280Z PULLED OUT OF STORAGE - In the shop with Emily EP 25

NEW PROJECT!!! This 1978 Datsun 280Z has a special history and is in a new season of it's life! We are bringing her back and she will have a WHOLE NEW lease on LIFE! We are very excited about this build, with a deadline of Hot Rod Power Tour, 2017! Be sure to subscribe and tune in for the unfolding of this project!
INSTAGRAM & TWITTER! @imemilywilliams & @pilotreeves
FACEBOOK! Emily Williams Reeves
TOOLS! www.sonictools...
ENGINE PARTS! www.compcams.com/
AIR & FUEL SYSTEM! www.fuelairspar...
TIRES! www.continental...
SUSPENSION! www.ridetech.com/
TRANSMISSIONS! www.tciauto.com/
EXHAUST! gibsonperforman...
HOT ROD! www.hotrod.com/

[@SC457A]

This is cool, and cool timing. I dug out my 260Z back in May from storage and am planning on getting it ready for bracket racing season for the first time in 15 years with a very tired 355 SBC put in back in 1994. But going to rebuild it, and update it with some much needed love. Felt bad when I saw the rust levels on your car, I was lucky and only had rocker and 1/4 panel rust which was fixed in 96.

[@DoRC]

Awesome! When I was 17 I had a 280 that had a huge hole in the passenger pan. Whenever I had a passenger and it was raining I had to have them put their feet up on the seat when we went through a puddle, then jam on the brakes to drain the flood back out. Good times:)

[@TNitroH]

My first new car Datsun 280Z 5 speed sky blue. Family grew so the car had to go. I still dream about that car. Don't ever let yours get away! Great series!

[@Tricky76112]

Cant wait to see the end result. Love the old Z Cars.

[@steveskouson9620]

I miss my 72 Z! My second favorite personal car. (My 70 Roadrunner is in first place.) Someone REALLY needs to do a Slant Six Z car. steve

[@crackergillette]

Mike Finnagan will love this build!

[@MrDowninflames]

Love that you have so much history together with this car. Great story for you both. Fix it!

[@TheFelepeno]

I have a 1978 Datsun 280z! This really reminds me of mine, this would be an AMAZING build for a great event!

[@FujiwaraJDM]

Please keep the L28!!! For nostalgic and sentimental reasons... When I bought my 280, she had most of her fuel injection components missing, so I just bought a used set of SU carburetors and tossed them on. She runs like a top now. Starts right up first crank every time. Z Therapy even sells high quality re manufactured SU carbs for these cars. Like you guys said, everyone does LS! Plus the sound of an LS doesn't seem right coming from these cars in my opinion. There's no sound like an old straight 6! Can't wait to see more.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

FujiwaraJDM Man, I sure wish we had the original L28 sitting in the shop floor instead of the LS, we have come up with some ideas to make it unique... at least for this phase of the cars life- it'll get the LS, but maybe someday build an original 6 for her!!!

[@abeb49]

Love the car, the story behind her and you guys are the best couple ever ! Thank you for taking us along

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Very kind, thank you so much!!!

[@jeffkeith637]

Childhood sweethearts? Wow. Such a great story. Love your channel guys. The cars, the work, the dream, the enthusiasm. Thanks!

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Jeff Keith Sure appreciate it Jeff!!!

[@doulikezcars]

Man it's great when you can enjoy your build with your spouse. It also makes it enjoyable to talk about the goals for the car when you can't sleep at night thinking about it. Wife and I are also on 10 years as well next year, but she wants to build a 32 Ford 😥.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

doulikezcars Your car is such an inspiration for us!!!! We love the Moonbeam kit! So glad your lady is into the passion as well!!! Happy ten years to you guys too!!!

[@doulikezcars]

Flying Sparks Garage have you seen the new rendering for the moonbeam kit? has the nismo 370z front end look to it. would look sick on you guys car with the red nismo pin stripe on the bottom of kit and off set the black with some carbon fiber parts. Sub'd to watch your build. good luck, have fun and keep enjoying each other.

[@scottChapman25]

guys I love it, keep the build going! I'm currently at my two year mark restoring my 1975 280z and I'm almost ready to put my 5.3/t56 combo in. looking forward in seeing your updates on the car! also depending on how you want to go there are plenty aftermarket companies out there that support these chassis. jpn garage, Skillard, Arizona Z, techno toy Tuning, and retro-spec. the list goes on.

[@jareda.7114]

Now that I talked to you guys about this rebuild I am excited to see updates on it!

[@TheTreidyh]

I traded some home remodeling for a 76 280z with 27k miles. was garage kept. my wife won't work on it but she loves riding in it! I'll follow your progress

[@ShotByDale]

Can't wait to see this car finished. Hurry Up!!!

[@tonysansom]

Been watching your channel for, I guess, about a year now and always covet the gorgeous Datsun (used to see lots of em on the road when I was a kid). Figured you had to have resto' vids so here I am 😁

[@rickydunivan6202]

he's lucky too have you

[@thordehr]

ouch. That's even rustier than my 260 that I bought at night. In the rain... I was dumb, it was one of my first cars but I loved it!

[@xozindustries7451]

Weld up some 2x3 square tubing in place of those frame rails to handle the power, before putting the floor pans in, it'll keep it straight and square too. Can't wait to see the build!

[@paky66]

I envy your (future) husband for having someone passionate to help him with his (junk) cars. Moving on, i would suggest to take off the interior and rebuild the structure in pieces (if no parts available). You have an outside shell and a reinforcement close to the end of the floor (both front and back). I'm in progress of finishing the metal works on a ''97 nissan almera. After that...i go back on my Rekord C (it's funny, i want to finish it in may, 2017). All i can say: Don't get scared by the rust, fix the underneath of the car, moving from back to front. Do not cut the floor until you fix the rails, otherwise the car might twist.

[@bigj5337]

So excited to see this build!! It's even better that it has a special meaning for yall!! You guys are awesome!! Can't wait to see it come together!!

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Big J THANKS!!!

[@bartphillips6391]

Such cool cars! I remember working on those at a foreign shop I worked at out of high school. Electrical nightmares sometimes, but awesome fun cars to test drive! Love your videos!! Keep em coming!!! Good luck bring her back to life!!

[@paultaylor9939]

They were a good lucking car back then and now good luck with the build. My wife's brother use to have one of these back in the seventies nice car keep up the good work guys cheer

[@nater7979]

Love your show. You guys rock! Keep us up to date please. Gonna be a great build

[@haroldsegur9524]

Hey guys, I'm really digging that boat!

[@michaelvecchiarelli8414]

hi guys ,iloved the video with the nova,it was the koolest,i liked when emely did those 360 on the dirt in mexico.i love the datsun,they sell all kinds of kits for them now,ithink the best one and the cheapest one for the buck is a 383 chevy small block and the run like a bandit and sb chevy parts are every wear.thanks for listening.mike elcamino

[@ttfountain3027]

this is awesome, I own a 77 280z and I'm throwing a small block Chevy 350 in it, has side exit exhaust, it's a bad mutha, bring that girl back!

[@gracilism]

That frame rail is going to need some love.

[@adrianberryhill]

Ahhh I'm really excited for this build!!! So much sentiment. I love watching you guys.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Adrian Berryhill Appreciate it bro!!

[@slownrusty]

Great video and I'll be staying tuned on the build. I really like the history, energy between you both, certainly a refreshing video and channel. As a long time (and current) Datsun owner I'm not the hugest LS proponent but certainly understand given the time and budget constraints.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

slownrusty Thank you so much!!! We too, wish the LS wasn't so easy and good, lol! Maybe in the next phase of the cars life she'll have a brand correct power plant!!! 😊 Appreciate the support! Follow on @flyingsparksgarage on IG too, if you'd like!

[@Vufoo]

Hey I'm located in Dallas too! Ya'll are pretty much living my dream to restore one of these cars when I get out of school and have my own garage, thanks for making these videos.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Kevin Vu Right on dude!!! Keep the dream alive!! Thanks for watching! Follow on social too! @flyingsparksgarage You'll see personal accounts tagged there! :-)

[@unijabnx2000]

Im excited to watch it happen!!

[@pamhodges4973]

LOVE THE BRAIDS!!!!!!!! Bob H.

[@desertrat7162]

love you guy's so fun to watch. can't wait to see what you do to your Z

[@erickesparza6352]

awesome, im doing the same thing, can't wait to see how you do it all

[@mattnoell1968]

Just pulled my 78 out of storage after 30 years. Still trying to make the mental leap to the LS, still torn. M. in Dallas

[@garyallgoodjr9361]

love y'alls channel. looking forward to watching the build. good luck on the deadline!

[@Eastbayrob]

Wow I didn't realize u guys where so young! Seems like u guys are doing great keep up the good work and good content. And happy thanksgiving to u and your family

[@anthonymarrero3764]

Kool job a lot of work keep at it

[@Yamahammer1]

Follower from Instagram, just down the road in Athens! Finally made it over to yall's youtube channel. Can't wait to see this car up and running!

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Yamahammer1 Right on, neighbor!! We are soooo stoked to have her back on the road!!

[@rayg6510]

Just cut that floor board off and don't think about it. Once you see the rust off, the motivation will come back since rust is gone. :) You get even more motivated when you weld in that new pan.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Ray G Thats the plan! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

[@adrianlastname4864]

FINALLY!!!! WOOOOooOoOooooo!!!!

[@CompressorSurge]

Just found this channel. Looking forward to this build

[@donchan1622]

I really enjoy couple love do what they to restore there memories such a romantic for them two..!

[@jcpad1797]

So Cute to see you guys , so long ago … it’s 12/22 right now

[@NikeGess]

Great project, on of my favorite cars, going to be nice to follow.

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Looks like it's going to be a good build. Looking forward to following along. I'm stuffing an LS in a CJ7 and I bet we run into similar obstacles. Good luck with your project.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Just like Ray G said.. get a plasma cutter and set to it. If you don't want to replace all the stock panels, run some custom rails and flat floors. With that much sentimental value, she just has to live again!! If I was your neighbour I'd help!!

[@aland1618]

I bought my 1978 Datsun 280Z in 1984 it was a dark blue. My brother stole then wrecked it while I was out of town. Saddest day for me. Left front quarter panel crushed and a couple of months later after spend a couple hundred replacing the strut assembly the frame cracked. I could feel the car about ready to split in two under my left foot. P.S. I got the car up to 133 mph at about 2 in the morning once.

[@Kneedragon1962]

Back when they were new, I actually owned one of these for a while... They are actually a very easy car to work on. They're not exactly simple but access and maintenance and stuff was considered during design, and many things are WAY easier than the traditional cars of the day. They did consider not only how are we going to build this at the factory, but how is a mechanic going to change (one example) the heater / demister core? No, it's still a lousy job, but it's a hell of a lot better than most other cars of that generation...

[@rmatamorz]

love the project... I'm starting the same but will take years to complete it.

[@bigfootgarage2201]

it's gonna turn out great and y'all should do a stroker kit on the ls2 and do a big cam and good heads make good n/a power that will be more unique

[@64impalaSSRealMechanic315]

New to the channel as a car person one can only wish to have what you two have not only love but taste,passion commitment for samething that is very hard to find these crazy days anyways channel is great and hope to see season 2 of Live Love Wrench.

[@tylerhiggins7162]

You two should do a meet and build with RoadKill! and maybe even go with them when they meet MCM in the future.

[@jamsoilder]

Come on you guys! Let's see it. Your time's ticking.P.S. Do it right even if you don't make the deadline. Hope you'll do!

[@Hayleboi]

This is going to be an Awesome build! Cant wait! Be descriptive as to where you are getting the parts and which ones you are using and why. Like Cam, heads, junkyard 5.3 or crate 6.0. That kind of thing for all of us doing swaps currently. Oh yeah and if you know of any cool tips to share that would be awesome too! keep up the good work you two! Relationship Goals = Both of you! :)

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Hayleboi Thanks so much!!! We'll do our best!!

[@lesterscrugs2272]

I know 5 months seemed like a long time... until you saw all that rot. But Ah, to be working on such an important part of your lives again.

[@stevemic]

cant wait looks cool

[@Bashirbros]

the s30 chassis is really flexible so with ls2 kind of power you should really get a cage and bracing in there. Even if it's something simple and out of the way like a 6 point. even with just front and rear strut braces, butterfly frame rails, and fender braces you'll feel the difference. Don't make the mistake I made by putting big power but not supporting the chassis enough in the first place. But really cool build. I'm looking forward to some more videos PS I'm in Texas too (I think you're in texas?) so if you need help or advice or whatever, just give me a holler

[@davideudy3707]

Hey folks, I think you guys are in Texas and assuming we get rid this covet nonsense, you need to check out the Z days at Fontana North Carolina in may. Lots of people from your area come up there . its worth the trip, bring your Z. I plan to be there with my 300zxtt. If you are coming, get lodging now, usually 6 to 800 cars See you

[@TheDicrio]

You need to find an aluminum LS to make it into a super handling as well as super accelerating car.

[@MatthewRobertHenry]

aww, Aaron and Emily, you two are adorable! Super nice to meet you guys at #ziptiedrags and I'm excited to see the Z come together. The power tour is awesome, I'm glad I left some blank space at the end of my bucket list - maybe we'll join y'all :D

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Imperial Beach Dad We'd LOVE THAT dude!!!!

[@robertmiller5735]

at 10:05 I would start building (it i didn't have one) a auto body rotisserie, believe me it makes fixing the rusty bottom etc - - so much easyer. ! ! !

[@ldnwholesale8552]

There has been a 260 Z with a LS here in Adelaide for well over a decade.

[@Epik-hm8ws]

Cant wait for the progress of this 280Z :-) Subscribed a few hours ago and already watched almost all your videos :-D I like that the videos are now longer than just one to two minutes like the first ones :-) Keep up that good work :-) Greez from Germany Chris :D

[@russandadamsgarage105]

Awesome idea!

[@stupossum9805]

I like the idea of an LFX swap. It produces about 310hp and you can still get the ricer sounds in The Z.

[@streetrebels5687]

Awesome video and channel. keep it up!

[@colegilmore9952]

yes! love the Z You got a new subscriber!

[@DenisGatTv]

Where are you guys located. i've got an entire complete l28et motor and wiring which came from a 1983 datsun 280zx turbo. It is a engine that would really make your guy's car stand out as well as it's relatively quite easy to work with since it fits identically where your old engine block is with no modification or fabrication (the ls does though). With a little bit of money put into the engine they put out about 300hp and can go easily up to 500hp with a good standalone ecu, turbo, front mount a few cheap extras. I'd love to help out a growing channel and would love to see your guy's build come together. A lot of memory's are started in a z and hope this one can give you many more, ive done my share of datsun jobs in the past. Do a little bit of research into the motor and you'll see what i am talking out. Carpe Diem!

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Denis Gat We're outside of Dallas, Tx. The thing is, we've got a great LS2 sitting in our shop floor that's completely free!

[@danmay9728]

Love you guys, hope you are always happy together. It isnt often you see a husband and wife team working so well together. Wishing you both the best. Be safe. Peace.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Factory lightening program. All Zeds have it!

[@Jackmanis]

Hey Emily, Jack here. We just met on the super secret shoot. I have subscribed. Look forward to checking out the channel.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Jackmanis Jack!!! Hi! How'd you find me?! Haha!!!

[@Jackmanis]

Looked on the call sheet, googled and let the World Wide Web work its magic. Scary right! Hope you didn't mind.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Jackmanis That's AWESOME! Nicely done!!! 😊👊🏼

[@Jackmanis]

Save my number from the call sheet. I look forward to meeting Mr. Emily, maybe I can come out and help with some rebuild sometime. If you ever need anything, rolevideos.com.

[@volvobrynk]

This is SO cool! Whats under the hood now? If you have mixed feelings about the LS swap, have you concidered doing a Skyline engine? That would be cool on another level. Not that LS's ain't good, but you shall always follow your heart and listen to your wallet.Where are you from, where I come from, that floor ain't bad! My wife's DD got more rot then that in 2 years on the road and just fail MOT yesterday.That ain't that complicated to fix, just takes time.

[@bretspangler8717]

To know how the car is now, it's cool to know how much went into getting her back on the road, looked pretty cruddy to start

[@agentcrm]

Best of luck you two. :) Hope you've got a rotisserie on the way for it.

[@DarthBobo68]

I don't know if it's budget friendly but a WP Motown LS build would give you a non standard build with LS power that will make people look twice.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

All fun and games but your asses are on the clock. lol You have practically no time to put that car together, but it will be fun seeing you try.

[@doulikezcars]

Rafael Lastra com 5 months is plenty of time. You guys have fun with the build, maybe we will bump into each other at some point in Texas.

[@RamSkirata]

You Can DO IT !!!! Excited for this build to happen. Wishing you all the best luck with this. Youre such a cute Couple! Well Our Mustang was in worse shape when we got it, lol :) /-René

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Ram Skirata Thank you Rene!!!

[@jamessloup3265]

God ur so lucky to have a woman like thag

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

Why not go the Roadkill route and shove in a V6 with a turbo!?

[@scrapheapshuffle9130]

I love old Z's, but I also love old LUV trucks. That one looks pretty clean considering the bodies seemed to be made of compressed rust. Any possible plans for the LUV or is it just a shop truck?

[@SGUY27]

Any more vids on this coming soon ? just found it subscribed looking forward to more

[@flyingsparksgarage]

SGUY27 YES!!! Follow on social media for updates between episodes!! @imemilywilliams, @flyingsparksgarage and @pilotreeves Emily Williams Reeves on FB!

[@flamingtailpipe]

It's gonna be awesome, but I cant help thinking an RB25 with 6 ITBs would be so much cooler.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

flamingtailpipe Yeah, wish we had one sitting in the shop like we do the LS2!

[@kellyscars]

Hey Emily, what about a Mopar mill? I read on Hybrid Z that utilizing Dakota mounts with an LA, the motor mounts almost line up with the L28s! You know what else shares mounts with the LA? The modern Hemi!!!

[@Joe-iw6ml]

Do I hear Rotsun 2.0? lol cant wait to see the finished product!

[@soccersuxx]

It's the Rotsun's big brother Ratsun :D

[@Joe-iw6ml]

soccersuxx hah! even better!

[@seeshmuro]

My 72 240 z has fuel injection. But its an MSD atomic sitting on a 383 sbc.

[@kylelaughbaum5052]

The passenger side frame rail has to be replaced. If you are going to drop an LS2 in there the unibody is going to fail. I'd replace both, no doubt. Bad Dog Parts sells replacement rails. baddogparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5&products_id=6&zenid=078d30819439d14632575c1ea666d539 I have restored a few Z's (Doing one now) and getting your L6 going shouldn't be difficult. Definitely easier than the swap. Good Luck! You can see a couple of my restorations here >> zgallery.laughbaum.com

[@jfb8067]

So what is up? I thought I would see more on this project by now... you should call over the entire Mighty Car Mods crew and whip that thing together!!! :)

[@flyingsparksgarage]

JF B DUDE! I know, it's nuts. We've been working on her- should have an episode soon!!!!! MCM team would be sooooo fun to do this project with! AGREED!

[@truedeadman]

looking forward to this build. What's up with the Cherokee Chief on the other side of the garage? Would love to see some of that rig

[@flyingsparksgarage]

truedeadman That's a Jeep Wagoneer that's 6bt swapped, it's a fun one! Follow @pilotreeves on IG, he's posted a little about it recently!

[@NISMO2005ER]

Keep up the good work and videos! What brand of car trailer is that? I like the ramps cause they arent at such a steep angle for lower cars.

[@flyingsparksgarage]

3USHMAN Its so good! Neither of us know the brand!!

[@MichaelWilliams-fc2fu]

I had a 280 and a 260

[@hobbawobba]

Just saw this video come up.. checked a few of your other videos also. Cool channel aye! I reckon this build would be absolutely awesome with a rotary in it! :o hahaha. look forward to seeing the progress :)

[@Geekinofflife]

an ls swap...ugh thats cross contamination. i would never put a 2j in a camaro. but to each his own. nothing but nissan in my z. but great vid. love to see couples sharing a joint passion for cars. every mans dream

[@frankmorgan8244]

What happened to the rest of the 1978 Datsun 280Z restoration???

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Frank Morgan We've been getting little bits of progress done, but not enough for an episode yet!!! We have three nights at home this week and then hitting the road for the last two weeks of this month!!! Sheesh! You MIGHT see a short EP on her though!!

[@mbmadness]

LS2. Just like Roxy. Pull the engine out of Roxy and put it in the 280. Then, get a new low compression LSX engine for the new supercharged version of Roxy.

[@Tripp_]

Ls2 motor - why not a Nissan RB series motor? Would be less shoehorning to fit in.

[@robertmiller5735]

first thing - new tires or intertubes , see, I seldom take chances - so inter tubes in those tires will keep me under the speed limit LOL

[@mrfrmguy]

You gotta keep the original straight six in it! It won't be the same if you do an engine swap on it.

[@haileyrussell5369]

Love love love what you guys do, but no car wash brushes on the paint lol

[@flyingsparksgarage]

Hailey Russell haha! In most cases, we agree! But this paint is going to be wet sanded and buffed A LOT so we wanted to get the top layer of grime off! 😅