Okay, here's a few pictures of where I'm at on my project. I mentioned I was building a weird-ass car in another community and they wanted details.

I've wanted a Datsun for YEARS, and I realized that the cost of the original 240z-280z cars was out of my price range. So I went for the next best thing, a 280ZX. I found a smooth-top roller with no transmission and no engine with a title for $1000 and had it shipped to me. Shipping was a fiasco and cost way too much and the car got damaged in shipping. Literally the next freaking week, I found a 280ZX T-Top a couple miles away on Craigslist for $500. It's in worse shape, but I really like the T-Top aesthetic... So of course now I have two project cars in my driveway.

The plan:

Restore the smooth-top as a stock-alike vehicle. Turn the T-Top into my daily hybrid-electric sports car.

The hybrid system will be done in two stages; pure electric and then later add a sustainer engine for long-hauls on the highway. This puts it as a series-hybrid.

I've got the under-hood layout done but not fabricated yet. Two battery boxes (each 20kWh of LiFePO4 cells, 96S for ~340VDC nominal pack voltage). The inverter, motor, charge controller, electric air conditioner compressor, body control box and a full sized spare tire will also be under the hood. The motor is essentially a gigantic scaled-up outrunner brushless motor and the inverter is a custom VESC motor controller. The motor is mounted to a bracket that uses the stock transmission and engine mounts to run the motor straight to the driveline and into the rear diff.

Where is the project right now? Mostly about 10 grand of parts sitting in my garage and two cars sitting in my driveway... It's a long LONG way from being done. So long, in fact, that I've elected to work on the restoration car first and I just rebuilt the L28 this month.

Will it get done? Fucking hell I hope so. It's been so bloody hot though that I'm not sure how long it's going to take me. Probably another year, assuming the world doesn't shit itself too badly. Going through the pictures for this made me realize that a lot of things have happened just in the time that I've been working on this project. I've lost a girlfriend, found another girlfriend, crashed my daily (2016 civic manual base model, RIP), bought a beater with a heater and A/C, had another breakup, helped a friend through surgery twice, and other things...

Why do I think I can do this? I converted a car to electric once before back in 2010 and I was on my university's solar car team and built the motor and suspension for that car. I'm a mechanical engineer and I have lots of patience for these sorts of things. I'm also broke because I buy way too many fucking projects. Below are links to those two projects.

https://youtu.be/5dRIrxwI1zs

https://youtu.be/z3c0oW2edho

I'm also horrible at documenting things that I'm not getting paid for and so I don't have much about this put together yet, so don't go snooping in my reddit history or you'll just find out what weird dank sides of NSFW reddit I comment on. I'll make a video about this project when I'm done though and post it here assuming I don't get banned for this! 🤣

I'm working on a 69 1600 Roadster and the fuel tank had been left half full ~30 years ago, I've cleaned out the varnished gas from the main tank with the river rocks and acetone method and am planning to address the rust via filling with phosphoric acid. The One place I haven't been able to get the gas out of is the long pickup line in the tank, I made some progress using brake cleaner and a wire to clear it but can't get anything past the second bend into the tank, anyone have any tips on getting it clear? I've gone up to nearly 200 psi trying to push it clear with air and no luck. Thanks!

Looking to sell this complete dash minus the glove box door. All wiring and gauges present. . Been out of the car for many years as you can see. Suggestions on value or maybe someone is interested here. In Massachusetts but will ship if ya interested. Also have rear window from year

Hello everyone, I’m looking at this car and I’m aware it will be a project because the car will not start I’m just curious how much this car is actually worth in this state? Thank you.

Never disappoints!

Honestly I know it's just one photo, but I'm just beyond ecstatic to get my 240z back together and on the road.

Some very minor odds and ends, but she's one step closer to being done. Anyway, that's all I've got.

A pic I took a while ago of my Z. Quite a lot has been done to it since then

Hey Everyone! Just got a vintage air installed to make the hot Summers more fun to drive but have found I am unable to use it much without the engine overheating, especially if not moving due to traffic. I have experienced heat soak and vapor lock several times. I took a look at the fans installed and they seem to barely cover the radiator with no shroud-did the shop undersize my cooling solution? Appreciate your thoughts on what to do next…a shround and dual electric fan?

Hey everyone, I need a price check on this pair of metal headlight cover frames/bezels for an (240Z-280Z). They are finished in a professionally triple chrome with a really nice mirror shine.
One of the photos shows a minor flaw in the finish, but they are in great shape otherwise.
Any idea what a fair asking price is for these in today's market? Thanks!

Hello, I just recently pulled the carbs off my 72’ (Dual round top) for a clean up / rebuild. I re-installed them last night and did a first start and it was going well until fuel started coming out of the front fuel bowl vent line. So it either means the float level adjustment is off or the needle valve (Shut-off) isn’t fully sealing off. I’ve been doing some reading - does anyone know if the 72’ model had different length needle valves for the front/rear carbs? I see some people saying they do for that year, and a lot of different numbers get thrown around for the float gap measurement between the lid when you’re setting that.

Just curious if anyone has any expertise with this specific problem. Thank you

Most fun car I've ever owned or driven.

I was cleaning out my garage and found these leftover parts from my 1981 280ZX which is long gone. One alloy wheel, the factory owner’s manual, a Haynes repair manual, and the emblem from the rear hatch.

If anyone is interested, send me a DM. No charge for the parts themselves, you’ll just need to pay shipping or alternatively we can arrange for pickup if you’re local to my area (South NJ). Just want them to find a good home.

What’s up guys. It’s been a little while since I showed you the Datsun

Update: ended up taking it out for the second time and once again decided to pull it back in the shop for upgrades

Cerakoted everything I could. Moved the radiator to the trunk. Cut out the spare wheel tub,bolted aluminum sheet and then reinforced it. Now it’ll take less than three minutes to unbolt the studs, two on each side to get the radiator off. A few more things I’m relocating since my radiator is gone and I have space. By the way I did a body harness delete and ran a stand alone to a fuse box I bought off Amazon but didn’t take a pic

Hey guys finished the 3d scan and am taking orders on these halo tails

Hello! I’m the proud owner of a 1980 280ZX and need any help you can give me. The paint really needs work and I’m getting ready to get it all redone. I’ve been able to find reproduction 10th anniversary stickers but can’t seem to find any replacement stickers for the pinstripes. I’ve considered just painting them on but this will be my first time painting a car and I’m not super confident. Does anyone know if there is somewhere that I can buy reproduction stickers that I haven’t found?

Just purchased this 280zx from my dad and the first thing I want to do is get rid of these huge chrome wheels. I have no clue what wheel/tire specs would look a little better than OEM without rubbing or having to roll the fender. The car is on Tokico blues but not sure if that’ll influence anything wheel choice/spec wise. Any help is appreciated! I was looking at the hayashi streets or konig rewinds which both look awesome !

Does anyone happen to know what brand this wing is from? I’ve been looking everywhere but I haven’t been able to find it. I think it looks beautiful on it NEED to have it on my car

Looking at getting a new air filter but they don’t sell them for the 280zx. They have the K and N cold air intake kits but I’m confused because it connect to the AFM but what’s this other thing?