may be doing a 280/240 swap
 

will the 280zx brakes (if it's considered an upgrade), rear end, (if it's considered an upgrade) and dash swap over to the 240z?

Not without a lot more work than it's worth. The S30 & S130 suspensions are quite different.

sorry, i dont mean suspension, i meant rear end

ooo yeah what he said, how is the swap for s130 rear discs in place of teh s30 drums i want to do it if its easy peasy since i got a parts s130 with brakes chillin in my drive way.

I looked at all those options and decided to go the 240 SX route from Modern Motorsport (http://www.modern-motorsports.com/ca...products_id=2), mainly due to wanting a functioning parking brake, and not paying $400 for a new brake cable (early 240Z required on the ZX swap for late S30's, as I remember). I'll use the MSA kit for the front upgrade.

The main issue with the ZX rear swap for me was parking brake compatibility and geometry. It was either not a good fit, or very expensive to get a good fit. Not to mention I really don't like going to the junkyards here in Colorado. But, if you don't need or want the parking brake, it might be a great option for you. Especially considering you already have a parts ZX sitting around. Be sure to read all the following details, as some of the swaps aren't so great (lots of customization, not fitting all models, park brake issues, new proportioning valve, etc., etc.)
sticky over at hybridz has good info, and leads to more:
( http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=104735 )
Here's the ZX section

Rear brakes:

Maxima bracket/280zx caliper swap

Description: Using '85-'88 maxima rear caliper brackets, 280zx rear calipers and rotors to convert rear to disk. Source of parts would be mainly junkyard, and you would have to either remove the stub axle (don't do it unless you absolutely have to) or cut out the drum backing plates to install. The downside is sourcing your own caliper brackets at the JY, and then REMOVING them. You will likely need cordless power tools to do so.

Motorsport auto sells their bracket swap kit, which is CNC'd maxima brackets here. It is $320, and does not include rotors, pads, and calipers. You have to source your own.



For the dash: I'd be really surprised if a ZX dash fit in an S30 unibody without extensive customization. But, where there's a will (and money and time in quantity), there's a way.
good luck,
Dave

wow lots of good info, thanks! I'm thinking of going the 240sx route now since Lee (xtreme_2) is going to upgrade the 240sx he's getting to 5lug, I'll just use his stuff. The main thing I want from my 280zx dash is all the new guages and guage assembly we fabbed up, i guess we can just do some creative work and just move that section over

Looking on that site for converting a 240z to disc brakes, would simply having everything from my 240sx that I don't need work, or will we still end up paying $200 for the hardware and the eBrake adapter from Modern? Just trying to get an idea before we dive into this...

is the exhaust an issue with the l28et into the 240? Just trying to see where we sit with everything before we actually get into it...

ummm... yes! lol, the downpipe and a small section will fit, but youll need a custom exhaust made up. aint no big.