88hybrid.com

Stu85na · Last edited by Stu85na on Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:58 pm; edited 3 times in total

...

...

When I was growing up my mother-in-law had a beautiful black 280ZX with a body kit and louvers. It looked like the bat mobile. When I was old enough she was generous and let me drive it often! It was quick and gorgeous, definitely turned a lot of heads on Friday night. I fell in love with Z's Very Happy

Back in 2000 I was working as a maintenance guy an RV sales place (first job!) at the time and was making $5.15 an hour. One day while I was cleaning the lot this beautiful bright red 85 N/A drove slowly past me. The sound, the look, the style, it was awesome! I knew that the z31 was the Z for me.

I searched the paper everyday for several weeks. I test drove a few z31s, but most had major problems and the owners were asking for a small fortune. Then I came across an 85 N/A in the paper for $1,500. I drove out to see the car and the poor thing was sitting out in the sun on a 105 degree day. Windows up, no sunshade Crying or Very sad

Started her up and she idled great. Test drive was FUN. The owner looked nervous when I chirped the tires on the way out. There was a hesitation on acceleration that was occurring and it was very obvious between 25-40 mph. It turned out to be a great bargaining chip and I was able to talk him down to $1,200 when I came back and bought it two days later. I purchased it in cash using money that I had saved from my $5.15 hour wages (talk about earning it!). Took it to my mechanic at the time (when I used to take my Z to a mechanic). He changed out the spark plugs and spark plug wires, and as it turns out the spark plug wires were arcing like crazy!! No wonder it was missing Very Happy

. It ran like brand new after those were replaced...

I made so many wonderful memories while owning this car. First girlfriend, first car adrenaline rush, high school and college graduation and too many more to list. My Dad and I carted it 1,700 miles on a car trailer from Idaho to Missouri, etc.

Fast forward to 2008. I now have a two car garage, a turbo parts car, and a bunch of other parts, etc.

At this time I am focusing on interior restoration. As of today the only piece of the interior still in the car is the dash and the old front carpet (almost out!). Pictures:

...

...

...

...

...

...

A while back 88hybrid hooked me up with Mark out at Z works and helped me get a great deal on an almost complete blue interior in amazing shape! I spent a whole day pulling the interior pieces out. Here are some pictures which include the interior from that car, interior from my car, and brand new carpet I will be putting in shortly:

...

...

...

...

...

...

There are more details on the turbo parts car in the thread I created a while back regarding it. I believe it was a great investment as it has a w-series motor, turbo is in good shape, injector replacement two years ago, and more. I also replaced the timing belt, waterpump, crank and cam oil seals, and more, on the motor itself.

I compression tested the engine recently and cylinder 4 came up low. A few people here on the board have suggested I do a leak down test. I still need to pick up the equipment to do this. Once I have done the leak down test I am going to start disconnecting wires, etc., in preparation for pulling the motor. I picked up an engine stand and a shop crane recently. I started putting together the crane, but found out they shorted me some critical bolts. They should be here within a week. Here is the shop crane right now, lol:

...

...

...

...

The turbo parts car has everything I need, so hopefully once I get deep into the swap I won't have too much trouble. I also have about half of the exhaust parts I need from CM Performance Exhaust (Certified Muffler). I would have ordered the whole thing, but it's hard to convince the wife to spend $600 on something I can't use right away. I'll pick up the rest as I get closer.

My goal is to have the interior swap and the turbo swap completed by Branson. That may be overly ambitious in my case however Sad

. I don't come from a mechanical background. I didn't have any family members that were savvy and I don't work in the business in any way (I'm a software developer) but I am passionate about these z31s. In my case, I feel letting someone else do the work on my z31 would be like letting someone else raise my child! I want to do everything that I can do myself. A machine shop will definitely be doing some or all of the internal engine repair work as needed, however.

In comparison to other z31 projects seen here on 88hybrid.com, this one will go slower. I can only work on the Z for an hour or two at a time after work and occasionally on the weekend. Time is very limited, as are my mechanical skills Crying or Very sad

. It will get done however Twisted Evil

Thanks for reading so far. I will do my best to keep this thread updated with pictures, etc., as I go forward.

Here is another mini-project I completed recently
_________________
85 N/A Complete Interior Restoration
84 Turbo (donor)
94 Maxima
...VG30 FTW!!

FlyingT · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

Looks good. Just keep moving forward and eventually you will get to where you want the Z to be. Took me well over a year (and many thousand of dollars) to transform my 85T from a broken down rusting hulk to the sparkling example you see today. When you finish, it will seem all worth it to have a rare car you passionately love.
_________________
Scott

Restore it, don't crush it. They don't make um like this anymore.

85 Z31T GL
K&N cone filter, HKS turbo back exhaust, Rebuilt engine, New T3 turbo, New engine wiring harness, Rebuilt T5 Transmission, Rebuilt rear diff and half shafts, KYB shocks, New brakes and rotors, Alba 15" wheels, Dunlop 245/50R15 tires, Poly front, rear and crossmember bushings, New steering rack, new alternator and battery, Xenon Urethane body kit, Mahogony steering wheel, 200 Watt Pioneer stereo system, new front fenders, rear quarter panels, rocker panels, passenger door, replaced front sub-frame/unibody, paint.

xenonxiii · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

Only one thing from me, Take your time and do things right the first time. It will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

I cant wait to see the end product.
_________________

Nissan_Nick · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject:

looks very good stu... i cant wait to see it done. Cool

_________________
352whp @ 24psi 427.1whp @24psi with Nitrous
Yes I have raced my Z on the Daytona international speed way.
Yes I did use nitrous.
Yes I know how cool that is.
Parts list available upon request Twisted Evil

Nitrous is like a hot chick with a STD… you know you want to hit it but you’re afraid of the consequences

DeleriousZ · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject:

i've been waiting for this one for a while, awesome story stu Very Happy

_________________

GT35 1988 300zx turbo: in hiding.

jbmartin87 · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:

Should look awesome when It's finished!

Do you think you could take a couple pictures of the rear metal speaker mounts? Im thinking about taking mine out to make custom speaker covers and was wondering how hard they are to remove. Are they just bolted on or spot welded? Thanks
_________________

Stu85na · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of the comments and support! That was fast! I have this picture in my mind of how sweet it will all be when its done. Hurts to think about sometimes because it seems so far away.

FlyingT · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

Check the tail lights too. 24 years and I bet it is pretty bad too.
_________________
Scott

Restore it, don't crush it. They don't make um like this anymore.

85 Z31T GL
K&N cone filter, HKS turbo back exhaust, Rebuilt engine, New T3 turbo, New engine wiring harness, Rebuilt T5 Transmission, Rebuilt rear diff and half shafts, KYB shocks, New brakes and rotors, Alba 15" wheels, Dunlop 245/50R15 tires, Poly front, rear and crossmember bushings, New steering rack, new alternator and battery, Xenon Urethane body kit, Mahogony steering wheel, 200 Watt Pioneer stereo system, new front fenders, rear quarter panels, rocker panels, passenger door, replaced front sub-frame/unibody, paint.

Lou88NA2T · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

good luck with the project STU !! i can't wait to see the finished product.
_________________

88NA2T
K & N, 3" Certified Muffler turbo back exhaust, Hallman MBC @ 8 psi,XTD 6 puck clutch,Tokico HP shocks and struts,Eibach springs,Poly bushings, solid differential mount, Z33 wheels

michaelp · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject:

Does your parts car have a turbo lip? If so, you should put it on yours Wink

_________________

1984 300ZX NA2T, K&N filter, MBC, intercooler...WIP
1974 Datsun 260Z Project

Stu85na · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks!!

1SikZ · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:36 am Post subject:

The "window stuff" is called window ribbon sealant. Awesome writ-up. I can't wait to see it done. I know what it's like to "raise a Z", but I DID make the mistake of letting somebody else put in my JDM Turbo motor.......never again.
_________________
Kyle
4/87 Turbo-Akai Biisuto--JDM W-Series VG, MGP Plenum, MBC @ 10PSI, Spec stage 2 clutch, Jasons Poly motor and trans mount, K&N cone filter, 60mm TB, stainless bolts throughout --gone... Sad

92 Suzuki Street-Fighter

Stu85na · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

DeleriousZ · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

D A M N that old carpet was DIRTY!!!

where did you get the new stuff from??
_________________

GT35 1988 300zx turbo: in hiding.

jbmartin87 · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

Man, that carpet was nasty! How did it get that dirty by the side of the seat?
_________________

Stu85na · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

MikeZ · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:47 am Post subject:

Nice writeup Stu. Looks like your doing a thorough job!
_________________
Building an '86 Slicktop

RIP - '84 Turbo - 391RWHP / 460 RWTRQ

South Florida Z Car Club[/b]

ind300na · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:24 am Post subject:

how much did the new hatch carpet anyways? my z really needs a freshning up in the interior department
_________________
300na-stock for now

andyray187 · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:38 am Post subject:

good job stu freakin nice and looks like no rust in floor
_________________

I WANA GO FAST
87 300zx na

Nissan_Nick · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:00 am Post subject:

very nice stu... you are doing a great job..... msa gets all there stuff from other places and put there name on it.... like there cans... yea.. snider does them.... and a bunch of other stuff....
_________________
352whp @ 24psi 427.1whp @24psi with Nitrous
Yes I have raced my Z on the Daytona international speed way.
Yes I did use nitrous.
Yes I know how cool that is.
Parts list available upon request Twisted Evil

Nitrous is like a hot chick with a STD… you know you want to hit it but you’re afraid of the consequences