SO the engine on my 83 is about toast. I am wondering if there would be any major issues id run into while swaping a 77 l28e into my 83 280zx? I assume the engine is going to drop right in but I am wondering if i will have any problems with the ecu? DO i need an ecu from a 77? Also the 77 engine is out of a 2+2 and my 83 is a 2 seater. Will that cause any problems with tranny mounting or anything else. Any advice would be a help. Thanks, Marshall

 

Yes, you will need the 77 ECU (though any 280Z ECU would probably work, I wouldn't chance it unless you know for sure). Your 83 ECU will not work for that engine. It doesn't matter what car the engine came out of it will just bolt right up. If the trans in your 83 is still good then just use that and your stock driveshaft. Driveshafts between the two cars are not interchangeable cause of length. Other than that it's pretty straight forward.

I should point out that if you install all the electronics and what not from your 83 onto the '77 motor then you could use the 83 ECU along with all it's wiring. Basically you'd just be using the block and head from the '77 and just swapping everything over.