As a new Z owner I am new to the scene. I just bought a 1979 Datsun 280ZX and its supposedly a 2.8L L28E. Does this sound correct? and for turbo applications do I need to swap for a L28ET or can I convert my L28E to a L28ET

 

Yes, google. There is more info on a turbo swap on google then nissan ever had in data on the l28et.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

A quick lesson on Japanese cars: When a car name has a number in it, it's usually indicating the engine size...

Datsun 280ZX = 2.8L motor
Datsun 240Z = 2.4L motor
Lexus IS300 = 3.0L motor
Nissan 370Z = 3.7L motor



If you want to go turbo, it all depends on your mechanical skill level, and the amount of money in your bank account.

 

Thanks very helpful and would you suggest a turbo swap or a rebuild with higher end internals to make more HP Around 350whp is what im looking for. Also rear louvers I have searched everywhere for them Ebay, google, junkyards etc. and cannot find them anywhere. Any suggestions? - Thanks

 

The reason you can't find any rear louvers is that I have been actively hunting them down since the '80s and burning/crushing them......

As for the turbo swap you're going to need to do a whole bunch of searching and reading but you're on the right path. The L28ET is a great way to get power under your hood and it was designed specifically for the 280ZX. The stock bottom end is forged cranks and rods. You can built to 300RWHP very reliably and if you use a more efficient modern turbo (eg ball bearings, etc) and increase the efficiency or the whole system keeping your charge temperature down I don't see why you couldn't get 350RWHP from the stock bottom end... There have been people getting 400RWHP (or so the rumour goes - I never saw a dyno sheet) from a junkyard pull. It's not something that is going to last though.... Spend your money on the important stuff outside the engine and get a programable ECU and a proper tune.