FunkytownZ

after owning the car for almost a month and driving it for probably 6 hours by now, i've come to appreciate it's quirks and personality. and probably the most important thing i've learned is that these S30's tend to drive and pull better when they are driven hard! I do admit it drives better now than the day i bought it (either me being more comfortable or my improvements are already paying off), but there are a few small things i must bring here for some guidance and whoever is willing to chime in is much appreciated. 1) Idle Speed - idle is currently set at 1500 rpm. The EGR has been deleted and air regulator disconnected. I haven't adjusted the idle yet, I'd prefer it down at 800 but it's fine for the time being. Reading another thread, could i cause issues by adjusting the idle down below 1000 with the air regulator removed? Also, lately when downshifting while coming to a stop, the idle will increase to 2000 Rpm's with the clutch in or in neutral. If I quickly rev the engine it will calm back down to 1500. 2) Ignition / Starting - she cranks better when cold, turns over after about 1-2 seconds of cranking. when she's warm, starting is much more difficult. Is this typical on these older cars? makes me nervous as hell when i'm out and about but keeps things interesting, she always fires up eventually. 3) Exhaust - i do get the occasional backfire during deceleration, and yes it is afterfire with the sound coming from the muffler. I have 6-2-1 headers, 2.5" pipe and magnaflow muffler. Could i have an exhaust leak somewhere, or is this typical? 4) Highway Driving - normal steering / ride under 45 mph is rock solid. Between 50 and 70ish, steering wheel has a pretty good shimmy in it that makes me nervous. The ride itself is good, just shaking wheel. Above 70 to 85 mph, wheel is steady again. Do I probably just need an alignment or could this be something more serious? 5) braking - my master cylinder is in need of replacing I believe. Brakes are sometimes mushy but after a pump or two they firm up. When the brake pedal is firm, she has good braking power.

ha! that's what i figured... i pulled on that wheel and it didn't budge, so i stopped out of fear of either popping myself in the face or damaging something. Good advice on pulling with the nut still installed, forgot about that trick. and thanks for the trouble shooting tip.

i need to get my Z inspected after bringing it into Texas. It's ready to pass, except the horn is not working. So I started simple. Checked the horns, lo and behold they're not there. So i bought some original horns off ebay and installed them, cleaned the electrical connectors and have a good ground. still nothing. Fuse looks good, relay is installed and plugged in. so i take the steering wheel cap off. with the pic below (exploded view of steering wheel assembly and parts list), I'm missing #3 (horn spring) and i'm only assuming missing #16 (comp ring contact). #19 (the plastic ring - insulator contact) is in rough shape and about to fall apart. http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/Z-1969-1978/steering/steering-wheel#2 do i need to purchase a whole new wheel assembly? or just the cap? any good recommendations on a fully assembled unit I can plug and play? I didn't take the wheel off (because i don't have a special flat plate tool) but I'm hoping the electrical is still intact.

Yea good call... lot heavier now with the thermostat and horns I just installed too... definitely dragging me down Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

yea good call... i'll add that to the list. and i appreciate the engineering comment (I'm a mechanical engineer)

I was in a near death incident last year (rear ended by a semi) and if I wouldn't have been in a modern car I wouldn't have survived. I know it sounds fun, and I'm sure you've been safe and clean driving the last few years, but there are so many idiots out on the road you can't account for Get you a Honda Civic or Corolla for your DD or keep the Miata A 240Z worthy of a daily driver (engine runs like a top, all the electronics work, brakes and steering and suspension are in good shape) is probably gonna run you $10k-$12k. You spend that much on a Z and you're not gonna want to expose it to the elements DAILY that is Houston, TX Get you two cars for that price, and be safe while you do it and tinker with your new Z when your schedule allows. I think you'll enjoy your Z more when you're driving it for pleasure rather than a daily driver (which to me sounds like a beating, but then again I drive a Z71 Silverado as my daily driver) Just my $0.02, since you came and asked Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

That's perfect, exactly where I thought they would go. Just need to find the right bolts and get em mounted! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

is this the stock location? I've scoured the internet and this is the only good pic i can find of stock horns installed. my Z didn't come with horns so I had to procure some. my horn connectors (they're there) wont reach that location (i only have one hole on the passenger side of that cross member, no hole on the drivers side). i do have some available holes on the sides, behind the grille, just need to get the right bolts to mount. there is a hi and lo horn.. does the High horn go on the passenger side or driver side? 1978 280Z and yes, i found the electrical wiring diagram for the horns but it only has L.H. and R.H., which i assume to be Left Hand and Right Hand. Horn relay is there and connected as well, fuse looks to be in good shape. haven't taken off the steering wheel cap yet, want to try with the horns installed first. thanks for any and all help!

wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it... especially being in Houston and driving in a city (my friend just had her car totaled on Friday in Houston traffic). chances for a fender bender or anything are pretty high. probably some kind of event 1-2 times a year, i don't care how good of a driver you are.

you guys called it... damn kid i bought it from didn't even have a thermostat installed... it's an $8 part! i know AZ gets hot, but that hot?! installed the 180 degree + gasket, took it out for a cruise and held steady around 180 degrees with the electric fans on. ran much better, heated up quicker. no leaks thanks for your help!

also, leaning towards not installing the fender flares... guy said he would have to cut into the body besides drilling the holes to mount it. have to remove the body flares that are already on it to properly install the flares. realllyyy feeling like not destroying that body. so if anyone needs fender flares, i got a set..

another sunny day in Texas, another day cruizing... got a K&N filter and tube installed - found an awesome Z shop in FW that is going to really help with my EFI upgrade and some of the bigger ticket items I can't handle on my own. huge, successful day finding that!

K&N + tube installed! found an awesome Z mechanic in town and recommended some good things, so good to have and only 20 minutes away.

fellow Texan here with a 280Z - enjoying your build and cant wait to hear about it firin up! what'd you coat your headers with? i like that look

today i cleaned some electrical connections on my EFI harness. tomorrow, install new cold air intake and thermostat

Lookin GREAT!!! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Airlines miles sure do come in handy sometimes [emoji6] miles well spent! Thanks Hardway, luckily I didn't have to learn the "hardway" on that deal Thanks for the feedback on the flares.. I'm still on the fence but my long term goal is to go to a performance engine and more aftermarket so I'm thinking installing the flares... Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

perfect timing, thank you sir! on the phone with MSA right now trying to update my last order and get a 180 degree thermostat thrown in there before it ships.

i'm guessing i should go for the 160 degree thermostat since i live in Texas? i don't plan on driving it in the blistering heat, but you never know.

my buddy came over so i had a reason to go on a cruise with him. this is after 30 minutes of driving around town, fan on. looks like i'll add this to my list of things to check - thanks guys!

I have the stock gauge, so bottom is 120 and high is 250. At idle with no fans on it will be close to the middle, so I'm guessing 160-180? With fans on and driving I'd say around 130-140. Havent driven with the fans turned off. No stock fan attached to the motor, just two electric fans on the radiator. [emoji1360] Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

also, wanted to jump into this thread with a similar question. my 280Z (stock engine with headers / performance exhaust) has an aftermarket aluminum racing radiatior with two fans. been driving it recently in 60 degree weather (for over an hour around town), and the temp is just barely above 120 deg. i'd say max is 130. I have a kill switch on the fans and if they're not running, it warms up to 160 ish (i don't drive it for long periods i just wanted to see how it warms up). So looks like my thermostat is working correctly. Does the aftermarket radiator and fans make that much of a difference to keep it that cool? Is ~130 degrees too cool for this engine? or am I an idiot?

i have a similar issue with my 78... it's not my highest priority to fix right now because she always does eventually turn over but hopefully once i do i can come back and provide some feedback.

this is actually very helpful... i recently purchased a 78 with EGR deleted and have been wondering what changes were made compared to the stock setup. I had my head wrapped around it pretty well but this confirms it. my engine is similarly configured as the second picture, just a lot uglier (looks awesome, btw!)

no judgement... as you can see in my OP, we have ALL been there!