turbo charging a non turbo 280zx?
12-13-2003, 10:37 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
turbo charging a non turbo 280zx?
hello friends, i am a new datsun 1983 280zx owner...i wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for me. I am interested in making my car turbo charged...i was wondering if it is possible to put a turbo from a turbo280zx into my car...my friend told me i wouldnt need a new intake manifold because the way the turbo links up is the same in both cars (turbo and non), but that I would need a new exhaust manifold...he also said that the engine from the turbo cars is the same as the non turbo...is this true? if it is do you think it would be worth it to attempt this? would the turbo be too much for the engine? also any other tips people have for making the car faster (cheaply) would be greatly appreciated!
12-14-2003, 12:37 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 150
I know the turbo engine has a different head and pistons. You should be able to do it as long as you didn't turn up the boost. Have you tried looking for a turbo engine and just doing a engine swap? That would be the easiest way i think.
12-14-2003, 01:19 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, I have thought about that, but that would be a huge amount of work, and probably terribly expensive...i thought that maybe this was a cheaper and easier solution to more hp than a new engine...the engine in it seems to be running well...it only has about 145k miles on it...so i dunno...might try it, but i just havent heard of anyone else doing it before, and was hoping it was possible...any other suggestions for more hp?
12-15-2003, 03:50 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 71
I´m Turbocharging my N/A but that´s because I cant´t get a turbo-engine here in sweden. It does not have to be that expensive, however I will have to replace the pistons if I want too run higher boost. Here´s some pics if you´re interested:http://speedfreak.nu/modules.php?set...view_album.php Mine is the yellow 280zx and the red one belongs to a friend who has a twin-turbo setup.
Last edited by Fredrik; 12-15-2003 at 03:58 AM.
12-15-2003, 04:46 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hampton, VA
Posts: 106
combo turn signal / driving light
Dear Fredrik,
First off, nice ZX, I hope you're successful with the turbo project. The reason I replied is that I have been looking for a way to get the combination turn signal / driving lights that come on the euro-version of the ZX. You wouldn't happen to know of a place where they sell them? Here in the US all you can get is the full amber turn signal light. I want to have driving lights, but I don't want something just bolted on, I would like the integrated bumper look of the Euro ZX.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks,
VernonZ
First off, nice ZX, I hope you're successful with the turbo project. The reason I replied is that I have been looking for a way to get the combination turn signal / driving lights that come on the euro-version of the ZX. You wouldn't happen to know of a place where they sell them? Here in the US all you can get is the full amber turn signal light. I want to have driving lights, but I don't want something just bolted on, I would like the integrated bumper look of the Euro ZX.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks,
VernonZ
12-15-2003, 08:37 AM
#6
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
On your turbo project, it is usually not recomended to turbo charge a non-turbo engine. 145K is not a lot of miles for a car this old but for doing a major performance change that engine is considered old and tired.
If you do put a turbo on there, due to your higher compression you'll want to keep the boost down to 5-6 psi max. Even then you may run into problems. Recently I have heard of people putting a turbo on an n/a engine and actually using the same fuel system and computer and due to the oxygen sensor or something like that the engine richens the fuel mixture to try to make up for the extra air coming in. ?? I wouldn't ever suggest it but it might work for you. You'll probably be looking at a good 30hp increase. Don't bother running an intercooler but do run high octain fuel. Now, you'll also need to cool the turbo. You can either get the 280zx turbo which is oil cooled and you will need to run an oil line from your oil pan or get a different turbo (300ZX) which is water cooled and run water lines to it. I think the water cooled might be better for your application.
If you do put a turbo on there, due to your higher compression you'll want to keep the boost down to 5-6 psi max. Even then you may run into problems. Recently I have heard of people putting a turbo on an n/a engine and actually using the same fuel system and computer and due to the oxygen sensor or something like that the engine richens the fuel mixture to try to make up for the extra air coming in. ?? I wouldn't ever suggest it but it might work for you. You'll probably be looking at a good 30hp increase. Don't bother running an intercooler but do run high octain fuel. Now, you'll also need to cool the turbo. You can either get the 280zx turbo which is oil cooled and you will need to run an oil line from your oil pan or get a different turbo (300ZX) which is water cooled and run water lines to it. I think the water cooled might be better for your application.
12-15-2003, 11:02 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey guys thanks for the advice...you rock, so i may try some of those options out, ill let ya know how it works (or doesnt work) out for me (hehe)...gotta get some cash first...by the way, bleach, about the high compression of my engine compared to that of a turbo, what about getting the pistons "machined" for a lower compression comparable to those in a turbo zx? ever heard of this done? and how much do you think something like that may cost? my roomate mentioned something about it, he was thinking about doing that for his turbo dodge omni...
12-16-2003, 01:46 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 71
Re: combo turn signal / driving light
Originally posted by VernonZ
Dear Fredrik,
First off, nice ZX, I hope you're successful with the turbo project. The reason I replied is that I have been looking for a way to get the combination turn signal / driving lights that come on the euro-version of the ZX. You wouldn't happen to know of a place where they sell them? Here in the US all you can get is the full amber turn signal light. I want to have driving lights, but I don't want something just bolted on, I would like the integrated bumper look of the Euro ZX.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks,
VernonZ
Dear Fredrik,
First off, nice ZX, I hope you're successful with the turbo project. The reason I replied is that I have been looking for a way to get the combination turn signal / driving lights that come on the euro-version of the ZX. You wouldn't happen to know of a place where they sell them? Here in the US all you can get is the full amber turn signal light. I want to have driving lights, but I don't want something just bolted on, I would like the integrated bumper look of the Euro ZX.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks,
VernonZ
) I was lucky to find new bumpers here in Sweden but I don´t know of any more. I buy almost all of my parts from the US because it´s almost impossible to get z-parts in europe. It´s not the cheapest way (shipping +about 35% swedish tax on the total sum, parts+shipping) but it´s the only way I know 
12-16-2003, 07:36 AM
#9
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
Why pay to machine the pistons when you can buy stock 280Z pistons that are already dished?
The 280ZX turbo uses the same F54 block that the 280ZX N/A uses. The head volume is about the same too. The turbo uses dished pistons to get about 7.5:1 compression while the N/A uses flat tops for 8.8:1 compression. (1981-83)
If you have a 280ZX older than 1981, then you've already got dished pistons and you should just swap your head or get a 2mm head gasket which will cost the same as a used head. Get the P79 or P90 head. P79 is a non-turbo head and is easier to find.
- - - - -
I see you have an 83, so you can change your pistons out for those from a 75-80 and you'll be fine. I guess. With all that work though, why not swap in a turbo engine?
The 280ZX turbo uses the same F54 block that the 280ZX N/A uses. The head volume is about the same too. The turbo uses dished pistons to get about 7.5:1 compression while the N/A uses flat tops for 8.8:1 compression. (1981-83)
If you have a 280ZX older than 1981, then you've already got dished pistons and you should just swap your head or get a 2mm head gasket which will cost the same as a used head. Get the P79 or P90 head. P79 is a non-turbo head and is easier to find.
- - - - -
I see you have an 83, so you can change your pistons out for those from a 75-80 and you'll be fine. I guess. With all that work though, why not swap in a turbo engine?
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