Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Restores, Revamps and Repairs
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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Datsun 280ZX IMSA GTU race car build...

Post by Grunzter » Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:50 am

Hi All,
After looking at Martin's 240z build you cannot help but get interested back into your own builds...
So below are a few pictures of my engine mockup.
The real engine is still being worked on in the engine room, all parts are there just into final head work...

The engine is a 3.1L L28, dry sumped, fuel injected...

Next step is to mount the dry break valve & fuel pump, finish the plumbing which should be over the next week or so.
Then its time to complete the roll cage and get the lower arms sorted.

All the other parts are on the shelf waiting there turn at pre assembly, on completion the car will be fully stripped for painting.

Enjoy regards Grant.
Attachments
Front view showing oil cooler & radiator etc
Front view showing oil cooler & radiator etc
Small DSCN3480.JPG (136.67 KiB) Viewed 49271 times
Induction system & dry sump pump
Induction system & dry sump pump
Small DSCN3479.JPG (140.44 KiB) Viewed 49271 times
Front brakes, looks small by todays standard but still 6pot with HD curved vane 12.2"x1.5" discs... same on rear except LD and 4pots...
Front brakes, looks small by todays standard but still 6pot with HD curved vane 12.2"x1.5" discs... same on rear except LD and 4pots...
Small DSCN3485.JPG (63.82 KiB) Viewed 49271 times
Last edited by Grunzter on Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:54 pm, edited 4 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 Aug 24, 2008 8:54 am

A few more pictures...
Attachments
Interior showing pedal box and cut out for sequential shifter, otherwise empty...
Interior showing pedal box and cut out for sequential shifter, otherwise empty...
Small DSCN3484.JPG (106 KiB) Viewed 49269 times
Fuel cell and oil tank...
Fuel cell and oil tank...
Small DSCN3483.JPG (109.28 KiB) Viewed 49269 times
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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nustad
Z Club Member
Posts: 551
Location: Auckland

Post by nustad » Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:13 am

Looking great - love the induction - its going to be worth the wait - keep the updates coming.

Great to see some builds that all about living life large!
72 240z plus bits

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ZMAD
Posts: 657
Location: Tauranga

Post by ZMAD » Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:09 pm

Good one! Surely to be a racecar of some discription. Love the workshop you've got.
All Nissans are racecars.

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:35 pm

Induction system is from speedtech in Australia, it is 50mm EFI throttle bodies mated to a MoTec M800 ECU.
The inlet manifold is custom made to get the big bore and straight path to the valve, not available with any off the shelf item from Japan...
Engine has been repositioned more to the right to get it all to fit.

Wish the workshop was mine, but it is in fact 'Cook Motor Racing' workshop.

Car is to be a replica of the 'Bob Sharp Racing' IMSA GTU 280zx, body work included.
Main difference is bigger things like bigger wheels, brakes, engine capacity, but in keeping with the original theme...

Cheers Grant
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 Oct 02, 2008 2:38 pm

Another small update.
Seats are in, as is steering column.
Need to find some different remote reservoirs for the brakes & clutch as the Wilwood units are to tall.

Fuel Cell plumbing pretty much done, as with fuel lines...

Test fitment of wheels all ok, with some 'Trademe' tyres.

Suspension modifications nearly complete for test fit and upcoming wheel alignment!
Same with rear brakes, not far away from being installed.

Next is rear body work to go on to confirm setup heights etc.
Attachments
Steering column, sequential shifter & peddal box.
Steering column, sequential shifter & peddal box.
Small DSCN3595.JPG (171.59 KiB) Viewed 49238 times
Radiator tank & fuel lines
Radiator tank & fuel lines
Small DSCN3598.JPG (201.68 KiB) Viewed 49238 times
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 Oct 02, 2008 2:44 pm

more photo's
Attachments
Rear wheel dangling... 18x11 & 295/30-18
Rear wheel dangling... 18x11 & 295/30-18
Small DSCN3600.JPG (164.59 KiB) Viewed 49236 times
small DSCN3503.JPG
small DSCN3503.JPG (141.63 KiB) Viewed 49236 times
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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Andy
Site Admin
Posts: 2020
Location: Auckland

Post by Andy » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:50 am

Good one Grant looks great, good to see project cars contributing to the world wide credit crunch :D

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:01 pm

Hi Andy,
Thanks for the good words.
They same consumer spending is good for the economy, so I am trying to give NZ a hand...

It will be going for its first wheel alignment next week to conclude the suspension geometry.
Then over the next few weeks works will be:
- finishing suspension
- mounting rear brakes
- making & installing dash & instruments
- finishing roll cage
making it not to far from seeing a panelbeater...

Grant
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 Oct 30, 2008 12:40 pm

Its finally on its wheels!
Final resting height should be ~25mm lower, but at this stage lots more bits to go in to weigh it down...
Rear shock adjustment is at its lowest, so may need to machine another circlip groove to re-center threaded section.
Front to be lowered down the same, maybe even ~30mm, but plenty of adjustment still.

Hopefully dash should be all complete by early next week.
Remote reserviors are being installed today.
Carbon bonnet is on!

Roll cage gets finished next week.

Then it would be time soon for the new roof & fibreglass experts... not to mention the wiring experts...

Still lots to go, but first time it actually looks like a car!
Attachments
small DSCN3753.JPG
small DSCN3753.JPG (162.21 KiB) Viewed 49160 times
small DSCN3754.JPG
small DSCN3754.JPG (163.82 KiB) Viewed 49160 times
small DSCN3757.JPG
small DSCN3757.JPG (187.32 KiB) Viewed 49160 times
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 Oct 30, 2008 12:43 pm

...no this is not the steering wheel, its the flywheel!
(Clutch is Tilton 5.5" triple plate race)
Attachments
small DSCN3785.JPG
small DSCN3785.JPG (76.81 KiB) Viewed 49159 times
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 » Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:43 pm

A bit of a competition here, between the two project cars. Very exciting! Oh, by the way is that the famous bonnet that ended up a couple of paddocks away in the big winds last year? :P

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:57 pm

Hi Bronzee,
No that was the original steel bonnet!
This is a full carbon one from Japan, I would have shed a few tears if it was this one.
First time I had seen it out of the plastic bag today, seems a pity to paint it as it is so shiny and the carbon look is cool!
Grant
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 » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:19 pm

You could always leave it CF, but probably wouldn't work with the look you're trying to achieve??

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Grunzter
Posts: 541
Location: Epsom, Auckland

Post by Grunzter » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:57 am

Yeh, look is to be the same as the works car, all advertising decals included!
Attachments
Sears_Point-1980-07-27g-033.jpg
Sears_Point-1980-07-27g-033.jpg (54.79 KiB) Viewed 49131 times
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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