Along with a recently purchased '79 280ZX came an engine from asapmotors (original engine destroyed with hole in block)

replacement engine looks like F54 block, P90 head, W24 intake (U87 intake on original).

I have been unable to find out anything about the W24 intake - can say throttle body is different, thermostat housing is different (thermotime switch location has some sort of vacuum switch and water temp sensor which is missing has larger treaded opening). I'm lead to believe what I have is a japanese version of engine. Cannot find into anywhere - asapmotors was of little help. Might like to use this as it is rather than repairing and/or rebuilding old intake. Has anyone ever seen one of these and able to point me in some direction for info?

 

What you got is the turbo block and head. The block most likely has dished pistons and a low 7.5:1 compression designed for forced induction. The intake differences are because of the turbo setup that is usually on them. That is not what you need to replace your engine unless you are converting to turbo at the same time.

 

Ok - I've been reading too much and got a bit screwed up on the numbers. What I have is a F54 block with a P79 head making it an 81-83 vintage.
The intake manifold is definitely a W24. The original (blown) engine the casting code on the intake is U87.

My delima is still the W24 intake. It's pretty close to the U87 but there's more vacuum control rather than electronic control. No thermo-time switch on water inlet - there's a vacume type switch there that's hosed into the throttle body. Air regulator on W24 is different.

I don't believe the W24 intake is a turbo intake - it doesn't physically look like one. (And because I fubbed on the numbers) I'm more inclined to think it's domestic (japanese) rather than an export model (us).

Looks like I'll most likely have to rebuid the U87 intake and replace the thermostat housing (one on engine is definitly different) to prevent any hassles with ECU and such.

In fact W24 intake looks like what's in pic ozzy posted in 'Help - Vacuum Adv line?'

 

The extra ports could then just be that the later ZX manifold had vaccume controled cruise control and the other manifold did not. You may just plug the holes.
the 81-83 engine is the best. Higher compression, better combusion chamber. Either manifold will work though. All of them had round intake ports. Just replace the block/head and use your existing manifold and wiring harness.