The Carcass team takes on a stock 1978 Datsun 280Z with an eye toward turning it into a heritage JMD (Japanese Domestic Market) version. Starting with testing its inline 2.8 liter in the Dyno, they preserve the original interior, beef up the suspension, and add styling cues that transform the 280Z into a nimble street fighter that feels at home on the neon-drenched Tokyo streets.
0:00 – Intro
5:26 – Getting a Baseline
10:26 – Datsun History
16:28 – Teardown Time
20:52 – Engine Teardown
32:04 – Datsun Performance
37:17 – Handling Upgrade
48:06 – Adding Accessories
55:10 – Brakes, Wheels & Tires
1:08:54 – Paint & Prep
1:21:12 – Finishing Touches
1:36:04 – Track Time
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PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
American Powertrain Systems: Tremec T56 6-Speed Transmission
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21350_63628cb67c17b
American Powertrain Systems: Tremec TKO 5- Speed Transmission
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21349_63628c8e30a83
ARP: Wheel Studs
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21429_63765c797193c
Continental Tire: ExtremeContact Force Tires
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21428_63765ba2a3006
Matco Tools: MATCO Tools are the Official Tool Supplier to Carcass
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21327_634ecca257a21
Nissan: NISMO Parts
More Info: ttps://pntv.us/pn_pt_21426_63765a409b8eb
Nissan: NISSAN 2023 Z
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21326_634ecc8c46365
Nissan: NISSAN CD009 Transmission
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21347_63628c31e30e8
Nissan: NISSAN Heritage: 240Z and 280Z
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21325_634ecc696f4c5
Summit Racing: Catalytic Converter
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21578_63f77ebec5dd4
Summit Racing: Dorman Lug Nuts
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21430_63765c90234ea
Summit Racing: Summit Racing Exhaust
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21579_63f77f1719647
Summit Racing: Summit Racing Mufflers
More Info: ttps://pntv.us/pn_pt_21580_63f77f2f39437
Summit Racing: Summit Racing Universal Rod Builder Exhaust Kit
More Info: https://pntv.us/pn_pt_21577_63f77df5e02c3
Apex Engineered: BC Racing Coil Overs
Apex Engineered: BC Racing Coil Overs
Apex Engineered: CV Axle Shafts
Apex Engineered: Rear Suspension
Apex Engineered: Rear Suspension
ARP: ARP Bolts & Fasteners
Jim Wolf Technology: Bell Housing Plate
Jim Wolf Technology: Jim Wolf Technology Kit
Optima: High Performance AGM Battery: YellowTop Deep Cycle & Starting
Sonax USA: Ceramic Spray Coating
The Industrial Depot: Tools, Hardware, Shop Supplies
Z Car Depot: Adapters
Z Car Depot: Fuel Injection Kit
See the Datsun before transformation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZw9AQ33TjM
No.
Doing all this drive train work with a big brake kit with a stock engine is nuts. Talk about over kill
Nice job.
Car came out great.
I honestly don’t usually like Carcass builds, but you guys nailed this one.
Reading the comments @Vonslick69 mentioned the curb weight, it would have been an interesting point if you had weighed the car before and after. Losing the bumpers different exhaust, cross members and suspension etc could have a big effect.
Kinda disappointed we didn't get to hear the exhaust. Didn't get a new dyno pull with numbers. Didn't get to see the engine bay after completion. Didn't get to see any of the interior done with the new peddles and shifter. Thats really my biggest issue with "tv" car shows. The youtube channels that mod cars really have the formula down and you guys should really start taking notes. The current format you are running is good for 20 minutes of tv time but it doesn't transition well for youtube there's just so much more you could give us and you just don't. Hopefully you guys can get away from the tv station system and really get into the online format it just works so much better for automotive content. Regardless of my complaining the build turned out nice 👌
Stumbled across this video. Was just skimming through it where the guy had the disassembled engine on the rolling stand. It that he spray painted the engine block before steaming it down (or other method) to get all of the grease and dirt off. Scratching my head??
awsome build guys but car was blown a lil smoke aye ………….on the track ^^ hope some 1 didnt give it alil to much before that recording haha 😀
how old aged dudes replaced classical solid view with childish plastic shit. especially this unproportional big wheels for compensation of small…
The orange and lime green colors were the best. Sorry, the grey is not cool. Former 240Z owner.
Wheels are garish.
Love toyota celica ❤ ta23 ❤
Welp you just destroy it everytime you see if they any sign that engine have been touched just tear it down all the way and rebuild it dont trust past guy on they work
Looks great, I would've added a front chin spoiler to complete the look.
Who leaves the doors and tailgate on the body for prime and paint?
Z CAR was terribly suseptabe to rust in several areas of the body here in the SE. I owned a '73 brand new and sold it in 76 due to rust susceptibility and the thieving insurance cos.
ALSO, those in-line 6s were boat anchors.
Funny thing is my dad had one lol with a 350 sbc in it he said it was awesome
Best build I've seen on the show
Too many modifications for a standard Datsun L2.8. Huge brakes totally ridiculous. Huge wheels look terrible.
Coming from a Z owner, you have butchered a beautifully stock rarity, leave them stock when you can find one . What a shame to see another stock Z car butchered .
I dunno, they had a pretty mint, unique 280Z and turned it into another “me too” Z build.
They cut into a PERFECT 280 body 😢
Beautiful Car
Lionel Richie and I did postgrad at Tuskegee University, graduating same year, 1976. Lionel had a silver Datsun 280Z later in 1978. It had been my dream car since then, but I never could afford it, but I wound up buying the cheaper Datsun 510 sedan😀😀. Still love 280Z!
Too much wheel/tire.😢
If your going to take the pan off why put it back on without cleaning it??
The headlights have an amber (yellow) cover that adds beauty to the car.
what's the point in keeping the engine unmodified if you are going to modify everything elese? I get it if you are going to restore everything to factory condition , but in this case with all the mods to the handling and aparence you migth as well throw an rb26 in it. you already lost the classic look and feel, just go all the way xD
Had a 280Z and it was a blast with N/A engine. Then I had a 82 280zx turbo. Hope you guys do a build on that.
Wow! My 78 280z is sitting in the garage. Got to go drive it.
This Z was waaay too nice to modify like this.
This is like 10+ thousand dollars worth of kit to fix problems you aren't having. All these mods are things you do for a big power build.
You do not need a CD009, you can get a datsun 5 speeds for a few hundred dollars and then you dont need a new tail shaft. or an adapter plate. Its also and additional 60+ lbs over the stock gear box.
The stock suspension was fine. Just change out the shocks. I mean I love my coil-overs but what are you doing?
Those total replacement rear ends are nice but you are spending thousands with that setup to increase ride harshness with no noticeable handling increase off track. Its just not needed. Same with the axle upgrade for a car with maybe 180hp! its lunacy.
Why cut the fenders? You can fit 15X8 wheels under the stock fenders with some trimming. There is no way on earth you are breaking 200tw 8" wide tires loose with that 180hp.
All that money and you put $150 fake watanabes on it!?!??
Then you go to the track and go 20mph.
What is going on?!?!
I feel like Im taking crazy pills.
No cam???
This is more fluff than anything else. Skip.
The new Z looks dumb
Should of used a roller and to kill a OG 280 like that is dam sad . this is muscle car guy .There rare as hell in mint condition now one gone
I wish Nissan would have built cars shaped like the Mercedes T-models, BMW Tourings or Audi Avants. Idk what you call it in english
Fun vid! I'm a little puzzled by the take that they're finicky or take some effort to keep them running. I'm an 'old guy' that's had a zcar in my stable for over 40 years. I've owned over 25 of them with about a dozen of those being parts cars, and have experienced bullet proof performance in nearly all of them. I'd buy them, fix them up (always something small) and sell them for a decent profit. I'd take in suspension work, interior swaps (to black), 5 speed conversions, automatic to manual conversions, carb work and fuel injection to carb swaps, and a lot more. They can totally be a rust party, and that's where many of my parts came from, rusted out decent cars, but these cars made me a lot of side hussle money. Plus, at one point I had nearly all my friends and family driving one due to their nutty reliability. I had a 260z (early edition) that I kept for 21 years that was heavily modded over its time with me, and have two now that are amazing. A full custom build 280z from an original owner in AZ, and a 40K original car I call Jackpot. If you can find a chassis in good shape (dersert cars and alike) buy it! Super fun to build, low cost of ownership, fun fun and more fun and something you don't see everyday. You can pound the you know what out of the drivetrain and it'll just say "fine by me". I've never blown and engine, and haven't seen one with a blown engine (of course it's possible). I have some fun cars, but my favorite – that's a fraction of the cost of the others – is my custom 280z. Zzzzzooooom!!!!
ahh yes the "new" Z… the 250 rides again… I will say though its a good platform but IMHO the Z deserves a new platform.
Besides that, amazing build IMHO I'd go more 240 and wats myself but slick!
You guys don’t rebuild the engine to modern standards then add bolt ons, you go and do the suspension, brakes and gearbox right then you over wheel and tyers that leads to cutting the wheel arches but you cheap or like the engine and do bolt on clears and the cherry on the cake you add the ugly ducklings the fender mirrors that never come on this car, the choice of colour is subjective. Don’t know what you guys are thinking the heart of the car yo did f%#k all, what a waste all show no go.
Shouldnt that be about 170HP?
Beautiful
Almost everything Nissan has made since the late 90's has been hot garbage. I had a 1992 Sentra and it was a great car, but they now made more 💩 than a cattle farm.
The gray on the new Z looks like someone clear coated Gray primer
engine upgrades, suspension upgrades are fine, but bi wouldnt have messed with any bumpers or side mirrors. Its what makes the car . if it aint broke, dont fix it.
Nice Z. I will take that 78 Z over any 78 car made on the USA.
Had an 80' 4yrs ago from Orlando garage kept. then ended up on clearwater Beach and got a little rust. Fairlady
i love those wheels. really finishes it up nicely. too bad they arent real Watanabe's. but the replicas still kill it