restoring 82zx
 

I have two zx, one is an 82 na 5 speed the other is a 83zxt with ttops, which started out as a 5 speed, but now is an automatic. Basically the 83 has good the good body with the bad mechanics, and the 82 has the running engine and transmission, but it is the frame is rusted and its not ttop. So anyways i wanna put the engine and transmission from the 82 into the 83, how long will this take and how difficult will it be. Also where could i find info on this? perhaps a book or some write up online.

why would you want to put the 82 n/a engine in the 83zxt?? id put the 5 speed back in the 83 and jsut rebuld the turbo engine... sell the 82 and use the money for the restoration of the 83... thats what i would do if i were in your posistion...

the reason im just putting the na into the 83 is because the turbo motor is missing the turbo, the exhaust manifold and the intake, pluse the cylinders have been open to the weather so what i was gonna do is put the na with the five speed in for now so i can drive it and take my time rebuilding the turbo block

The main hassle I see is you will have to switch over some of the wiring harness from the turbo equipment to NA to run the NA fuel injection on the other block. Then when you finish rebuilding your turbo engine, you'll have to swap it all back to turbo stuff.

Swapping just the block would be no big deal at all if the intake and exhaust manifold were just a bolt-on and go; but its not like that.

If you need to drive something, Id say drive the rusty frame 82 as it is now. Don't worry about it not having T-tops. Fix your turbo engine and remove the automatic transmission (if you prefer a 5-speed like most people) and then work on them out of the car. You may need some time to hook everything back up and get it running good. You'll have your '82 Z to drive during this time. Just don't pack in too much weight in the car with the rusty frame! :D