First Datsun owner. Socal.

[mykoe817]

Hi everyone - I'd like to introduce myself.

My name is Michael Vuong and I will be 19 this Augest. I am now a proud owner of the classic Datsun 280zx non turbo. I will be picking this up in the next few days for 600$ with 117k orginal miles. There are some surface rust but nothing major, and a minor fender bender on the passenger side rear quarter panel.

This is my first datsun ever. However I partially bought this because my father owned one and loved it. It is his favorite car and currently his health is decreasing dramatically because of a sickness called Lupus - it has spread to his liver and lungs... I bought this car for many reason but that is one of it. To give my father something to smile about seeing his only son drive his dream car.

I originally was a Honda head - still partially am. So I'm not completely new to the automotive hobby as I did most of the work myself since affording a mechanic was out of the question.

I hope to become a valuable member of this club/forum and establish myself as a good hobbyist, I look forward to leaning new things about this classic series of cars.

My car history:
1985 Toyota Cressida 5mge (swapped 1jz) SOLD
1988 Toyota 2 ton Pick up
1995 Honda Civic Hatch back. (extensive suspension mods) STOLEN
1999 Acura Integra GSR. STOLEN
1991 Honda Crx SI. Spun Rod - Sold.

Current: 1981 Datsun 280zx non-turbo STOCK.

My goal with the 280zx is to have it restored and running great. gonna be a daily drive / weekend car. I don't know much to decide on my motor options so I hope to be pointed in the right direction. I also don't know where to start for finding parts and etc. However I will use this forum and the SEARCH feature. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[zbane]

Welcome to the club!
I too have a ZX, and love how relatively easy it is to work on. While this site is mainly geared to the earlier models, you will be amazed at how much info relates to our model.
A suggestion:
Start looking for the FSM (Factory Service Manual) for your year. Epay would be your best bet. I was rather lucky in that my car came with the manual, and it has been a great reference.

[mykoe817]

I was thinking about that. finding a few manuals for the zx. So alot of what goes on in this forum can relate to our cars as well? i'm already starting research on the rust issues and everything.

[zbane]

what goes on in this forum can relate to our cars as well? i'm already starting research on the rust issues and everything.

Absolutely. Rust is rust, and dealing with it is the same in all our cases.
Basically speaking, the engine (l28) is the same thing from the 75-78 280z, only ours have more emissions stuff and a different "brain." Suspension and steering setups are different, as are other things, but still, there is much to be learned.

[mykoe817]

wow. so basically the ecu is different and suspension is different. the l28 motor was brought over to our cars as well as 75 - 78. hmm... i found a place that can get me jdm motors for good prices. anything from sr20 - rb20 25 and 26's.

[mykoe817]

28 views and only 1 welcomer. am i doing something wrong?...

[bigoak]

We're silently judging you for past Honda ownership...

Just kidding.

Welcome to the board!

FSM: Try carfiche.com...they have an electronic copy of the FSM for an '82.

Swaps: motor may be cheap...doing it right still costs a bundle...

Sorry to hear about your dad's health problems. Nothing like a nice spin in a Z to make them disappear for a while.

[mykoe817]

truly.

and HEY! about the honda thing. shouldn't it be a good thing that i no longer own a honda and now moving forward to a z? :P im loving this car more and more just today we signed over the pink and i handed over cash. picking it up on monday.

I'm trying to search for articles or threads on either l28 non turbo to turbo by the turo manifolds upping the fuel and etc. basically turning it into a turbo motor.

[sblake01]

http://carfiche.com/manuals022/cars/will take you to the manuals page. If it's unavailable, try again later.

[DougN]

Welcome to the board! Where exactly is Inland Empire anyway? I am sure you'll love your ZX even more once you start driving it. I am fortunate to have a couple of choices of which car to drive each day, and somehow I almost always pick a Z!

[sblake01]

Where exactly is Inland Empire anyway?

If he's talking about California, he's in my neck of the woods. I live in San Bernardino.

The Inland Empire refers to the region in Southern California located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in the United States. The Inland Empire is centered on the oldest cities in the region: Ontario, San Bernardino, and Riverside.

[sblake01]

Further:

The "Inland" part of the name is derived from the region's location about 37 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean (from Huntington Beach) and east of downtown Los Angeles. The most accepted physical boundary between Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and the Inland Empire is the definition of the Inland Empire consisting of two counties: Riverside and San Bernardino county.

What city are you in, Michael?

[Rockr69]

welcome to the club. Are you talking about the Eastern Washington Inland Empire?

[Rockr69]

The term Inland Empire also refers to the eastern region of Washington State. It also encompasses north Idaho and western Montana.

[Rockr69]

Must be where you are talkig about Stephen, hence the term socal in his intial posting.

[mykoe817]

lol you guys are great. i am in southern california. sorry for the mix up. inland empire - riverside county - i am over at Lake Elsinore! i hope to meet members of this forum so i can see and learn more with my eyes and etc. thx for the link sblake01 i really appreciate it!

thanks for the warm welcome guys. i do hope to be a valuable part of this forum as a member.

[Darbji280z]

Hey, welcome and Happy Birthday. I like to see alot of us kids getting into these cars. Get some pics us for us to see.

So you've had a lot of cars stolen huh?