Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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Andy
Site Admin
Posts: 2020
Location: Auckland

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

Post by Andy » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:34 pm

Personally, I would split the box, then tape the mating faces, block off the internal castings and use the mildest blasting media available. The split is the easiest part of gearbox disassembly, just leave the innards attached to the sandwich plate and remove from the equation. You can clear coat the castings but if the vehicle is run hard regularly, you won't get oxidation.

The only thing is it's a new box so you may be reluctant to break the seal, so maybe try some alloy cleaning products and elbow grease?

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:06 am

Thanks Andy,
I think i will go look for some good alloy cleaning agents as you said and finish it off...
to be honest its not to bad now after kero/turps/crc + elbow grease... but a few small areas could do with a further spruce up...
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 » Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:06 pm

Ok, i'm now getting back into this.... future updates will be on FB as all my pictures here have all gone again. Picture hosting sites suck!
https://www.facebook.com/My-Datsun-33-104223197636955/
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 » Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:40 pm

some updates for those not followinf my fb page...
thanks dj for the image hosting site.

Front & Rear brakes all done, including remote master cylinder reservior.
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Last edited by Grunzter on Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:57 am, edited 6 times in total.
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 » Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:50 pm

Ok, now i know that works, i will update my thread... cool.
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 » Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:30 pm

Looking really good. Keep the info coming
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:49 am

Thanks Bernie.
Here is the fuel cell area.
Not perfect, it looked a bit better in my head, but will do for now...
Once work places open i can get a flange welded onto the fuel inlet cover tube... and then bolt that up.
Just need to fit the diff oil cooler pump into the box and plumb it up, again waiting for shops to open next week so i can order online the remaining bits.

Box from Ulrich Aluminium Fabrication
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Filler tube in progress... i had to by 2.5m of tube... so got a lot spare. :P
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Lift pump & main pump plus filters.
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Oil & Fuel lines...
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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 » Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 am

Man, I love what you are doing, maybe once you have it completed we could do viewing for club members.
Bernie Kant
Club President

BRONZEE
Z Club Member
Posts: 7200
Location: Auckland

Post by BRONZEE » Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:08 am

bernjean wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:45 am Man, I love what you are doing, maybe once you have it completed we could do viewing for club members.
That's a really awesome idea. Maybe we could do a garage tour as we did a while back, only available to financial club members.

Keep up the good work Grant, getting closer and closer to being a going thing.
Next - Z Club events:
= Check out events page here or our Z Club NZ Facebook page.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun May 03, 2020 7:05 pm

Thanks Guys, hopefully by summer it may be alive!.
Diff Oil Cooler pump work underway.
Have all the fittings except the ones that go in the pump, will order those tomorrow, along with a inline filter.
Just need a bracket made to mount the oil cooler, so will get that underway tomorrow as well.
Last photo is the space where the cooler is going.
They didnt have the size i wanted so settled for a smaller Setrab unit. My engine oil cooler is the same make, just bigger.
Pump is the Tilton intermittent version.
Fittings are all -8 AN.

Back left corner of the car...
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The space for the oil cooler...
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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 » Mon May 11, 2020 6:45 pm

A little update, pump and interior lines all done.
Just two to go once i mount the cooler.
Bracket arrived today from Ulrich so will complte that this weekend.
Then onto another area.

Rear window was ordered today from Sandbrooks in Manukau.
Should be ready later this week, then i will take it to get bonded on along with the wing! :)
Image Image

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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 » Tue May 12, 2020 9:12 am

Oh man that is looking sooooo good. Great to see you making good progress.
Thanks for posting this up for all to see,
Bernie Kant
Club President

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stevenewenham
Z Club Member
Posts: 148
Location: Auckland

Post by stevenewenham » Tue May 12, 2020 10:26 am

Fascinating watching it all take shape.
When do you reckon it will hit the track ?

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Tue May 12, 2020 12:38 pm

Next step in probably a few weeks is to get the headers made, and i need to get a dummy engine in for that along with the gearbox.
I have one in my garage but hoping to find one of my other spare engines up at Reg's which is all stripped and clean.
Once headers are made, then they can go up to Reg's for final engine assembly... and when he is back from Bonnyville (assuming it goes ahead) then dyno time...
Maybe when this is happening car will be getting some of its body work fixed, not to be made perfect, but at least to fix some problem areas that were rushed due to circumstances a few years ago...
So i am hoping it will happen this coming summer, or at least the end of summer...

However the list of little things to do seems endless, as everything i touch takes a few weeks... and suddenly half the year is gone.

The other one is i will probably get someone to do a head to tail new electrical loom, plus breakers, switches etc... not sure who yet.
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
bernjean
Z Club Member
Posts: 1709

Post by bernjean » Wed May 13, 2020 11:04 am

Are using the old loom as a guide, if so do it yourself. You have samples of wire thickness, lengths you need and you can buy the plugs. You could use newer plugs we got a bunch from AliExpress, just check the brand you need so you don't buy rubbish, then all you will need is a good crimping tool also available on Ali. That where we got ours. My advice is to solder all the joints you can.
Bernie Kant
Club President

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