1981 vs 1983ZX
The Evil Twin
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,297
From: Seattle, WA
Re: 1981 vs 1983ZX
The engines are the same internally and externally. They both use a P79 head and F54 block with flattop pistons.
The bumpers front and rear are a little different, but they are all interchangable. The body panels are the same inside and out.
The front and rear brake pads are different. Also, the front and rear struts are slightly different. The front tie-rod ends are different inside and outside. The transmission and rear end are the same between the two. The tail lights have different styles, but are interchangable. The hood is a different style, and most people prefer the 82-83 hood. It is basically the 1981 280zx turbo hood, and Nissan decided to use it on all their turbos and non-turbo for 82-83.
The bumpers front and rear are a little different, but they are all interchangable. The body panels are the same inside and out.
The front and rear brake pads are different. Also, the front and rear struts are slightly different. The front tie-rod ends are different inside and outside. The transmission and rear end are the same between the two. The tail lights have different styles, but are interchangable. The hood is a different style, and most people prefer the 82-83 hood. It is basically the 1981 280zx turbo hood, and Nissan decided to use it on all their turbos and non-turbo for 82-83.
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Posts: n/a
Re: 1981 vs 1983ZX
I have an 82 with a F54 block and N42 head. Then again I'm happy for someone to tell me this is a changeover. Were the N42's ever released on the stock 82s or is the original owner likely to have warped a head at some point. I hear the N42 and flat top piston combo is a good one.
A driving story for you all..
I was doing a right turn in the wet tonight (we drive on the left here in aust so reverse everything if you are in the smellier hemisphere) and some idiot in a toyota comes out the street i was entering trying to pull a right turn also. (without looking mind you). Full right lock, full throttle, a bit of left lock and a lot of swearing and my right turn had become the sweetest under pressure u-turn i've ever pulled. I'm growing to love this 280 more and more each time i drive it. It's like - oh cool, i got myself a driftmobile. The Z31T was faster but never as much fun to drive as this thing.
[edit]
to prevent offense, the smellier hemisphere is related to
pollution levels and not personal hygiene issues
))
What Rust?<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by iksteh on 08/06/02 03:49 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
A driving story for you all..
I was doing a right turn in the wet tonight (we drive on the left here in aust so reverse everything if you are in the smellier hemisphere) and some idiot in a toyota comes out the street i was entering trying to pull a right turn also. (without looking mind you). Full right lock, full throttle, a bit of left lock and a lot of swearing and my right turn had become the sweetest under pressure u-turn i've ever pulled. I'm growing to love this 280 more and more each time i drive it. It's like - oh cool, i got myself a driftmobile. The Z31T was faster but never as much fun to drive as this thing.
[edit]
to prevent offense, the smellier hemisphere is related to
pollution levels and not personal hygiene issues
))What Rust?<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by iksteh on 08/06/02 03:49 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
The Evil Twin
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,297
From: Seattle, WA
Re: 1981 vs 1983ZX
No, the 1982 280zx never came with the N42 head in any country because that head was meant to be used on a block with dished pistons. That is a common swap to get 10.2:1 compression although the combustion chambers are open rather than closed. The peanut shape of the closed chamber in the P79 pushes the compressed fuel into the corner close to the spark plug while the open chamber pushes the fuel near the center of the piston. As you know the spark plug is on the side of the head. The older open chambered heads work fine, but are more prone to pinging especially on high compression setups like yours. You may have a lot of pinging if you run low octain gas.... then again, you may not. That is just the theory of design.
Newer cars all have closed chambered heads unless you're talking about a DOHC engine. Then the head is symeticral. The 4 valves are even along both sides and the spark plug is directly in the center where the flame kernal begins. That seems to be the best evolution of the internal combustion engine as it has a really good quench design and allows the best possible air flow.
Recently, VW has made 5 valve per cylinder engines. That may or may not have any advantage. Two larger intake valves and three smaller exhaust valves I think. I saw that on their 4-cyl turbo they put in the GTI and Beetle. requires more cam lobes.
Newer cars all have closed chambered heads unless you're talking about a DOHC engine. Then the head is symeticral. The 4 valves are even along both sides and the spark plug is directly in the center where the flame kernal begins. That seems to be the best evolution of the internal combustion engine as it has a really good quench design and allows the best possible air flow.
Recently, VW has made 5 valve per cylinder engines. That may or may not have any advantage. Two larger intake valves and three smaller exhaust valves I think. I saw that on their 4-cyl turbo they put in the GTI and Beetle. requires more cam lobes.
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