swapping a l28et from 1981-1983
 

Hi all, I have a 1980 280zx stock with 205,000 miles on it. I want to put a turbo engine on it. If I were to buy a 1981-1983 turbo, would it bolt right on or would it need some fabrication? also I would have to pay a shop, how much do you think a good shop would cost to do the swap? And should a swap the trans for a t5? or keep it stock? its a 5speed.

Welcome to ZDriver! :006:

We've had several recent discussions on this: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...7/l28et-35459/

Feel free to search, we've discussed motor swaps a lot and there is tons of great info on this site! We're here to help.

How much would a shop charge generally?

From my personal experience, I would try to do as much as possible yourself.

I'm not sure where you are located, but here in the Midwest, nobody wants to work on the old Datsuns. When you finally find someone to do it, then the work is subpar.....and overpriced, and your car sits in the corner of their garage being ignored because they really don't want to work on it. If you are on the west coast or Florida things might be different.

I live in az... I would do it myself but I dont have a hoist or anything. is it a pretty simple install going from a l28et to my 1980?

There is so much information on all of this already. Search, read everything you can find on it. Don't restrict yourself to this site either, HybridZ and other forums also have great information and writeups.

It's extreamly difficult.

Well it would be difficult if you can't be bothered to research. Not trying to be harsh but it's just the way it works out. If you can't put the effort into figuring out how the swap is done you would be hard pressed to actually do the install. That being said if you are willing it's something pretty much most humans are capable of doing.

go to harbor freight on line if one not near you. 1 ton hoist is all you need. got to have a fair selection of hand tools. sockets, box and open end. the engine is a drop in but you have to get the wire harnesss from the donor car. vacuum pump if you want your climate control to work 100%. there are a bunch of write ups on line. if you are novice mechanic might sweat a few things. if you are experienced should go fairly smoothly.