Differences between a 81,82 & 83 280zx Turbo

[JSM]

Are there really any difference in the years between the cars? I've got an eye on a junk yard car that is an 81 turbo complete. Auto

 

500.00 and I can take the whole car. Is that a good price?

 

Is there a difference where they mount the Crank Postion Sensor on the years? He said it was bad on the car. I thought they were mounted on the Trans for autos and on the Front crank for Manuals? I could be all wrong though!

 

Differences on computers or electronics to look out for? Distributors?

[nismopick]

79-81 was the first body style.

82-83 was the second body style.

 

81T's had the NACA turbo / 82-83 hood scoops.

 

81T's had the CAS at the crank pulley (82-83T's have the CAS in the distrib)

 

81T distrib is diff than the 82T-83T.

 

$500 is a good price for a running 81T. Does it have the 15" snowflake rims?

[JSM]

Not sure yet. I haven't seen it. It has only 79K original miles.

 

Probably going MS so the electronics makes little to no difference. Block and head wise they are the same for the years?

 

Is the NACA turbo Bad?

[nismopick]

Is the NACA turbo Bad?

 

I wasn't saying it was bad... just clarifying because some people don't understand which models have that hood.

[JSM]

Ah, thanks!

[texasz]

The '83s also had the P90a head which is the one with hydrolic lifters.

[phil280zxt]

It being an automatic probably means that it underwent less abuse then if it was a manual transmissioned Z. BTW, all 81's were automatics. The conversion to a 5-speed is fairly straight forward, parts just bolt in. This also applies to the crank angle sensor. All you need to make the swap is an 82/83 turbo distributor and the matching oil pump shaft.

 

The other major difference between the 81 and 82/83 turbos is that the dropping resistors for the injectors are in the harness rather then built into the ECU.

[roger.svoboda]

for $500 jump on it. Make sure engine not frozen tho that could pose some problems.