Wheeler Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I'm going this weekend to look at a L28ET at a junk yard. Its from a 81 ZXT. and they want 550.00 for it. Any advice on what to look for? I'm planning on using a mega squirt system so am I right in saying I dont need a AFM (as it uses a o2 sensor)? Also I will not need the harness correct because I will have a harness with the MS system? I need only the block, head, exhaust manifold, turbo, downpipe, distributor... is that it? Any advice would be helpfull... Any other parts I should grab while I am there (fuel pump, oil pump, etc....) Note: I have a complete 280Z already so I have these parts - not sure if I need to upgrade them though I was going to build a N/A motor with a goal of about 200-220 hp at the flywheel, but the more I read on this board. That will cost much bucks, and that a conservative turbo setup will give me 200-250 hp realativly easy with the possibilty for more with some further modifictions. Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayZee Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 You need to work on your terminology a bit there bud, mega-squirt uses a MAP sensor therefore you don't really need the AFM If it's being pulled at a wrecker, likely they'll cut off the exhaust pipe and give you the downpipe regardless. However if you have the means, get rid of it and make a custom one! The oil pump is inside the engine so that's not a issue, however if the parts car is a automatic, it'll have a oil cooler.. might wanna grab that. I used the NA pump on mine for a while with no issues, but what the hey.. might as well grab a turbo fuel pump too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeiss150 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 If I were you I would check the valve train and see if there is any rust on the cam or the rockers that would be a bad sign. also check the oil to see if it is a light brown sludge color. If either of those are the case then just know that there was water in your engine. Usually that happens when someone takes the valve cover or oil cap off and then it rains. If there is water in it you can still use it but you will just need to rebuild more and spend more money on cleaning everything up. I would also make sure it's a P90 head ... NOT A P90a! the P90a has hydralic lifters and they don't make parts for those any more (since yours is an 81 it should be a P90). If you get a P90a head you can still use it but you should probably convert it over to a solid lifter style (there is a post on how to do that on this site) Once again you can use it ... its just more money. is it from an Auto trans? if so you will need a Flywheel and a pilot bushing which you can take from any Z (but if you can get a 2+2 flywheel, there is a resent post about that in this forum) Make sure that it has a crank angel sensor (CAS) IN THE DISTRIBUTOR! the other option is a CAS on the crank somewhere, you don't want that one. If it doesn't have the CAS in the dizzy then you can buy one on ebay for about $70. (you can use a non turbo zx dizzy, but you need to modify it, there is a post for that also). Just to be clear you would wanna make sure that the oil pump is there... Its not realy "in the engine" its bolted to the bottom,front, passenger side. if its not there a new one is about $90. if its not there MAKE SURE THE DIZZY SHAFT IS! those are harder to come by used. If any of this stuff is missing or messed up then figure out how much it would cost to get a new one or fix it and take that off the junker price. Haggel buddy, Haggel! make sure it has the turbo:bonk: Good luck! P.S. If you Just get the P90 head and a few other esential turbo parts then you can just change your N/A L28 into a turbo motor without to much expence. Six of one half a dozen of another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I would still grab the wiring harness anyways. Its not like the wreckers is going to have much use with it without and engine and it will help with wireing refference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
510six Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 In 81 the turbo motor used a 360 tooth gear on the crank and an external sensor for the CAS.The distributor on these motors is empty except for a rotor and simply distributes spark.I just had one modified to use as a cam position sensor for the AEM EMS that should be up and running fairly soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheeler Posted March 19, 2006 Author Share Posted March 19, 2006 I went to the juck yard today and picked up that motor (81 280zxt) the turbo is shot but he threw in one from a 300zxtt (dont know if I can use this one or not). Also found a 240sx TB so that was a score. All for 350.00. Now I just have to get all this back home as I am in Reno on bussiness and live in Wisconsin. Well I think I have a shipping trick up my sleeve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 If you need any help working on it, let me know, I'm down for a road trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyp280zxt Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 correct me if i am wrong, but isnt the fuel pump from an n/a the same as the turbo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheeler Posted March 19, 2006 Author Share Posted March 19, 2006 Thanks Mat, I might have to take you up on that. Right now I have alot of body work to do before I can get to the fun parts (engine and suspension imo). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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