Datsun 280Z

I'll be getting this kit: zcardepot.com/fuel-injection-retrofit-kit-fast-efi-280z-280zx.html

For ITBs, you just need some way of eliminating the AFM, which this will allow me to do as it calculates fuel based on MAP and TPS.  I won't be touching the ignition system at all.  I'm sure you can buy all the parts in this kit separately and piece it together to work with any ECU, but if I can get it all from one place who will also provide some level of support (plus I've ordered from them before and they've always been great) then I'll take that route.  Plus this has the added benefit of using GM sensors, which you can get at any of the motor factors here.

If you want to go full management (i.e. control the ignition of the engine with an ECU as well), then your choices are the standard offerings - Megasquirt, Holley, AEM etc.  Each one has it's pros and cons, and different levels of support for the L28 out of the box.  My experience with my MX5 was that it was fairly painless, as there are tons of guides for Megasquirt and the required modifications, but I'm not smart enough to figure all this stuff out from scratch.

Here's the only other company I know of in the US that does ECUs:

datsunspirit.com/shop/electromotive-tec-engine-management-systems-for-6cyl/
datsunspirit.com/shop/megasquirt-ms3-pro-with-8-wiring-harness/

You're safely north of $2000 once you're looking for a full management solution that's plug and play.

Get some pictures of your friend's car up on here!

Just ordered a set of these with harness holes, wasn't sure about the cord centre so went for all vinyl. Still waiting for mr postman. 

Grrr. The correct adapter plate arrived, but the holes for the rails are out by 1/8". I contacted the manufacturer, and they confirmed that their design actually has an issue and I'll have to modify the rail. Not the end of the world, but an annoyance.

I'm going to try the adapter plate in the car tonight at least to make sure one part fits.

280Z Winter Update

Winter is definitely here in Minnesota. We've been hitting under -30°C on a regular basis, and as the car is stored in some unheated storage, progress has been slow. I've been slowly picking up parts from sales and stuff to fit when it gets a bit warmer.

That hasn't stopped me visiting the car and starting it up every couple of weeks to make sure everything is still good.



Sure, it's a little dusty, but it's been surviving winter just fine. It's actually fired up first time every visit.

First up with the purchases - I got a replacement dashboard from Facebook for a steal, with the eventual plan of tidying up all the cracks and refinishing it.




Next up, I finally fixed the crooked steering wheel. I managed to do the hub up so tight that I had to use a hub puller, which involved pulling off a bit more interior than expected.



And fixed:



Also, I finally took stock of some of the parts that came with the car:



I've never been happy with the driver's seat in the car, as it has a metal bar right at the base of my spine, which makes long journeys less than pleasant. I've always had a thing for fixed bucket seats, and wanted something period correct that I could fit without modifying the rails in the car. Enter Planted Technology:



They make brackets that bolt into the original locations in a car, and then provide mounting points for aftermarket rails. Initially, they sent me the wrong bracket, but quickly resolved their mistake.




I test fitted the bracket in the car, and it lines up perfectly with the bolt holes from the original seats. No pictures of that, as it was freezing and I couldn't feel my fingers.

Next up, we'll need a seat.



I ordered a Cobra Classic RS, made in the UK, along with some universal sliders. I'm 99% sure this will fit in the car - I might lose a little leg room, but I'm not tall enough for that to be a concern.



The build quality of the seat is excellent, and it is very comfortable.




For the price, and limited room available in the cockpit, I think this is a perfect seat for the 280Z.



However, I ran into a problem when it came to fitting the Planted Technology seat bracket - the holes are about 1/8" off lining up with the Cobra rails.




I contacted Planted Technology with the photos, and they discovered that they have an error in their design for these particular adapters. It's not a big deal for me, as I can just drill the hole out in the rail to fit.

Next time, hopefully I'll be putting the seats in the car!

Heh, it isn't that organised.  It just has the illusion of organisation.

The cracked dash is going to be interesting.  I believe you can get flexible filler that is for filling foam interior parts, just like this, but the foam is so old and hard that I might get away with expanding foam and regular filler.  Then it will be repainting it with a textured paint - truck bed liner is a popular choice.  First up though, it needs to be stripped down and cleaned... which I can't do until it gets warmer.

Aye, I saw the MCM video, interested to see what they do with it.

I bit the bullet and ordered the ITBs from Japan. Now I have a question - does anyone have any idea which injectors might fit?



Someone mentioned they look like "standard Nippon Denso top feed injectors" - which sadly, means very little to me. If anyone can point me towards a car make / model that might have something suitable, I would be super appreciative!