Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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bernjean
Z Club Member
Posts: 1709

Re: Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU replica race car build...

Post by bernjean » Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:34 am

She is looking really smart, great work.
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Jul 20, 2020 8:58 pm

No major update. My replacement tie-rods arrrived from USA from APEX Engineered LLC, so will swap out the original set as they were machined wrong.
Also rear shocks are at Koni's getting shortened and travel checked. Had to double check what the minimum travel was.
Need to get a temporry donk in the engine bay ASAP to get the headers made...
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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

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bernjean
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Posts: 1709

Post by bernjean » Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:42 am

Must be getting close to being finished, that car is looking soooooo good, well worth all the blood sweat and tears. :P
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sat Aug 01, 2020 8:33 pm

Aiming to finish this year with luck.

Ok, a good week, and lots to do.
Last weekend thanks to another Z car guy I managed to get some spare front axles/struts and rear stub axles. So very happy.

Another great leap forward, is that i collected a spare dummy engine from CMR which will go in this weekend fingers crossed.

Also paid a visit to MSEL so they could teach me a few things about distributorless ignition. So got some coils which i need to mount, and will organise a Motec dash and other bits in the coming weeks.

Rack is back from PG Hydraulics and tested perfectly, they only had to re-crimp the ends for the steering arms. Also replacement steering arsm from APEX Engineered LLC fitted.

Also ordered a new cam timing thingy from EFI Hardware in Aus., and will make up a 36-2 trigger wheel for the crank... At the same time i put a billet fuel rail on the order.

And lucky last, rear shocks back from having 50mm travel limiters installed. They were also tested as well...
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An example of mounting them, but i think i will mount them on the inside of the wheel arch...
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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

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bernjean
Z Club Member
Posts: 1709

Post by bernjean » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:52 am

Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better.
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:12 am

Dummy engine is in! My elder son popped out in his PJ's to assist for half an hour, so must thank him.
Only casualty was an old spark plug that got decapitated and my thumb, again.

Next job is to fit a few studs for mounting the inlet manifold and exhaust flange so the headers can be made.
Will also fit the dry sump pump so its accounted for...

Also pulled the Kameari timing chain tensioner out of its wrapper for the first time. I got this back in 2009!
Gearbox is a new Nissan 180SX NISMO reinforced cross 6-speed unit.
The flange has been modified to suit the L6 engine. I have an Ikeya-Formula sequential shifter to go on top... just needs a very good clean.

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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Wed Aug 12, 2020 5:42 pm

Induction system.
Its not so important now, but just thinking where the inlet filter should go. Will most likely fit it outside of the engine bay to get cooler air.
The carbon air-box was cut to clear the bonnet, however now I need to decide if it can be saved or find a plan B.
Thinking of cutting the front off (basically from the rearmost place it is already cut), and just using Silicone ducting or something wrapped around the air box...?
The air box is ~6" diameter going to a 4" filter...
If anyone has a bright idea, please share.

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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:20 pm

Dry sump pump on so the headers clear it...
Just need to find/get some studs to temporarily fit the exhaust manifold & inlet manifold.
Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sat Aug 22, 2020 6:32 pm

:)

Image
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

mikec(nz)
Z Club Member
Posts: 189
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand

Post by mikec(nz) » Sun Aug 23, 2020 9:06 am

Wow thats a good price. :wink:

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun Aug 23, 2020 1:51 pm

mikec(nz) wrote: Sun Aug 23, 2020 9:06 am Wow thats a good price. :wink:
Thats what i told my wife! :P
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

mikec(nz)
Z Club Member
Posts: 189
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand

Post by mikec(nz) » Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:45 pm

I saw that for sale, but could not do it. They only made a 100 supposedly and a NOS one beautiful, but ouchy. Did you really do it? If so very impressed.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:08 am

Yip, its on its way! :D
I slept on it for one night, and thought its now or never...
Shipping was higher than expected, but i guess C-19 didn't help.
Hope it doesnt get stuck at the holding facility like my tie rods did for nearly two months while they waited for a plane.
1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

BRONZEE
Z Club Member
Posts: 7200
Location: Auckland

Post by BRONZEE » Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:48 pm

Best not to have regrets, and another step closer to the Z going.
Next - Z Club events:
= Check out events page here or our Z Club NZ Facebook page.

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:02 pm

Thanks Bronzee...

Bit of a boring update, got some bits ready for plating and anodizing.
Also managed to get 4 of my 6 suppression nozzles installed.
Two on home made alloy brackets, one through the slave cylinder cover, and the other through the Air-cond piping cover, which will be off to get plated.
Just two more to mount, one in the drivers foot well, and the other somewhere else...

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1981 280ZX #33 IMSA GTU Race Car
2012 Fairlady Z34 ST (For the son/wife...)
2007 Fairlady Z33 NISMO
(Sold) 1984 300ZX Z31 2+2 Turbo
(Sold) 1980 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

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