Guest Anonymous Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 i have a 1981 280ZX and i want to turn it into a machine, i know very little about doing this and i'm looking for any and all information from people that know what they are talking about i'm talking to a racing engine place to do an overhaul, they are talking $3,000 to $3500 to make the engine hot, maybe i should just buy an engine? they will do the stuff but i need to find parts to do this… where do i begin to look? also i need to know about suspension, brakes, wheels… basically i want to turn this into a racing machine that i can drive on the streets any help will be greatly appreciated thanks walker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 Walker: There are several converted ZX guys on this forum including myself. The range of what you can spend (or not) depends on how much work you can, and are willing to do yourself. The first thing most guys on this forum would recommend is buy THE Manual from a company called Jags That Run (WEB Site JTRpublishing.com). It's called Datsun Z V8 Conversion manual. It is a great sourch of information for you to decide if you can do this conversion yourself. It was written as a "Z" conversion manual and there are several differences in the Z and ZX, but do read it anway. The other source of excellent and most helpful info you already know about is on this forum. Use the search feature on general topics to find out what questions have already been covered. Many of the problems you run into will only be realized in the middle of what you are working on, but you can collect a lot of topical info and make a decision on whether you want to tackle this, or perhaps have someone do it for you. The cost range of this conversion can be a very broad range as well. I'd say one of the most important things is to start out with a solid car, and plan on spending a lot more than you originally budgeted. You will more than likely find the suspension will have to modified in order to use all that new-found power, and you can easily spend 2K on that aspect of the conversion; again depending on how much you can do yourself (or not). The end result can be a very-quick new car that looks like the old one you used to have! Good luck. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 Just remember that on that cross country trip you're gonna be getting about 10mpg less with a small block Just kidding Les, I think sbc (or 302 if that's your bag) or l28et are both relatively cheap and worthwhile for good performance. Honestly I don't know why there's so much argument between the two, its like comparing crotch rockets to blown big block streetsters. Both can be equally fast but for different reasons. If you like tuneability you can't beat a turbo with standalone efi. You can turn down the boost to 6 psi and lean the fuel out a bit and get excellet gas mileage, adjust it later and crank the boost and get 400hp from the same motor. Awesome IMHO. Having lots or torque on hand is always fun too, whichever you choose. Or just do what I am doing... both! L28et for a driver, 383sbc 240z (~640z!) for show and go. I want to have fun with both projects. The l28et will make an easier swap, but if you're having a racing engine company do it then does it matter? Good luck with your ZX! -980mak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 980mak, I'll agree on the benefit of the standalone efi, however I really think think that bang for the buck would be in favor of a fi 302 from a mustang or T-bird. in stock form it will run circles around the turbo and cost about the same as far as cost of the engines go. I am looking at an 88 5.0 w/5spd for 350$ right now. And you are right this is an arguement that will last forever but I am a firm believer in getting the most for your money. If you have the knowledge and the money to build a turbo motor more power to you, but you can't deny that 500$ goes a lot further performance wise on a 5.0 than it does on an L6 turbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 As the other guys have stated, there are multiple possibilities out there and YOU are going to have to figure out what type of motor is right for your project goals, budget and skill level. Once you have that nailed down, come back with more specific questions. If you want my opinion, go with a V8! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAW Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Just drop in a complete L28ET and the entire fuel mgmt system from a wrecked 280ZXT, add an intercooler, block off the emergency relief valve, add a BOV valve, and raise the boost a bit. All '81 280ZXTs had A/Ts and in general an A/T donor car may have less wear and tear than a 5spd. The road tests of the 280ZXTs often showed the A/T cars to be faster than the M/T cars (stock), and the dated 3spd A/T they came with could be retrofit with a 4spd A/T from a 300ZXT. Better yet, sell your car and buy a nice 280ZXT so that you get the bigger front sway bar, CV rear end, etc. DAW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 If you are looking for cheap, reliable performance, get rid of the datsun drivetrain and go with a small block. Initial cost may be more but if you are driving sross country and something breaks you can stop in most any parts place and get a replacement part. Try that with a turbo Z engine and you will probably end up spending at least a day or two. For 3500$ you should have no problem buying a 300 hp eng and trans provided you don't try to get real fancy in doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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