naviathan Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I'm getting ready to drop a turbo into my 81ZX and I wasn't sure if the turbo and the steering box would interfere? My ZX has reciprocating ball steering so there's a steering box on the fender well. It looks like it's close to the location the turbo would sit, but I wasn't sure. Does anyone know if there's any clearance issues with this setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-carforlife Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 as far as i know that will be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 That sucks. I like the reciprocating ball steering. How do they work around it in the 280z swaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-carforlife Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 i believe you can make it work.... Read this guys writeup 280zx swap Not my site, but hope it helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchetypeDatsun Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 naviathan, that site helps a lot make sure to read it plenty of times I did the full turbo swap on my non turbo 81 280zx as well it's pretty simple and straight forward. You can also use the non turbo tranny if you like also subframe is interchangable the turbo models used a R200 3.54 diff make sure to check what kind you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 I have the full drive train from the turbo and a MS-II setup already wired into the car, I'm just concerned about the steering box getting in the way of the turbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Thanks for the link! At least I know I can keep my reciprocating ball steering and still install the turbo. It's just a tight fit to the waste gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-carforlife Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Welcome man Good luck with your Swap..... maybe one day you can give me some advice on the M.S. II system! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Anytime, I was building and selling the ECUs for a while there. I'm pretty good at diagnosing problems and I haven't met an ECU yet that I couldn't repair. I had one running my old setup for a very short time. That setup died due to overly high compression and old low octane gas, but the MS-II ran it anyway, even after the head gasket blew out around two cylinders. Damn good ECUs...Gotta finish my car...I'm getting antsy again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchetypeDatsun Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Thanks for the link! At least I know I can keep my reciprocating ball steering and still install the turbo. It's just a tight fit to the waste gate. There really is not much to worry about Just cut that little piece like a square shape so it just goes around the steering box I have a T3/T04E turbo nothing really different but it fits fine with no problems at all you can always buy an external waste gate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 I like that thought. Are there any disadvantages to an external waste gate? I'll probably throw it in as is and cut the bracket for now, but for future reference this would be good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchetypeDatsun Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I like that thought. Are there any disadvantages to an external waste gate? I'll probably throw it in as is and cut the bracket for now, but for future reference this would be good to know. Well for me external waste gates are actually better if you are going to have a build turbo engine plus also gives you room to add a bigger turbo if disiered and they let you run a little more boost. The 280z intake manifold has no EGR which gives room for an external waste gate plus the manifold is smaller takes less room. I know when I have the money to really modify my engine I'm going to do the external waste gate on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchetypeDatsun Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Heres a some examples: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swervey McZCar Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 If you are using the T5, check out my images for modifying the trans crossmember. Pretty straighforward, just need to offset it by a couple of inches. My 79zx turbo/T5/LSD has worked great. I changed the front crossmember and used a 83 rack for steering FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted September 1, 2010 Author Share Posted September 1, 2010 I have a front cross member with R&P, but I don't want to lose my RB setup because it responds soooo much better than the R&P models. Also I have the trans cross member from the turbo car I pulled everything out of. I also have the rear diff, CV shafts, axel stub adapters, etc. etc... I went into this with a pretty good idea of what I needed from the parts car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchetypeDatsun Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 I have a front cross member with R&P, but I don't want to lose my RB setup because it responds soooo much better than the R&P models. Also I have the trans cross member from the turbo car I pulled everything out of. I also have the rear diff, CV shafts, axel stub adapters, etc. etc... I went into this with a pretty good idea of what I needed from the parts car. Your pretty much set, i had a 1983 280zx turbo i used as a donor car and had everything at my disposal besides the engine i also used the T-5 with a new short shifter from Steeda(aftermarket mustang company), driveshaft, CV axles with new boots, kept my stock R200 3.90 Diff, swapped the turbo rear brakes. I'm not completely done since i got another L28ET off a 81 turbo that was rebuild might be using that instead of the one i got in my car now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sticky280zx Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 haha and ive saved a 79 rack since its the manual steering, responds soooo much better than the power, but then again ive had it on a N/a or stroked motor car =) maybe someday ill get into the turbo crowd....but i have a v8 z in storage so i think that might be the side i go with lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted September 5, 2010 Author Share Posted September 5, 2010 I would much prefer the manual. My 77 is manual and I loved the way it handled when it was on the road. My 81 is power, but it feels more like the manual steering in my 77. Except of course when stopped and turning the wheel. 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.