78 Datsun 280z-------------> 5.3 Build
#1
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As some of you might already know, I bought this little guy in February of this year off Hybridz.org for little more than a song. It's as "rust free" as they get haha. I paid $1500 for it, and drove 7 hours each way. It had the 355 SBC / TH350 mounted, but nothing was hooked up. A couple weekends later, it was terrorizing the streets, getting flipped off by 50+ year old ladies (open headers
) I've wanted it to be an LSx, as that's the generation that I come from, and now it's going to be a reality!
Here is a quick pic of my 2002 Z/28
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When I picked her up (not me--v)
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Well today, I pulled/sold/delivered the 355 SBC that was in it for $900.
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There is SO much room in this engine bay!!!
(especially compared to an f-bod)
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I have so many wheels / tires in my shop, its comical
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![Name: SDC17230.jpg
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I also deleted the rear bumper, and crash things. It was a whole lot easier when I realized it had to be done from the top :angry:
![Name: SDC17231.jpg
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Thats really all I have for now, But I'll keep it updated as I make more progress!
![Icon Rolleyes](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies2/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Here is a quick pic of my 2002 Z/28
![Name: DSC_0355-1.jpg
Views: 4229
Size: 141.4 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618408d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-dsc_0355-1.jpg)
When I picked her up (not me--v)
![Name: IMG00012.jpg
Views: 3884
Size: 183.4 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618409d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-img00012.jpg)
Well today, I pulled/sold/delivered the 355 SBC that was in it for $900.
![Name: SDC17214.jpg
Views: 3686
Size: 110.3 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618410d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17214.jpg)
![Name: SDC17217.jpg
Views: 3808
Size: 108.8 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618411d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17217.jpg)
There is SO much room in this engine bay!!!
![Headbang](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies2/headbang.gif)
![Name: SDC17226.jpg
Views: 3750
Size: 110.1 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618412d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17226.jpg)
I have so many wheels / tires in my shop, its comical
![Name: SDC17229.jpg
Views: 3660
Size: 91.3 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618413d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17229.jpg)
![Name: SDC17230.jpg
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Size: 76.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618414d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17230.jpg)
I also deleted the rear bumper, and crash things. It was a whole lot easier when I realized it had to be done from the top :angry:
![Name: SDC17231.jpg
Views: 4597
Size: 97.2 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618415d1501353815-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17231.jpg)
Thats really all I have for now, But I'll keep it updated as I make more progress!
![Cheers!!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cheers.gif)
Last edited by STEEPSS; 10-24-2010 at 07:46 PM.
#5
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Not to mention the small block swap kit that I just sold for 550. And the miscellaneous other parts I have left from the carb setup.
So:
1500
-900
-550
For a grand total OF: $50 for a clean roller
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
#9
FormerVendor
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![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I don't know if you're going to build your own mounts, but we offer a conversion kit to put the LS based engines in the 280Z. I've been looking into building one, ever since we engineered the kit, but I can't touch the deal you found.
#10
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... That is, if you were to give me the mounts. haha
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
However, I personally don't like the fact that the engine sits an additional 3" further forward with your kit, than that of your competitor's. Looks like a good kit, but I'm trying to keep this car as 50 /50 weight distribution as possible.
Thanks for the kind words regardless
#11
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well i have a little progress to report.
I tore into the wiring, labeling everything, and taking it out of the engine bay. I'll be using a stand alone wiring harness, so 90% of this will be replaced / deleted.
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Here's the engine bay, pre-cleaning, without all the wiring.
![Name: SDC17239.jpg
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Here's where all the wiring now resides. haha, Just for the time being.
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I did find a couple more small rust spots, in the culprit areas.
Below battery box
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and on the drivers side, same spot
![Name: SDC17241.jpg
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here's the rust on the passenger's floor pan. Not terrible, but I'm gonna replace it.
![Name: SDC17236.jpg
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and the other Z. It's been driving me crazy lately, battling a nasty driveline vibration.
![Name: SDC17245.jpg
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That's all I got done last night!
I tore into the wiring, labeling everything, and taking it out of the engine bay. I'll be using a stand alone wiring harness, so 90% of this will be replaced / deleted.
![Name: SDC17235.jpg
Views: 4615
Size: 203.2 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618383d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17235.jpg)
Here's the engine bay, pre-cleaning, without all the wiring.
![Name: SDC17239.jpg
Views: 3600
Size: 149.0 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618384d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17239.jpg)
Here's where all the wiring now resides. haha, Just for the time being.
![Name: SDC17238.jpg
Views: 3480
Size: 223.4 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618385d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17238.jpg)
I did find a couple more small rust spots, in the culprit areas.
Below battery box
![Name: SDC17242.jpg
Views: 3456
Size: 51.9 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618386d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17242.jpg)
and on the drivers side, same spot
![Name: SDC17241.jpg
Views: 3475
Size: 67.5 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618387d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17241.jpg)
here's the rust on the passenger's floor pan. Not terrible, but I'm gonna replace it.
![Name: SDC17236.jpg
Views: 3433
Size: 203.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618388d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17236.jpg)
and the other Z. It's been driving me crazy lately, battling a nasty driveline vibration.
![Name: SDC17245.jpg
Views: 3512
Size: 85.7 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-swaps/618389d1501353765-78-datsun-280z-5-3-build-sdc17245.jpg)
That's all I got done last night!
#12
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My dad had a 280zx with a turbo that was soooooo much fun to drive. I wanted to put a 350 in it for years. I came home from college one weekend to find he sold the car for $300 because he wanted to park in the garage. Car was so clean. I LOVE your car. Please finish it.
![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)