Hi everyone.

I don't like the idea of extensive modification on my '82 daily driver, so i'm going to buy another ZX to turn into a low, quick and hot street car with occasional track time.

This past week, i've been sourcing parts and info on building a ZX, however i am torn between two not so different build Ideas(Both rough ideas), and are looking for opinions.

Build idea #1: A 280ZX-T. Of course, its gotta be a 5-Spd Two seater only.

First off, change all of the fluids and perform a complete tune-up before any mods. Second off, air intake work. I'd run a Saab intercooler with 2.5in tubing with A GReddy BOV (If i can find a genuine GReddy). With all of that, i would be able to safely raise the boost. I'm not gonna co crazy with the pressure, maybe 10PSI at very most. Since im in CA, i can't go throwing in cams, aftermarket intake manifolds or a big turbo in there without torching the Cat. So, as far as the block goes i'd leave the top and bottom end stock.
The exhaust, well i love the look, and sound of twice pipes on an I6, but i know that kits aren't available online. I'd be making my own "twice pipes". They wont be true twice pipes, but my idea is to make a Y Pipe after the cat, and run it into two cherrybomb or thrush glasspacks.
Now, theres the suspension. I'd want the car low, as stated above. I havent been able to locate any coilover sets for this car with out cutting/welding, so unless i get the urge to do so, i'd stick with the stock shocks to keep the car as low as possible, and Eibach lowering springs. Prothane bushings all around. Then theres wheels. I'm set on 15x8's, most likley STR 523's with 195/50 tires.
Body will be stock, with the exeption of stickers here and there, and maybe a ducktail type wing like seen on S30's


Build Idea #2: A b@da$$ N/A 280ZX (Preferably with F54/P79 Engine)

Tune-up and fresh fluids before any mods like stated in BI #1.

With the engine, for starters i'd install the usual mods including this custom CAI that i have in mind, iriduim plugs(To be installed upon tune-up) and an MSD Blaster coil(for the lulz). Megasquirt EFI will be an absolute MUST. This will be probably the strong point of the car. I know i won't be able to do shizz with the stock EFI, so its gotta go. I'm too much of a n00b to wire this system up myself, so i'd pay a specialty shop to install it and dyno tune the ECU.
The exhaust setup will be the same. Y-Pipe after the Cat into tow CB or Thrush glasspacks(Gotta love that N/A BRAAAP!). If i can, i'll try to sneak in some MSA 3-2 Headers if the smog d!cks don't notice the shiny metal tubes and flag the car, lol.
Suspension, body and wheels would be the same, however with this build i will remove the A/C system if equipped.


In conclusion: Turbo ZX's are awesome, and will make more power in the end result, but can get pricy and are not too common to find these days especially with my budget stated below. You can think of BI #2 as a back up plan for the most part incase i cant find a turbo ZX, but will still be awesome.

My car purchase budget is $2000 and build budget is $2000, but that will probably change like it always does with these cars, lol.


With all of that stated, tell me what you think!

 

Sounds good.

Some things to note:
-It may be more difficult to source a 280zx Turbo, but if you are looking for the best way to make big hp, turbo is the only way to go. A few quick things and you can be at 250hp. You'd have to do ~$10k of work to the n/a motor to get 250hp.
-Stock Saab / Volvo intercoolers have plastic end caps and will eventually leak. Make sure you get aluminum.
-Please do not put Cherry-bomb (glass-pack) exhaust on your car.
-"Aftermarket intakes" and "bigger turbos" don't "torch the cat". Not sure where you got that info from.

Have you found a car yet?

 

Years ago when I had my 1980 280ZX..I was on the NJ Turnpike and saw a 1982 Turbo at a tool booth not far from me. I can still recall how he blew my doors off! I I could not touch that Turbo. I was schooled!

 

Yeah, I have been doing some looking around on Craigslist, but it is still winter and I don't think people are as likely to post ads of their cars in winter as they would summer or spring. So for now I'm just sourcing parts and info. Do you have any reccomendations for an intercooler? What's the problem with cherry bombs? I assumed that with like a larger turbo with highe boost that all that extra got exhaust blowing through the cat would eventually melt it. Yeah definitely with my budget I won't make nearly as much power with an NA than with a turbo, so if i end up going that route ill focus on weight reduction for sure.

 

There are many options. CX Racing is now selling a 280zx IC package. The only thing I don't like about it is that they have the intercooled side going behind the radiator then back to the throttle body. A slight tweak and you can reverse the pipes to properly run the intercooled side out the left and directly back into the throttle body.

I just fabbed up my own w/ 2.25" mandrel pipes and an Isuzu IC (old pics in my Cardomain - see my signature).

Cherry bombs are cheap. They were also designed for old school carb'd V8's... not Japanese fuel injected inline6's.

Nope. What DOES melt catalytic converters:
-Improperly tuned engine.
-Raw fuel dumping into exhaust.
-Oil / coolant dumping into exhaust (burnt or not).

Weight reduction is good, but unless this is going to be a trailer queen track car, there isn't all that much to get rid of. If you strip the interior and a/c, you will save around 100lbs. It will then be super noisy and hot. What do you want to sacrifice to shed a few lbs?

 

Hmmm. I'd defiantly want my intercooler in front of my radiator, lol. Do you think I will be able to run the IC piping over the stock fan to the TB? Or will I have to switch to electric fans to fit a pipe through there?

With my NA plan, I want to shave as much weight from the car as possible while still keeping it practical. I would remove the AC system, those heavy exhaust heat shields, and all of the spare tire and jacking equpment. I'd wrap the exhaust manifold and down pipe to replace the heatshields. Due to all that being removed, I would try to find an NA with t-tops

 

I dig option #1

 

I went the hot na route and can definitely say I did so on a smart budget. Machined p79 port n polish bigger cam raised compression full exhaust .40 over bore. I run ztherapy carbs and I have plenty of power so don't let people discourage you from NA.

 

Hi all new here my car is a turbo i am thinking of adding more performance to the car but i hear getting a higher performance ecu is the first thing to add.. is this correct by the way mycar is the 82 model 280zx turbo

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Well the FIRST thing to do is make sure the engine is in proper mechanical order by doing a full check over and tune up.

Next on the "best bang for your buck" list would be:
-Z31T ecu / maf swap
-Boost controller
-Intercooler

Those 3 things alone will get you to about 220whp at 10psi boost.

Search for the z31t ecu swap... I've discussed it many times here and have all the docs handy. I also have most of the parts needed if you want to go that route.

 

hmm well i do some work my self i do have my z guy do stuff i cant handle myself because i am now disabled and at dialysis 3 days a week changed my spark plugs and cables and changed the distributer been finding the old distributor was tearing my dis... caps up inside the old ones ingition mod inside the distrib was to high up the replacement had a smaller version of that ...

one prob i notice every now and then my car starts acting like crap distributor replacement fixed 90 percent but still now and then like crap back fire and about 40 mph i pull the batter cable to reset the ecu and after that back to normal so either a some module or ecu iffy >>??

 

Really thk u guys for your fast replies by the way i am located in so. calif...