Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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agecage
Z Club Member
Posts: 89
Location: Auckland

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

Post by agecage » Sun Dec 06, 2020 8:24 pm

Are you prepping for track day in March. Would love to see this beast in the flesh

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:23 pm

agecage wrote: Sun Dec 06, 2020 8:24 pm Are you prepping for track day in March. Would love to see this beast in the flesh
I would like it to be ready for then, that was my plan a few months back. But time is flying by so don't like my chances...
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 » Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:41 pm

Windscreen wiper motor has been disassembled and the old yellow gunky grease removed, cleaned and re-greased. Motor cover re-painted (not my best effort), the rest cleaned, made new gaskets etc. Just need to find some rubber mounts tomorrow when the shops open.

Will pick up new Motec Dash tomorrow thanks to the boxing day sale along with some other Motec goodies.

Car should make an exit this week to go get a number of bits finished, fixed and fiddled with to make a significant leap forward.

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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 Dec 28, 2020 8:18 pm

Great to see progress over the Christmas break. Can't wait to see the finished product. :D
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:06 am

Thanks Bernie, same!

Two milestones today, first time ever on tarmac in its current form, and the furthest it has travelled in 8 years!
Going off for an adventure to get it one major step closer to being alive...
Hopefully all the dust blows off and nothing 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

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Dec 31, 2020 4:56 pm

Last minute change of plans with the bit in the middle...
The NISMO S15 6-speed close ratio + Ikeya-Formula sequential shifter is out, and a bit of fun is in...
The good thing is fitting the starter-motor etc now becomes standard and nicer.
A spacer will be made between the Nissan bell housing and gearbox for the clutch release bearing and to fill the gap.
[Shaft looks long, but puts knob in a good spot].

Bell housing & rear-plates slowly cleaning up.

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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 » Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:01 pm

I did manage to install the wiper motor just before it left home :)

Pulled all the chrome down, and found what looks like to be an ~ok set.
Now enjoying the job of cleaning it up. :(
Nothing was perfect, where one piece was dented the other was bent...

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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 Jan 04, 2021 3:44 pm

Looking really good. Things are now getting to exciting stage.
Bernie Kant
Club President

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun Jan 31, 2021 8:35 pm

A few more bits for the puzzle...
New 63mm Samco fuel hose to go between the Dry break neck and fuel cell.
Breather/vent/catch can for the differential. Custom made by GSS. (It has an extra port or two just in case...), once I have plumbed it up it should make sense.
Another spare R200 diff (crown wheel & pinion) with 3.54 ratio, just in case... now I have a set: 3.54, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.4... 🙂
Got some 5" 2ply brake ducting & SS clamps for to seal my fuel filler hose... more pics to follow...
And some goodies from Kameari Engine Works Japan and Quaife UK...
Oh and some bits back from the platers.
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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

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

Post by mikec(nz) » Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:00 pm

Even if it not ready to race for the Zclub track day, you could still bring it to show and for us to ooh, ahh and drool over. Free passenger ride in the ZX if you do. :D

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Wed Feb 03, 2021 8:51 pm

Hi Mike, would love to but its currently going through final stages of surgery at a Motorsport fabricators.
Not sure when it will be done, hoping in around 4~6 weeks, most likely more...
It will be there next year! :)
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 » Fri Feb 05, 2021 4:27 pm

A few small jobs done, first all the windscreen wiper mechanism is installed and just needs the wiper arms & blades sorted.

The new Urethane steering coupler was replaced with the new aluminium Kameari unit, which seems to feel good and solid.

And the fuel filler hose is now fitted, and is clamped both ends. Motorsport rules require this to be sealed off from the cockpit, so I used some 5" 2-ply brake ducting that is fuel & oil resistant clamped to the box, and then sealed around the dry break outer. I used Oil/fuel resistant seal under the duct to make it a proper sealed unit.
This should pass as the idea was copied from a BMW Z4 GT3 works race car currently being worked on at a local motorsport shop.

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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 Feb 15, 2021 12:22 pm

That is just so cool at every level.
Bernie Kant
Club President

User avatar
Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sat Feb 20, 2021 5:12 pm

The old paint on the block had a bad reaction so had to be removed.
Because of this there was no choice but to remove it all.
First of all paint stripper was used to get most of it off, followed by a decent water blasting (should have taken a wetsuit), then followed by a dip in special bath, another water blasting, decrease and blow down before priming and top coat.
Its not Nissan Engine Blue, but 'Holden' blue.
Something that was close and readily available.
The good news is there is nothing holding back final engine assembly now... 🙂

All done:
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Progress shots...
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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 » Sun Feb 21, 2021 5:24 pm

Got a battery a few weeks ago, another thing to find a place for...
Most likely on the floor either in front, or behind the passengers seat.
Battery & mount was from Element82 here in Auckland.
Battery can be mounted standing up or on its side!

Thanks to Anthony Baker for the battery advice! :)

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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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