Marshall.1234 Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Hello all, after doing a good deal of research on this site(which is enormous and never ending) I have come down to about 2 choices and one question. First off I have a 1972 with the stock motor with crappy dgv 32/36 webers. I also have a rebuilt l28 n42 block n47 head. Ok first decision to make: I really like the idea of a 2jzge (no turbo, don't like turbos. Don't like v8s or v6s either, haha I'm picky) I just want a street motor with a solid amount of torque and a flat torque curve. Would it be more cost effective to swap in a 2jz or build up the l28? I can get a used 2jz and transmission for between 1-2 grand on eBay (I think) Ok so *if* I go with the l28, I have come to the conclusion that the best power/cost set up for street would be triple mukini 40s with headers and straight pipe or performance muffler (I would also have similar exaughst plans for the 2jz) I was an idiot when I got the motor (it came with my first z I bought 3 years ago when I was 16) and did not ask what kind of mods may be on the rebuilt engine. I think the pistons are flat top or dished, I will take off the head this weekend and find out. Can't tell from spark plug holes. Don't know if the comp ratio is stock or if head is shaved. So assuming it is stock, would I see a big increase from shaving it? Cam is stock as far as I can tell, it has an A on it and also ep40. Would a mild cam from msa be a cost effective upgrade? I have come to hate carbs after messing with the dgv carbs and would much rather keep the fuel injection but I have read that carbs will give me more Power unless I wanted to spend a ton of money on mega squirt and bigger injector, etc. Ok so basically: 2jzge vs l28e vs l28 carb'd If l28, are carbs really worth it(and I so,40s vs SUs), from my experience they are unreliable and take a lot of matinence. Other cost effective upgrades besides exaughst, light wieght flywheel and ?possibly cam??. By cost effective I mean that I don't want to spend more than 500-1000 after exaughst and possibly carbs. Sorry if I rambled, and sorry for asking questions which have probably been answered. Please understand that there are sooooo many threads it is hard to find what I am looking for. Also I don't know any numbers that I am lookin for, but I had a very well tuned 75 280z and it put down ok power, but not enough to satisfy. So more than stock but not CRazy like a modified turbo engine. Also I know turbo is most bang for your buck, but please resist tellin me to go turbo or v8 I also know I need to upgrade brakes and suspension. Thanks!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttodhunter Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 If you don't already have the carbs, you'll probably pay as much, or more, for carbs as you would a programmable engine management system. The $1-2k you would spend on the 2JZ would get you some really nice headwork. That, a cam and full exhaust would probably put out decent power... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 An engine swap is going to add lot's of expenses that will be hard to account for right now. Sticking with the L28 will save hassle=money. Triples and a HOT cam would probably be the best bang for buck. Do some more research. I know there's an overwhelming amount of info, but there are specific threads on 2jz install and costs. There is also a ton of stuff on camming an L motor. From a strictly cost stance-I could of had a V-8, but like you, I don't want one. I just traded out cars for a drive--- my triple Mikuni l24 for a stock 1977 l28. My car felt much stronger, but the increased CC of the L28 helped even things out. You might consider megasquirt . Performance tuning a FI L28 should produce good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78zstyle Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 If you aren't going turbo with the 2JZ, stick with the l28 and go megasquirt or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bone028 Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 L28, aggressive cam, and learn how to become comfortable with carbs or megasquirt. If this is your only car, then buy a dependable used car to drive to and from wherever you have to go. I PROMISE you that there will be something that breaks that you will have to fix, regardless of what powerplant you decide to go with. Bur back to topic, L28 w cam, header/exhaust, solid ignition, and triples will be plenty fun. I do not think carbs are unreliable; just more...personal. Megasquirt is a good option if you must have efi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Just get a block from rebello, you'll be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall.1234 Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 Wow thanks for all of the great answers everyone. So I guess l28 it is, I'm just slightly concerned I will get bored with it if I don't squeeze a good amount extra power out of it compared to stock. Ok so first of all, in the main post I said triple mukunis, and I just meant to say triples of any kind. And yeah some of them are quite expensive. The huge cost makes me want to go FI, but I'm not sure yet. Any recommendation on cost effective powerful carbs? My friend keeps telling me to get a Holley 4 barrel, but I don't think that's what I'm looking for, i don't know. After working on my car some more I have discovered that its not my carbs that are giving me problems, it's probably some sort of electric issue. This has made me think that maybe carbs are more reliable and easier than I thought. Can good carbs be tuned properly to have power and reliability? Ok so here is what I am thinking now: L28 Best cost to power ratio carbs Full exhaust and headers Hot cam that doesn't only focus on high Rpms Performance flywheel (I have no flywheel on the l28 anyways, so might as well get a lighter one, right?) 280zx 5 speed Maybe a full multispark msd ignition Any input would be highly valued and appreciated. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall.1234 Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 Oh one last thing, how can I tell if the head has been shaved and how much would it help to bump up the compression? I have read that l28s with 10:1 can run on 91 octane but more comp than that gets risky on pump gas. Any advice is greatly appriciated, even pointing me in the right direction would be great. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazeum Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) Like everyone else, I think L28 is the best choice for you. Regarding carbs, you will need to understand them & be able to tune them. I've got DCOE, once tuned, you do not have to touch them. You need however to start with perfect condition parts. Worn out carbs with gasket on the way will give you a lot of troubles. Mine are old carbs but they went thru full restoration process (Pierce Manifold did it for $600 - not cheap) Triple carbs are good for performance but they also sound amazing, it makes your car feels faster. Every tunnel is an invitation to push the throttle to make noise Power with an engine means good head with proper flow, combustion chamber & cam with supporting valvetrain parts. It also means good ignition with proper timing. Difference between "just ok" timing and spot on timing is night & day difference. Edited July 27, 2013 by Lazeum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 What is your budget for this engine build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madkaw Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Sounds like you need to figure out what you have first. You need to find out what has been done with your L28 and head. Don't waste money on boring the l28 out if it has already been rebuilt. Have the head CC'd to find out what your CR is. Best bang for the buck would be to send the Head off to be massaged with a strong cam and mild relief work-the power is in the head. Compliment that with headers, exhaust, carbs, etc... SU carbs are also great, especially if they have been worked, and very easy to tune. Triples might be frustrating if you are going to rebuild a set yourself and try and go fast. They do require some carb knowledge to make them work right. Gearing will also make things fun. Tune, tune,tune, it takes the whole package to make it fun. http://youtu.be/NGh6urUlzcQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall.1234 Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 Thanks lazeum, but that brin up the question of how to determine proper timing... I'm having trouble on my current motor but 10 degrees advance is what I have now on a stock l24 with dgv's... I'm pretty sure it not spot on. @johnc My budget, that's a good question. When everything is said and done I'd like to be under 2000, but that's just me throwing out a number. Lets say few hundred on exhaust Couple hundred on carbs or megsquirt A few hundred on flywheel and a cam Still researching but i think that would do it for me. Remember, the motor is free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall.1234 Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) @madkaw Ok so I need to find a shop that will tell me my comp ratio. Do you really think SU's are enough for the l28? That would probably be the most cost effective if they are, but I recall reading posts on this site that say otherwise. Maybe they would be a good option on a street car though. Yep tuning is very imprortant. Nice video. Edited July 27, 2013 by Marshall.1234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 With your budget you're lolling at a 200ho engine build if you do everything right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazeum Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) For proper timing, you need something you can tune, you need something to control engine knock and you need something to measure torque/power output (dyno is best, of course). Stock dizzy can be recurved but you need to know proper values, not so easy. Aftermarket dizzy can be a solution (such as Mallory Unilite) but it is not easy to tune. Then come full electronic timing control, Megasquirt does it well (+ fuel management) or Megajolt can do it also. Regarding your budget, you really need to make a list & don't forget anything. Cost goes up quite fast. For instance, my Megajolt install was supposed to be cheap ($171 ECU, $100 edis, some sensors, brackets and wires). I ended up with a $900 project total... Edited July 27, 2013 by Lazeum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Run what you got, spend your budget on suspension upgrades and a driving school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall.1234 Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Ok going with a Holley 390 Cfm, a cam, and exhaust. And suspension. Going to do a lot of research on CR and shaving head, etc. Thanks everyone Edited July 31, 2013 by Marshall.1234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randallwayne221 Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I have a holly 520 4barrel on my Clifford manifold,f54 3.1L mn47 (maxed out) "$$$$". MSA 6-2-1 2.25In headers, mild 274/480 comp cam, 12lb flywheel, 3.90rear. 30° advance on 93oct pumpgas with no ping and great pull from 2000 - 6500rpm. not sure on my horsepower numbers.any guesses?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randallwayne221 Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Sorry, my carb is a holly 600 4 barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zex Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Ok going with a Holley 390 Cfm, a cam, and exhaust. And suspension. Going to do a lot of research on CR and shaving head, etc. Thanks everyone The holley is a good choice, i like mine. Check with allstate carb in central isip new york, they can do you a good setup!! If you get stuck and need help with your holley carb send me a pm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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