Guest Trev280zxt Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Hey everyone, I just got off the phone with my friend's mechanic who told me that he believes the advice gleemed from this site is invaluable. From my browsing thus far... I agree. Here is my issue... (please bare with me.) I have a 1983 280zx turbo 5spd with about 114k. The car would loose coolant over this last summer, yet no leaks could be found. Eventually, the car overheated (about 4 months ago), and I had it towed to this mechanic who diagnosed a blown head gasket. He also told me the turbo looked like it was leaking oil. So the car has sat under a cover since then. I have researched and researched my various options in fixing the head gasket along with rebuilding the turbo and modifying the car (of course!)and could use a bit of guidance in this last step. I have acquired the following parts. -An OEM Nissan headgasket -ARP head studs -A Porsche 944 intercooler -A rebuilt stock T3 turbo with a water cooled center section from a 300zx. My biggest question is about the turbo. I debated whether to go for a hybrid unit. A t3/to4e 57trim .63 A/R stage III was what I was looking at, but this rebuilt unit came along and was $300, so I jumped on it. The information I gathered over at ZCAR.com was that the stock unit would be better suited for the kind of modification I want to do (roughly 250-300hp) and that the t3/t4 would not match well with the stock cam. Maybe I should just get a new performance camshaft and throw that into the engine while its apart anyways? What do you guys think? Should I sell this turbo and bite the bullet for a more expensive hybrid? I have a budget of about $3000, and about $700 of that is gone from the parts I've gotten already. I know I also still need a downpipe, exhaust, and intercooler plumbing after the headgasket repair is done. Any advice before I jump in and have my mechanic do all this work? To be very clear... my goals are to have an awesome and fun street car and will be keeping this baby forever, so I want to do this right. Much thanks in advance. -Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Trevor - Let me be the first to welcome you to HybridZ..the sweetspot on the internet for all things Z car and Performance...they go together like a hot body and a thong...a cold beer and summer day..you catch my drift. I have an identical car to you..'83 5Speed ZX Turbo Coupe and have travelled down the same road as you. The stock T3 turbo is plenty sufficient for your horsepower goals and so is that $300 Rebuilt 300ZX Z31 turbo. No need for an expen$ive hybrid, unless you get sick of the 250-300hp (and trust me you will), then I say go for the higher dollar hybrid. Stock downpipe will handle BIG hp..so need for any custom unit there. A good 3" aftermarket exhaust will be $400-$500. Piping that Porsche 944 turbo intercooler will be as easy $300-$400 and we recommend aluminum piping, of course in a pinch regular schedule steel (exhaust) pipe will also work. Check Web Cams they make a very nice (not too crazy) Turbo cam grind, for around $250. And I agree, go for it while your engine is apart! I am glad that you bought the ARP studs - great insurance and the OEM headgasket and the 944 intercooler are also good choices. My car had 250ish hp and I ran it at 11-12psi for about 3years and it was incredibly fun and a delight to drive! The car is transformed with just a few extra pounds of boost and 3" exhaust, let alone the other mods. I have had my car now for 6years and it get faster and more fun each year! I am now rebuilding the entire engine but when I dismantled it at almost 150K, the leakdown was less than 5% and the compression even on all 6 at 121psi +/-, these engines are very hearty just like Campbell's Chunky Soup. The only thing quicker is the rate at which money leaves my wallet. Welcome to the addiction. Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trev280zxt Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Thanks for the info and for the warm welcome. I feel a bit better now about buying that water cooled t3. I have been digesting the info in that turbo post on these forums and I think the only remaining parts on my list for now are a good manual boost controller, a blow off valve, and a 60mm throttle body. I am interested in the downpipe issue though. I was under the impression that the stock downpipe was very restrictive, even in an otherwise stock turbo car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I am interested in the downpipe issue though. I was under the impression that the stock downpipe was very restrictive, even in an otherwise stock turbo car. Nope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 The downpipe is ugly but it works for your goals. Trust me, build it exactly how you are doing it and you will be happy with the performance until a Diablo or a C6 beats you. Then you will want more. Eventually you can stuff the L28ET in a lightweight 240Z and really feel it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 I was under the impression that the stock downpipe was very restrictive, even in an otherwise stock turbo car. Didn't JeffP pick up some rediculous amount of HP just by a downpipe change? I mean I know the stock DP is more then enough for your goals, but I'd get the DP with 45* bends. Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Didn't JeffP pick up some rediculous amount of HP just by a downpipe change? I mean I know the stock DP is more then enough for your goals, but I'd get the DP with 45* bends. Mario That was about 20hp with a turbo back exhaust system tested on a stock car. Heres the page. http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/280zxt/page11.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 I personally Like the Downpipe and 3" manderal bent exhaust for these cars. Even for a car that is not to far from stock. The reason is that any power that is gained is free in the sense that you are not driving the parts any harder to make more power ( such as an increase in boost). Also, until you get to crazy H.P. you won't have to upgrade it. You can't say that about to many parts. Is it mandatory to have with the above mentioned goals but, it sounds good and is very effective. Just my .02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trev280zxt Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 So I just scheduled an appointment with a "word of mouth" mechanic here in santa barbara, ca. I can't find a Z specialist anywhere closer then LA! To pull the head, send it to a machine shop, have it resurfaced, and back together is going to run $900. I realize this is ALL labor costs since I have the head gasket and the studs. Needless to say, I started looking carefully at my engine after work yesterday, wondering if I could pull the head myself, and I would like to know what you guys think of this quote. Another thing... is there a quick surefire test I could do to make sure I actually have a blown hg and not just a thrashed radiator. There is a bit of wetness on the side of the engine where the valve cover meets the block... and the coolant drains from the radiator into what seems like nowhere. I did fire her up though (83zxt) and she was rough, yet still made it around the block no problem. There was however, a slight metallic sound upon acceleration. Any ideas before I give my car over to this overprice santa barbara mechanic? ... I already went with the cold beer and hot day one and it worked out great. -Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeiss150 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 In a word YES!!! but there are some other question that must be answered 1. do you have the time 2. do you have the patients if the answer to those questions is yes then I don't see why you could not build it yourself. 4 years ago I the only thing I had ever done to an engine was change the oil. I bought a book (How to rebuild your datsun nissan OHC engine) and I rebuilt my L24. About a year later I striped down an L28 and rebuilt that to put in my 240Z. This year I'm going to build a Turbo motor. If you have a metric socket set and some other basic tools you can rebuild the engine no problem. If you are just going to change the head gasket, well that can be done in a few hours if you know what your doing and if you don't it might take you a day. The most difficult part of working on your Z will be dealing wth the rusted nuts and bolts. The Stock Cam and head are good for over 450 RWHP, just ask Austin. I also have a Z31 water cooled turbo that I intend to put on my turbo build. I'm looking for 300 RWHP in my 240Z ... It should be a hellofa ride. Don't forget about the tons of help you can get on this awesome Z car site. Good luck and keep us informed. Matt- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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