Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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Baker93
Z Club Member
Posts: 331
Location: Auckland

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

Post by Baker93 » Thu Jan 24, 2019 8:25 pm

Cam Synch sensor is fun. Just a pain to mount and weld. Sensor is a think a Honeywell GT 101 i think. Ill check.
Adjustable blade style trigger mounted to cam sprocket. I'm not sure if this is ideal but i cant think of any other way. The obvious down side to this arrangement is that if you change the cam timing you have to adjust the cam trigger offset in the ECU. Not a biggie but just one more thing. That of course is if you want to run accurate cam sensing.
Photos will be on there way tonight.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:42 am

A few small jobs done.

I pulled the pedal box out again to centre the balance bar.
I did notice my front master cyclinder is 1", and rear 7/8". These were sized for the original 6pot/4pot wilwood calipers.
I think the 1" may be a bit big for the AP Racing 6pot... will send an email to Wilwood and Race brakes and see what they both say...

Had to trim one of the modified rear trailing arm mounts (both sides) to give better chassis clearance.
Gave it a squirt of paint, and now all bolted in for good!
Image

I added some extra rubber/Nitrile to the rear mounts top and bottom so less play... one day will see how it goes...
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

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Feb 07, 2019 7:39 pm

Picked up the rear shock lower bushes, and the diff mount & machined washers today.
Shock bushes fitted perfectly.
Rear mount is getting re-made as they machined the main hole 4.5mm incorrectly... :(
Not my cost, but besides that they made a fantastic job.

Bushes & washers.
Image

Bushes Fitted.
Image

The brakes hats are currently being machined by Znoelli... :)
I got a new front 3/4" Wilwwod master cylinder to replace the 1" one i have as it seemed a bit large, and Racebrakes agreed...
And another key item was a replacement steering column from a very helpful Z Club member, as mine had a damaged spline. Not sure where that got damaged, as it had the steering wheel fitted many moons ago...
Will post pics this weekend.
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 08, 2019 7:38 pm

Picked up new diff mount today.
Machined from a block of Aluminium by Stainless Machining in Penrose.
Very good and fast service.

I was going to get it anodised but to eager to get it fitted.
Was happy the way it all went together finally...
Image

And up close...
I have since loosened off the bottom nut a couple of turns as i probably over tightened it based on crush of Nolathane bush.
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

jp280
Posts: 37
Location: Wellington

Post by jp280 » Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:02 pm

This has to be my favourite build, I'm pleased to see you kept it and are back into the build.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Fri Feb 08, 2019 10:02 pm

Many thanks for the kind words. I need all the motivation i can get...
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 Feb 09, 2019 8:30 pm

Got some rubber sections from Para Rubber to seal around the fuel cell... came out good.
Also got a red spray bomb to touch up the Steel Box and it was a perfect colour match... surprised. :)

Made a couple of 50x3mm Aluminium restraining straps, will look at options now to seal up the dry break valve, may try the plastic weld as mentioned some posts ago....
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

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djz
Posts: 849
Location: Christchurch

Post by djz » Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:40 pm

Diff mount looks good, are you using a crush tube in it? I've always wanted to make something similar for mine.
Nissan 280ZX 2 seater RB26 powered.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:57 pm

I was going to have a crush tube in it, but decided to use some bushes i had on the shelf that fitted, but no crush tube.
Will keep an eye out for possible replacements, as the size i used apparently is very common.
They were some 4x4 Nolathane bushes...
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

martysauce
Posts: 166
Location: christchurch

Post by martysauce » Sat Feb 23, 2019 10:12 am

Hi mate just out of interest what is the an fitting welded onto the diff mount do?

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sat Feb 23, 2019 6:56 pm

If you look at the picture in the post on 29th Nov 2018, you can see the two top holes were welded up, as not much room with this diff cover on the 280zx.

The AN fitted to the side is for oil return if a diff cooler/pump is used or a breather...
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 Mar 10, 2019 8:24 pm

Ok, been a bit quiet...
Brake top hats due this week! :)

Hatch test fitted but ended chipping the roof. I could not quite hold everything when aligining it on my own.
Nothing a small blob of blue paint wont fix. :P

Started cleaning the gearbox. Its new, but got weathered... a few more hours elbow grease once my fingers have recovered will see it ready.
Its a NISMO S15 close ratio 6spd, had a bit welded to the bell housing to mate to the L28.
Image

nearly there...
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

jp280
Posts: 37
Location: Wellington

Post by jp280 » Mon Mar 11, 2019 2:51 pm

I have a RB Box getting done at the moment, I was happily surprised when they told me I only needed an extra bit welded on the bell housing and mine is also a bit weathered so I thinking about getting it vapour blasted before it goes into the car.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Mon Mar 11, 2019 8:04 pm

I saw on FB some vapour blasting and would like to do the same.
The results looked impressive.
I was just a little worried about water going somewhere i dont want it to go... and i dont know who does it...
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

jp280
Posts: 37
Location: Wellington

Post by jp280 » Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:38 pm

I too have seen it on Facebook and I was thinking I'm going to need to pull the housings off to avoid causing any issues, Wag's gearbox and performance shop here in Wellington look like they get it done so i can ask them when i pick my gearbox but I guess it will be someone local that does it for them.

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