GTH

Anyone got any tips on how to get some extra power from my 82 280zx.....aside from a turbo swap.

Im lookin to get intake, exhaust eventually. any suggestions on chips? Read somewhere that the stock intake manifold is very restrictive and was wondering if this is correct, and if so what can be done about it?

Ive read a few others that seem to have good info, but they mention money alot, and alot of money is what i do not have. Im just wondering what, If anything can be done in my garage to get some extra power.

Right now i should prolly just get a turn up, my valves rattle a bit.

Just looking for information currently.

Edit: oh heh, neat lil forum called PERFORMANCE / TECHNICAL.....lol i'll look there.

NismoPick

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx-performance-technical-79/budget-upgrades-n00bs-32540/

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx-performance-technical-79/l28-bored-3-0l-32152/

Bore... stroke... port... intake... exhaust... cam... ignition. Done.

GTH

Im starting to realize the SOHC is rather restrictive on these cars as well. am i correct in thinking this?

hoov100

I would be worried about flow, not how many cams it has. The SOHC head has been proven to flow more then enough for an N/A motor. If you want a slightly powerfull, lots of low end torque motor, swap in an N/A vg30.

FricFrac

Skip the money pit and do the turbo swap.... You should be able to get a swap for around $500. Even if it cost $1000 I can't think of $1000 worth of mods that would get an NA to where the stock turbo engine starts at 9 or 10lbs of boost power wise....

GTH

ouch....whats milage like on a turbo tho? im rockin 21mpg avg right now

duckyz

You want power or gas mileage? Can't have both, I don't care what you drive...unless you drive a Tesla. Another thing, you don't need 500hp for these cars to go fast. They are fairly light, so 200hp will get you sailing right on down the road. Point blank, the easiest way to do that is a turbo conversion.

Now, I love the feeling of a turbo, but I'm a little "old school" and prefer to have my hp "on tap" and love my n/a motor. Can I smoke an EVO? Nope. But I can make him think twice about getting one. I'm only pushing 175hp.

GTH

yeah, more power needs more juice.

I see what you mean. my car even in the condition its in is rather quick. gets to 80 just fine. it likes to grind a bit going into second tho, even if i leave the clutch down for 2 seconds or more, it just seems to keep spinning. down shifting it does the same. only for second tho.

mayhem052

for that coming from a similar problem with some later model Civic Sis, first try changing your transmission fluid to Amsoil or pretty much any higher end MTF. If that doesn't work change your clutch master and slave cylinders. If those don't solve it then you've got something wrong with the tranny.

FricFrac

Uh gas mileage is going to be based on efficiency and a turbo motor is more efficient. That's why they are talking about putting in a four banger turbo in the new Camaro's - high power, maximum efficiency and lower emisions.

Switchtr3

Turbo motors are generally known to actually get better gas mileage. And how are you getting 21mpg? That's already damn good. I think when I really try I can still only get 16 or 17. I toyed with the idea of doing a turbo swap into my 81, but I think I'd rather go for my own unique setup. Especially since the rest of the car isn't set up as a turbo I'd feel halfassed just sticking a L28ET under the hood and calling it a day. That is by far the best bang for the buck though. Call up a junkyard, you'd be surprised what cheap prices they have for these motors. I was looking at one in my area for like $400 a year or two ago.

WildmaN

I don't think 21mpg, is all that great. Especially for an engine running like it should. I get between 19-21 with my Z. And the number six cylinder still does not burn all the fuel it gets. Which causes my Z to run too rich. I have already tried to lean it out the most I can, without hurting it. I am thinking about putting my stock fuel pressure regulator back on. And see if it helps any.

Bleach

The turbo swap should be the same if you're driving as easy as you are with your NA.
I would average 21-22 with a healthy NA and the stock 3.9 rear (5-speed)
Then I ran a stock turbo engine with the matching 3.54 rear gear and got about the same. Highway milage I think improved a bit with that tall gearing. I think a 3.7 is a better fit though for a rear gear ratio.

You're still looking at roughly 19 city 27 highway. You use up more fuel when you're pushing 10psi constantly!

GTH

well now i got more issues then getting more HP outta my car. my clutch goes to the floor and has very little back pressure. I have to pump it constantly to keep the pressure up. very annoying in traffic, i got honked at alot today.

WildmaN

^ I would say your slave cylinder is shot. That is usually the first culprit, when the clutch pedal doesn't retract. Take it from experience. It has happened to me more than I can count.

Bleach

a new braided stainless clutch line from Motorsport Auto is not very expensive too. I put one on at the same time I did the clutch master and slave cylinder