Jason.280 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Hey, new to this forum, so sorry if i do not post this in the correct place. I just purchased a 280zx 2+2 that is in pretty poor condition. No rust or anything, but the whole interior was shot, and no keys to the vehicle. I also believe that all the wiring was shot on it. So I started ripping out all the interior upholstery, which is now finished. I don't have a whole lot of money so now I"m posed with the question: Rebuild the stock L28ET or buy an engine to swap into it. + So that's what I am wondering. I'm not that good with engines but I'm willing to learn, and I'm very excited to see what you guys have to say on this. Also, this 280 is going to be a drift car, so there is no intention on putting it on the street, or having things that are street legal on it. I'm hoping to get a running turbo charged engine in it soon, but for now I'm working on interior safety and cosmetics until i get some help on the engine plan. Please help! It will be much appreciated. Update 7/5/2014 : full car is gutted and I've been engine shopping. I don't have tons of money but everyone who doesn't say drop a 350 in it says that the rb26det is the way to go, so its looking like that. Although, i think my engine is salvage able i just don't know how to build it back up! so here are 10 photos from when i first bought the car, ill try to put all of 'em in there. Still, no replies and I'm struggling here guys. Please help. Edited July 14, 2014 by RB26powered74zcar vague title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZGhost623 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) As a drift car your going to have to do a lot of extra work. These cars dont drift that well on their own. As far as the stock engine goes, there are a few good places that can rebuild your engine for you. Your over in California, so you have quite a few good shops around you already. Check with a local Datsun group and see who they use, or else head to Rebello or TopEndPerformance. For what you spend on a rebuilt RB25, plus installation kits, you might be better off just rebuilding the L28ET. Price wise, it might be pretty close. You can get 450HP out of that engine L28ET rather easily once its sorted. Your not going to want to run the stock wiring kit, so something like megasquirt would be perfect. Even with a new SBC 350 your going to be looking around $3000+ without a trans unless you go used. Edited July 14, 2014 by AZGhost623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Drop a rb25 into your 2+2 280z because when you look at the price of a turbo l28 motor sure it's cheap but the after market parts are super expensive. The rb25 in the long run is a better choice for drifting and the rb25 has so many parts available that won't brake the bank. I'm not saying that the l28 turbo is a bad motor but for drifting I would go with the rb25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason.280 Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 As a drift car your going to have to do a lot of extra work. These cars dont drift that well on their own. As far as the stock engine goes, there are a few good places that can rebuild your engine for you. Your over in California, so you have quite a few good shops around you already. Check with a local Datsun group and see who they use, or else head to Rebello or TopEndPerformance. For what you spend on a rebuilt RB25, plus installation kits, you might be better off just rebuilding the L28ET. Price wise, it might be pretty close. You can get 450HP out of that engine L28ET rather easily once its sorted. Your not going to want to run the stock wiring kit, so something like megasquirt would be perfect. Even with a new SBC 350 your going to be looking around $3000+ without a trans unless you go used. I thought about this for a while and i didn't honestly have enough of the original engine to rebuild it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason.280 Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Drop a rb25 into your 2+2 280z because when you look at the price of a turbo l28 motor sure it's cheap but the after market parts are super expensive. The rb25 in the long run is a better choice for drifting and the rb25 has so many parts available that won't brake the bank. I'm not saying that the l28 turbo is a bad motor but for drifting I would go with the rb25. It looks like I'm going down this road, i just need to find the right place to get an engine with tranny. I've been looking around but was wondering if there were any particular places that are better and cheaper. the lowest rb that i have found with tranny and wiring harness is $1,700. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 For the motor I'd look probably on eBay but I would look around for a local import parts shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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