82 280ZX Turbo
Here's a picture of my ZXT it is an '82 model that was purchased in the summer of '98 from a guy that wanted to ditch it because it needed some work. I had just wrecked my previous Z and was dieing for a new one. Only this time it had to be a factory turbo model. Of course I bought the best the I could which at the time was pretty much nothing. I ended up with it because I got some help for my family and began the restoration process that has lead to many a fun time and some frustration when things haven't gone my way. I've learned many things from working under the hood or just around the car as a whole, mostly don't give up there's always a solution to the problem just take your time and think about it. Since we are in the "information age" you can always get online and ask on several of the Z car forums that are out there. I want to think especially my wife and everyone else who has helped me in the last several years to get the car to it's current state and for any future help that you may give. This site will be about what I have done and what I would like to do in the future with my Z car and what ever else comes up. Hope it will help you to find as much enjoyment in your project as I have mine.
05/16/05
In the last six months I really haven't done much to the car except in the last two weeks. In that time I've added the Front Wilwood brake kit and designed my own rear brake kit. Both systems are working well but, currently need some more sorting out as do almost all upgrades to help maximse thier potential. Take a look at my brake page and you can see and read all about it. After having done all the work I can honestly say it's worth the time and money to get it done. On another note I also installed a rear camber kit, new control arm bushings, new subframe bushings as well as new sway bar bushings to replace the wornout set of bushings that were on one of my previous Z cars. I have a new Rack and Pinion to install for the front and I need to get an alignment for the front and rear of the car to really set it all up. Even without the alignment the rear of the car holds the road better than what it did before. The new bushing eliminated many squeaks and rattles that I thought would never go away. Shows you what I know.
11/2/04
I still haven't found any real solution to the transmission issues but, I have gotten some of the parts that I need for the big brake kit. It consist of Wilwood 4 piston calipers and 12.19" rotors. The rotor hats and adapters were made by Juan at JSK Innovations. Currenty, I don't think he is making anymore but, may again in the future. Anyway, I still need pads and new hoses. Plus the time to do it all and get it sorted out would be nice also. I've also gotten a new set of Tokicos from another Hybrid Z member who decided to get out of the Z market for awhile. Sorry to have him go but, I'm really enjoying the better ride. The car really needed the shocks and struts but, like so many other times I kept putting it off till I got this deal. Thanks John let me know when I can do you a favor.
9/12/04
Ok, so I guess I found the limit of the stock Borg Warner T-5 transmisson. Nissan went to this transmisson to help deal with the stock turbo cars torque of 200' lbs. Well, my ZX is in about the high 300'lb range now so seems like it's just to much for this transmission. After about 190,000 miles I thought the transmission was just worn out so I had it rebuilt and it was so much better than it had been. After another 6 months at this power level it just toasted the 3rd gear synchro. I guess it wasn't just the miles on the transmission it was the power output as well. Everything still works fine but, you can't shift it without it grinding at high RPM's into 3rd.Very annoying! There are not really any drop in upgrades to the transmission. The upgrades & options that are maybe possible without redoing the whole car are as follows.
2. Install a stock auto trans. They are able to handle more power and you can preload the drivetran while at the track to help save some of the other parts. Also you can power brake while at the line to build some boost before the light turns green. This could help to improve 1/4 mile time but, would be boring to drive on the street.
3. Install auto transmsission out of a Mistubishi Starion. Very similar transmission to the ZX model but, has an overdrive to help save some gas. I'm told this is a good option if your gouing to use a Auto tranmission. Still seems kind boring for a street car. Works great for a 1/4 mile car.
4. See what I could work out with a Ford version of the T-5 using the World Class T-5. This transmission is designed to hold much more torque but, still not really enough in it's stock configuration. This can be upraded to hold up to 600HP but, that model has straight cut, gears and is very loud. Still this idea has some merit.
5. Look into installing a T-56. I really don't know much about it other than it looks like alot of work that would all have to be custom.
6. I could do like what jeffp has done on his Extreme 280zxt
8/01/04
Well I haven't done any sort of updates on the website in quite awhile. There has been a few things going on with the car in the last year but, I haven't had time to get it all updated here. So in the next couple of weeks I'll be getting then new mods on the web and maybe even a new track time. The rear tires have been changed out to some nice street tires that should give it better grip than the crappy ones that I had on there before. I've had the transmission rebuilt by Ferrel Transmission in Duncanville, Tx. As well as replaced a few other parts that needed attention. Plans are still inplace to replace the rear end bushings with the parts that I had in my tool box or over a year now. Everything is ready other than the time and place to do the work. Next update will list some of the items that were replaced and the new pages that I gotten uploaded. For now I have the Downpipe and the LSD page ready to be viewed.
Latest and Greatest Time!
12.9 @ 107.7
I fianlly hit the 12's. I really couldn't believe it. I went to just have some fun at the track with a few friends and see if the LSD and downpipe had made any difference. I guess it did! I went from a best of 13.4 to a best of 12.9. I really didn't pick up any MPH but, the overall time is much better. It's amazing what a little traction will do. I'm sure it's going to take some more mods to be able to run in the 12's on a consistant basis but, I have a few planned like new control arm bushings to help keep the rear end from moving around so much while launching the car. When I hit the 12's the track guys had just laid down some new rubber on the line and the Z really like it. I had also bumped the fuel pressure up to 40 PSI at idle and added a touch of race gas since I was running out. I didn't make any other ajustments to take advantage of the higher octane rating of the RG and since my car doesn't run a knock sensor I dought the RG had much effect on the power level of the car. My goal is still to run consistant 12's without race gas or NOS. STill more work to do.
Update
I finally got deep into the 13's. So far my best time is 13.4 @ 108. I got the Jim Wolf computer installed and it is so much better than the stock set up. The boost is set at 15psi right now. I've also installed a new downpipe and a Limited Slip Differntial. Hopefully this will help me to get into the 12's or atleast alot closer then I have been before. My goal has been to get the car to be able to run a 12 in the 1/4 mile without race gas or NOS. I'm begining to think that it may atleast take some better tires and some race gas. I still need to do some work on the downpipe and finish up a ton of other medium sized projects and a few bigger things before the next trip to the track.
3" Downpipe and Exhaust System
Well, I finally got around to putting some links up on the page and breaking it up into several different pages. Each page will contain some images and what info I have on the subject. Just so you know any info that I have on here is just what has worked for me and I either run or have run on my car. Your welcome to try anything that you like and see on here but, your on your own if it does not have the same effect that I discribe.
This site will proubly always be a work in progress so be patient with me for awhile. I hope to be adding some real content to it soon. I have a ton of pictures to add and many things to talk about.
If you have any questions or comments send me an E-mail
