NewZed

Did you make sure the "ignitor" is grounded. It grounds through the coil bracket, like cgsheen implies. No ground, no spark. no matter what signal it gets from the ECU.

Mark, I broke your word block up in to pieces, so people can catch a breath if they read it. Unfortunately, the heyday of the forum was about when I joined and the years before. Many of the guys that were very deep in to the L engines have moved on. No offense to those that are still here. I got to see a few good years of deep discussions go by from the guys that know stuff. But things have been slow for quite a while. Did you say that you have a GM Turbo 400 behind your L series engine? Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Mark Leader and I own a 1982 280ZXT. I took possession of it in 1989. While it has a decent amount of suspension modifications, it is primarily set up to go quickly in a straight line. After upgrading turbos, exhaust, and intake in the early 1990s, I hit a wall regarding the ability of the stock air flow meter to handle additional HP. Thru a set of circumstances, I met Clark Steppler at JWT and he asked if I would be willing to let him use my car as a test mule for the development of a fuel management system for the L series engine. I said, "where do I sign". He has been tuning the car since that time, as I make different modifications. The journey of modifications, goofs, and the process of the work on the car would take me so long to go over, that who ever was reading it would fall asleep halfway thru. I am about to "freshen the car up", so I'll outline it's current set up and then the ideas I have to re-create it. That's were I hope this knowledgeable forum will be able to help, as I know I'll need some assistance. While I have done most of the installation work on the car, it's been 10 years since I've touched or driven it. It is under a cover, waiting patiently to get a massage. Current configuration: stock block, heads ported as much as I think they can be with 1mm oversize valves, JWT mild L series camshaft, Ross 8:1 forged pistons, strengthened stock rods, GT3582 (.82 exhaust A/R) turbo, JWT fuel management system (tuned by Clark at JWT), 18"x6"x3 1/2" vertical flow Spearco intercooler, 2 1/2" (OD) piping, Richard Lee external wastegate, Trust long tube turbo header, a vintage Mallory coil (magspark?) which is the only coil that would allow me to run 30+ lbs of boost without blowing out the spark, 3" custom exhaust system, TH400 transmission with a 4,000 stall, 1988 Z31 R200 LSD differential with 3.71 gears, stock wheels with rears widened to 8", 6 pt roll bar, stock interior in real good shape, color of car is white. That's a brief overview. Ideas to "re-create" it: Paint it ( the paint is actually in good shape, I'd just like it to sparkle) same or similar white. Freshen interior with . .some, as yet undecided material (the interior is red and I'll keep it red). I plan on "upgrading" the turbo to either the GTX version of my GT3582 or a GTX3584 (I am going to put my head together with Clark and go over the compressor maps to try and determine if the 3584 will allow the set up to retain it's excellent transient boost response). I plan on having a local shop (run by Frank Honowetz and Ed PInk, so I feel I'm in good hands engine wise) build the bottom end to accommodate the expected power and torque. My current idea is to stroke the engine to 3.0L using the stock crank (I've been away from the car and potential modifications for so long, this was news to me), and make it a high compression (10:1) engine (I know that is probably open to debate for a number of reasons). Increase intercooler piping diameter to 3" in and 3 1/4" out. Upgrade TB size from current 60 (?)mm to 80-85mm. Upgrade intercooler (size wise) as much as I can, being limited horizontally. I'm hoping some of you experienced L series gurus can give me feedback on intercooler sizing. Keep it externally gated and ditch the current wastegate in favor of an appropriate sized Tial. The injectors will have to be upgraded, but as of now, I don't know what I'll need: I'm pretty sure JWT has come up with some new info regarding the overall fuel management system, so I will defer to Clark for those upgrades. I am fortunate to live in an area that has multiple E85 stations.....which has been a game changer in the world of modified cars, especially forced induction ones. So the car will have a flex fuel tune. I have a few goodies I've been accumulating: new brake kit, electric water pump (I have an electric fan that I'll keep), a new harmonic balancer whose brand name I can't recall at the moment, a high output (120 amps) alternator, some spiffy brackets, etc. I'm sure I left out a number of changes, upgrades, concerns, etc. but I don't want this book to get any longer. Whoever is still reading.....I appreciate it. I plan on using the accumulated info of the forum, and those of you much wiser than I to assist me with this project. I imagine most of the folks that frequent car forums and spend a decent amount of time and money modifying cars, have some level of passion (sometimes obsession........which I respect) for their cars. I also own a modified 1990 300ZXT (Z32) that I have owned since 1994, as well as a modified 2012 GTR that I bought new in 2011 (The first new car I ever purchased. The reason I mention the other cars is that if someone said you can only keep one of them, I would, without hesitation, keep the 280). It might not have come across in my overview, but the amount of time, enjoyment, learning about the car, accumulating some degree of knowledge about automotive performance (especially surrounding turbochargers), friends I've made because of the car, stories of juvenile shenanigans, uniqueness of the car, the feeling of cars' acceleration (It's quicker than the E85 GTR), and so on, have made me attached to the car beyond it being "an old Datsun". I, however, will never call it "she" or "my baby".....sorry. I started my passion for cars in the late 1960s in LA. My first Hot Rod was a 1967 SS396 that I put a 427 in, set up to be a high performing street racer. I spent alot of time in a place called Van Nuys Blvd. It was the center for high performance cars to cruise, meet girls, and street race. I still have a part of that kid in me, and the upcoming refreshing and upgrading of the little Datsun taps into that. So.....howdy! PS I've been trying, without success, to locate Jeff Priddy. He and I spent some time together about 15ish years ago. Our cars were set up very similar. He had a manual, I had an auto. He was a super bright, nice, helpful guy that I would love to reconnect with. I understand he's pretty well respected on this forum (for good reason) and maybe someone can help me contact him......or if you are reading this Jeff, call me: 818 425-4322. I don't know if there is a "member or profile page" to put together contact and car info, I couldn't find one.

If you click "Browse" up top then click Forums you can find this sub-forum down low on that page.. https://forums.hybridz.org/forum/68-new-members-forum/

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/checklists/no_record

I don't know California but don't they keep a record of cars with past violations? Not to be a buzz-kill, but why would you let a car sit unregistered for three years? Trust but verify...

Better check the emissions rules in EDH. Many people have trouble getting past the CARB. And there will be fees probably if it was not registered for three years. Might be a reason that it wasn't registered. You might buy it but not be able to drive it legally.

I would find a level surface, and some good reference points on the car body, and see if the car is tilted or the flares are one the car incorrectly. Or if something else is going on. Reference points might be something obvious like the back bumper, or the bumper mounting points. Or the inner wheel well arches. Or the sub-frame mounting points for the suspension. If the car boy is tilted,then adjusting the suspension is reasonable,and will bring the body back in to line. If the flares are off, then adjusting the car body will introduce other weirdness, like a tilted look from the back.

My 76 had about 1/2" smaller gap on the passenger side. Not sure why. Tokico lowering springs on the back, cut Nissan springs up front. The front was the same on both sides. I shimmed the strut studs to get rid of most of it. People should say less or more, by side, instead of different. We might see something consistent.

Not much.

O2 correction is normally off or on. That's how it works. It swings back and forth, over the stoichiometric point. Again, this is a basic.

You're getting coolant switches confused with the single coolant sensor. The problem with internet advice is you can't tell if it's right. That's why I suggest learning how your system, and the factory system, works instead of just doing odds and ends. You have to know at least the basics. So that when the problem is still there after fixing the exhaust leak you'll have a path forward.

I don't know how zcardepot designed their system. Did they have you install a new sensor? Make sure that it has resistance that varies with temperature. That's how you would troubleshoot your Nissan system. Check at the ECU connector. Do you have an "app" to see what the ECU sees? A dashboard? If you have tuning capabilities then you should be able to check your inputs by computer/phone. Should be fun...

Without the CHTS the engine will think it's arctic cold and add lots of extra fuel. It's also called the coolant temperature sensor. If you start adjusting the wrong parameters to make up for incorrect connections you can create a big mess. You need the CHTS. Sounds like you're making progress thouigh.

The MAP sensor reading should go up and down with throttle opening. It's like intake vacuum. But absolute. If it stays constant there's a problem. You can read some of the Megasquirt threads to learn concepts. I think that FAST is supposed to "self-adjust" but it will only do that if the inputs are correct. It's a good learning opportunity. Good luck. And you need the cylinder head temperature sensor. It measure engine temperature. Without it you'll run really rich or really lean. Both bad.

https://zcardepot.com/products/fuel-injection-retrofit-kit-fast-efi-280z-280zx

I'm going to guess that the reason it doesn't respond to throttle is because you have a MAP sensor issue. The MAP sensor tells the ECU how much air is entering the manifold.

Surprising that it even started. What was wrong with the 1983 EFI computer? Why did you decide to buy the FAST EFI kit? Might be a clue. You showed a picture of your cylinder head temperature sensor, not the oil pressure sensor. And there are two connections on the ZX distributor, one for timing retard when cold and one that controls the coil. Luckily, apparently, you disconnected the one that controls retard when cold. Your coil control wires are still connected. Timing probably still advances when you rev the engine, because that is mechanical and vacuum. There is really no such thing as a plug and play engine control system. You have to know some basics of how your engine control system works, even if you don't know how to tune. You'll have to read through the instructions and the 1983 FSM and compare parts, or find somebody that knows ZX's, I think. https://www.fuelairspark.com/software-downloads

It was this ^^^^ I did not misinterpret, you miswrote. Good luck. What you're trying to do is not really complicated. Just buy a diff and make it work.

Have you read through this thread yet -

You were pretty specific with the years. If you know what you're doing why do you keep asking questions? You said that you've used MFactory diffs before so it sounds like you've been in to one. You can't have both. You can't be the guy that knows and the guy that asks questions at the same time.

The ring gear bolts and holes might be a problem. Nissan went to a 12 87-88 300ZX would also be known as a Z31. You're asking if a Z31 diff will fit in a Z31 case.

Not possible. The 180 and 200 are the diameter of the ring gear in millimeters. The R200 differential is bigger.

Here's what seems to be a straightforward option, if you want to install an LSD in an open long-nose R200. If you don't buy Nelsonian's.

Engine RPM are controlled by air flow. If you cut off all of the air the engine must die. Close off your idle speed screw until the idle speed drops. If you close it all the way and the engine keeps running you have an air leak in your intake system. You should verify that before getting carried away with other stuff.

The 280ZX had the R200 as a standard diff. So any 280ZX axles would work. They would clip and bolt right in. The viscous Z32 probably has the 5 or 6 hole flange so would need an adapter or custom axles. Same with the 350Z diff. The long nose R200 with the helical would be the simplest, probably cheapest option. All bolt-in once you find the axles. You could use ZX u-joint halfshafts or CV axles. They u-joint axles are very strong but the CV shafts appear to be a bit stronger. More ZX's came with u-joint axles than CV's, I think. Even the diff mount in the car is designed to be multipurpose, you just flip it over. Check the ZX FSM chapters to see the axles and the diff mount options.