JKDGabe Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 I have an '81 280Z. I want to swap for power yet not get less than 25 mpg. What engine should I go with? 350, 327, Buick 3800 series? I don't know much about it, any help at all would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Z Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 Well, how much cash do you want to spend? For a V8 you'll need fuel injection and a very healthy overdrive to keep the rev's down on the highway. You could use a Grand National V6 turbo like Scottie GNZ, he's pulling mid-10's and getting something like 24 MPG. The cheapest route available to you is to turbocharge your L6. This is substantially easier than the engine swap, and you can keep decent mileage. With a few turbo upgrades, your car could really move...I just read about a turbo Z spanking a supra! Brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 My neighbor brought home a pontiac bonneville with the supercharged 3.8 litre motor. Man, that is a sweet looking package and it sure moves that heavy car well. Don't know how much such an engine would cost, but shouldn't be too bad. Would make the Z a good road ralley car...should have excellent throttle response (something harder to get with a turbo) BTW, what is so magic about 25 MPG? That is about all an early Z got in stock form to begin with. If you're worried about $$ then stick with the stock engine. The amount of money you will save a year by getting 25 MPG instead of 20 or even 15 MPG is peanuts. So the only other reason to worry about mileage is to save the planet (I am not putting it down, something to think about), at which point why are you driving a sports car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted November 20, 2002 Author Share Posted November 20, 2002 I have an '83 ZXT which I'm playing with now and enjoying very much. Hope to ic and up the boost later. But I just bought the '81 and it has no motor or tranny 'cuz the guy just pulled the 350 out to put in his camaro... Having looked at the evidence, I don't see alot of danger to the planet from exhaust gas. For one thing the same people currently saying that were recently saying cow farts were the most dangerous thing to the ozone. Anyhoo, I can put out some cash for the late model stuff, really just wondering what would give mileage and speed. 24mpg and a 10 sec. 1/4! Now that I like. Where would I find the details on that setup? I'll run a search... wouldn't the cr have to be less than stock to turbo it? What would that entail? Not asking ya to spend a long time typing, just point the way to a website... I like to read. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 If the fellow who pulled the 350 out of the 81 left you with the conversion parts ie drive shaft,flange diff adatper ,motor mounts,tranny mounts,transmission, radiator.. Slap in another 350... I never got much more than 20 gallons on any 280 Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Z Posted November 20, 2002 Share Posted November 20, 2002 You can find out info on Scottie-GNZ's car at: GNZ And here's a good site to see it and other Z's at the track: Cruez.com Heavy Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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