I just bought this - please help!

Robert Campbell

Club Member
30704270_426485004459937_5016543620161863680_n.jpg 30714885_426485261126578_8374315950861713408_n.jpg 30725335_426485181126586_856901891731226624_n.jpg Hi,

Im new to this forum having spent years with Porsches. I bought my first 280Z two days ago.

If someone was to ask me where to buy Porsche parts, Id be able to respond off the top off my head, with personal knowledge of the best and worst vendors.

Where do I get stuff for Z cars in the UK and which garages do the best work?

Also, it has a 280ZX engine with turbo rather than the stock engine, but only a 4 speed gearbox. Again, where do I find a suitable 5 speed conversion?

I have a million other questions for the veterans, but here is my starters!

RocketWrench
 
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AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Firstly welcome to the forum and the Z world!

That sounds like a fun car with the turbo L28.

Some parts are easy to find others more difficult. Mechanically, most bits are quite easy to source, body panels are a different story altogether.

"Mr F" in the club can help you out with most things.

As for garages and quality of their work, I would let others comment. But there's a new kid on the block doing excellent work called "passion engineering".

Fourways have a tonne of parts in their armoury.

This forum is good for turning up parts.

On gearboxes, unless you want to stay sorta stock, most opt for the S13/S14/S14a 'box from a Nissan 240sx turbo. It is an evolution of the Z 'box but a much better experience.
http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/240SX5spd/transmission.htm

Looking forward to tracking your progress!


Ali
 

Mark N

Club Member
Welcome!
I thought it looked like a nice project when it came up on eBay.
What have you got planned for it, does it need much doing?
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Yes that caught my eye too hence:

http://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/280z-turbo.23552/

Gearbox - I don't know specs. but is it a gearbox specific to the turbo or just a 280Z gbox?

If it's in good condition why don't you hang fire and see how you get on with it. Don't forget changing the box may require a diff change too because of the ratios and if you go the S14 route other mods/engineering work too (but it's a good upgrade). FYI some 280Zs were 5 speed.
 
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SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Hi, welcome and congrats on your purchase.

Surprised that you bought it 'off the cuff' without knowing whether parts are available or not but you've come to the right place.

May I suggest that you join the club - it's only here and the wealth of experience and advice through the support of owners like yourself.
 

Robert Campbell

Club Member
Welcome!
I thought it looked like a nice project when it came up on eBay.
What have you got planned for it, does it need much doing?
Thanks for all the responses.

Right now I am planning a declutter of all the non-essentials such as the spoilers etc, then strip off all the paint to see the damage.

The interior is not a problem as I have gone into business with a Trim Shop near me, but might need some guidance with what 'works' in a Z car and what doesn't.

Ive had a lot of experience with restorations before, just not on one of these. Here is my '76 911S: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/882264-scoundrel-not-outlaw.html

With the gearbox, it just seems a bit noisy in fourth, so am looking at changing it, but the diff and driveshaft could do with an upgrade anyway. I suspect it was used for drifting one time in its life.

The final plan is for a clean, slim, gentleman's ZCar - understated yet can roar when necessary.
 

Mr.G

Club Member
Love your Porsche.

You need to give Mr. F on this forum a call , he is the definitive guru on parts, his company is called MJP Autos http://www.mjpauto.com - If he can't help he will know a man who can.

Enjoy your new project, fingers crossed it's a solid one.
 

candy red

Club Member
Thanks,

So far very very little rust and in a far better shape than my Porsche was.

Hi Robert and welcome to the madhouse,

Are you planning a full strip down and rebuild, or getting it blown over and keep it running project ?

please put some pics up of progress we all like pics :)

Derrick ;)
 

Geoff-R

Club Member
Hi Robert, I assume you were the guy looking round the car while I was pushing the 260 on to the trailer on Saturday? Simon showed me the car before you got there, got to say it looked a lot of fun, enjoy!
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Hi and welcome, looks like a great project.

It sounds like you've already had a few pointers, parts wise there's not too much over here other than the places already quoted. The US and Japan are the obvious places, I get quite a few bits and pieces from Zcardepot however there's loads of places to choose from. If you need anything in particular then post up on here or facebook and you will likely get some help.

I look forward to seeing you progress. Very jealous of the Porsche, it looks stunning!
 

Robert Campbell

Club Member
Hi Robert and welcome to the madhouse,

Are you planning a full strip down and rebuild, or getting it blown over and keep it running project ?

please put some pics up of progress we all like pics :)

Derrick ;)

Right now the plan is being formed, but I need some advice on what looks 'right' if you see what I mean:

I have ideas about it being Orange, but not sure if this is sacrilege or what the original pain colours were?

Would a leather interior ruin its resell value later down the line as one guy suggested to me...? "no leather in a Z Car" he puffed...

In no particular order:

First thing will be a total strip out anyway as the interior died years ago. Then an audit of all the damage - every panel has a dent, but only spots of rust.

A new wiring loom to replace the birds nest inside.

Weld up the US bumper holes for the 'clean' look.

Simon at SJ Classics said the driveshaft needs attention, so need advice on that, as I heard that a Subaru one with limited slip diff can be transplanted with no bother, but I don't know which model.

Biggest mechanical priority is to change the gear box to a 5 speed, and need advice on this. The four speed is a bit weird for me.

Other considerations which are unique to me: Im retiring from the Army after getting smashed up in Afghanistan so am disabled, so considering retro fitting powered steering. The other problem I have is my hearing is damaged, so need to add several layers of soundproofing and all the seals/weatherstripping need replacing. Thats about all I can think of right now...
 

Robert Campbell

Club Member
Hi Robert, I assume you were the guy looking round the car while I was pushing the 260 on to the trailer on Saturday? Simon showed me the car before you got there, got to say it looked a lot of fun, enjoy!
Hi Geoff,

Yes, the beard, walking stick and beard is I. Its certainly going to be an adventure. I took my friend Greg out for a quick run and we were both driving along giggling at the acceleration....
 

Robert Campbell

Club Member
Hi and welcome, looks like a great project.

It sounds like you've already had a few pointers, parts wise there's not too much over here other than the places already quoted. The US and Japan are the obvious places, I get quite a few bits and pieces from Zcardepot however there's loads of places to choose from. If you need anything in particular then post up on here or facebook and you will likely get some help.

I look forward to seeing you progress. Very jealous of the Porsche, it looks stunning!
Thanks,

the 911 was a labour of love as I was building it in between hospital stays and the like. This will be a very different build as I will start with a plan and budget, whereas with the 911 I made it up as I went along, and changed my mind a thousand times.
 

toopy

Club Member
The final plan is for a clean, slim, gentleman's ZCar - understated yet can roar when necessary.

Welcome, you've come to the right place for advice/info going forward with the project, and a turbo L28 is a pretty good start in S30 ownership!;)

and respect for the military service :bow: sounds like you've taking a bit of a pasting!
 

Jay.

Club Member
Welcome to the forum! Loved the 911 build thread, have a user on PelicanParts too as I'm thinking of doing what you've done in reverse (starting with a Z and then ending up with a 911)
 

Geoff-R

Club Member
Hi Geoff,

Yes, the beard, walking stick and beard is I. Its certainly going to be an adventure. I took my friend Greg out for a quick run and we were both driving along giggling at the acceleration....

I bet! It looked a serious amount of fun, look forward to seeing it if you manage to get to any shows.
 

Robert Campbell

Club Member
72B06658-E031-4385-98B3-DAD7D91453BD.jpeg 9BA9F577-34F7-420A-9E70-75A4ACE6FA15.jpeg 5881C985-7E72-4619-A815-E73FE2E5F1D9.jpeg EABA39E9-477E-43A1-A9AA-6ECEA97E2315.jpeg 59ECED62-2E5D-4880-A9E5-0DC044699DEB.jpeg AF8CC861-08B9-4B9F-B823-31D95D807AB3.jpeg 171E9E6F-A822-437C-92CA-59CD743D16E0.jpeg Got the car up on Friday and had a good look underneath. Both the half-shafts and main drive had some play in them, so they will be removed and refurbished. Took my mate Ralph up the road for a spin and we coul
 
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Robert Campbell

Club Member
CEEC018B-F6E0-4A5C-A060-342DD9D146D5.jpeg 7239A4E2-8BBA-4257-9BC5-AEACEB1B9C1F.jpeg 25B85132-D1A4-4B62-A33B-5FA54805009C.jpeg Then the fuel system seemed a bit odd. The fuel is gravely fed, then the pipe goes uphill and round in a weird way to a filthy fuel filter. The filter looks like Guinness has been through it.
 
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