Thinking about going for a late 70s Datsun 280Z(X)..

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Vic
Bah. That only does 13.3's and the beautiful Z balance and handling has been destroyed. A better idea would be to rebuilt the stock I6 with a big cam, header, and 4-bbl. 🙂
But then you need a stronger clutch and you'll want to tighten down the suspension and the next thing you know you've invested more into the car that's worth 😉

I doubt the handling has been destroyed. A 350 with aluminum heads can't be that much heavier than the straight 6. I wouldn't be surprised if it was lighter. I'd love to have that car.

 

[Kojak]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Better yet, get a clean 280Z, better suspension, and drop in a mild small block chevy with a huffer. I helped a friend do this in 1985 and we couldn't keep tires on the back rims.




It was the second fastest car I ever built.

The fastest was a 74 Pinto Wagon with a blown 460 Ford, scary ride that one was.

Was about to suggest the same. Did the engine slip right in w/o any mods?

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Kojak

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Better yet, get a clean 280Z, better suspension, and drop in a mild small block chevy with a huffer. I helped a friend do this in 1985 and we couldn't keep tires on the back rims.




It was the second fastest car I ever built.

The fastest was a 74 Pinto Wagon with a blown 460 Ford, scary ride that one was.

Was about to suggest the same. Did the engine slip right in w/o any mods?

Which engine?

The 280Z had to have the engine mount locations modified, update front springs, transmission mounts, custom headers, and a narrow 9" rear end. But those were the major challanges. I think somebody has made a kit now and it's much easier.

The Big Block Pinto was a major conversion, ended up using a tubular frame to complete the job, but it was for drag racing.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Kojak

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Better yet, get a clean 280Z, better suspension, and drop in a mild small block chevy with a huffer. I helped a friend do this in 1985 and we couldn't keep tires on the back rims.




It was the second fastest car I ever built.

The fastest was a 74 Pinto Wagon with a blown 460 Ford, scary ride that one was.

Was about to suggest the same. Did the engine slip right in w/o any mods?

Which engine?

The 280Z had to have the engine mount locations modified, update front springs, transmission mounts, custom headers, and a narrow 9" rear end. But those were the major challanges. I think somebody has made a kit now and it's much easier.

The Big Block Pinto was a major conversion, ended up using a tubular frame to complete the job, but it was for drag racing.

There are tons of V8 kits for the Z cars, 240Z being a more popular choice. There is also Pinto V8 kits though many chose the Vega if going that route.

Where my wife lived for couple months a guy had a Vega track car he'd sometimes drive up to the local bar, one night he left rubber almost all the way from his driveway to the place. It was a POS body with the Roots type blower through the hood. He was an idiot though, he'd often do engine work at 2am with no exhaust attached. I think everyone within a block had called the police on him at least twice.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I doubt the handling has been destroyed. A 350 with aluminum heads can't be that much heavier than the straight 6. I wouldn't be surprised if it was lighter. I'd love to have that car.

The stock I6 was aluminum block and head. There's no way an iron block and aluminum head V8 with more than twice the displacement could weigh less.

 

[sillymofo]

But,... how are you gonna fit that beatle engine in there?

 

[TheAudit]

Nissan just had some 280Z's in the showroom right before the 350Z came out.
I wasn't sure if they were rebuilds or what, I think they were new one-offs. Part of their "classic" collection. They were selling for the full average price of a car being sold today.

 

[atom]

Those Z's weren't new, they were old cars restored to factory spec by Nissan themselves. The ultimate collectible. 🙂

Anyways, the 280Z was always one of my dream cars. Still one of ther best cars Nissan/Datsun ever created.

 

[CraigRT]

oh man, i friggin love those cars.

i want one too.. mmm