1979 Datsun Fairlady Z: A Twin-Turbo Dream Come to Life

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A Twin-Turbo Dream Come to Life

Hello, my name is John Duarte. I’m 31 years old, and I’ve been working on cars ever since I got my license at 17. My passion lies in classic Datsun cars—mainly Zs. What started as a simple garage hobby has grown into something much bigger: my shop, LspecDatsun, where we specialize in building and repairing Datsuns.

There’s nothing I enjoy more than bringing the L-Series platform back to life, restoring these iconic cars to their former glory, and getting them back on the road. Most days, you’ll find me in the shop working on engines, diagnosing issues, or taking Z cars out for test drives. It’s not just work for me—it’s a lifestyle.

John Duarte - 1979 Datsun Fairlady Z

Instagram: @j280zz

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram: @Mr2mivin

Performance Stats: 500-600 HP (estimated)

The Start of My Automotive Journey

Growing up, I was fascinated by cars. My cousin owned a third-gen Chevy Nova, and I would spend hours watching him work on it. That’s when I knew I wanted to work with my hands. When the time came, I decided to buy a classic car of my own. I’ve always loved Datsuns, so a Z car felt like the perfect choice.

At 17, I bought my first Datsun 280ZX. While the earlier S30 chassis is undeniably popular, I was drawn to the 280ZX because it was often overlooked. It felt like an underdog, and I’ve always liked a good challenge. I wanted to prove that the S130 could shine just as brightly as its predecessors. Years later, I found a rusty, right-hand-drive 280ZX shell from Japan and knew it was the perfect candidate for a one-of-a-kind build.

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Breathing New Life Into the Fairlady Z

Transforming this car wasn’t easy. It needed extensive repairs: new floors, a new cowl panel, a roof, patches in the hatch, front tow points—the list goes on. But I was determined to bring it back to life and make it something truly unique.

I had already purchased the Pandem Rocket Bunny widebody kit, which set the tone for the build. From there, I added custom 3-piece Watanabe Racing RS8 wheels and a custom air suspension system built with Airlift Management and Universal Air bags by Iceboxx Customs, paired with Techno Toy Tuning struts. Inside, I had a custom roll cage installed, Speedhut gauges to match the livery designed by Tra-Kyoto at Rocket Bunny, and a custom NRG interior. Every detail was carefully considered to make this car one of a kind.

What Makes My Fairlady Z Unique?

This car’s uniqueness starts with its RHD configuration—a rare find in the U.S. Add in the Pandem Rocket Bunny widebody kit (the widest available for this platform), a custom twin-turbo engine, and one-off carbon fiber accents, and you’ve got something truly special.

Driving it is an experience like no other. Every time I get behind the wheel, I’m reminded of how far this car has come. It’s a tangible representation of hard work, creativity, and passion.

Build List

Engine:

• L28ETT bored to 3.1L

• 89mm Ross Forged Pistons

• Kameari Strengthened Rods

• Cometic Head Gasket

• LSpecDatsun CNC-Ported Head

• Isky Cam

• SI Inconel Oversized Valves

• Kameari Twin Idler & Adjustable Cam Sprocket

• Custom Twin Turbo Manifold by Race Club Fabrication

• Comp Turbo CTR-II Turbos

• Aeromotive Fuel System

• Milkfab Fuel Rail

• Deatschwerks 800cc Injectors

• Haltech Nexus R3 Management

• DC Power Alternator

• Stage 3 Action Clutch 6-puck

• MegaLife Battery

Interior:

• NRG GT Classic Seats

• NRG Shift Knob

• NRG Steering Wheel & Race Hub

• NRG Harnesses & Collars

• Speedhut Custom Gauges

• Lunarloox Gauge Adapters

• JustDashes Refurbished RHD Dash

• Nameless Performance Hydro E-Brake

• Custom Roll Cage

Wheels:

• Custom 3-piece RS-Watanabe RS8

Suspension:

• Airlift Management

• Universal Air Bags by Iceboxx Customs

• Techno Toy Tuning Struts

• Front and Rear Crossmembers by Apex Engineered

Brakes:

• Wilwood Calipers with T3 Brackets

• Drilled and Slotted Rotors

Who Made It Happen?

This build was a total team effort! My buddy Oscar and I found the car and brought it to Zociety HQ, where Theo at Strictly Fab spent over 300 hours on metalwork. Next, the car went to Boh at HG Workshop for the Rocket Bunny kit installation, wing molding, and wrap prep. After that, it came back to my shop, LSpecDatsun, where we installed the motor and transmission. Tim at Race Club Fabrication worked his magic on the cage, manifold, intercooler, piping, and accessories. Finally, Jose at Extreme Wraps created the wrap and livery design. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed!

What’s Next?

I plan to track the car once it’s fully tuned. Time Attack will likely be my first venture as I get comfortable with its performance. After that, I’d love to try drifting.

Shout-Outs

I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people and brands that supported me along the way:

@lspecdatsun @zociety_ @j280zz @Strickly_fab @raceclubfabrication @getnrg @trakyoto @speedhut @si_valves @championcoolingsystems @racingservice_watanabe @hardcoretokyo @compturbo @iceboxxcustoms @ariasmachineshop126 @aeromotive @air_lift_performance @universalair @motul @mishimoto @milliotone @actionclutch @fly1_motorsports @megalifebatteryusa @steelitcoatings @streetrivals.jp @stripeawayabrasive @sneekys14 @lbwks30 @deatschwerks @milkfab_engineering @namelessperformance @vintagecarbon @GandJAircraft @hg_workshop @extremewraps @toyotires Your help made this dream a reality!

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