280z LHD Conversion & VQ35 Build

OwainIJ

Club Member
Hi all,



Been a while since I posted an update. Have made some good progress on the build. Wasn't able to get the car on a jig anywhere nearby so did some measurements myself and car looked OK so got stuck into the repairs. Will get it onto a jig hopefully once all the repairs are finished to check properly before painting.

So far have managed to repair some rust holes on the support rail, front corners behind the light cowls, patch floor repairs and have modded the bulkhead to RHD.
 

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OwainIJ

Club Member
For the bulkhead, didn't end up using the full panel, just cut out a patch of the replacement bulkhead, used a laser guide/measurements to align where the hole for the steering column should go and used the patch panel as a template to cut out the existing bulkhead and then welded in the replacement panels. Just blocked up the holes on the LHD side. Seems to have worked pretty well :)
 

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OwainIJ

Club Member
Finally had a stroke of luck with the bodywork and managed to find a original rear quarter repair panel so should be able to make a good repair on the drivers side. As the damage wasn't as bad on the other side ill probably try and do a patch repair.
 

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OwainIJ

Club Member
Engine and gearbox mounts finally arrived as well (been waiting 4 months for these) so got them mounted this weekend. Have gone a different route with the front crossmember mod. have cut the ends off and will fabricated a new plate to fit between them and fit around the sump on the engine. Am taking the power steering pump off and relocating the alternator to its location to give space for the steering. Am looking for a way to relocate the oil filter. Has anyone got any tips for a remote oil filter kit for a VQ engine?

Have also shot blasted and repainted all the suspension parts and welded new perches on the struts for the coilover setup. New bush kit and bearings arrived and had started to build these up but ran out of time before i could get any real progress done. This week ill hopefully get the new crossmember plate made and get cracking on test fitting the new suspension setup.
 

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Robbie J

Club Member
Any updated pictures? It's great to see your progress but also scary as I might find stuff like this once I strip my car....
 

OwainIJ

Club Member
UPDATE - project is still ongoing, delayed by various things from rugby injuries keeping me out of the garage, moving house & taking on a chevy c10 project too but getting stuck into the Datsun again. Progress so far is:

Full dry build of all suspension/driveline/mechanical parts
Custom exhaust built for VQ35HR (headers will be ceramic coated)
Tested & failed to run car with existing harnesses taken from donor car. Sent the harness over to Z-Fever for a standalone conversion.
Relocated oil cooler with remote oil cooler kit
Custom brackets and parts for everything it seems (AC parts, Oil Cooler, RH pedal box, T3 strut tower braces, exhaust, Engine tensioner, bumpers and many more)
rebuilt steering rack
Convert wipers to rh side & honda civic wiper motor
Started on bodywork repairs
Convert over to 240z bumpers ( but removing rubber parts & welding together rear to make 1 piece bumper)

Waiting on the wiring harness to come back before being able to do any work on the engine. Cracking on with the body repairs to get it into the bodyshop & paint as soon as possible.

Pics and more updates to follow!


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uk66fastback

Club Member
Don't use that header, hang it on a wall!

Great project ... don't let this one drift. Moving etc - sod that - keep the pics and info coming. That pics with all the loom on show looks a nightmare.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Awesome job, keep up the good work. I'll be really curious to see and hear this once its finished! :coolgleam:
 

OwainIJ

Club Member
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New Year New Update.
Managed to get some work done on the 280 over christmas & new years.

Repaired the front lip of the roof with help from a roof panel off of Minksport. Car has now been seam sealed & primed and then had the underside & wheel wells sprayed with Raptor Upol and then the engine bay sprayed black to match.

Plan is now to rebuild all the mechanicals & do the final engine build before sending the whole rolling assembly to the bodyshop for paint. Managed to rebuild the majority of the front & rear suspension with some new shiny parts from Techno Toy Tuning. Next up is to run all new brake & fuel lines ready for the engine to go in. Got some work to do on the engine to do first before it goes in (new clutch kit, new oil pressure & temp sensors to fit the old gauges e.t.c) which I'm waiting on parts on.

Also getting underway on refurbing the donor 260z dash so plenty to do over spring!

Anyone have any thoughts on colour? Pick an original colour or go wild?
 
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