I just bought a 280Z in California !

Which wheels please ?

  • No1

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • No.2

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • No.3

    Votes: 6 42.9%
  • Other (please load photo/s)

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
It has been a while since I wanted a 2nd Z, closer to stock for country-runs, even with the family (there are four of us). I looked at the 2 + 2s and 2x seaters because even with two adults behind the wheels, we are going to carry our 2x children and frankly they are already tall… sitting behind for a while in a 2 + 2 will not be comfortable.

On Craigs ’List, I found a 1977 280Z 2x seater, gold, 5speed with a white interior for which advertised at £12k which the owner bought at a recent auction. It transpires that the owner has since developed a heart condition for which he now has a pace-maker and can't drive the Z.

I paid $ 12,500 (£9,900) then £1,600 for transport, insurance, customs, unloading, appraisal, etc. and delivery to VAR south of Paris for certain works. (list below).
This year before Christmas, I will have my 2x Zs and not before time as President of Club Datsun-France.

Planned works:

BC Racing suspension and improved anti-roll bars
New bushes (and if necessary) weather-seals everywhere
Remove bumpers and replace with 240Z chrome style without rubber corners
Mount a tall grid from Skillard keeping the indicators inside but transparent as on the 4x wings.
Mount one of my exhaust lines with the ‘Fast-Road’ and ‘JDM’ silencer
Replacement of the diff with a R180 3.9 Subaru torsion
European headlights and rear lights
Installation of plexi headlight covers with metal fittings
Replacement of the dashboard with a new one
Installation of a kit of ventilated brakes (with or without 4x piston caliper) at the front
New new windshield and seal
Complete overhaul, engine oil changes, axle, gearbox, ball joint control, rear brakes, etc.

The engine will remain in stock, possibly with a better fresh air intake….
Romas carpet and keep the hatch louvres along with the body stripes

New wheels - see poll - please help me choose.

It will arrive in mid-August and I hope to drive with it in November at the latest according to my finances for the work to be done (most of the parts are already purchased!).

For under $ 20k (£16k) I aim to have a nice, slightly different S30, registered in France.
 

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Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Lovely looking example Sean, I’m sure will look great with the treatment you are applying.

Are BC coilovers seen to be a good / best option if replacing the suspension? That’s my next big job. I’m not looking for track performance, just a comfortable ride at probably the same height I have now.

ca99682b9901dd550d2fb7b6af0d7ab8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Are BC coilovers seen to be a good / best option if replacing the suspension? That’s my next big job. I’m not looking for track performance, just a comfortable ride at probably the same height I have now.

Thanks Graeme.
I've been reccomended them by someone who fits them to all his cars. D2 are perhaps less expensive BUT have a reputaion of being very hard, almost track settings which I don't want as I doubt that this car will see the best side of the spectators security fence - I have the better prepared 240Z for that !

And there's no import duty and expensive shipping, they're made in the UK !https://www.bc-racing.co.uk
 

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Thanks Graeme.
I've been reccomended them by someone who fits them to all his cars. D2 are perhaps less expensive BUT have a reputaion of being very hard, almost track settings which I don't want as I doubt that this car will see the best side of the spectators security fence - I have the better prepared 240Z for that !

And there's no import duty and expensive shipping, they're made in the UK !https://www.bc-racing.co.uk

Any tips on fitting? Car is now in a single garage, so raising all 4 corners in order to remove 4 struts to send away a bit of a nightmare. I had wondered if I could just buy the new BC struts and take it somewhere to have them welded / installed in one go. Or, do front / back separately. Any experiences folks can share.

(Look forward to seeing the finished result of the 280z)


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AD240Z

Club Member
It will make a nice and slightly different ride.

Are you not tempted to keep the bumpers and retain the look........ ?

I have BC coil overs on my blue car . Limited experience with them due to Covid but was really happy with ride and handling so far .
 

status

Well-Known Forum User
Firstly Baldy you have to get rid of those bumpers
Secondly have you a scooby diff sorted and if not how much do you expect to pay and wot ratio you looking for as I know a few peeps that break em I’ve got one euro rear light if that’s any help 60 sobs to you
The Bc coil overs are a good bit of kit ,I’ve got a set on one of my scoobies and I was going to get a set on my Zed but don’t need em overall they are quite good
And Graham is yours a 240 or 260 as might be able to help you out regarding sending struts off and don’t forget the spindles for the rear
 

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Firstly Baldy you have to get rid of those bumpers
Secondly have you a scooby diff sorted and if not how much do you expect to pay and wot ratio you looking for as I know a few peeps that break em I’ve got one euro rear light if that’s any help 60 sobs to you
The Bc coil overs are a good bit of kit ,I’ve got a set on one of my scoobies and I was going to get a set on my Zed but don’t need em overall they are quite good
And Graham is yours a 240 or 260 as might be able to help you out regarding sending struts off and don’t forget the spindles for the rear

Hi - it’s a 240


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status

Well-Known Forum User
That’s a shame as I’ve got complete set of suspension you could’ve swopped with mine and got em done all together mines a 260
 
Last edited:
Lovely looking example Sean, I’m sure will look great with the treatment you are applying.

Are BC coilovers seen to be a good / best option if replacing the suspension? That’s my next big job. I’m not looking for track performance, just a comfortable ride at probably the same height I have now.

ca99682b9901dd550d2fb7b6af0d7ab8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The basic set from intrax would be a good way forward. Not much more than BC, however with decent quality dampers and made to suit. VA-motorsport will convert struts and send to you, then remove yours and send him your old ones as cores. By the time you factor in 'welding' you're not far away at all.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
The basic set from intrax would be a good way forward. Not much more than BC, however with decent quality dampers and made to suit. VA-motorsport will convert struts and send to you, then remove yours and send him your old ones as cores. By the time you factor in 'welding' you're not far away at all.

It's just a reguler road car - I'm only going coilovers to get the front and rear heights right.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
http://www.bcec.com.tw/history/company.html

Approaching Scunthorpe from the south, just turn right and keep going. They are just a little bit further* down the road.

*About 10,000 km.
Very apt then....guess that sums up Britains' manufacturing resources - no wonder Boris is giving the Chinese 2.5million passports ; someone'll have the do the dirty work, nursing etc.

Can we say 'bought' in Britain....or maybe I should check with the factory, Alibaba....:)

Can't edit my poll - perhaps a moderator would be kind enough to insert a no. 3 but I would have thought you'd have voted no.2, being a Nissan-related wheel for an HLS30.....
 

peter_s

Club Member
Congrats! Same spec as my car, color and everything!

I run the BC coils, it a great budget option. I think you get a lot for the money. If you want something better you'll need the T3 evolved setup. And top of the line would be the KW v3 for our cars.

The BCs are rebuildable, so in theory you could valve them any way want. Same with springs. Only 1way adjustable in terms of damping and compression simultaneously, but they work very well for me. I think they are quite well matched in stock form. I run the 4kg springs all round. For track use I would go up to 5kg in the front. Sure, adjustablilty for compression and rebound separately is what can make a coil over much more comfortable without sacrificing the harder spring rates (which I like), but it costs a lot to build those. The KW 3way clubsport is an excellent example. You can set both high and low speed compression individually, which is makes them drive like a dream on the street and track. Everything else is a compromise... but they are 4000EUR (worth every cent!!).

BC are Taiwanese. Bought mine from driftworks.
 

Mark N

Club Member
That looks lovely and certainly seems to be a very good deal.
Are you planning any changes for the 280Z front valance or just keeping it as is?
It's a pity Nissan/Datsun thought it was a good idea to spot weld that rear bumper infill piece onto the rear panel, now that so many people want to fit 240Z bumpers.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Are you planning any changes for the 280Z front valance or just keeping it as is?

Thanks., no just replace the bumpers (of course) and fill up the empty grill space with a 'tall' version from Skillard, using their bumper brakcts to fit the 240Z one upon - all in satin black.

https://skillard.com/product/datsun-280z-front-grill-s30/
https://skillard.com/product/datsun...ing_wp_cron=1591544784.4985890388488769531250

I wouldn't mind one of these JDM eyelet chin spoilers later but will probably have to change the front corners and valance.....we'll see.

https://jdm-car-parts.com/products/...-for-datsun-240z-260z-280z?variant=2864026180
 
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