75Cameron

Dave: HAHAHA OKOK, I get your point. I will talk to my local speed shop and see what certain things are gonna cost me and decide if it is worth it. Thanks for all of your help, I've been learning a lot. I think I am almost ready to start considering purchasing parts.

Tony: Yeah I was definately planning on running MSnS. So based on that, I am already increasing my prices a bit by buying better parts and going a bit overboard on stuff that isn't ENTIRELY necessary (i.e. external wastegate). Would I be better off going with larger injectors? Or would I just be wasting my money? I mean, lets consider it this way. My goal is 350whp, which isn't that extreme of a goal, but I'm not on a tight timeline on this build, if I can get more power by just spending a tiny bit extra on injectors then that would of been a worthwhile investment. I don't know, I'm pretty exhausted right now, so I hope that makes sense.

Yeah I agree, it is possible, and probably not extremely difficult with a t3/t04 and internal wastegate. I am just considering my options at this point, and my grandfather and a friend of his are really good at fabricating, machining and welding things (my grandfather works on classic cars as a hobby and has a '21 hudson and a couple other cars that are damn near impossible to buy parts for these days), I was going to try to weasel their aide in creating this part, because that would be where I have the difficulty. I also will employ his help for the exhaust piping and downpipe. Helix112: now you're increasing my costs quite a bit. However UNFORTUNATELY!!!!!!! (i.e. you suck man! lol just kidding) You made a good point. I should use a BB style turbo, looking at the Garrett GT35/40R and GT42R, they both look like amazing turbos, except for the drastic price increase.... As far as the part though, the difference would just be the flange I put onto the spacer, I'd leave the exhaust manifold stock, but due do the price increase the Helix just gave me, some how I think I'll probably stick with the GT35R, but with the external wastegate design I have been thinking about from the above post.

Just found it! http://forums.hybridz.org/showpost.php?p=596511&postcount=7 This is what I want to Fabricate. It looks very nice!

These pictures were taken after the first stage of tear-down, starts lookin much better! And a extremely pleasant suprise when I lifted the valve cover.... IT'S CLEAN (unlike my workbench)!

These pictures were taken after picking it up and mounting the engine on the stand. Wow.... ugly....

Ahh Thanks Dave. That's a good point, but I really really want to do this build up correct. I'm going to try to dump at least 1k / month from here on into the project until its done. But as we all know, sometimes this type of project can get extremely expensive. 73Turbo240 - My understanding on it (even though it is limited) is that the 440ccs will get me to my goal but they would be pretty maxed out. And I would rather go a little larger so I have room for improvement later without need of replacing quite as much. Is this correct or am I way off?

Ahh good point on the 2.5" down pipe. I figured 2.5" was low, but the sticky said it should be fine.... so I didn't know. But I always thought 3" would be better, so 3" it is! and 3" exhaust is a MUST, I agree completely. Any input on how large we think the injectors should be to accomplish this task? 5??cc - sound about right?

I do still have my l28e, but I'm not going to sell it until my build up is complete, because my 280 is my only car, and I need it running until my turbo engine is complete. Sorry! >.<

Ahh ok, what do they do regarding the fuel rails then? Can you use the stock fuel rails, or do they have them custom built?

I just started on my life long ( I hope not ) project on my Turbo Swap for my '75 280. It's a '81, but unfortunately I got it out of a wrecked car, and it was already pulled, which means DEAD engine harness and destroyed hoses and maybe some bad sensors.... But that just means a bit more to replace. LOL. I've got a lot of work to do on it. I'm really looking at doing the build correctly, even if it takes longer because of the price increases. I am looking at trying to get a good 300-350whp, with emphasis on the 350. I'll post some pictures of my first day with my new engine. I was just hoping to get a little bit of input about what you guys think would be a good start to get me to my goal. I was planning on the standard T3/T04 turbo, MSnS, 60mm throttle body, Isuzu NPR medium intercooler, 2.5" custom downpipe. I haven't decided which injectors I am going to go with and the fuel rail (if required). Anyway, what ever input you guys can offer would be extremely appreciated. Thanks a bunch! Cameron 75 280z Pearlescent White (L28ET Build-up In Progress) 5-speed Tokico Illumina Lowering Kit Strut Braces & Sway Bars

Interesting, that sounds good. I'll look into that!

So, if I get my radiator, headers fabricated, aftermarket fuel pump/regulator, and PS pump removed prior to the install, I will cut the time down a little bit, but I'm still looking at a long time. Which I totally understand, and can save up the money to deal with. What else am I missing? *begins making a checklist* My suspension is already done, but I'm going to do the 4-piston Wilwood kit from arizonaz for front and rear after the engine swap.

Yeah I figured. What parts am I going to need aside from the kit in order to get it together (the link to the kit is here if you don't know about it already: http://www.brokenkitty.com/zcar/zcar.htm)? Again just trying to keep the time down to a minimum, if I order the radiator and headers in advance, I assume it would help bring the time down a little bit. But it sounded like with the JCI kit there was no driveshaft modification, I am going to be purchasing the complete kit, not just the engine mounts. (but I maybe will be ordering the radiator seperately, in order to decrease the down time.) Ok with risk of sounding MORE like a complete idiot. Aside from headers what exhaust issues will I be running into? I am getting the complete stock wiring harness, won't that avoid most of the wiring issues? Fuel system upgrade? Well, while I'm not certain what you meant, I am trying to keep the LS1 as close to stock as possible. I will be making changes to it later when I have more time and money, it will be (like most others seem to have) a constant work in progress. I don't mind a minor sacrifice in power for some time, the increase in power over my stock L28E will be a huge as it is. ~Cameron

Hey everybody! After much thought and deliberation, I decided against the L28ET swap and am going for the LS1 with T56. I'm extremely excited, I haven't been this happy since I lost my virginity! I got a '00 LS1, T56 (out of the same car), harness, ECU and fan assembly (the only part out of a different vehicle, but also an LS1, just a different year) on hold for me to order when I get paid on the 1st. I will be rebuilding the engine and transmission prior to installing them into the car. But here comes the hitch and where my questions come in. I have read that I should get the kit for the LS1 from JCI and based on what I have read, and the lack of experience that I have with working on engines, it sounds like a good plan to me. The trick is, my 280z is my only car and is my daily driver. So, based on that, I really would like to try to get the swap completed in 3 days, so I will only have to call in sick 1 day. 4 days would be a max. Is this possible? Or am I seriously smoking something? I have read the JCI site, but it is difficult for me to tell exactly how much work is actually involved that isn't included in the parts list from the site. I live in Cali, so I won't be able to use his headers, and I heard that the stock ones won't fit, so what will? Please try to keep in mind that I am a college student, so I'm trying to keep the price down as much as possible. What parts would I need in advance to make the swap take as little time as possible? (and keep my fingers crossed that nothing hidden comes up and suprises me along the way). Thanks a ton. ~Cameron '75 280z - White Tokico Lowering Springs with Illuminas Shortened Factory Shifter Aftermarket Sway Bars & Strut Braces P.S. I am certain that some of these questions have been answered over time through the search function and I honestly have looked, I just never have good results with it and can't find what I am looking for, but I did find quite a bit of information so I'm not 100% ignorant.

Thanks for the info Drax, and others. I've got a 75 280 that I'm beginning to look for an engine to do the swap with. I can't wait.

Thanks for the info Drax, and others. I've got a 75 280 that I'm beginning to look for an engine to do the swap with. I can't wait.

Wow, great article, lots of information! Thanks

nitr0: Thanks for the Welcome, I have been reading quite a bit here, but never posted. And thank you for the information... That is a good point: I was not thinking about the down time of having the engine apart and not being able to drive (as this is my daily driver). I have been having some difficulty locating a l28et, but I'm sure given time, I will be able to find one for a reasonable price. The learning is also great as well. and *chuckles* Yes, I have been doing searching regarding this subject quite a bit, and many of the posts are extremely helpful, but most people seem to be shooting for the starts with the RWHP, but since a 30 year old car is my daily driver, I'd rather not push it too much, because I KNOW I would be tempted to use it, and with more power, the reliability drops. As well as, I am not trying to spend 10k on this upgrade, infact I'm trying to shell out the smallest amount possible to get my HP goal. DAW: I wish I could understand everything you just told me, however I'm going to do some searching right now to figure out what it all means. I have however heard that the entire top end of the p90 was needed to do the swap, partially due to the knock sensor you spoke of. I am probably going to be using the L28ET ECCS, turbo injectors and fuel pump temporially until I can afford to upgrade them to something along the lines of MSnS. My goal is reliability, because as I said above, this is my daily driver and I just want a bit more of a fun commute. I will definately be running an intercooler though even if it takes me a little bit longer before I can install it. I do like NA engines, but getting 250 rwhp in an NA application, from my understanding would require quite a bit more cost than with a turbo. However, thanks for the idea. Cameron

Hey all, I hate to do this to you all, I know how much you hate repeating yourself, trust me I understand (I hate repeating myself as well). But I have been searching the site for information about doing a swap to a turbo implementation. I'm currently running a stocker L28e with no real modifications to the engine. The engine runs great and was rebuilt approximately 60k miles ago and runs like a champ. My question begins with this: most of the postings I have read say that the best way is just to find a 81-83 280zxt doner car and take the engine, ecu and wiring harness. My question is, doing this, aren't I just opening up a can of worms that I have no idea how much trouble I am going to have? Would it not be easier to add a turbo to my stock engine? Ok, well my goal is to run 200-250 rwhp, but obviously I'm not sitting on a bucket of cash, so this is the type of project that I am going to have to do over time and do a little bit at a time, or buy the parts piece by piece. (Got to love the life of a college student...) I realize I am going to need a T3/T04 turbo, intercooler, 3" down pipe, P90 heads, high pressure fuel pump, ecu, wiring harness. Anyway, I love the site, and many of the people here seem to be extremely knowledgeable, so I figured it would be the best place to ask. Anyway, I think I have begun to ramble. Thanks! Cameron '75 280z 5-Speed Catless performance exhaust Strut Braces (Tokico Illuminas with Tokico Lowering Springs - On Order)