i recently bought my 82 280 zx and threw a rod . can any one help me find an engine and tranny combo or any ideas that would be "cost effective" and an easy replacement (not much fab), and still hve some power to it?

 

This is a 2008 threads but, Welcome to Zdriver!! The easiest engine would be an L28et you could easily get it to 220-250hp. The next step from there would be a V-8 with a carb only because there are kits for the mounts and you don't have crazy amounts of wires to splice together. Other than that it's up to your skills and money!! My VQ35DE swap isn't hard on the fab side but I have to get help from people on the wiring.

 

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...rogress-35949/

If you want bolt in power just get an L28et like Evan mentioned.

I didn't go with the turbo swap but there are a lot of questions answered for rebuilding in this thread.

 

How well would the l24 match up to a 79' 280zx ?

 

Welcome to ZDriver! I take it you didn't read the first few posts of this thread: