My old car over your Brand new one ..

"DatASSun" (DatASSun)
12/18/2013 at 15:59 • Filed to: datsun, build, racecar, dailydriver, oppo. classicdaily, classicar, 280z, 260z, 240z, datassun, austinjalopnik, Austintx, Austin, COTA

Alright here we go I feel like I hear it too often .. "My check engine light is on" Well boys and girls let me shed some light on your dark situation. I went from a mid 2000's Hyundai sonata that was reliable , boring, white, boring, with cloth interior and monthly payments .. to a 76 Datsun 280z .. Its my daily driver I get 20 mpg here in Austin and best part about it , NO BULLSHIT !

It's my daily driver which I understand seems like I like to live dangerously but after 7 months of this and 7 months without hyundai problems , this is the way to go. best part about it , instead of my monthly payment going to a boring car where I often thought about quitting my job and living in a van down by the river instead of driving the hyundai everyday to work . I can take that money and make the datsun better and better and better ..

so 7 months into it I've managed :

Tokico Illumina 5 way adjustable shocks (which kick ass in the hills of austin and daily use)

Stiffer springs that lowered the car about 2 inches ..

The coolest damn Mexican blanket bucket seats on the planet

and the coolest damn license plate light around ..

I'll make sure to keep the Jalop community updated on progress as another few months pass by .. OH and I already RALLY CROSSED THE CAR !! then drove it home no problem .. it will do anything except be fucked in im kinda tall and that wont work ..

#myfirstoppopost

DISCUSSION (43)

Bad Idea Hat > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:14

The best part of a car like that is that there's nowhere to go but up, wherever your imagination and want can take you.

You're being kind of gutsy having that be your DD though. I salute you for that.

More Power!!and also some brakes. > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:14

I am also here in Austin and very upset that I have not seen this driving around. VERY UPSET!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:15

The seats are AWESOME! That pattern works really well for them and for that car.

maximillious > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:16

That is a slick ass Datsun Dude. I love those seats. I really hope you post more about this car in the future as you upgrade. How many miles are on it? Is the engine stock? Can you get engine pics? If you had 5k to do anything to it you wanted to tomorrow what would you do? Any plans to repaint or are you gonna just leave it with that bad ass wear and tear that it already has? Sorry for all the questions I just love Datsuns

Stef Schrader > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:16

AND it rallycrosses. YES.

liquid_popcorn > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:22

That is sweet. I'd love a Datsun someday; we'll see. Lots of other cars I want too, haha.

The seats are amazing; where did you find those?

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:24

My jaw literally dropped when I saw those seats. They are perfect. Did you get them like that, or make them?

Party-vi > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 12:44

My last DD had no ABS or airbags. Luckily the accident that totaled it was only at 40mph and my chest/knees took most of the beating. Be careful and make smart choices, man.

DatASSun > More Power!!and also some brakes.
12/18/2013 at 13:09

LOUD NOISES !

I live in south austin and im around town quite a bit . I'll be going to the next cars and coffee at the oasis .. and I'm totally down for any other car related activities if you know of any in town .

DatASSun > liquid_popcorn
12/18/2013 at 13:16

These are old beat up random ebay seats that I had a guy reupholster with the blankets .. I found the blankets at www.mexicanblankets.com and the work was done by John Fox interiors

DatASSun > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
12/18/2013 at 13:17

These are old beat up random ebay seats that I had a guy reupholster with the blankets .. I found the blankets at www.mexicanblankets.com and the work was done by John Fox interiors

DatASSun > Stef Schrader
12/18/2013 at 13:18

When I got this car I told my friends family and myself that I will do any kind of sporting event in this car except for mudding and thats what its doing .. it flies through the hills and actually won its first and only rallycross race ..

DatASSun > Bad Idea Hat
12/18/2013 at 13:20

it fucks up i fix it .. in the 8 months I've had it .. Ive replaced some radiator hoses that burst .. made me late 2 work twice .. a alternator that cost 30 bucks !! never herd of that before .. and thats it .. So I know we all think DDing a old car is sketch because normally it is but with the stock efi this car came with its just like a mid 90's honda in terms of reliability

DatASSun > maximillious
12/18/2013 at 13:28

I will I will .. I didn't know what everyone would think (not that i care look at my seats) but its obvious everyone likes it ..

the car has 200k or maybe 100k ? idk because the miles roll over at 100k ..

The engine is completely stock 1976 efi , starts every morning and runs fine .. well maybe a tad bit rich like a bass boat but im ok with that . also running the notoriously hated StRaIgHt PiPe for the time being ..

if I had 5k I would complete my ls swap with a bigger motor then a 5.3 probably a lsx 440 ish .. or complete the ls swap add some bottle and get some body work done . I dont think 5 k would cover paint.

I plan on having the car painted blue .. one of the many shades thats on the car now or the exact same blue on the seats .. BAMF fender flares that bolt on (cause its 2013 and thats what all cars need) I also plan on getting rid of anything shinny .. so no chrome anywhere .. only paint or powder.

I think I just answered all your questions lol

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 13:36

They did a great job on your seats. My brother lives in Austin and I visit regularly, maybe I'll see your car!

Stef Schrader > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 13:49

Haha, I was there driving the white space shuttle Legacy wagon.

maximillious > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 13:51

First off, bolt on fender flares never look better than when they are on a Datsun be it a 510, 240, 260, 280, or the old pickups, they are just perfect for those cars.

The engine work sounds like it would be well worth it and would make it a beast to drive. No hard feelings on the straight pipe, id do the same.

Blue would be awesome! I have been a fan of the Matte painted Datsun I have seen lately. Have you thought about moving the side mirrors up the front a bit? I always liked that style as well.

Chrome looks terrible on these cars so I can see where you are going with that decision. In the event I ever get my dream Datsun project car my plan is to rhino line everything that is chrome.

DatASSun > Stef Schrader
12/18/2013 at 13:53

I was too high i dont remember too much ... I ended up buying the wheels off that ford pinto thats dying in the field tho . Now I'm sitting here with no garage and with it getting dark at what feels like 4 in the afternoon and no garage I cant get any work done on my car I hate it ..

DatASSun > maximillious
12/18/2013 at 13:59

yea they make the normal ZG Flares which are more common then they make BAMF Flares that are about a additional inch on the ZG so they will be 4 1/2" Flares on the back 3 1/2" Flares on the front. problem with doing this is trying to find or even order custom wheels that will stick out that far in order to utilize all that flare ..

I never thought I'd be chopping off a muffler especially on this car but when your pretty broke and working on swaping another motor in you do whatever the fuck you want .. In this case I couldnt stand how my car would lose power over 4500 rpm so I hacked the muffler off .. even if it isnt going faster at least it feels like it haha .

The mirrors on the fenders I always liked as well and maybe its just the inner austin hipster in me but I feel like everyone does that .. so I will be going to the next swap meet and buying a old simple mirror for the drivers side and sticking to that ..

#killallthechrome

More Power!!and also some brakes. > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 14:18

-_- I also live in south Austin. I really need to get out to one of the C&C events at the Oasis.

If I see you and you hear honks coming from this car. Dats me.

Kinja'd!!!

DatASSun > More Power!!and also some brakes.
12/18/2013 at 14:22

Good looking car man ,

I'd love to be able to get all the Austin Jalops together for a early morning cruise through the crazy hills on the west side of town and then follow it up by some K1 Speed .. I just have no idea how to organize that type of deal on jalopnik..

More Power!!and also some brakes. > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 14:24

Thanks!

Yeah, that would be great. I have met several jalops from Austin or surrounding areas during stuff like the USGP, V8SC, and ALMS races. But I should look into getting a group together for stuff.

magman007 > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 14:24

Flares plz, and what ever they call the glass that covers the headlight area, other than that, leave it as is. Love the chipped hood.

liquid_popcorn > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 14:31

Hah, sweet! Definitely going to have to steal that idea...

DatASSun > liquid_popcorn
12/18/2013 at 15:01

as long as you know where the idea came from I'm ok with it ..

DatASSun > Party-vi
12/18/2013 at 15:03

She doesnt have any air bags and even if she did I doubt they would work now 37 years later .. and no ABS #becauseracecar

scoob > DatASSun
12/18/2013 at 20:55

Man, I really really really want a Z as my first car.

Possibly a bad idea for a first, but I must have a Datsun!

Aaron Brown > scoob
12/18/2013 at 22:43

You should see the one that CCC just picked up. ;)

scoob > Aaron Brown
12/18/2013 at 22:52

WHAT?!

d00mZ > DatASSun
12/19/2013 at 02:01

SWEET. I'm DDing my restomod 260z. Currently on 280zx tranny 5spd and running on triple webbers. Don't know how much mpg but im pretty sure i lost a lot LOL

DatASSun > d00mZ
12/19/2013 at 09:18

I think I get about 20mpg .. mine however is completely stock with straight pipe exhaust (only because I could feel the power loss over 4.5k ) its also the stock EFI which helps my car be a little more "Dailyable"

DatASSun > More Power!!and also some brakes.
12/19/2013 at 09:22

Well, you've probably have been Jaloping longer then I have so yea I'll leave it up to you just mark me down for any activities yall come up with ... I was able to goto a Central Z cars of Texas meet here in south austin just to meet up with a bunch of pleated khaki wearing , IT guys that bored the fuck out of me telling me I shouldnt put a v8 in my car and that the seats are tacky .. So I hope thats not how jalops are in person sure doesnt feel like we are a hating community unless your will I am.....

DatASSun > magman007
12/19/2013 at 09:24

well all that white shit is actually a horrible plasti dip incident .. apparently plasti dip does NOT come off of things that dont have clear coat .. so the places you see white dont have clear coat and that shit wont come off very easily ... funny thing is this has grown on me like a pornstar that likes to get facials .. I'm ok with having the white shit all over my car .. I accept it

DatASSun > Aaron Brown
12/19/2013 at 09:27

whos CCC????? and for a first car I would say " be careful" I'm 24 now and although this is the first rear wheel drive sports car I've owned I've driven motor swapped hondas that made 200+ hp and big lifted Jeeps so I felt like a well rounded driver before getting into this thing ..

However you can really lean on the cars handling to get you out of situations you shouldnt be able to get out of tho.. the IRS makes any turn pretty comfortable as far as the rear of the car not swinging out sideways like a live axle mustang and in my case the adjustable suspension makes it turn in really predictable .

DatASSun > scoob
12/19/2013 at 09:27

read above

Aaron Brown > DatASSun
12/19/2013 at 09:46

Classic Car Club of Manhattan of course!
http://www.classiccarclubmanhattan.com

DatASSun > Aaron Brown
12/19/2013 at 09:49

Aaron how the hell am I supposed to know this Im a Texas man not no yankee doodle dandy .. but I'll shut up now and click the link lol

More Power!!and also some brakes. > DatASSun
12/19/2013 at 10:11

hahaha oh man, that sounds rough! Yeah, most of the Jalops that I have ever meet are all really cool people. Also I am fully behind the V8 swap. My wife really wants to get a S30 car for a V8 swap as a project.

DatASSun > More Power!!and also some brakes.
12/19/2013 at 10:40

I like you'r wife ...

My woman is all about old cars and wants a el camino so bad , I just cant swing buying another project until this is completed and at that point i wont have any problem getting her a old v6 el camino putting a 350 in it and showing her how todo a burnout .. although she loves to rip in the Z it makes me nervous as can be...

DatASSun > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
12/19/2013 at 10:43

hit me up on here man I'm always down for a bowl and a cruise or lunch or K1 speed or whatever man just leme know .

d00mZ > DatASSun
12/19/2013 at 17:34

Sweet. I heard more about 28mpg on L26, but idk. I'm looking forward into your posts bro. HUGE fan of Datsun. :)

DatASSun > d00mZ
12/20/2013 at 10:02

you know I think if I had the 5 speed you had I would get around 25-28 on the highway . but I still have the stock 4 speed .. and as odd as this may seem I love it .. maybe its just the fact that this transmission in my car feels like a worn in baseball mit .. everygear is silky smooth and it has no problems.

Flintsashes > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/24/2015 at 01:24

Ive been searching the web crazy for seat covers like this... where do I find them??? I have a 2012 jeep wrangler. Please let me know. Flintsashes@gmail.com