hey, just got a 280zx and im rebulding it... aready gutted the interior.. replacement is comming soon and im getting ready to re-paint it.. but before i do i was wonding what i should do w/ the engin... should i rebuilt it? or should i swap one in? and if a swap... what should it be?? i was thinking a rb25 but im not sure... thanks for the help...

 

One thing I've learned on this forum is to never ask "what should I do..." It's going to start a riot amongst the ranks

But welcome to ZDriver. The L28 is a very stout money and it the 'bling' factor isnt high on your list then it is up to the task of putting down impressive numbers. The RB25 is a great engine but for what it would cost to purchase one of those you could build up your L28 just as stoutly for high horsepower. Then the L28 will just drop right back in where as the RB will take some fabrication. Another thing though is if you have a naturally aspirated L28 and horsepower is high on your list of must haves then upgrade to an L28ET (turbo).

So just think about your budget first and foremost. Then think of how far you want your money to go. You can spend an equal amount on the RB and L's to get them to the same level. But the RB still has to be made to fit the car. Then what it comes down to is ease of getting the job done and maintanence parts for the L are much cheaper and easier to find.

 

If you're planning to go the RB route, be sure to pick up the engine mounts and oil sump/pan from the 200ZR Z31. You'll need them to get the engine to fit and work. The 200ZR was the RB20 powered Z31 and they're getting quite rare, maybe an engine importer can help you out. Other than that, the wiring is gonna be a pain and you'll need a custom driveshaft too. I haven't done the swap, but I spoke to a couple of the Japanese guys that did the swap when they visited LA a couple years back for the West Coast Z convention. Their cars are posted somewhere on this site in a different thread. But like stated above, it'd be much easier to build up the L28.

 

In my opinon which is not that great some times i would stick with the L28 or an L28et to stay "original". Now if you want some real horese power and a nice looking engine i would go with a LT1/LS1 out of a 94 or so chevy camero ss, pontiac Trans AM, Corvette. You can also get one out of a 94 chevy caprise with the 9C1 edditon. thats the police interceptor package. If thats they way you decide to go then visit www.hybridz.org they have a great site for anythin z related, but mostly divulge towards v8-Z's... A really good book to get about the install of a V8 into you Z is from JTR thats JagsThatRun. Thats just my opinon as I said take it with a grain of salt.



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1979 280zx (lime green)
1972 240z (lt1 install inwk)

 

if i wanted to stick to the stock engin... how much would you guys think i would need to put into the motor to make it good/decent... and how much hp do you think it will be pushing out... w/ turbo.. and how much upgrades do i need if i wanted to add turbo?? i konw like intercooler but i just need all the facts and what i need to do before i want to do anything eles.... thanks

 

We might need to make a sticky about the pro's & con's about just adding a turbocharger to an L28.

It's really not worth it to add a turbo. You will end up swapping half the L28ET onto the L28 anyway... why search for all those parts individually, when you can start w/ a complete L28ET ?

 

What do you mean by an 'decent' engine? What are you comparing it to? The stock NA engine is decent. It is faster than a lot of cars on the road.

But, if you're racing Corvettes and want to win, then the stock engine is not good enough.

If you go with a non-turbo fuel injected L28, $2000 can probably get you 180-220hp depending on where you spend your money and what work you do yourself. This is a brand new rebuilt engine.

L28 Turbo, $2000 - maybe 280-320hp

RB25DET - those cost maybe $4-5000 to begin with I believe. Then the oil pan is extra on top of that. Stock they run 280hp but can be in the 350hp range with a stock turbo.

Anything over 300hp in these cars (even with an LSD and really wide tires) and you'll just be breaking traction even in 4th gear. Its rediculous. You don't need to go overboard with the power. For most of us, we aren't rich so a 280-300hp turbo L28 is affordable, maintanable for daily use, and plenty of power for what the car's suspension can handle. Its decent.

 

Look At It This Way I Spent 4000 Cdn On My Engine (n/a) And It Is Nice But Get A Turbo, Cheaper Power. Sure I Got 200hp+ At The Rear Wheels, But If I Spent That On A Turbo Motor Look Out Vipers!!!

 

Yo chinese kid if u want a decent shape 280zx turbo engine i will sell u the COMPLETE set up engine tranny rear diff ecu wire harness the deal is u have to come pick it up your self everything is ready to be sold i parted out a 1981 280zx turbo with only 85,000 miles with a new rebuilt motor hey e-mail me ok and get a flat bed tralior !!

 

I'm currently doin a RB25DET swap. It is isn't cheap I've spent 2700 on the motor 330 on the clutch 150 on the oil pan and sump(got the hook up) and 450 on my wiring harness to be done by Mckinney motorsports so I can plug in and play. I feel I got to spend 500-1000 more left before I put it in. I say if you got the cash and the time do the swap but you'll need to research before you jump in or it can become a money pit. If your on budget stick with the l28t good budget motor that'll make some decent hp numbers.Good luck either way.

 

^ You guys are all also forgetting the fact that homeboy lives in California and there is NO WAY to make the RB25 swap smog legal... Sorry

Rod.

 

And thats the ONLY thing thats making me even think of moving back out of CA; The fact that my car will not be emissions legal when I'm done putting it back together. What can I say, I love my Z

 

I live in Cali. You'll never make a RB smog legal. You just got to pay little more.