Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Hello I will start by saying that, though I have been around muscle cars most of my life I have never touched an import or messed with anything electronic, so this is a brand new adventure for me. That aside last fall I picked up a 260z and have been looking for an engine to swap into it. Just this last weekend a good buddy of mine came across a l28e and I picked it up for 80 bucks. Now I have this motor and have no clue where to start on it since its an e. My biggest concern right now is finding a tranny, I read that the borg-warner t5 went into the l28et and am thinking of putting that in. My question though is what would be needed for a more modern redux of the t-5 (like the ones the hotrod guys drool over not the buggy earlier models) work in the z? I imagine bellhousing but what else would be needed? Also any general advice on things to avoid or keep an eye out for this motor would be appreciated. Goal wise im shooting for something that is comparable to the 05-08 mustang gt's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skib Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 the search feature is defiantly your friend. dont get the wrong idea like some people tho, no one will tell you to search to be a dick its just most of the time the question has been thoroughly covered in the past and can be found with a little digging threw the archives. whats the stang run in the 1/4? and welcome to hybridz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L67z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Most hot rod guys I know are "all buggy" over the t56 six speed although I have no clue if anyone makes a bellhousing to adapt a Nissan engine....Ive heard the T56 can handle ungodly amounts of abuse and torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L67z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Ive seen stock 05-06 Mustang GT's turn mid 13s in the 1/4:icon50: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Did a search on the borg warner (my biggest question) and didnt see much about the less buggy versions the hot rod guys use. I want to base it off a mustang since my family has an 06 gt (best year) and im spoiled by it. It would be hard to have an awesome car like the datsun and have it feel slow after driving the stang. Offhand i would say mid 13's to 14's quarter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skib Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Ive seen stock 05-06 Mustang GT's turn mid 13s in the 1/4:icon50: as far as keeping the L6 going turbo is going to be the easiest way into the 13's or theres the V8/RB/JZ type swaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yeah im trying to figure up which is going to be the most cost effective. This l28e needs new injectors and a tranny. If its cheaper to go for a chevy 350 or a 1jz compared to getting the l28 ready and befed up, might have to go for it and get rid of the l28e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L67z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 No matter what way you look at it a domestic v8 swap will be cheaper but everyone on Gods green earth has a 350 chevy in something they own. I wish more people would explore different engine swaps. It gets old seeing a million small blocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc052685 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 A moderate L28 in that 260z could easily get into the 13's. Or a little of the giggle gas for some funny sub 13's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L67z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Yea 13's isnt that tuff for a sub 2500 lb car. Anything to slow the spread of smallblock-itis..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 A moderate L28 in that 260z could easily get into the 13's. Or a little of the giggle gas for some funny sub 13's. By moderate do you mean a turbo/megasquirt or do you mean bored out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skib Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I plan to hit 13s in my 240 with the L28et in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The T5 that went into the 83 turbo 280ZX wasn't your everyday world-class BW T5.. I think the entire case was different, but I am not positive. I do NOT think that using the bellhousing on another T5 variant is a simple option, because I am fairly certain if it were, it would be much more well documented. I can't give you anything more positive (sorry, this is all "i thinks" and "probablys") because I am not very familiar with the BW gearboxes (more an old-skool Datsun purist than an American Iron guy TBH) Never underestimate what you can do in an early S30 with an L28, electronic ignition, well-built SUs with the right needles, the right cam, and a set of 3.90 rear gears. The 260 came with 3.36 rear end gears if its a 5 speed; upgrading to, say, a Subaru R180 3.90 LSD with custom CV axles would be a GREAT way to beef up the rear, give you better traction and control over your drive wheels, AND lower your gear ratio to something more typically "japanese compact" in one fell swoop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc052685 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 By moderate do you mean a turbo/megasquirt or do you mean bored out? I did a 13.8 @ 99 with a bone stock l28et swap with open exhaust. Stock boost and everything. Same turbo with some upgrades got me into the 12's 180hp out of an all motor L28 is not hard. 200hp+ is a little more complicated but still very do-able. Cam, shaved head, headers, bla bla bla....... If you are just looking for some cheap fun n2o would be the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L67z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Ya I agree everytime I hit the button in my daily driver 04 cavalier ecotec....13.80s w air filter exhaust and 80 shot dry. camaro and mustang kids hate that......Love makin V8s cry Muhaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Looks like my idea for a t-5 is out. Sucks though since the z32 swap looks like a lot of pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Looks like my idea for a t-5 is out. Sucks though since the z32 swap looks like a lot of pain. Have you considered the 240SX tranny swap? That transmission is essentially (other than gearing) the same transmission that was in the Nissan hardbody pickups; it is a fairly robust box, and all that you need to do to mount it on an L6 is take the bellhousing/front section of your L transmission, have one of the holes on the front machined out a little to accept a larger bearing or seal (I cannot recall which at the moment, search can help you more) and then put that front cover on the 240SX box. It is a firmer, more solid-shifting, more modern evolution of the gearbox that the Z came with. The transmissions that Nissan used from the 60s all the way through the 90s (at least, most likely further) were a family of evolving gearboxes from hitachi (90% they were the manufacturer, if not it was Fuji Heavy Industries, parent company of Subaru) that all grew one from the next. the autos and the stick shifts were kind of parallels.. My point is, the 240SX transmission is a fairly easy, fairly respectable upgrade. Sure, it won't be as bullet-proof as the 300ZX tranny, but THAT box is just on the other side of a technological divide.. the 240 box is just on THIS side of that divide. And I may be wrong about the ZX T5.... it wouldn't be the first time. I was trying to deflate your hopes a bit on that, but not quite dash them. Other than the one that was IN my dad's 83 turbo car, I have never seen one in the flesh; world class BW T5, I have seen but probably couldn't pick out of a lineup; ZX T5, I can't even picture TBH. I am simply remembering that it was written the gearbox was a red-headed stepchild of borg warner and Nissan, and not really that much akin to either... I wish I could find the thread but its long gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 That sounds exactly what I need, thanks a ton Daeron. The z32 does seem bulletproof but for my horsepower goals + the work it takes doesnt seem to coencide. So from reading other threads (kinda wanting to double check) to do the turbo Ill need the turbo with the exhaust parts, megasquirt and better injectors/custom fuel rail. You need a different cam in the l28e to? Dont imagine ill need to do much else since it has a 8:8:1 ratio and from what im reading about turbos thats pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boardkid280z Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Is your 260 missing it's powerplant/drivetrain? Is there a tranny in it? Is it 4 or 5 speed? If you have one, you can just use that tranny with the L28e and that would be the easiest solution. To get more power, you're looking to either build the L28 (EFI or carbed), or find an L28T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrec Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 The 260 has a working engine/tranny in it, and it is the 4speed. Looking at building the l28e right now since its in decent condition and I picked it up for next to nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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