My Red VX

[user removed]

Originally Posted by TomO

Thanks Mech!

A 76 280Z restoration eh? I would love to get my hands on one of those and restore one.....I think I just found my mid life crisis project, lol.

I just love fixing things up and learning the in-and-outs of stuff.

Pictures from 1992

National Z car convention Knoxville Tenn.

Used new short block with flat top pistons factory Nissan close out $390. With a 76 head. Compression increased from 160 to 200. 1976 had no egr, no catalyst, had to retard timing 3 degrees. 81 5 speed with .75 5th gear gave 3000 RPM at 85 MPH and close to 30 MPG highway.

Replaced roof to get rid of sunroof cutout and removed drip rails like a Porsche 356. Fabricated rear disc brakes using 79 Z components. Welded in integral roll bar. 200 SX seats. Motorsport aero kit, sway bars with urethane bushings. 1976 was second year of factory fuel injection on Z cars. The system was built under license to Bosch and had an adjustable spring flap air flow sensor. We would adjust them to run lean, then put a rheostat in the cold enrichment circuit to make the mixture dash adjustable with a rotating knob that changed the total ohm value of enrichment through the cold start circuit.

0-60 in 7 seconds. Wheels were factory ZX turbo rims that were covered by my insurance in case of theft.

Sold the car for 6k with 190,000 miles on the chassis. The same person still owns it and drives it occasionally 15 years later and it looks the same today as it did in the picture.

regards
Mech

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

I believe they drive on the left in Japan and Honda engines rotate the opposite way to others.

Correct. Driving on the left is so heavenly.

[TomO]

Mech, I love they way you did up that car..pretty much the same things I would do to one if I had the time/money.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Originally Posted by TomO

I'm jealous and also happy that you got your VX back. There is just something special about the VXs that the other 92-95 Civic hatchbacks don't have.

I have replaced every panel (including rear quarters) on my VX except for the drivers door, lol. I've also replaced the engine with a rebuilt D15Z1 stock specs. I'd have to say that your VX is my VX's doppelganger, it's the same car but just about opposite in respect to wear.

Hi TomO,

I love my VX & will have to to a rebuild on mine too. I've been looking on Ebay for patch panels. Like 80 bucks both sides, but I think I will be needing a larger repair piece in front of both rear wheels. Did you put new quarters on your VX?
Where did you purchase them? Any pix of the rebuild process?

Happy New Year,
Dave

[TomO]

Originally Posted by Dave's Civic Duty

Hi TomO,

I love my VX & will have to to a rebuild on mine too. I've been looking on Ebay for patch panels. Like 80 bucks both sides, but I think I will be needing a larger repair piece in front of both rear wheels. Did you put new quarters on your VX?
Where did you purchase them? Any pix of the rebuild process?

Happy New Year,
Dave

I only did the patch panels and will have to cut and weld in my own panels for the rest of teh rusty areas on the lower part in front of the wheels.

I got mine from rustrepair.com

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Hey TomO,

Is your VX down for the count for now? Or are you not driving it in the winter?

Rustrepair.com is Mill Supply in Cleveland, my friend got a replacement door for his 95 Dodge Ram, it was a very good fit!

Besides the rust in front of the rear tires I'm going to have to rebuild the inner fenders especially on the passenger side.

I'm trying to get my alternator out but the bottom bolt won't budge. I've had PB Blaster on it for 2 days. While looking around underneath, the complete exhaust is new, very little if any rust. The factory sound proofing has kept the underside solid. I do need a shifter bushing. I also spayed the engine & compartment w/ WD40. Got to get something in my doors to keep them solid as well.

Dave

[Dave's Civic Duty]

My replacement alternator did help my hesitation problem somewhat. After doing some more reading I take it that I will have to check & clean the ports of my ERG valve. I'm not sure I know where that is located. I'll probably kill the gasket by taking it apart. Is the only place to get one is from the dealer? Or could I use some silicone gasket maker?

Happy New year,
Dave