Gary’s 1978 Datsun 280Z featuring a GM LS3/6-speed drivetrain is for sale. This S30 has been with Z Car Garage since 2007 where it received a bare-metal restoration and performance development to its current form.

 

Fantastic fit/finish with chassis upgrades like our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles and full suspension with 17″ Panasport C8 wheels transformed this Z. The interior features Recaro Specialist leather seats, A/C, power steering, power windows and more. Turn-key, ready to enjoy. See more details below and serious inquiries only please contact rob@zcargarage.com

 

A full feature documenting the restoration and upgrades with more photos and video can be viewed HERE

 

Interior

 

A complete dash restoration was performed with full HVAC/ducting and A/C refurbishment:

 

Recaro Specialist seats in leather are our favorite upgrade to the S30 interior. Gary enjoys modern creature comforts like Bluetooth, back-up camera, power steering and full sound system:

Suspension

 

The chassis was treated to a full suspension rebuild with new parts, bushings, Ground Control coil-overs (Koni struts with our spring rates) and ST sway bars front and rear:

 

Z Car Garage Big-Brakes

Not to be confused with our current Z Car Garage Big-Brakes (for small wheels), this Big-Brake kit was our initial setup from over a decade ago. This 328mm sized kit requires 17″ diameter wheels and the massive ST-42 calipers are finished in bright red.

A few more detail shots of the Big-Brakes, they really pop behind the black Panasport wheels:

        

Panasport Wheels

 

Gary also got a set of our custom Panasport Racing C8 wheels. These 3 piece, 17×8 wheels allowed fitment of a 255/40/17 tire under stock fender flares:

 

Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. We have over 250 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

  

We built Gary a set of CV Axles, shown below:

 

LS3 V8 Power

 

The LS3-crate motor came with a warranty from GM and weighs less than the L-Series engine it replaced. Engine and 6-speed transmission were installed using the Hoke Performance kit:

 

The larger, twin-fan radiator and A/C plumbing and wiring:

 

Ovalized exhaust from headers to catalytic converter help with ground clearance:

 

Dyno Tuning

The LS3/6-speed T56 drivetrain was dyno tuned after installation, making 405hp/410tq at the wheels, a significant increase of 115hp/206tq compared to the L-Series:

 

Enjoy this video with dyno run, in-car driving, cruising and fly-by action with Gary’s LS3-powered 280Z:

See more details below and serious inquiries only please contact rob@zcargarage.com.
A full feature documenting the restoration and upgrades with more photos and video can be viewed  HERE