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sltn87

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Posts posted by sltn87

  1. Yes, a straight MS fuel only ECU would be the cheapest route to go where you want while retaining the stock ignition system. Personally (I'm going through this right now) I'd go ahead and get the MS-II or MSnS-E and run spark. I'm working on an MS-II install into my 81ZX DD and I've learned a ton and made a lot of mistakes. I can build the ECUs all day long, but it seems installing them has really made me scratch. Thankfully with the assistance of others on here and Matt Cramer from DIY Auto Tune I have it figured out and should be up and running shortly (waiting on a new VB921). I've thrown in a header and stage II cam from MSA so although I'm not much over stock I felt better going after market for better response and fuel economy (It's a Daily Driver after all). Once I get this going I'm going to start a quick write up as I used the stock N/A VR distributor to trigger the MS-II. If you have any questions just ask, I've screwed up enough that I've learned what to look out for and what not.

     

    Alright thanks, you will probably have your writeup way before I will have my MegaSquirt. I can imagine building the ECU would be the hard part and installing would be the tough part, all in all I believe I'm more than capable of the install. At least I know the difference between a capacitor and a resistor :P.

     

    Going back to your original question, i don't think there is anything cheaper than megasquirt other than remaining with your stock FI (assuming it's in good condition). But to Braap's point, the stock FI is really only good with a stock cam.

     

    As for MS, there are several versions of the hardware, and then different versions of the firmware as well. At first it's a bit confusing, but if you spend some uninterupted time on the MS website, I think it will become clear. I just went through this myself with a similar build to what you describe and have been very happy with the outcome. BTW, MSnS can be used for fuel-only and it gives you larger tables for tuning than the stock firmware.

     

    Here's a brief summary I put together while it was still fresh in my brain:

     

    http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=122277

     

    As for price, I spent around $800 by the time I was finished. I was starting with a carb'd 73 so had to buy things (like injectors, high pressure pump, etc) that are already on your car. My guess is you could do it for around $500 give or take $100.

     

    FWIW, I started with fuel-only. That was enough new stuff to deal with at one time. I am now getting ready to convert to letting MS control spark. I don't think that it will be all that much extra to do, just need to source the parts. That's part of the beauty of MS - you can bite it off in chunks if you want. Plus, lots of support here and on the MS forums.

     

    I guess when you think about it $500 or so isn't bad, about the price to build a custom desktop computer. Wow that's nice how it can control fuel only, I might have to invest in that if I ever decide to go distributor-less. I have a lot of time of my hands to spend on the MS website as well, firmware installs hopefully shouldn't be that bad since since I'm very familiar with them in the computer/hardware world. I appreciate everyone's input, I didn't realize the OE efi was THAT bad, luckily I have my 420a DSM to drive while my s130 is down for the count. I truly believe that these big L28s are more than capable of what I need them to do in the N/a world plus it would be nice to build a high compression s130 and be diffrent. :D

  2. well the nistune and 300zx maf swap would be the easiest from the tunning aspec, in that nistune can load a base map for the 280zx for you so at ;least when its all installed you don';t have to start from scratch. the installation would also be alot easier than a mega squirt but the mega squirt is cheaper.

    (if you have to buy all the componets for both) nistune alone was 347 shipped to my buddy.

     

    Alright thanks for your response, so basically MegaSquirt is what I'm looking for not MegaSquirtNSpark if I want to retain my distributor correct? Thanks again for baring with me.

  3. Thanks for the input everyone.

     

    @ BRAAP: Since the OE efi is not good for anything besides stock I guess I'll invest into getting a programmable efi before I do any serious mods as I do not want to end up like the original poster in that thread you pinpointed me to. In that thread it is mentioned that Mega Squirt is fairly inexpensive if so how inexpensive? Also upon further research I see there are different variants of Mega Squirt, which one is the right one for my N/a application? Can MegaSquirt be installed using wiring diagrams or is there some type of rocket science involved? Lastly, in that thread someone mentions about swapping in a Z31 ecu and tuning it with Nisstune, is that a cheaper alternative to MS? I apologize if these questions have been covered in depth , I appreciate everyone's input.

     

    @ 76s30:

    Yes it's Double Dragon, I'm a huge fan of the series.

  4. Hi, I've been a lurker here for the most part, I've made threads here and there but never really posted nothing really technical as far as L28 tech goes. After searching threads for a LONG time I'd like to ask a few questions specific for my n/a 280ZX as I noticed not many people choose to build n/a 280ZXS around here, okay here goes: I own a 1983 Datsun 280ZX non turbo P79/F54 combo; I'd like to retain that combination as I've heard the P79 has good anti-detonation qualities for n/a applications plus it seems like the perfect head for beginners compared to others such as the MN47. Originally I was going to halfway-turbo it by just getting the turbo manifold and a higher output fpr and just rigging it up to work with the n/a electronics since I didn't feel like doing the complete turbo swap (motor/harness/ecu/afm/etc.). Now I just want to build a mild n/a application while maintaining the stock FI setup (I don't have money for mega squirt or the like). Here's a few things I would like to know:

    What is the highest stage Cam you can safely run on the stock FI? I'm planning to go with a Stage II but I will go with a stage I if neccessary. Are there any cheaper alternatives compared to megasquirt so I can run a more aggressive cam? What is the stock FI capable of as far as n/a goes? I apologize if these are ignorant questions but it would be nice to have Buildup Stages for my 280zx so I can know where to start, once again I'm not building a track monster just something zippy and fun around the curves.

  5. Upon further examination of my 280zx I noticed the rust holes on my floorboard were larger than I thought, and to top it all off I noticed one of my frame rails are being eaten by rust. Can this car be saved? Things like this are making me lean more towards in buying a clean Z31. Any opinions are welcome.

     

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  6. I just got done installing my APC vacuum gauge, in my auxilary gauge pod where the digital clock was. Does anyone know which color wire feeding the auxilary gauges is the wire I can tap into for power/lighting? Thanks in advance, I apologized if this has already been covered.

  7. Alright, I ordered me a JSK fuel rail for barbed type injectors so I can put it on my N42 manifold (which is not yet installed, still using webbed manifold), now I know there's a sticky on cleaning up the intake manifold plus I searched previous threads but there's still a few questions left to be answered in my case. On the stock manifold there's is an assortment of hoses I noticed that one leads to the charcoal canister, can I do away with the charcoal canister completly? Also I would like to know which bungs can I cap off? Lastly I have an aftermarket vaccum gauge that I would like to install, do I need to keep one of the manifold bungs for that? Thanks in advance, I apologize if this has already been asked.

     

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  8. The muffler shop you went to are idiots. First things first, are you running a header? If not, get one first.

    If you are running a header than any competent muffler shop can run the pipe at the width you want and stick new hangers in where needed.

    I you're not running a header then they would have to use your old factory exhaust as a flange because of the oddbal outlet on the stock manifold and then they could step up to the size you want, but it's practically pointless unless all you're doing is changing the pitch.

    For the muffler, it will fit in the stock location and you can run chrome tips out. Otherwise it will require making space somewhere under the car and a whole lot of fab work to get the dual pipes to fit around the suspension and out where you want it. Stick it in the stock spot and run tips, it's easier.

     

    Yeah I thought they were idiots as well, No I'm not running a header although I do have this custom downpipe from a vg30e 300zx fabbed up to fit a 280zx, I didn't want to go w/ headers because after searching HybridZ most posts said that you just make more noise lose bottom end power from them, plus in one post I found it said that the later 280zx had the best flowing exhaust manifold since they are "equally tuned runners" so I just decided to use them w/ the custom downpipe and run my exhaust from there. So basically running my muffler in the stock location should give me adequete room and give me just as much gain as running them from sidepipes?

     

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    Well I'm planning on running a Flowmaster 40 series w/ a high flow cat, I'm going to have 2.5" pipe ran to the muffler and then have pipes exiting from the two outlet chambers of the muffler to sidpipes coming out before the rear tires, any thoughts or concerns that I should think of before getting this done? I took this took a local exhaust shop and they said it cannot be done because the muffler is too big and the cat is not as long as the original one? :icon56: (I thought that was the whole purpose of a highflow cat??) and they also said I'd have to stick with the factory 2" piping and they will install a round muffler w/ chrome tips using the factory piping and cat which that made no sense to me so I decided to let someone I know run my exhaust, anyways any opinions are welcome.

  10. I dunno, I guess I would rate them the same. Sebring is likely alot newer but that doesn't count for much IMO. Sebring trannys are known to crap out frequently. Far less likely to see big ticket items fail on the Nissan. However small things are likely to be cheaper on the domestic. I guess it comes down to which car YOU like better, for me.. I'd rather drive the 300zx.

     

    True on the tranny part, I wish I knew then what I knew now. The Sebring is a good looking car, but it's turning radius is horrible, having a dodge neon motor in a heavy car gives me no passing power, and my tranny leaks and slips.

  11. Ok, mind is made up, I'm going to keep the 280zx :mrgreen:, I couldn't bare the thought of it going into the wrong hands, plus I have a lot of stuff I bought for it that I never installed yet. :( Instead how does this idea sound, sell my 420a Auto DSM (Chrysler Sebring) and get the 300zx, does anyone have any input on the 300zx being a good daily driver as the Sebring? Thanks in advance.

  12. :shock: oh.. right... ( <---- Dr evil voice) Well yah, that's very very very not good.. Still not as bad as my first one; Little floor jack in my driveway.. touched the 'rail' in the back, and the jack went up about 2" before the car moved at all!! :icon56: How much is the 300zx? :lol: I'd keep the 280 if you can.. evrythings fixable.. but if you don't have the room or the urge, well.. hopefully you can find someone who does? (I hate seeing Z's go the the crusher...)

     

    The 300zx is going for $600, everything is fixable but I don't know if I have the time or resources to do it down the road, I was just thinking it would be nice to have a clean Z car that I can just instantly jump to working on the suspension and begin building it up, at the same time I really enjoy my 280zx. :(

  13. Well, it's really up to you.. but it sounds like a good deal on the 300zx... I has a 280zx as my first car, and two more since then so I have a soft spot for the those softer sprung/heavier beasts.. What do you mean by 'soft' unibody? That zx looks to be in GREAT shape as far as I'm concerned.. :icon45: Seriously, Canada is rough in old Z's.. I'd be very excited to find one up here that still HAS a floor.. at all.. :cry: I personally don't care much for the 1st gen 300's.. they rot just as bad, but have a better FI system.. although that digital dash would scare me..

     

    Soft underbody not unibody (as in under the car).:)

  14. Well not too long ago I recently got me a 1983 N/T 5 speed 280zx, I was very excited to have the car and immediately had big plans for it. After owning it for a few months of owning it I started to wonder was it more trouble restoring it than it's worth, I found out that the drivers side door has a crack that needs to be welded, to big rustholes on the floorboards (passenger and drivers side under the seats) and after putting it on a lift to have the clutch replaced I saw how soft the underbody was lastly I can't find a speedometer cable that screws into the cluster for it (yes little thigns like that annoy me). Here's the deal now, I discovered that a friend of mine has a 1985 Nissan 300zx N/T he is selling for $600 because he is tired of seeing it plus he is going overseas. This car has a newly rebuilt/possibly new engine, digital dash, CLEAN interior, no cracked dash, 15' Momo Rims, no leaky t-tops, you name it, the only problem that it's an automatic which is no problem since I can swap it over, I think it's a deal I can't refuse, what do you all think? I'm going to post pictures of both cars so you can decide for yourself, I apologize for my long post, I just need some insight on what to do.:rolleyes:

     

    280zx (currently owned)

     

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    300zx (possible purchase)

     

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  15. Hi, I just finished installing glow gauges into my 280zx N/T. The following day the speedometer quit working but I could hear a ticking sound behind the cluster as if the speedometer cable was still spinning, I've been told once they are taken out they are prone to breaking but I don't think it's broke since I still hear it, can anyone tell me if the cable just worked itself loose while I floored my car or perhaps the cable is gone for good? Thanks in advance, sorry for the ignorant question.

  16. The valve is that manifold is called a "power valve". Its basically two very small valves between the two different sections of the manifold. Its not a variable manifold, not in the sense of having two different runner lengths.

     

    Supposedly the Pathfinder manifold is one of the best flowing VG manifolds. The 3rd gen Maxima manifold doesn't flow very evenly and the dual throttle body is kind of limiting.

     

    On that power valve, if you're planning on going with boost you'll want to disable it. With boost it seems to cause a loss of power.

     

    Thanks, my theory was correct then, the long runners do look restrictive compared to the Pathfinder manifold.

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