Nothing helps with the planning and execution of a dream build better than real world, hands-on experience. Knowing the inner workings of a particular chassis or engine platform can help to avoid mistakes and speed up the assembly process. Having experience with both, like Diego Garibay, is even better.
Long before this 1977 280Z became a reality, Diego was the proud owner of a 1976 model that served as his first car, which was later replaced with a 240Z—but not by choice. He adds, "being young and dumb, I crashed my first two Datsuns." A tough lesson to learn, and with two chassis down, he decided to move on, eventually building a 1.5 JZ-powered Mitsubishi Starion that we featured previously. "I decided to part ways [the Starion] and ended up selling it," he adds. "I was ready to start a new build and went where my heart was— I wanted to build my dream Z from the ground up."
With 40 years on the chassis and multiple owners, fender benders and dodgy repair work was almost expected, but it was much worse than anticipated. Well below Diego's standards, he reached out to his friend Michael Nevarez to assist with refreshing the chassis and eliminating the rust found in the rear tail panel, window areas, and "dog legs."
Once straightened out and free of metal cancer, fresh white paint was laid down before Retrospec carbon fiber front and Industrial Garage rear flares were added. Additional carbon touches come by way of a carbon fiber hood and Skillard GT3 APR mirrors, while a Victory carbon spoiler, seated on the end of the hatch, kicks upward. Blacked-out bumpers also help tie the two-tone theme together.
When you hear Panasport, you can't help but imagine the banana-shaped spokes merging into a large center disk often found on older Z-cars, but for this build, the G7 C5C version got the nod. Measuring in at 17x10.5 front, and 11.5 rear, they were teamed up with Nitto NT05R in 235/40 and massive 315/35s in the rear. Huge, at least by typical 280Z standards, the combination completely fills each wheel well. Even from the front, it's obvious this Z means business.
The large footprint is more than just a scare tactic and necessary to handle the updated power plant. Still motivated by six cylinders, Diego took notes from his Starion's Toyota-derived heart, and put together a 1JZ-GTE non-VVTI swap that sits firmly in place with custom SC300 mounts. The bottom end remains stock beyond ARP studs, but the head itself was fitted with a fresh valve train and 272 cams from Brian Crower.
Borg Warner's 369sxe was elected and features a Kelly Built 3.5-in. stainless steel down pipe that leads to Kelly's oval exhaust handiwork. Inside the bay you'll spot the Perfect Tuning intake manifold and if you're a few feet back you'll notice the tall Treadstone Motorsports 1245 intercooler behind the factory grill slats. Currently at low boost, this 280Z pumps out an easy 562 hp at the rear wheels, sent through Nissan's CD009 transmission armed with a South Bend six-puck HD clutch using a Collins adapter to make it all work.
Another dyno session is in the works with Lawrence Shipman as Diego readies his Z-car for the strip. That preparation includes a custom roll cage built to NHRA guidelines and a mandatory remote power kill switch in the car's rear. Racequip's five-point harness is draped around a Sparco Evo2 fixed-back seat and a Renown steering wheel and carbon shift knob were swapped in.
The lightweight chassis, big power, and huge tires are a start, but you'll find yourself in all sorts of trouble without a capable suspension and brakes. Swift springs were fitted to BC Racing coilovers in the front, and TechnoToyTunings in the rear, backed by anti-roll bars, adjustable control arms, Energy Suspension bushings, and more. Further helping to keep things under control are Wilwood six-piston calipers behind the front Panasports, and PowerbyMax 300ZX behind the rears.
A bit of a roller coaster ride being that Diego was lucky enough to have the inside scoop on this 280Z, only to find out that it held some not-so-promising secrets beneath the surface. Never second-guessing himself, the build moved forward, and the result is the exact ground-up dream Z that he was after all along.
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