Hello I just joined this forum. I have a 82 280zx and im wondering where should i start at? Suspension, body, engine or interior? I want a 300hp to the wheels street legal car. I dont know if that is a lot of hp for this car. So let me know where you think i should start.

 

Hey! Welcome to ZDriver!

Sounds like the same thread on Hybridz. I suggest picking up some basic automotive repair and mod books. Once you are comfortable w/ how an engine works, move up to books like this:

 

stock i belive is 135hp if im not mistaken but as to where to start if u need any rust work done that would be the place to start you can have all the mods in the world but if u ride is rusting out underneath you. then ya u get the rest as far as street legal goes where are you located if its in flordia the term street legal is loosly defined. lol i myself run a str8 3inch exshust all the way back with a "test pipe" weldid in. you could always start there if theres no rust. issues then of course with the motor there turbo. tranny, ect

 

Welcome aboard Lit! . Gather as much info as you can and learn to work on your own car, it will save you some serious $$ in the long run! Use the search option here and dont be afraid to ask questions. Horse power is limitless if you have the doe. Hopefully you have a rustfree ride to start with. Enjoy the ride.

 

Welcome to ZDriver

 

Thanks for the welcome and help. And i am the same one on hybridz. I found this site on there. And joined and figured i would ask to get more opinions. Im in TEXAS by the way. Im comfortable how engines work. just not to familiar with the z. Where can i pick up the book shown?

 

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/TB

add that website to your favs if you haven't all ready

 

It already is. I wish i could drive my z.

 

Whats yalls opinion on a exhaust? I have a pacesetter one with a magnaflow cat and sucks. I was thinking about getting one custom made from headers back but think its a waste if im gonna boost it. Your opinions?

 

if your going turbo just wait

 

1. basic maintainence
2. body
3. suspension
4. engine modifications
5. interior

300rwhp is a lot to shoot for with that car. 4 words :money. turbo. good. luck.

Pacesetter/Monza does indeed suck. Header is a lot of work for little gain, especially if you plan to use a turbocharger soon.

Where are my manners...hello should have been #1

 

Okay... I'm gunna lay it all out for ya.

Motor:
L28ET = $free to $2000

bore .040" over
larger pistons
heavy valve work
shave head .020"
new gaskets & bearings
rods magnafluxed

Total for machine work = $2000-$4000

ARP head studs = $150-$200
1mm MLS headgasket $200-$300
T04 Turbocharger = $500-$800
External wastegate & metal fab = $500
Custom camshaft = $200-$500
Intercooler & piping = $200-$2000
Stand alone fuel management = $300-$2000
Bigger injectors = $100-$500
Fuel rail = $100-$200
BOV = $30-$150
Wideband O2 = $200-$500

Add all that up... for the motor.

Suspension:

Coil-overs = $1500-$3000
Bigger brakes = $500-$2000
SS brake lines = $150
Strut bars = $50-$300
17" or 18" rims & tires = $1000-$3000

Exhaust:
Mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust, high flow cat & muffler = $200-$800

Interior:
New interior = $500-$3000

Exterior = $200-$5000



There ya go... get out the calculator & check book. I'd say that's about $20k. I'd rather buy a Lotus.

 

Ok. So what should i do until i boost it? I dont think it is driveable with the exhaust like it is.

 

Everything I just said... except the turbo parts.

 

haha. So are you saying i need to aim lower in terms of hp?

 

I'm not saying that at all. You asked what to do for 300hp. I told you. Money talks... if you have enough, and don't care about how you use it... $15k-$20 will build a killer 280zx.

 

whats wrong with the exhaust? you never told us what was wrong with it so we cant tell you what to do... and if its just that you dont like the sound of it then well idk what you want us to tell you... do you want us to tell you to go out and buy a full NA MSA exhaust just for it to be replaced with a turbo setup?


or are you just too cool to ride in a Z with a sub par exhaust? cause it is driveable, a car only running a header and no exhaust is driveable

 

No i love how it sounds when its idling and driving. But whenever i get to about 3000+ rpms and let off it pops. And thats what i dont like.

 

um... it should... no gas pedal while coasting = running lean... that's how a motor works & it's pretty noticeable on the L28.

 

lol you took the cat out and didn't expect any repercussions? thats not that bad a problem as long as its more like a pop than a full shotgun sounding backfire

 

I have a brand new cat on it actually. And a pop is ok? Really? Im kind of worried about it. I know how engines work but new to the modding. And of course im the only one of my friends with a z. So none of them know anything about it.

 

Z's aren't UFO's ya know... they work like any other gasoline car.

 

Yea probably. Just have to add the 2 million more vacuum hoses they have compared to others.

 

only 2 million? you ain't looked under the dash yet.i got rid of that crap i have 4 in the engine bay. 3 under dash.

 

Yea forgot about those. i already yanked out the dash and put it back in with faze gauges.