I have an 87 RX-7 Turbo. I'm looking forward to getting another Turbo car, this time I was thinking about getting a Turbo 280. I'm rellatively unfamiliar with the car. So I was looking for input. I know that the power plant is a strait six. I've seen a few around and liked the way they looked. However I was wondering if I could get one up to where my 7 is, around 400+ HP at the rear wheels.
Any input would be grand, I.E. cost of resonable car, and cost of up grades, good source for aftermarker parts, and tech info.
Thanks in advance
Scott.

RX-7s and Zs

 

Mabye 350..... I thought that the Z cars where good in the HP range... What kind of 1/4 times would I be looking at with that much HP with a 280zx??

RX-7s and Zs

 

You have an RX-7 turbo? Sweet. Do those cars have enough... *ahem* ...room? Anywho, been checkin ya out, and I think you might live around me. Are you busy Friday night? Ya know...take me for a ride in your phat sportscar? I bet it goes realllly fast....

 

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys.

I like the look of the 80s Z car. I don't really care if its heavy, helps keep you connected to the ground. What I wanted to know is, how reasonable would it be to try and make a 400 hp 280 Turbo. I know that building a car up like that isn't really reasonable in the first place, but after you get past that....
I mean, is there a huge aftermarket for these cars, or am I going to have to hunt for stuff like I did for my 7.

RX-7s and Zs

 

Ummm... I do know what you mean. There isn't much room for any kind of fun like that. Though, if I take the subs out and open the hatch... assuming that its warm out and all....
Anyway, where I am, there aren't many 7s to speak of, or really sweet looking 280s or 300s.
In the fast area... well the speedo hits 160, after that, its just guess work.

RX-7s and Zs<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by DrifterRX on 05/25/01 09:34 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

If you really want to get up into the 40hp range, all it takes is a bit of time and a lot of $$$$$. You could ask Drax240Z how his is coming along and what hp range he's looking at right now. He's got a 240Z on the go with a turbo 280 block in it... I think... it's definitely a turbo, and he's dumped tons of money into it to get all the best parts and whatnot to totally trick it up, I woulnd't be surprised if he was at *least* in the 300hp range, and he hasn't even run it yet

 

TRY WWW.RACETEP.COM THEY ARE LOCATED IN THE SO CAL AREA AND SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING U WILL NEED.

 

Hello all--------------well to answer all the questions that i read through----wow-----------I hate to sound like I am the know it all-----------but wrong-wrong wrong-----------Ok

Here you go---------yes the turbo was first produced on the production line 3/81 through the end of production year 1983 in the 280zx body shape------------turbos started to hit the sales floors in 6/81 and kept on going all the way to the demise of the 300zxTT.........

As for what can be done to these turbo motors is something that still amazes me-------------Yes the factory rated these 280ZXT's at a meager 180hp but on a real dyno they hit closer to 200hp completely stock. There are numerous things that can be done to these turbo motors to make HP--------yes I am talking about reliable day to day rush hour traffic with 400+hp--------------The most that I have ever heard of when it comes to HP numbers with the L28T is 1000+hp-(i believe it was right about 1050hp)---------this amazing number is what the Pual Newman IMSA car was capable of reaching when they ran the 280ZXT-----------also the Electromotive 280ZXT reached hp numbers right in the same ball park.

Ok onto the various things you can do to the Turbo motor----------from stock you can add an intercooler(ranging from junkyard stuff to Bell Engineering)---------add a boost dependant rising rate regulator(the best i know of is from Bell engineering)-----------add a dial-a-boost or electronic boost controller------------3" exhaust mandrell bent stuff ofcourse-------------and turn up the boost to about 15psi and you are now somewhere in the ballpark of 300 to 350HP---------

anything beyond the 350hp range and you will need to get stronger rods and pistons, freshen up the motor, flow the head, add bigger injectors, and go with an aftermarket ECU--------and than you can start moving the HP ranges higher and higher ----------there ofcourse is a bunch of little stuff that I am leaving out of the picture, but if you really want to know them all you can just ask-----------especially ask in the TURBO forum cause some of the master turbo boys live to help you there---------help this helps everyone with some mysteries

talk to you soon

 

You might also want to look into doing a 84-89 300zx Turbo. It already has a larger 3.0L engine although V6 instead of I-6. The styling of the 280ZX and 300ZX are similar shape but the 300ZX is obviously newer and you might like that style more, who knows. I am not sure how high the VG30DET engine in the 300ZX can go but I have always heard that they were rock solid engines (drop it off a cliff, stick it in a car, turn the key and whalla is how I believe I had it described to me). After owning an 84 300zx NA I can vouch for the comfort, style, quality and great feel of the car just not the performance of the Turbo.

Matt Young
Previously: 84 300zx NA
Soon: 84-89 300zx Turbo
Soon as comes out: NEW Z!

 

I'll keep all of this in mind, and mabye ask the turbo boys, as you put it.

RX-7s and Zs