Lead Foot Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 (edited) I recently installed a L28ET from a 83 280ZX into my 78 280Z. The car will turn over but won't start. It has good fuel pressure. The coil has power but will not create spark. The coil worked fine with the original engine. The original engine in the 280Z had two wires going from the distributor to the ingnitor. The new distributor only had one black wire coming off of it. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a ground or where it's supposed to go. From what I've read I possibly need the ingition harness and a L28ET coil and ignitor? I've been going off of this forum http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/34469-a-quick-fi-and-ignition-280zxt-to-s30-turbo-swap-guide/ Any help would be appreciated. I'm thinking of just replacing the whole ignition system but I need to know if I need the ignition harness or not NEW QUESTION BELOW!! Edited December 5, 2014 by Lead Foot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickiewicked240z Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 The wires connected to the l28et coil are a blue wire for rpm gauge I believe and black plug with a black n yellow wire. That plug goes on your ignitor thats bolted on your coil bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickiewicked240z Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 (edited) . Edited November 5, 2014 by wickiewicked240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I recently installed a L28ET from a 83 280ZX into my 78 280Z. The coil worked fine with the original engine. The original engine in the 280Z had two wires going from the distributor to the ingnitor. The new distributor only had one black wire coming off of it. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a ground or where it's supposed to go. From what I've read I possibly need the ingition harness and a L28ET coil and ignitor? Any help would be appreciated. I'm thinking of just replacing the whole ignition system but I need to know if I need the ignition harness or not The 78 280Z had a totally different distributor and engine management system. You shouldn't use the 78 wiring as a reference for anything on the 83 turbo engine wiring. If you don't know where that single black wire connects you should do some more reading. And if you're using that guide, it's all about swapping the complete harness so yes you do need the ignition harness and ignitor. You must have missed that part (see below). The 78 engine did not have an "ignitor". "To get started you are going to need these parts off a S130 zxt; Complete turbo engine (81-83) Turbo Turbo exhaust manifold Turbo ECU Turbo FI harness Turbo Ignition harness ..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Foot Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 I read the whole forum and I did realize that it said I need the harness. But I had a friend that had done the swap and he said I didn't need the harness so I was just double checking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If you know where the wires go and what the parts they connect do then you wouldn't need a harness. You could make your own. You have a dilemma. You might be able to pick a few things up from the EFEC chapter of the 1983 FSM, and Engine Electrical of 1978. 1983 uses a CAS, the computer, and a power transistor, to control the coil. 1978 uses the variable reluctor in the distributor and an ignition module. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgsheen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) The 280ZXT ignition harness helps if you don't understand the coil wiring on these cars. But - as I've said multiple times now - you don't need the ignition harness. 2/3rds of the wiring is already there on the stock coil. Plus it's not going to help you much - you don't have the turbo coil/ignitor. What you need to understand about the L28ET ECCS system is: The ECU controls spark. The ECU sends the "signal to fire" to the Ignitor (Power Transistor), which amplifies the signal to a state that will cause the coil to spark. If you don't have a stock Ignitor for the 280ZXT, then you need a replacement Ignitor (Power Transistor, Ignition Module). Most people here use the GM HEI 4-pin if they're looking for a substitute for the stock Ignitor. There are 400 posts in Z Forum-land about procuring and wiring a GM HEI. You'll need to ADD the "signal" wire from the ECU to whatever Ignition Module or Ignitor you end up using. The Black/White to your stock coil is Battery Voltage when the ignition is in the ON position. It'll provide power to both the coil and ignitor. The Blue wire can be used to drive the Tach if you disconnect it's connection to the stock electronic ignition module. It'll attach (or stay attached) to the "-" coil terminal along with the amplified output from the ignitor. If you don't understand that, have someone who does wire the coil and ignitor up for you... Edited November 6, 2014 by cgsheen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Foot Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks guys! This is extremely helpful stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Foot Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 Ok everyone. I believe I have all the ignition stuff sorted out. I ended up wiring a HEI ignition module in. Now for the next problem. When the key is on my computer has power. But as soon as I crank the engine my computer loses power. I have tried multiple 12v switched power points. I even tried running straight off the positive post of the battery. Still loses power when the engine turns over. The battery is completely charged. Any ideas what's causing this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgsheen Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 What do you mean "It's losing power"? Do you mean it's actually losing battery voltage (I can't see how that's possible if you wired it straight to the battery...))? OR are you talking about the LED turning off during cranking? If so, that's normal - the LED is NOT an ON/OFF indicator... The FSM covers this behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Foot Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 Oh I see. I did mean the LED turning off. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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