway.
I already posted pics of my mazdas but ill get some of the 280 as soon as I can.
This Thursday is the day. Im freakin pumped!!
I already posted pics of my mazdas but ill get some of the 280 as soon as I can.
This Thursday is the day. Im freakin pumped!!
03-30-2010, 01:38 PM
#5
Über User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: lemont, Illinois
Posts: 9,532
oooooooh mazda, the wankel was such a great idea, yet still with almost only 2 moving parts it still manages to blow every 50k (FD3S mostly) and is the most sensitive engine to heat ever. as well as the most fuel inefficient lol. other than that, amazing motors. tiny and powerful. almost traded my bike and 3k cash for a FD3S a few days ago, but jsut couldn't do it for practicality reasons... damn do i love that car though...
also, very simple swap to 5spd.
also, very simple swap to 5spd.
03-30-2010, 06:36 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 15
yeah man, no doubt FDs are awesome. I wish I had one. But im pretty sure everyone does. 
But talk about engines blowing. Im having some issues with my FC right now. My wastegate decided not to work for me while I was street tuning and I overboosted. I have a lot of diagnostic work ahead of me. But my ultimate fear is a blown coolant seal. It will just kill me if I have to shell out the cash to rebuild the engine. Ive been slowly building it into a badass drift car since before I was 16 and now have over $14K into the thing total. It is, by far, my absolute favorite car I will probably ever have but, damn, it pisses me off. 
But talk about engines blowing. Im having some issues with my FC right now. My wastegate decided not to work for me while I was street tuning and I overboosted. I have a lot of diagnostic work ahead of me. But my ultimate fear is a blown coolant seal. It will just kill me if I have to shell out the cash to rebuild the engine. Ive been slowly building it into a badass drift car since before I was 16 and now have over $14K into the thing total. It is, by far, my absolute favorite car I will probably ever have but, damn, it pisses me off.
05-16-2010, 01:54 PM
#10
That's a good lookin 81T!
05-17-2010, 02:32 AM
#14
More Than Meets The Eye
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mesa, Az
Posts: 5,120
No kidding, nice find. If that is an original turbo. That would be the first factory turbo slicktop 280zx. I have ever seen! It is in really nice shape. Look forward, to watching this progress. Props.
05-17-2010, 10:41 AM
#15
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 15
thanks guys. and yes it is all original. the interior is kinda meh. but not all that bad. its got a dash cap so i really dont even want to think about what it looks like under there. anyone got any of the grey rear int panels that are in good shape? ohh and i need carpet too. the guy i bought it from cut some house carpet and threw in there???
I have some plans for it, though, including body kit, new struts w/lowering springs, wheels, restoring the interior. and im not sure how you guys would feel about it but im really leaning towards and rb20 swap. put one in a friends 240sx a couple years back. loved it. awesome engine
I have some plans for it, though, including body kit, new struts w/lowering springs, wheels, restoring the interior. and im not sure how you guys would feel about it but im really leaning towards and rb20 swap. put one in a friends 240sx a couple years back. loved it. awesome engine
05-17-2010, 10:43 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 15
forgot to ask if anyone could help me out with a little electrical issue with it. tach doesnt work and nothing but the clock lights up when i turn on the lights. havent really had a chance to look into it as its been at the body shop for about a month. fuses are all good and all the gauges work though, besides the tach. i should probably mention that the previous owner put a jdm speedo in it.
