What do you guys think? I'm going to look at this http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/1653863139.html I'm thinking of converting it to rotary with a street ported 12a I have. I've got a spare tranny as well. How difficult do you think it would be? They are about the same size, so power to weight should be good, and I know they handle nicely as well. Think this is a doable swap or a huge pain in the ***?

 

That would be sweet! Honestly though, I do think it's a doable swap that will also be a pain in the ***. I think you should do it though.

 

How do I judge/measure the tranny tunnel to be sure I can fit a seven tranny into it?

 

V8 rx7.. V8 280.. most done without cutting floor. shifter location only concern

 

As for the shifter location... once everything is morwe or less in place we can modify the shifter location on the transmission to make it work without too much drama.

 

Sounds like I may have to buy this. Guess I know where that 12A your porting is gonna go Jesus.

 

that is a clean *** 280. buy it just to restore it

 

I actually considered that too, but since I already have motors and trannys I need to find a use for, a conversion saves me time and money and dwindles my motor/tranny stash down a bit. So far I only see a couple things that will need to be custom fabbed for this, motor mounts, tranny mounts, and driveline. Going N/A carbed saves alot of the dreaded wiring headaches too. I'll have to look at the under side to figure exhaust routing, but I have an RB to 3" stainlees setup floating around too. ECU is the only thing I don't have figured yet, I think.

 

Well, the original 83 280zx I was lookin at fell through But I liked the idea enough to keep lookin, and lo and behold, I found a 1977 280z (looks like the 240's) that was in better shape and I like the "first generation" Z cars best. I'm just a first gen guy I guess. LOL Anyhow, I picked it up Sunday, but the plan has changed a bit. Turns out this one has a rebuilt motor with only 10k on it. So, I can't really justify pulling a perfectly good motor and buying another to put in. (rotary or not) It has a mint dash and console, door skins are great, just needs carpet, new seats, and some sanding and tlc till paint. Motor is strong, but having fuel injection issues. My one biggest weakness! I know **** about fuel injection. Well, here's a pic of what she looked like the day I picked her up.

 

its a monster truck LOL. reminds me of when i took the coilovers off my fc and went back to running stock suspension. looks pretty clean though. congrats

 

I'd replace the bumpers with the thin 240z style bumpers. They also came with the first 260z.

 

It was on jack stands in the pic. LOL

 

http://www.zcarcreations.com/howto/240bump.htm

240z bumpers are costly unless you can score a deal..

 

I'm actually going this route.
http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/7AP/50-1504A
Plus adding fender flares to help accomodate a pair of 17/9s in the rear and 17/7s up front. I like the 240 bumper style, but think this look is even cleaner. Dumping the FI system, got a set of media blasted cannon intakes and a pair of 32/36 DGV webers on the way.

 

looks amazing!

 

awesome route!!!

 

I have never used plastic parts on any of my custom cars, just a personal prejudice I have. When I did my first custom car, a 240Z convertible, I did not do any custom work to the body except as necessary for the convertible conversion. Later, when I built my first RX-7 convertible I used RX-2 rear body panels, tail lights and bumper. The RX-2 bumper is much cleaner, as it does not have the rubber insert like the Z car. You can see the difference in the attached photo - and you can see that the RX-2 bumper could be easily adapted to the Z car.

I have often thought that if I built a Z car today, I would use the rear panel and tail lights from the RX-2, which would give the car more of an Italian look. Of course they are not throwing away old RX-2s now like they were 20 years ago, but I had the foresight to grab one that was being scrapped and keep the pieces in the attached photo. My collection of parts also include a 60s Camaro bumper which is very similar and could easily be adapted to a Z car.

I also have a pair of front fenders and rear quarter panels from a Dodge Conquest, which would give about a 2 inch flair and a similar look to the Porsche 944 fender openings. Using these would require good metal working skills.

 

Stilettoman, IF all things were equal and money/time/tools wer of no consequence, I would agree with you. However, since I no longer have a shop to work in, or a welder/fabrication tools etc. and can't/won't pay someone else to build MY project. I have to decide what the best way to achieve the look I'm after in a doable way and budget for myself. I have no problem with using fiberglass, I can do/make things with fiberglass that are near impossible with metal, not to mention it's much easier to work with and repair. It's a nice added benefit that if it scratches it won't rust too. LOL

I got my Cannon dual 32/36 DGV intakes in today! They are sweet! Freshly media blasted. Also ordered my dual 3 to 2 headers and collector, as well as a Mallory fuel pump, fpr and gauge. Webers are in route (freshly rebuilt). Goodbye FI, Hello dual carbs!

 

ahh i was really hoping u put a rotary in it..

 

Well, thats still the plan, I just get to "play" first. The way I see it, I've got a rotary motor and tranny to put in, and a good stocker already in. Soooo..... I have the rare oportunity to scream around and abuse the **** out of the one thats in it, and when she blows, well..... I'll just do the swap then. I also have another 280Z 4 speed tranny and flywheel/clutch/pp, so if I decide to go back later, I'll have a sweet carb and header already. So it's win/win! Plus, all the suspension and other work I do will be good either way.

 

Well, I'm going to finish it up with the inline six still intact for now. However, I did pick up an s5 N/A motor to put into her eventually, So looks like she'll be a13b 280Z!

 

If you need any help man let me know I will come over and help. would love to see it on the road

Joe