1977 280z Turbo LQ4 Build Thread
06-22-2014, 08:03 PM
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1977 280z Turbo LQ4 Build Thread In early April, I purchased this late 1977 280z. The cars is a pretty solid car. I have not found any rust holes in it yet. The car was originally from California so it has the "FLOOR TEMP" light (which I think is pretty neat). I purchased the car for $1750. The car came pretty complete and even came with a poly bushing replacement kit that has yet to be installed on the car. The original color is a gold color, but at some point in its life, it was painted the brown that you see in the pictures. I am looking at painting this car Deep Impact Blue in the future. The late 1977 280z has a unique luggage area where the floor goes up at a 45 degree angle towards the back near the tail lights.
Later that week, the engine and 5 speed transmission were pulled and sold the next day for $250.
Later that week, the engine and 5 speed transmission were pulled and sold the next day for $250.
Last edited by 99MedBlueBird; 06-22-2014 at 08:39 PM.
06-22-2014, 08:36 PM
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I parked the 280z next to my bird for a couple of days and was quite surprised on the size difference between the two.
I acquired a 76mm Master Power Turbo 1.0 A/R from a buddy.
A couple of days ago, I purchased a 2003 LQ4 with 120k miles on it. The engine lived most of its life in Detroit so it was in rough shape externally. Surface rust, peeling paint, and aluminum corrosion covered the outside of the engine.
There were 0 metallic flakes in the oil which led me to believe that there are no spun bearing. The spark plugs were not covered in oil or anything either. When looking at the exhaust valves through the exit of the head, the valves look pretty clean also. There isn't sludge build up in the engine either. I am pretty surprised how clean the engine internally is for 120k miles. I eventually plan on removing the heads and getting them cleaned up, getting the valves reseated and everything. I am contemplating on getting them ported and polished while the heads are at the machine shop, but i have plenty of time to decide whether or not to P&P.
I also want to run an LS6 intake with these 317 heads. Today, I have been working on removing old peeling paint and loose rust. I have most of the loose stuff off and a descaler will be used to remove some of the other stuff off and then a wire brush attachment on the end of a grinder. Rust converter will then be used on whatever surface rust is left so i can paint the block.
I acquired a 76mm Master Power Turbo 1.0 A/R from a buddy.
A couple of days ago, I purchased a 2003 LQ4 with 120k miles on it. The engine lived most of its life in Detroit so it was in rough shape externally. Surface rust, peeling paint, and aluminum corrosion covered the outside of the engine.
There were 0 metallic flakes in the oil which led me to believe that there are no spun bearing. The spark plugs were not covered in oil or anything either. When looking at the exhaust valves through the exit of the head, the valves look pretty clean also. There isn't sludge build up in the engine either. I am pretty surprised how clean the engine internally is for 120k miles. I eventually plan on removing the heads and getting them cleaned up, getting the valves reseated and everything. I am contemplating on getting them ported and polished while the heads are at the machine shop, but i have plenty of time to decide whether or not to P&P.
I also want to run an LS6 intake with these 317 heads. Today, I have been working on removing old peeling paint and loose rust. I have most of the loose stuff off and a descaler will be used to remove some of the other stuff off and then a wire brush attachment on the end of a grinder. Rust converter will then be used on whatever surface rust is left so i can paint the block.
Last edited by 99MedBlueBird; 06-22-2014 at 08:49 PM.
06-23-2014, 11:34 AM
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06-24-2014, 06:54 AM
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Helping out pops putting a 4.8 in a 75 280z. So far we have replaced the floors, lower part of the fenders and half a door skin. Still have to replace driver side lower rear qtr panel and sill plate. Haven't even messed with getting the motor in yet.
Thats awesome to find one with no rust. It's hard finding replacement panels for these so starting with a clean shell is great. I'll be watching this to see how it goes.
Thats awesome to find one with no rust. It's hard finding replacement panels for these so starting with a clean shell is great. I'll be watching this to see how it goes.
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06-27-2014, 10:37 PM
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The rust and peeling paint has been removed from the block and was painted black. Also i just ordered an F-body oil pan, oil pickup, and windage tray. Decided since i don't need my power steering and i can't use the truck Ac bracket, I am just going to use F-body harmonic balancer and water pump for the extra space.
08-04-2014, 01:36 AM
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Little update.
Pulled the truck harmonic balancer. Obtained an fbody oil pan, pickup tube, and windage tray.
Bought an LS6 intake manifold.
Also since the weather was nice, it was a perfect time to heat up the only broken exhaust manifold bolt that was stuck in the head and remove it. Luckily, it came out pretty easily after taking the torch to it.
Pulled the truck harmonic balancer. Obtained an fbody oil pan, pickup tube, and windage tray.
Bought an LS6 intake manifold.
Also since the weather was nice, it was a perfect time to heat up the only broken exhaust manifold bolt that was stuck in the head and remove it. Luckily, it came out pretty easily after taking the torch to it.
10-24-2014, 08:20 PM
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Slowly but surely. Got a better paying job so it should start coming along quicker. Anyways, picked up an fbody harmonic balancer and a monster clutch w/ a billet flywheel (couldn't pass up the killer deal I got it for).
Last edited by 99MedBlueBird; 04-20-2015 at 10:22 PM.
04-20-2015, 10:30 PM
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Quite a few months have passed without an update. I have been making progress on the project though. I should have made more progress, but I also just bought a 2006 M6 GTO as a daily.
I ordered my custom grind cam, pulled the engine apart, cleaned up the engine with HTH engine degreaser, put all new sensors, gaskets, ARP head bolts, and sent the heads to the machine shop for decking the heads, a valve job, install my new springs/retainers, and to clean the heads up. I also decided to go with Chevy orange on the block, timing cover, and valve covers because I figured it would pop against the Deep Impact Blue that I plan on painting the car.
I ordered my custom grind cam, pulled the engine apart, cleaned up the engine with HTH engine degreaser, put all new sensors, gaskets, ARP head bolts, and sent the heads to the machine shop for decking the heads, a valve job, install my new springs/retainers, and to clean the heads up. I also decided to go with Chevy orange on the block, timing cover, and valve covers because I figured it would pop against the Deep Impact Blue that I plan on painting the car.
Last edited by 99MedBlueBird; 04-20-2015 at 10:48 PM.
04-20-2015, 10:47 PM
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I also pulled an 8.8 independent rear end out of a 2002+ Ford Explorer. I swear the stench of draining the gear oil stained my soul for the day lol.
Finally, after several months of looking around locally, I picked up a t56. It came with the bell housing and shifter, for $1200. has 50k miles on it. The only issue is the reverse lockout is messed up, but it is not a huge deal. I drove the car before the tranny was pulled and shifts and drives perfect into all of the gears. I plan on buying a scatter shield, because I would like to keep my legs in case the clutch ever explodes. Also, bought a new clutch slave cylinder.
Crazy story, I was eventually going to buy brand new Corbeau A4 seats, but then I saw an ad on craigslist for two brand new, in the box Corbeau a4 seats for about half price. After a few texts, we made plans for me to pick them up. The person gave me some address across town with a suite number. Something just seemed shady, so I brought my friend and also some extra protection in case we were to get robbed. I get there and the building has absolutely zero signs, except for the main entrance which was hidden. I called the person who was selling them, asking where I enter at. A female answered the phone and said she was not there, but her boss will be taking care of me. I walk in and there was a lady in her 60's. She told me to go around and meet her out back. Sure as ****, she pulled a Corbeau box out. I opened it up, and there are two brand spanking new sets, still in their original wrapping and inside the original box. I checked the seats for rips or tears and there were none. I bought them, then ditched the box and threw the seats into the back of the GTO and left. Curious as to what the place of business was, we googled it. Their website popped up and that business was a program to teach mentally challenged people and to take care of them. The website had a video explaining what they did. Who was in the video? The lady who sold me the seats LOL!
Finally, after several months of looking around locally, I picked up a t56. It came with the bell housing and shifter, for $1200. has 50k miles on it. The only issue is the reverse lockout is messed up, but it is not a huge deal. I drove the car before the tranny was pulled and shifts and drives perfect into all of the gears. I plan on buying a scatter shield, because I would like to keep my legs in case the clutch ever explodes. Also, bought a new clutch slave cylinder.
Crazy story, I was eventually going to buy brand new Corbeau A4 seats, but then I saw an ad on craigslist for two brand new, in the box Corbeau a4 seats for about half price. After a few texts, we made plans for me to pick them up. The person gave me some address across town with a suite number. Something just seemed shady, so I brought my friend and also some extra protection in case we were to get robbed. I get there and the building has absolutely zero signs, except for the main entrance which was hidden. I called the person who was selling them, asking where I enter at. A female answered the phone and said she was not there, but her boss will be taking care of me. I walk in and there was a lady in her 60's. She told me to go around and meet her out back. Sure as ****, she pulled a Corbeau box out. I opened it up, and there are two brand spanking new sets, still in their original wrapping and inside the original box. I checked the seats for rips or tears and there were none. I bought them, then ditched the box and threw the seats into the back of the GTO and left. Curious as to what the place of business was, we googled it. Their website popped up and that business was a program to teach mentally challenged people and to take care of them. The website had a video explaining what they did. Who was in the video? The lady who sold me the seats LOL!
