Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144417 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #625 on: January 14, 2014, 10:04:56 PM »
As soon as I get rid of the Honda in my driveway, I swear I'm going to buy another one of these.

I may be looking for a while.  It's going to be a 5-speed two-seater with the 3.7 rear drivetrain from the 2+2 manual.  And t-tops.  Those t-tops were f'n awesome.  All the benefits of a convertible without the hassle.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #626 on: January 15, 2014, 12:44:41 AM »
I know I miss my ZX. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #627 on: January 15, 2014, 11:28:25 AM »
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4271490337.html

All it's missing is the differential/axle from the 2+2.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #628 on: January 15, 2014, 12:45:34 PM »
My gosh, that could have been a picture of my first ZX when I bought it. 

This one has the wrong ashtray, and I wonder if the radio screen is working properly.  The antenna looks lime it is stuck, and what happened to the passenger door molding in the second shot?  The rear bumper kissed a pole or something, because it is sagging a bit.  Other than that, it looks nice and fresh.  I wonder why there are no photos underhood? 

Why do you want the 3.7 diff?

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #629 on: January 15, 2014, 01:03:38 PM »
Maybe it was the automatic transmission attached to it, but I didn't care for the 3.5 in the red car I was driving.  The 3.77 in the 2+2 was a big improvement over the other car.  That thing would scoot (and it was easy to do burnouts).
« Last Edit: January 15, 2014, 01:50:01 PM by Chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #630 on: January 15, 2014, 03:39:07 PM »
Maybe it was the automatic transmission attached to it, but I didn't care for the 3.5 in the red car I was driving.  The 3.77 in the 2+2 was a big improvement over the other car.  That thing would scoot (and it was easy to do burnouts).

The car in that listing should have a 3.90 diff.  Possibly the only diff more desirable than that is the rear out of a turbo car (which, if my memory serves me correctly, is 3.54), due to its use of half shafts instead of CV joints.  

On a personal note, I run a 3.90 diff in my 240.  

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #631 on: January 15, 2014, 03:55:56 PM »
The car in that listing should have a 3.90 diff.  Possibly the only diff more desirable than that is the rear out of a turbo car (which, if my memory serves me correctly, is 3.54), due to its use of half shafts instead of CV joints. 

On a personal note, I run a 3.90 diff in my 240. 
I must have remembered it wrong.  I know the automatic and the manual have different differentials, and the 2+2 may or may not have been different from the 2-seater.  What I remember is that 5-speed would run like a scalded cat if you held your foot down.  The 3-speed auto?  Not even close.  That thing was more like being punished than actually driving a car.

I need more garage space.
« Last Edit: January 15, 2014, 04:02:34 PM by Chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #632 on: January 15, 2014, 04:25:11 PM »
I must have remembered it wrong.  I know the automatic and the manual have different differentials, and the 2+2 may or may not have been different from the 2-seater.  What I remember is that 5-speed would run like a scalded cat if you held your foot down.  The 3-speed auto?  Not even close.  That thing was more like being punished than actually driving a car.

I need more garage space.

IIRC, you could have anything from a 3:36 to 3:90 hanging out the back, depending on transmission and body type.  There were at least three different types of five speed transmissions to boot, with different gearing in each one (although two of them I believe only differed in the final gear, whilst the odd duck of the bunch had the same ratios as the older four speed transmissions with an additional gear tacked on). 

I'm not sure what rear is under the 76 2+2 I have as a parts car, but I know that my old 79 2+2 parts car has the 3:36 and odd duck 5 speed in it.  The 79 also came with the 140MPH speedo. 

I can only recall driving one auto 280ZX, and its acceleration would be best described as "stately".  It wasn't TERRIBLE to the point of being dangerous, but it was certainly not fast. 

The way I see it, we share an almost uncanny similarity in our taste in cars, to the point where we've both owned some of the exact same odd or unusual vehicles.

Maybe we should collectively decide on a few models, buy them, and then swap them out between each other every three months or so.  That way, we could both double our garage space.  :rotf:   

 


Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #633 on: January 15, 2014, 04:32:40 PM »
That might be worth considering. :rofl:

My parents bought a place out in Leipers Fork that has three two-car garages and a couple of covered driveways on the property.  I'm going to see about moving stuff out there, but I don't have the address. 
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #634 on: March 21, 2014, 01:57:42 PM »
101 uses for a raggedy 280Z.

[youtube=640,480]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjC00J8FaM[/youtube]
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #635 on: March 22, 2014, 09:41:40 AM »

2:36  :rotf:   Every guy knows that feeling.  EVERY guy. 

Offline obumazombie

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #636 on: April 03, 2014, 04:07:20 PM »
2:36  :rotf:   Every guy knows that feeling.  EVERY guy. 
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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #637 on: April 03, 2014, 06:05:01 PM »
After looking at that, I am gonna cry!! My dad had 3 of those...My fave was the t-top copper colored one!!
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #638 on: April 03, 2014, 06:21:00 PM »
After looking at that, I am gonna cry!! My dad had 3 of those...My fave was the t-top copper colored one!!

I wouldn't cry too much.  That car looks like it had a lot of body issues that would have cost some good money to resolve. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #639 on: April 03, 2014, 07:13:14 PM »
I wouldn't cry too much.  That car looks like it had a lot of body issues that would have cost some good money to resolve. 
I wonder how bad it was underneath.
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.