Zedback

If this isn't your daily driver I'd say go for it. If there is time pressure, you really need reliability or you really need a professional setup for some reason then go with an autronic, motech, etc. I don't know how megasquirt compares functionally to those systems, but for me megasquirt gives me all I need, I did it myself, and I have and still am learning heaps. All the reasons I DIY I'm going off memory here because it was Christmas eve last year that I was building the system, but for anyone one who wants to know, the components I bought were: MSII ECU in kit form (can be bought completed) MSII "Stimulator" for testing (simulates sensor inputs) Intake air temp sensor Innovate LC-1 Wideband O2 sensor & Controller 12v relay for the LC-1 12' pre-made wiring loom (much easier) O2 sensor bung welded into exhaust I already had a "throttle position sensor" (which is different to the stock throttle position switch) and reused the stock "water temp sensor". I used the stock 280zx EFI relays for main power and fuel pump. I used the existing resistor pack associated with the low impedance injectors (alternatively you can stuff around with pulse width modulation on the injector drivers). You either need a laptop with a serial port or you need a USB to Serial converter. The battery on my old laptop died, so I ended up buying the USB converter. I bought everything except the relay and odds and ends of general wiring and connectors from www.diyautotune.com You will also want to make up some intake plumbing to replace the Air Flow Meter. Try and find a series 2 ZX AFM to Throttle body boot with two holes in the top. Use one for the air bypass and the other for the IAT sensor.

ha ha, yeah the brain can fade from time to time but in this case I was running on an old laptop where it was just too hard to copy a screenshot. This is my first time messing with EFI so it was (and still is) a big learning experience. I do have the advantage of having been an electrical engineer in the past, though I haven't practiced in 10 years. Still I know how to read a circuit diagram and wield a soldering iron... There is a heap of info on Megasquirt, and it really wasn't that hard. It's just been done so many times before. Difficulties I had related to brain fade (blew an input circuit) and matching the wiring diagram to the car. I still don't think I have the right wiring diagram, but it's close enough I was able to figure it out. Happy to help if you choose to take it on.

If you are sticking with EFI then it's an easy and cheap alternative to an aftermarket ECU system. Mine was about AU$650 all up and controls both fuel and ignition. I bought it as a kit and put it together from components, you can buy it for a little more as a pre-assembled unit. I'm using the stock manifold, injectors and single throttle body. Uses a MAP sensor instead of the AFM. The hardest part was working myself up to cutting into the existing loom with the fear it would never run again. :-\ I set it up to run fuel only first, playing with the settings till it ran well. Then I cut in ignition control using the stock ZX distributor (locked) as the timing signal. I'm still playing with the tuning, ideally needs a bit of dyno time, but for now it's seat of the pants feel. Even only partly tuned, and with an AFR table that is far to rich, it runs far better than on the stock ECU!

Megasquirt it! It's not hard, pretty cheap, and you can tune it as much or as little as you want.

Hey Stevo, How did you go at the mines? I would have like to go for a run Sunday but I've just started pulling the gearbox out. Sick to death of it jamming when changing across the 'H'... I've got a spare to swap in. Assuming I get it changed over Xmas, we should organise a run up through the Gold Coast hinterland. Nice and twisty and it's cooler too! Merry Xmas, Mike

Great write up, keep it coming. I'll be copying your double sway bar setup for sure, much appreciated!

I'll take the radiator! Should be able to come up and get it this weekend. Thanks, Mike

Let me preface by saying I'm no expert... Eventually I'll be looking to do the same as you and upgrade. Mine came with King Springs and lowered KYB struts. I've actually removed the lowered struts from the back and put a set of standard height ones on the back because of the effect on camber (-2). Also while the ride is bone rattling hard, the car still has a massive amount of body roll, so I'll be looking real hard at bigger (dual?) anti roll bars with maybe softer springs. Long way off yet, especially now that the bum has dropped out of the exchange rate

Have a great time Steve. Try not to destroy your liver Mike

Steve, in Queensland they are illegal. There is a Code of Light Vehicle Modification (or similar name) that expressly states spacers are illegal. It does not distinguish between bolt-on or slip on.

Jospef, can't comment on the reco cost for the carbs, they're way down the list after I get all the rust sorted. I'll probably just clean them up, bolt them back on and see how it goes. From my MGB days, I know that SU's typically wear away the bushes for the butterfly shafts leading to air leaks. But before splurging a $1000 on the carbs I'd be replacing ALL my ignition components, dizzy cap, rotor, coil, condensor, ballast resistor, leads, polishing all the earth contact points and cleaning all connectors. Have you changed the fuel filter yet because that can be a major culprit,so can the fuel pump if you are running an electric one. I've pulled twin SU's apart for a Mini I had. Cleaned them up with carb cleaner, the needle valves were fiddly but the hardest part is tuning them again afterward. Good luck, Mike

Steve, want to learn how to paint it yourself? I did the headlight scoops, bumper cover and spoiler on the ZX myself. I took a large flake of paint from elsewhere to Protech in Archerfield and they matched it reasonably well. They would manage better with say an inspection lid. I've got all the gear here if you want to come over one weekend. I've done whole body resprays on an MGB, Morris 8 and a Mini. It's not hard if you have the space, prep well and can remember how to mix the paint and set up the gun... Cheers, Mike

Can't go driving this weekend, Bathurst is on! It's tradition, I'd probably still be watching if it descended to a Hyundai / Daewoo buzzbox battle. Enjoy the cruise.

There are so many, many things on the list of things that would be nice to do... How would you approach it? Couple of kilos of body filler, shaped foam and fibreglass, sheet metal?

For anyone interested... 19 October 2008 - Multi club Come & Try Motorkhana at Willowbank Raceway (www.hsccq.asn.au) Low cost, low impact, fun motorsport. The Come & Try events are designed to do exactly that, come and try.

Tentative yes from me. Where the hell is the Carseldine Caltex? What sort of drive is it going to be, just a cruise up the highway, or twisties up through montville/maleny and back down?

Would like to do the same with mine. I've found a couple of pics, can't remember where from, I think the grey one was on hybridz. I like the smooth rear of the yellow one (minus the wing!)

Steve, I'll try and make it assuming family, work and ZX all align favorably. For anyone who is interested in a bit of easy low impact competition there is a "come and try" motorkhana planned for the 19th October at Wilowbank. Search youtube for "HSCCQ motorkhana" to see what it's about. Check out www.hsccq.asn.au for details or PM me. Mike

If it helps here's some pics of my zx wheels that I painted with black inserts:

Yeah, got some thread inserts, but what a saga! Number 1 rule, do it yourself if you want it done right. Still, in the end I got the handbrake set up close enough that I could lock the rear up most of the time. Just needs a bit more tweaking. If you get a day run organised I'll try and make it, just depends on family commitments.

Something else you can all try if you haven't is a motorkhana. Steve's been to one and he should get his new Z out to another! Greg and I went on Sunday, there was a guy in a sr311 roadster as well. Check out www.hsccq.asn.au for more details. There is another on 21/9 and again on 19/10. Do a search on youtube for motorkhana and/or hsccq and you'll dig up a bunch of vids.

Hi, I've got MS II running on my 280zx controlling both fuel and spark. Wasn't too hard. Still using stock throttle body and distributor. You can look here http://thezgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1161 or just PM me with any Q's. Hybridz is another good source of info.

Brisbane - Southside Got a bright yellow 280zx that gets used for motorkhanas and the occasional trip to the shops.