what can be done to get better performance from an automatic 1983 280zx without spending a great deal of money? i thought about taking off the cat but then i have an emissioms problem. unfortunately, i put a cheap new exhaust o it a year ago for $300 just to pass emissions.

any ideas out there?

 

this is the most asked and answered question on the site. please search through the forums for more info and then post more specific questions.

and the short answer is "not much" unless its a turbo (which i assume you would have mentioned). you'll have do spend a decent amount to get any noticeable performance increases. the auto tranny does not help things.

 

5 speed swap or you could buy a Geo Metro. And welcome to ZDriver!

 

thanks. will search around. i'll think about the metro.

 

Do it. Then you can be in my 50mpg club. The only requirement is to wear a mask so no one will recognize you in such an ugly car.

 

that's funny! what about changing the cat and/or the headers? maybe a new performance muffler?

 

Just changing one thing (like exhaust) by itself does very little. It's several things in combination that will help. You are really limited with what you can do to a stock n/a motor if you are trying to keep the cost low. This is why many people do an L28ET swap: Spending the same amount or a little more, for A LOT more power (~160-180hp compared to ~200-260hp).

We really do have a lot of threads already talking about how to make the n/a faster... so searching around will give you a plethora of info.

In a nut shell:

Upgrade the ignition = $200-$500
Header & 2.5" exhaust = $200-500
Port intake, 60mm TB, Turbo converted AFM = Free-$200
Mild or hot cam = $200-$600

More expensive ways:
Bore the block (.040" or even do a 3.1L stroker) = $500-$10,000
Cylinder head work = $200-$2000

Cheap ways:
Perform a tune up = $50
Adjust the AFM = Free
Install a potentiometer on the CHTS = $5
Install adjustable FPR = $25-$200
Advance timing to 12-15 degrees = Free

yada yada yada.....

 

thanks again.

 

my buddy does 11.6 in the quarter with the stock nissan autobox. not bad, hes turbo and says the tranny is great for what it does. dont let that be your limiting factor. all the standard upgrades apply. start with the cold air intake, and blaster2 coil. they are cheap and bolt on, then move to exhaust.

 

hey arent you pushing about 900lbs of boost on that metro///i mean farrari killer
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and welcome to zdriver home of the $20 oil change

 

A DIY boost controller will run you in between 4-12 dollars.

 

and give you exactly 0hp on a NA motor.

fail.

 

And where did he specifically state he had an NA car?

FAIL.

 

cold air intake, and blaster2 coil. they are cheap and bolt on, then move to exhaust.


What is a blaster2 coil? What do you mean by cold air intake?

 

I have a feeling we should start with more basic stuff... like how a gasoline engine works.

#1... A coil induces electricity. Turns 12V into thousands of volts to create a spark at the spark plugs powerful enough to ignite the air fuel mix in the combustion chamber (aka "inside the engine"). A "Blaster 2" coil is made by MSD & is a common upgrade for a more powerful & reliable spark.

#2... Cold air is more dense (more air for it's volume). More air = easier for engine to breathe & you can increase the fuel a bit too (to match the increased amount of air).

I suggest buying (or checking out from the library) some basic automotive books.

 

gotcha. auto book first; everything else second.