Hi,
I am here seeking general advice on my car. I have a 1983 N/A 280ZX that seems to be a little sluggish. The car makes no troubling sounds and is all stock. The car was owned by a relative and was well taken care of. It has 160K miles and just doesn't seem to have the ummpf that I "think" she should have. Where should I start?

 

Hi, Welcome to Zdriver. Small things can make it run sluggish. Air Filter, Fuel Regulator brokin. Clogged injector's, ETC. I would recomend 98 Oct Gas with some injector cleaner. oil change, Remember the filter, Air Filter, and Oil Treatment. If she is still runin slugish let us know. Always the First Steps. Welcome to Zdriver.

 

Awesome thanks for the welcome.....I have a new air filter installed. Not sure about fuel reg I'll have to check that out. The highest octane gas I have availible to me is 91 shall I boost that with octane booster? Any reccomended octane booster and injector cleaners?

 

If she hasn't had a tune up in a while give that a shot. plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, etc...

87 octane is fine for a stock Z. If you have a lot of carbon build up in the motor then you might need a higher octane to combat the raised compression ratio. But I'd say 89-91 is the absolute MAXIMUM octane you will need. Octane booster is just going to set you back a few dollars. Its actually harder for you engine to burn that stuff, as is higher octane gas.

 

*slaps head*
Duhhh yeah Ill hit up the distributor, thanks for the reminder. LOL

 

I'm just curious... what exactly is carbon build up? And how does it happen?

 

I also agree with the above statments: Fuel Filter, Cap, Rotor, Plugs, Plug Wires, Oil, Oil Filter, O2 sensor (if not new), PCV, EGR, Adjust the valves (if it has never been done) Clean all the contacts on the electrical connectors and sensors, Replace vacuum hoses if needed, If an auto trans is in the car then tranny fluid and filter change ( if needed) 160,xxx miles maybe the AFM adjustment (Follow the sticky post), Air filter....hmmmm yeah that should keep you busy and shouldn't cost a whole lot either.

 

This rules guys thanks for the direction.

 

blaaaa. i just saw that i put 98. i ment 91.

 

Carbon buildup mostly results from incomplete combustion and insufficient temperature. Lots of possible causes: short trips and lower
temperatures, lots of idling, fuel of higher octane than required, EGR
system (not necessarily with a problem), etc.