xShodaimex Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) hey Z and ZX drivers!! I have recently been stumped by a problem that I have encountered. I had planned on buying a turbo zx soon, but then saw a 240z for sale. The Z had an l28 put into it. now I just wanted to know your opinions.. what would you choose? the l28e z or the l28et zx? I know turbo is the way to go and my heart is practically stuck on it, BUT I have heard numerous stories that l28 z's are really fast, especially when dual carbed with the whole intake/cam/header/ exhaust combo. Edited November 4, 2009 by xShodaimex spelling error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillerBjt Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Well you could always throw the turbo stuff on the 240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NATURALLYASPIRATED Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Well really that's up to you! Which body style do you prefer, and how much money your willing to spend. Like he said you could always boost it later on if that's not enough power. Both very cool cars both gonna be pretty quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBZ Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 NO smog in CA for the 240 and its lighter than the 280zx. Get the 240 and put the turbo motor in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 well i can get 1 of both cars for about 3 grand.. maybe about 1 -2 grand will be spent on upgrades. I am currently a zx driver n/a engine and I love the body style.. I also am a big fan of the z and want to own one aswell.. being 18 working part time and going to school full time can be alittle stressful, especially when it comes to money and time.. I've only had my car for a year. there is NO DOUBT in my mind that when I get older and have much more experience with these z/zx's I will have a 240z with the turbo. From what I have read the turbo zx comes pretty fast stock, so if i had that, I can easily throw up the boost alittle, and install injectors, IC, etc. But than the 240 being light having the N/a Z engine should be quiet equivelant to the stock turbo zx?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 gotta go back to school so I would be glad to hear what you guys think, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 No, a stock turbo zx walks all over an NA l28. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 zx-t will always be faster. s30 + l28et is even better. i say get the 240z and swap the motor. its cake to install and no smog so upgrades is all out with no restrictions. however the feel of a 3.1 stroker is also sick and torque monster. but to build the 3.1, its cheaper to go l28et and bigger turbo and still be fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravi757 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 It all depends on you, what car do you want. For me it would be an easy decision, id get the 240z because it doesn't need to be smogged. If there wasn't that factor, it would be a tough decision for me to make because I like what the s130 can look like when modified(I hate it stock). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 It all depends on you, what car do you want. For me it would be an easy decision, id get the 240z because it doesn't need to be smogged. If there wasn't that factor, it would be a tough decision for me to make because I like what the s130 can look like when modified(I hate it stock). I agree with you stravi.. i lvoe the body style of the s130.. but then i would hate to have a turbo s130 and not be able to smog it..wow im gonna have to have a real good sit down and really think about this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 zx-t will always be faster. s30 + l28et is even better. i say get the 240z and swap the motor. its cake to install and no smog so upgrades is all out with no restrictions. however the feel of a 3.1 stroker is also sick and torque monster. but to build the 3.1, its cheaper to go l28et and bigger turbo and still be fast. how easy are you talking about piston?? I mean, I have never done an engine swap before.. I am pretty familiar the engine components though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravi757 Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 how easy are you talking about piston?? I mean, I have never done an engine swap before.. I am pretty familiar the engine components though Doing an l28et swap is very easy, I had no prior mechanic skill and I did it by myself(physically), with the info on this site you could do a turbo swap no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 the l28et is a direct bolt in swap. its just like taking your old motor out and putting in the new one without no real major mods. everything mounts right up and swap the drive line. then wiring but ey, its a project. if you can take off the turbo manifold then you can do an engine swap as long as you have the tools and equipment. like stravi757 mentioned! thers so much info on here to help guide you. this is on of the easiest swap for the s30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 I gotta save before I start that l28et 240z project than.. my mom would trip if I leave my car in the back yard for a long time again. took me about 5 days to do the water pump lol.. worked on it for about 30 mins to an hour a day just before work. im glad I have a haynes manual hahah, best 25 bucks I ever spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd1105 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I'm in the process of rebuilding and swapping my l28et, and i can tell you I had no experience and things are coming along good with no real hold ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 I'm in the process of rebuilding and swapping my l28et, and i can tell you I had no experience and things are coming along good with no real hold ups. what do you drive cd?? I have taken basic engine performance and basic automotive systems tech class my junior and senior year of highschool [freshmen in college now] so i shouldn't have much of a problem then eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd1105 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 what do you drive cd?? I have taken basic engine performance and basic automotive systems tech class my junior and senior year of highschool [freshmen in college now] so i shouldn't have much of a problem then eh? I drive a 260z i picked up about 3 months ago. I too just graduated high school (class of 08 I'm 19 now); but while i was in high school i helped my friend build a track/ street car, and we had no experience. We did have his dad whos' a mechanic and his older cousins to ask questions if we needed them. Before coming to this forum I was just gonna pay someone to do the swap, because i thought it would be over whelming to rebuild the motor. After reading up and searching the forums i saw how simple it was with all the pictures and people ask the same questions over and over again. Once I tore down the motor my self i realized how simple the l28 actually was, I think it just a matter of keeping the parts organized. If you start a build thread people are willing to help especially if you have pictures with your question.There are tons of threads of people doing swaps and rebuild just a matter of looking for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineptitude01 Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I'm with cd1105 on this one. I thought it was going to be a big huge deal, but rebuilding the L28 is really not a hard thing at all. Swapping it in and out of the car is even easier. Follow a few simple rules, and turbocharged Datsun fury is at your finger-, er... toetips. 1. Plastic baggies - Every part smaller than your fist should go in a plastic baggie, labeled with what it is and maybe even where it came from. Sounds time intensive, and it is, but much less so then "Oh god, where are my front cover bolts?" 2. Clean EVERYTHING - Find some kind of heavy concentrated degreaser (I prefer Oomph!(http://www.stp-oomph.com/products.php); removes carbon crud, rust, and any grime REALLY quickly). You'll feel better about it, and your engine will thank you. 3. Go by (buy?) the book - Get the FSM, a Haynes or similar, and the 'How to Rebuild Your Nissan/Datsun OHC Engine'. The last one has the most pictures, but also the most misinformation (IE dunking your pistons in oil before installing them.) As far as the NA S30 vs. Turbo S130... I love all Zs, but I love 280ZXs most of all. They're not a classic in the sense that an S30 is, but I love the creature comforts and body styling. The 82-83 hood vents and the T-Tops make my day, every time. I love the seats most of all. Lowback leather 280ZX seats are just... the cat's meow. And there's nothing quite like driving a turbo car, either. All-motor cars are tons of fun, especially when built up, but having a turbo is one of my favorite things of all time. (Especially with the T-Tops. Anyone else feel like you're in a fighter jet, hitting the afterburner? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xShodaimex Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 how so much advice and support on hybrid!! thanks guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineptitude01 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 HybridZ is my favorite user community on the whole internet. Not to mention, they all like Z cars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.