Although I am new to Z cars and this forum, I am not a newb to cars in general. I have a '82 280ZX 2+2 5 spd. And I was looking at doing some head work (port and polish head, intake and exhaust ports, 3 angle valve job). I have already done a complete tune up and fluid change on the car. My real question would be is there a head from a different year range that I should get instead of the one that I have? One that flows better, higher comp., ect. that would make it better suited to build off of. Thanks.

-Matt

 

You probably have a P79 head. You could go with a P90 head which is used on the turbo motors and is said to be better flowing. It also has square exhaust ports instead of round ones with liners like the P79. Swapping to a N42 or N47 will raise compression to about 10.4 with your flat top pistons.

 

Since you're new to Z's but not to heads I'll tell you this much.
Your P79 and a P90 are good heads. Both closed chambered.
The higher compression N42/N47 are small combustion chambers but are open heads. They come on engines with dished pistons.

Open chambers and high compression... 'nuff said

 

Alright, thanks ya'll. I have started looking for the head, just out of curiosity, what size rearend did hte 82 NA 2+2 have. I was just cuirous cause that would pretty much determined what gear to put in there when the time comes.

-Matt

 

I think it is a 3.90, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Seems like they went from a 3.73 in '78 to a 3.90 in '79 because the ZX was a heavier car. Do a search on this forum for rear end gear posts and you will probably find the answer.
-Kel