MX500 Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'm buying a 1982 280ZX turbo from my neighbor for $500. It has a straight (possibly rust free) body. The bad: supposedly needs an air flow meter, it runs very rough, but ran fine previously, and passed smog with the problem. Also needs a bettery and the distributer timing is set incorrectly, but the car ran after the spark plug wires were moved one position clockwise. 125K original miles on the car, The head, turbo, injectors, etc were all rebuilt less than 1,000 miles ago, and it has a recent (under 20,000 miles) clutch. 1: What engine mods would would you reccomend? I'm thinking of adjusting the wastegate linkage to allow for ~8-9 PSI (I read that was the safe limit for stock EFI). Would the engine hold up to this if it has been properly maintained? 2: How would the car hold up to say a 40 or 50 horsepower wet shot of nitrous? I know nitrous can make an engine more prone to detonation, so the timing would atleast have to be retarded. Would it withstand the nitrous in addition to the increased 8-9 PSI of boost? 3: How long could I expect this engine to run if properly maintained? I'm looking to use to as a daily driver so I want the engine to last atleast another 40,000 miles. 4: Which would be more cost/time effective for a low ~250 horsepower goal, Replacing the factory air meter device, or converting to a 300Z turbo ECU and MAFS? I've already saved wiring diagrams for the conversion, so I know what kind of mess I'd be getting into. Heres a link for reference: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=91250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 welcome and good, find, there is a search button on the upper right, if you use that properly you will learn the answers to your questions and more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 1. 3.0" exhaust, good efficient intercooler and a manual boost controller to 12psi. $1200 - total cost 2) I **hate** nitrous, so install at your own risk 3) Forever or 300,000miles 4) See my number (1) Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistex Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 yes listen to Yasin! 3" exhaust will help the turbo and engine flow better. Intercooler is a must especially when you up the boost. You could mod the wastegate and thread it to have it hold more boost but just get a manual boost controller. I don't see it costing $1200. depends on if you are going to do the work yourself or not. to make a 3 inch exhaust with a 3 inch downpipe I don't see it costing more then 300 to do it yourself. the intercooler you can do for about 350. Boost controller are under 75. 1200 sounds right if you have a shop do it all for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX500 Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 But will it still be smog legal with an intercooler and turbo timer? I do all my own work BTW, I'm too cheap and too impatient to let a shop work on my cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 First i'd ditch the stock efi. then start with yasins list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myplasticegg Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Since you already know your power goal (250rwhp-ish) look around these boards and see what it took for many of the members to reach those power levels. As stated before, 3" exhaust and a GOOD intercooler are a must. Some folks swear by the z31 ECU... but when you can get megasquirt with a wideband for right around $500... why bother with old wires? Do you see yourself wanting more power in the car's future? I know I hate to upgrade twice, that has played a huge role in my build. Before you try to squeeze anymore power out of the car, make sure the brakes/suspension are up for the abuse. Fresh fluid everywhere is a must, as well as a good going over of all rubber parts. No sense in having "sick nasty" power if you can't put it to the ground or stop it in a safe manner. best of luck, Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX500 Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 I see myself trying to keep the car smog legal in CA. I don't think megaquirt has an executive order for smog exemption. If the Z31 would be smog legal, or easy to pass I may go that route, but in CA, you have to pass smog every 2 years or you can't register your car, and you can't sell it (for what it's worth) unless you pass smog. My other option is registering the car to a PO box that doesnt require smog, and having the mail forwarded to my address if that is possible. Would I need an intercooler at around 8-9 PSI? Would I need to run premium and retard the ignition timing, or would the ECU compensate for timing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 8-9 PSI will not get you to 250 HP. Stock ECU and injectors are good to that level - JUST - probably will want a rising rate FPR. Intercooler is smog legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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