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5 minute(s) of a 54 minute read
7-22-2009
Got the transmission last month. Forgot to post. It looks good!
Unfortunately, the engine swap in my MR2 decided to have rod knock, so I now have to bust my ass to get that out, rebuilt, and put back in before summer's end. In the meantime, I'm putting the L26 back in the Z and getting the Weber carbs rebuilt so I can just drive the damn thing. I got the head off the L28 (it was a real pain since one of the head bolts broke off in the head) and it was looking pretty messy so I don't think I want to chance running high boost pressure off it. The cost of a rebuild on two motors is gonna cost me a lot of money and time, so I dont know how long it'll be before I get this thing done!
I'm considering at this point selling all the L28ET stuff and using the money to get the car itself cleaned up, then buying and swapping in an RB26DETT when I dig myself out of debt. We'll see
12/09/09
Haven't posted in a while; I've been hard at work on boring stuff, but the project may be picking up steam thanks to a great find (more on that shortly).
I got the L26 refreshed with new gaskets and oil pump, repainted the block, got the Weber carbs rebuilt, reinstalled it and was installing my Autometer Phantom gauges when I realized the wiring harness was a total hack job. I took the dash and harness completely out of the car, and while I was at it completely removed the interior to clean everything and hopefully get the old car smell out!
Now more on that great find! I was hunting through Craigslist for a beater car and came upon a "1983 Datsun for sale, $500" No other info listed. I emailed them, they told me it was a "280Z" (obviously a ZX), and I set up a time to go look at it. It just happened to be only 12 miles from my house. I went after work when it was dark and started to look at it as the owner was talking to me. At some point in conversation he mentioned "the turbo bla bla bla" and I stepped back to realize that it was indeed an '83 Turbo ZX! I immediately opened the hood and confirmed this, then checked the odo which read 114k. He then said it came off the road because the brakes seized and the rust/rot was becoming a concern, but the engine ran perfectly. SOLD!
Sadly the rot on the floors and frame rails makes the car itself un-salvageable. I'm picking up the car this friday, moving my car outta the garage and the ZX in. I should have it completely parted out the same day and towed out the next day.
Hopefully I can have the engine refreshed, turbo rebuilt, injectors cleaned, and get a new clutch and R230 LSD (found out the custom driveshaft I bought with the Z32 tranny is designed for the R230, works for me). Since I planned on rebuilding the harness it should be easy to swap in the L28ET harness while I'm at it. I'll post pics of the part-out if I get time!
12/20/09
Took some pics of this week's mayhem. Wow this car was a rotbox! I definitely plan on thoroughly going through the engine now. Hopefully it won't need a full rebuild, just new gaskets and seals and a lot of cleaning. On to pics:
Had to grease the flatbed truck to shimmy the car off because 3 of the 4 calipers were seized. Removed them and pulled the car in the garage.
Tow hooks ripped clean off!
Shoved my hand right through the license plate section there, lol
Found these in the car. Not gonna be enough to fix this puppy!
At least it had a mad tyte JDM y0 exhaust!
Front body work off
Progress
Engine out!
This is all rust and dust that fell out of/off the car. Every night I left the garage I had to shower thoroughly, lol