280ZX, has anybody raced one

[pballance]

In looking at the GCR and weights, I notice that the 280ZX NA was listed at only 2530#. It sure seems like it could be a good car expecially with the open ECU rule.

Has anybody built one? Can you get it that light? I know the suspension differences will make for some development issues but it does have disc brakes on all corners.

Thoughts?

[irondragon]

Problem w/ the GCR weight is that it will bery difficult to get a 280ZX to that number.
Other problem is that the ZX was severely de-rated in power, compared to the 280Z.
130 vs 170, in order to deal w/ emissions.
Don't know if you can monkey w/ the ECU enough to get that 40 hp back. Some of the reduction may have been in the cam.
The brakes are an attractive feature but the power is not.
I've raced 280Z's for a long time and have never seen a 280ZX on the track.
Another negative is that parts are getting hard to find - both for suspension upgrade and general maintenance. Nissan no longer supports the 240-280 cars much. A few dealers try to help.
Think hard about this.
Bill

[JeffYoung]

Paul, Ron has looked hard at that car and thinks it could be a fantastic S car. I tend to agee.

The 170 hp rating for the Z v. the 145 or something for the ZX is a misnomer. Datsun used gross hp until 78 or 79, until the switched to the ZX when it went "net." The L28 is the same in both cars, and the ZX gets the four wheel discs.

The weight may be an issue though. Like the above poster said, it may not be possible to get down to weight.

Charles Perry built one and won an ECR I think at Daytona this year. I'm headed down tomorrow to race against it this weekend and I suspect it will be fast.....

I think it is a good choice. FI, 4-wheel disc, light (if acheivable), decent tranny, decent amount of parts available for it.

[its66]

yes, Charles' car is FAST. Nice silver 280ZX. You'll like see it battling with Greg Ira's beautiful Z-car. Hopefully, there will be a red and white RX7 in the mix again also.

[Ron Earp]

It'll be fast. Cam is fine. You have to deal with the fact that it, like the 260Z, can't make the RPM of the 240Z, but that isn't a huge deal. Lynchburg Nissan still has lots of stuff for the cars and with the open ECU rule I feel one of these cars is definitely ITS winning material.

Rear suspension will require some work but it is doable.

I still think about building one of these for ITS or something else for ITR. Data seems to suggest a Megasquirted/Moteced 280zx built to the max would be a heck of a ITS car. Came close to buying one a few months ago.

R

[betamotorsports]

79 280ZXs typically can get to 2,500 pretty easily in IT trim. Use the R180 and halfshafts and make sure you find a manual rack and pinion car.

[spawpoet]

It'll be fast. Cam is fine. You have to deal with the fact that it, like the 260Z, can't make the RPM of the 240Z, but that isn't a huge deal. Lynchburg Nissan still has lots of stuff for the cars and with the open ECU rule I feel one of these cars is definitely ITS winning material.

Rear suspension will require some work but it is doable.

I still think about building one of these for ITS or something else for ITR. Data seems to suggest a Megasquirted/Moteced 280zx built to the max would be a heck of a ITS car. Came close to buying one a few months ago.

R

I talked to Perry and Ira (helped build the 280zx I believe) at Moroso a few months ago and if I remember correctly at the time they said their biggest issues were with handling, specifically the rear suspension. They are early in the development with it though and it has plenty of speed. The 280's (& zx's) might not rev like a 240, but I think the displacement and more importantly the injection (not having to monkey with the @%! carbs) more than make up for that. Also some of the later heads have a little better flow characteristics than our early z's heads. It's a huge misnomer that zx's didn't make power. They were easily the most powerful straight-6 z's. They were just burdened with the weight that comes with a touring car which is in essence what they were. I don't think anyone would have a problem getting down to minimum class weight with it though as it was loaded with all kinds of extras that would be stripped out of an IT car.
On a side note my brother and I are driving up to watch this weekends event at Daytona, so hopefully we will get a chance to drop in and say hi to those of you there.

Chris

[DRL]

Just logged in to this site and registered because I was concerned about my new toy.

About a year ago, I acquired a former ITS car, an '82 280ZX. Wasn't really sure if it was a worthwhile investment, as it had been sitting for a couple years, but the price was right, it seemed to be all in one piece, and I came to trust the guy I bought it from.

Car sat in the weeds for another year until I had the chance to have it shipped from MA to the Midwest. Just took possession of the car last weekend, and am just starting to resurrect it for competition next year.

I've been concerned about it, not knowing what tweaks it should have, and I've been concerned about the weight, because although I haven't taken it to the scales, it does look a bit brick-like.

[DRL]

Not sure which key I whacked to post that last one, 'cause I wasn't finished!

Anyway, I'm very pleased to see opinions that this can be a competitive car. I'll get some pics up once I've cleaned up the dirt, leaves, & debris..

[buldogge]

DRL... Will you be racing in MiDiv? Where are you located??

Just logged in to this site and registered because I was concerned about my new toy.

About a year ago, I acquired a former ITS car, an '82 280ZX. Wasn't really sure if it was a worthwhile investment, as it had been sitting for a couple years, but the price was right, it seemed to be all in one piece, and I came to trust the guy I bought it from.

Car sat in the weeds for another year until I had the chance to have it shipped from MA to the Midwest. Just took possession of the car last weekend, and am just starting to resurrect it for competition next year.

I've been concerned about it, not knowing what tweaks it should have, and I've been concerned about the weight, because although I haven't taken it to the scales, it does look a bit brick-like.

[tnord]

I'm curious who's going to be racing ITS in MiDiv also....

<---debating ITA vs ITS next year. and i'll at least be bringing an air rifle to the gunfight rather than my usual sharpened stick.

[DRL]

I've been away for a while, so for the first year or two, I'll probably stay close to home. My son is also clamoring for a ride, so he may get some seat time as well (after, of course, he's spent some time turning a wrench!)

Assuming he's starting, we'll probably stick to tracks I know and can help him with.

So I might not make it to Midwest for a bit.

[tnord]

what area are you in/what tracks are "close to home?"