What 280Z/ZX parts to use for a tough 240Z??

[RB30X]

Ok so I'm from Australia..............G'Day mates.

 

I', trying to find out some info to help me buy a 280Z parts car for my 240Z project. I need somethings cleared up from those in the know on 280Z/ZX's:

 

1. I've found two 280's, one 280ZX is an 82 model and has an N42 head with an F54 block and has a manual gearbox. The other is an 80 model and has a N42 head with an N42 block? and is also a manual. Which block (N42/F54) is best to use when building a higher compression motor with an older head (2.4L etc)?

 

2. Do the 280's have R200 diffs and tail and drive shafts etc that suit 240/260Z's?

 

3. Is the 280 manual better than the 240/260 manuals or are they the same thing? Will either bolt up to either block.

 

Thankyou to those who help me out. I'm still obvioulsy new at this and have been researching head and block numbers all day and my head is about to explode but I'm still not clear on the best combo or what parts are interchangable.

 

If I can get these two cars for cheap and wreck most of the bits off them I might end up getting a 2.8L block for my own rebuild for free

 

CHeers

[kiwi303]

right... I see you have 1 post only, so you are likely not a long term resident reader of these boards, so to clarify, the American 280Z is NOT the australian 280Z... what you may find in AU as a 280Z, is what the yanks call a 280ZX and nothing else. NZ, Aust and Japan markets went straight from the 260Z to the 280ZX without receiving the US market 260Z re-engined with the L28 and renamed the 280Z. As such, you are better refering to the aussie 280Z's as S130's or you may find americans advising you on the basis of S30 model 280Z's which are 260Z's with a larger engine, rather than the later all-new chassis S130 280Z/ZX models

 

 

Hope this clears up some confusion before it all starts.

 

 

As to the specifics of your questions, I believe the 280ZX's with autos had R180's and the manuals had R200's, definitive answers can be found in the comprehensive Diffs sticky in the Drivelines subforum.

 

The F54 is a siamesed cylinder block that some like, but the non siamesed actually in some cases had thicker walls and handled boost/boring better... either block will work fine, get them crack tested or magnafluxed and use the one in better condition regardless of the block casting.

 

All S30/S130 N/A 5 speeds were FS5W71B boxes, until the turbo 280ZXT which used a BW T5 box.