questions on building a 280ZX TURBO engine
 

aiight guys!! I’m planning on building a 280ZXT engine.. I just bought a 83 280ZXT with 200,000 miles for only $100.. the car still runs but I’m planning on rebuilding the engine and swapping out my n/a engine out of my car... I want to get at least 300 hp out of the car but still retain its drivability.. I plan on driving this car for everyday use.. I was thinking of getting new forged pistons for it but I’m a lil worried over the cost.. I know I’ll need new injectors cuz the ones on it are really bad.. the turbo still works but I might be looking to upgrade it in the future.. my cousin talked to Rebellos out in the bay area and he said he I can stroke the short block for $2500.. and said I can handle 400hp after he does the work... I just don’t know if I want to go that rout.. well any of your suggestions is much appreciated...

You don't need to stroke it or add forged pistons to get 300 HP. You will need some sort of engine management, I good rebuild of the engine, hybrid turbo with intercooler, and a good exhaust system. That should get you to your goal.

thats what i had pretty much in mind... i wasnt looking for outragious HP... i was just going to have the engine rebuilt maybe get some head work done on the car too... i was looking at spending around $1200 for the engine rebuild and change all the hoses and injectors and just drop the engine in as is and down the raod upgrade the turbo to a hybrid and get an intercooler for it.. i was thinking of changing the computer with a 300ZX turbo computer and get it reprogramed.... ive talked to a few people who have had that done... id like to get a new engine management for it but that cost $$.. lol something i dont have much of lately.. and i was so sure how relyable they would be if i were using the car as a dayly driver...

There are plenty of people running 18+psi boost on stock internals so the L28 bottom end is pretty solid. You're gonna blow your engine if you get detonation forged or no forged so good engine management is a where the money should go if you wanted some insurance. IMO you might be pushing the limits of reliablility for a daily driver if you went 3.1L stroker and the price of admission is not worth it unless you have fat pockets, are doing some serious racing, or wanted to stay NA.

300hp is pretty attainable on a l28et without any extremely exotic setup. All the mods you will be making are really so you can safely turn up the boost (make it hove). What you need to do is drive my car around. I mean REALLY DRIVE IT so you get a baseline for what a l28et with stock efi, intercooled at 10psi feels like and go from there.

can i go and drive your car around?
mite be some fun, haha j/k

goodluck icice

I was waiting for that remark;)

A combo....
 

If cost is a issue don't take apart the engine, maybe only to replace the headgasket they are prone to breakage. If everything looks good when you take off the head swap engines. Invest in a good standalone fuel computer and everything Lockjaw said. Keep it easy if you don't want to spend big money forget the Z31 ECU.

well cost is an issue but if im going to put a turbo engine in my car id want to put a new one in or at least a well rebuilt one... i plan on only doing this job once.. lol id feel a lot better knowing that ive got a new engine in my car... i dont have a problem in paying $1500 for getting the machiening and rebuilding done on my engine... ill be doing all the installation myself and ill try to cut cost on work i can do myself... but right now im trying to get as much info as i can and options.. ive got a pretty good idea on what i want done to my car right now im in the planning stage. looking at what i can do and how much will it all cost me.. everyones input is appreciated and im taking it all into concideration.. im most likly not going to stroke it but i am going to have it rebuilt..

wassup bro...I see you scored your self a turbo motor! woohoo Now the fun starts :D Everyone above have really good advice. But yes, I would spend the money on getting the motor rebuild....I wouldn't even hesitate to do it especially with a motor that has two hundered thousand on the ticker. As for stroking the motor, there is a guy with a yellow older Z (can't remember year) that has a turbo charged stroked motor. He's doing well with the set up but I've found that most Z'ers will tell you that storking a turbo motor is a no no. I know I've read about this on Zcar.com but I would advice you to search their archives...you'll find that this is a topic that has been thrown around. Forged pistons are nice but unless your going balls out I would reserve that as a future mod. The stock internals handle boost very well and like Lockjaw said, it's all about the engine management (not to mention, forged pistons are expensive). Look into Ford Mustang SVO injectors with the brown tops...I think they are 35lb injectors. Coupled with a rising rate fuel pressure regulator and a high flow fuel pump, you will be able to fight off the dreaded pinging. Vinh, with the yellow Bruce Lee 280zxt has had good luck with installing a 7th injector that's controlled by a pressure switch. I will be doing this just to be sure I don't get pinging at 18psi. Also, don't skimp out on the head gasket...spend the money on the KHS 1mm metal head gasket. What kind of turbo are you planning on upgrading with? I would imagine your going with the T3/T4 combo. I've been thinking about going T4 with nitrous...only time will tell. Anyway, keep us posted on this swap and take lots of pics...I don't remember anyone documenting this swap on a 280zx. Good luck :D

Regarding an aftermarket fuel management:

I have heard that the 280zx turbo distributor's control module is basically inside the fuel injection computer and is run by the computer unlike the n/a Datsuns that just have a little "matchbox" on the side of the distributor that controls the spark. If this is true, do you also have to buy an ignition system or is do these fuel management systems also control your ignition?

...or would you run an n/a distributor with an aftermarket computer? Is the advance on a turbo engine different from a non-turbo Z?

There is a local guy here in Orlando that has a 260z 3.1 stroked with a T40E turbo, the car does 12's in the quarter mile. Whats really cool is this is his daily driver, Yup drives it all the time so a turbo stroked engine can be done! and used as a daily driver, Now this didn't come cheap, and no way it can be done for $1500. It is funny when ricers pull up to his car though, no fancy paint, plain white but when he hammers it wow!

icice9....
 

LOL... If you are going to be doing some racing on that engine, you'll be doing it more than once,lol. But seriouslly if you upgrade the fuel managment you def. want to upgrade the ignition. You can have all the fuel and air you could dream of, but if you dont have that spark it aint worth a ****.Your 300z comp. swap idea is cool...but, I would not do it. You can get an aftermarket system for just a bit more than you could get the 300's sys. and get it upgraded. If you want to build a good car, and have it fast and dependable... BY FROM A RESPECTED COMPANY! But be aware----If you race you will break something. Been doing it for to long for anyone to tell me different. Well have a good one.:D

ps. good luck with your Z.