Guest sGt Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 Hi, I am planning to do an engine swap for my 280zx 2+2 and i have considered many different engines. RB engines first came to mind when i decided to want to do the swap, however on the strick budget im on the only rb motor i can afford is the rb20turbo and the rb25 na, which are good engines but i was hoping for an engine with about 250-300 hp in stock form. I have done a bit of internet reasearch of used motors and i have found the VG30DET which costs AUD$1200 and gets 250hp. considering (i think) it is the single tubo version of the VG30DETT i think it a good price. VG30DETT is a great engine i know, but it cost about $2000 more than the VG30DET ,(alot to pay for 30 extra hp). So the Questions i want to ask u guys are: - Are the engine bays across all z cars similar? - WIll the vg30 bolt onto my 280zx tranny? - how different are the mounts and mounting places? - Are the weights between the L28 and VG30 similar? - Has this swap been done before? Thanks alot, look forward to reading your replies and any feedback would be muchly appreciated . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxgts-4 Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Hi sGt Looks like you got hung out to dry awhile. VG 30det mounts are slightly higher and wider so an adapter shouldn't be too hard to make. Engine position is similar because of the right bank exhaust running across the top of the bellhousing to feed the turbo on the left side, probably have to make heat shield for firewall. Use the VG trans as different to 280ZX. Tower widths are nearly the same between Z31 & 280ZX but the chassis rails are wider on Z31. VG30det should be slightly lighter but not by much I would think. RB30s are pretty cheap also. Good luck . Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marshall Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 I'm not familiar with the 230ZX, but I was reading about doing this swap in the 1st gen 300zx and it sounds like with these J-Spec only engines like the RB and VG30DET, parts of the engine (like the turbo) hang down and get in the way of the steering mechanism, since they were designed around a car with the steering equipment on the other side of the engine bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZROSSA Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 You would be right there Marshall. But its not really a problem as we have the sterring gear on the "other side". Douglas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porschephile Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 I'd highly suggest a l28et swap if you want to make a cheap 300hp. Everything is a direct bolt in with only minor wiring involved. Metal head gasket, t3/t4 hybrid, upgraded fuel system and you could make 300hp fairly easy. This is about the easiest way you could go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sGt Posted July 6, 2004 Share Posted July 6, 2004 Hi again thx for the info, I got a z31 workshop manual from the library and the bell housing of the l28 and vg30ET looked identical, so would the 280 tranny bolt onto the vg motor? Also are the Vg30ET and Vg30det blocks the same? You guys say that the steering mechanism gets in the way, my car is RHD so will this still be a prob? The reason i dont think the l28t swap is good for me is cause i live in OZ and for some reason they never brought the turbo 280zx down here. Your right the rb30et is a good abundunt engine but the problem is most 2nd hand rb30et's have been totally thrashed. thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marshall Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 Hi again thx for the info' date=' I got a z31 workshop manual from the library and the bell housing of the l28 and vg30ET looked identical, so would the 280 tranny bolt onto the vg motor? Also are the Vg30ET and Vg30det blocks the same? thx[/quote'] I think the VG30DET block is either similar or identical to the VG30DETT block found in the Z32. It's different than the Z31's VG30ET. If your car is RHD, then I think it should fit. I'm not sure though since I have no experience with it. But I do know that some Z31 guys have done it, I think mainly in Japan where they're RHD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxgts-4 Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 Hi sGt Dont think you can used 280ZX trans, the trans housings have different part Nos also the Turbos use Borg Warner T5s and the part Nos for the clutch housings for 280ZX Turbo and Z31 Turbo are different. To save time and money you will find that if a drawing is atypical it repeats in the next models service manual even though there may be dimensional differences in components. Make sure you can still access the oil filter after fitment. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hubbo Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 I suppose another way to find if the 280zx trans will fit is to visit the local junkyard. Take some measurements of the holes in relation to each other (and perhaps a photo) and compare them to a Z31 trans at a pick-a-part or someting. If they don't match, don't buy the trans. As you may have already been told but I'll stir the pot once more... If you're on a tight budget maybe you should really think whether you should be consdiering a engine swap such as a VG,VQ,RB, whatever. I'll just say, plan the cost, then allow for extra. But some more helpful advice would be to seek out the nearest Zed specialist. Even though the 280ZXT didn't arrive here officially as a complete car, a lot of people imported turbo engines as well as converting standard engines to turbos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 I'd highly suggest a l28et swap if you want to make a cheap 300hp. Everything is a direct bolt in with only minor wiring involved. Metal head gasket, t3/t4 hybrid, upgraded fuel system and you could make 300hp fairly easy. This is about the easiest way you could go. I agree, why go to all the trouble of custom this and fabricated that when the L28ET drops right in, will be MUCH easier and cheaper to get in, and can easily hit your 300hp goal. As for the upgraded fuel and turbo, I dont think you'd really even need that to get 300hp if we're talking 300 crank hp and not hp at the wheels. You could get very close to 300 crank hp (about 250hp at the wheels) on stock turbo and fuel with just minor upgrades, namely a better fuel pump, and either more fuel pressure (adjustable FPR) or bigger injectors, and a good intercooler. Stock T3 turbo on stock L28ET set to run in the mid teens of boost (I'm thinking 13-15 psi) should get you right there. Really not worth going to all the trouble to get teh VG in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sGt Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Do you guys reckon i could email nissan and ask some questions in regard to dimentions etc. Do u guys have any other ideas? thx alot. ps: pick- a part is shit for z's they only have like fords and holdens ;> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxgts-4 Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 Hi sGt I doubt you will get much out of Nissan. Since you were talking Aus dollars I made the assumption that that is where you live. Check yellow pages for nearest Z specialist wrecker or workshop which is where you will find parts and info. All the best Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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