ok ok ok. so i'm sure the question has already been asked and honestly, i did a quick search and found nothing in the few minutes i looked. but here's the problem. i spun my main bearing and i know it's time for a rebuild or replacement. and right now on craigslist is a turbo'd engine running. if the compression tests out fine, would it be a good idea to put it in. same year but my car is n/a and his car has turbo. the engine sould just fall right in right? not to much work, just taking off the turbo and installing the downpipe. correct me if i am wrong. but what would you do??

 

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ght=turbo+swap

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ght=turbo+swap

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ght=turbo+swap

The list goes on. That first link should answer all your basic questions.

 

As far as getting the engine in the car, yes. Its a direct fit. BUT, and this is a bi but, its not just plug and play. If you dont transfer the wiring harness you have to splice in to the NA one which can be a pain, ECU, fuel pump just to name a few . . . .look more in to this 1st before buying unless someone wants to explain the whole thing. I did the NA to turbo swap. Trust me. its not plug and play

 

Lets say u buy the 280zx turbo u will need out of the donor car the " engine " tranny " drive shaft " rear diff. u will also need the engine bay wire harness the ecu wire harness " make sure to mark your fuel injector clips with tail nail polish 1-6 or else ! . U will need every sensor out of your donor car. Truthfully if u have about a week and 3 friends to help u can be able to get it done in week or less it took me and my wife 2 days to complete strip a 1981 280zxt from ground to bottom but then again i have tooken apart my cars and put them back togethor a few time if u havent ever tooken apart your 280zx then u better get some one who knows or start practicing if u lived close to me i would help if i had time to... on anther note there is a z guy on www.ebay.com that does rebuild l28e and l28et engine starting from 1800.00 to 2500.00 dollars look for his rebuilt engines.

 

you dont need the diff or driveshaft if you stick the the somewhat stronger NA tranny..