As the title implies I want to find out if a stock 280z with the L28E (fuel injected) can start and run without the dashboard. My 1977 280z will be dropped of at the body shop next week for new Apex Engineered frame rails and front fender braces. The body shop would like to have the car running so it’s easier to move around the shop.

In the meantime I would like to restore my dashboard and replaced a few tings like the bulbs and the speedometer. But for that I need to know if I can remove the dashboard and still be able to start the car. Does anybody know if the 280z can be started without a dashboard?

Edited April 1Apr 1 by Mitchel0407
Spelling mistakes

Well, unless you get really creative with temporary wiring, you will need the dash harness connected to start the car. Does the harness need to be installed in the dashboard? Technically no, but it is more susceptible to damage.

Longtime CZCC member Grannyknot put a BMW M6 engine in a Z a couple of years ago. Prior to installing the engine in the car, he created his own test bench so that he could evaluate the engine and consider wiring strategies. You might pick up some useful information by reading up on how he did it...

Thinking about installing an BMW M6 engine in my Z - Page 7 - Build Threads - Classic Zcar Community

It can be if you jump certain pins on the EFI harness. 1977 has the combined EFI and fuel pump relay that controls the pump and the injection EFI system. I ran an engine on a stand by doing that. There are probably instructions out there but it's probably simplest to just look at the wiring diagrams.

Or, you could remove the combined relay from the dashboard and plug it in separately. Let it hang. Probably easiest.

I've mentioned this in the past also but I had found that my EFI engines would not start if the tachometer was disconnected. That problem went away after I switched to a GM HEI module ignition system.

In short - remove the combined pump and EFI relay, separate the harness from the dash, plug it in and see what happens. Then unplug the tachometer and see if it starts. If it does, you should be good to go. Worst case, the shop has to push.

So good news, if you disconnect the three connectors of the dashboard sub harnesses at the white panel on the passenger and then just remove the dashboard the car starts just fine.

As seen in the pictures the dashboard is out and I can start and drive the car just fine!