Picked up a Turbo donor for $500

[BluDestiny]

Hey Everyone,

 

Picked up a Turbo 280zx 81(auto) this weekend. I'm going to be swapping out my NA 280zx with it and in the process "build" the motor to try and get 300 hp out of it.

 

It actually kinda runs, but the PO said it had an overheating issue or something with the headgasket, etc... either way when I pull it out to swap it I'll be taking the head off to inspect it for internal damage. The car is in pretty bad shape and every body panel has rust holes (at least golf ball size) or some really bad bondo work done to it. he got it with all the holes "covered" but he told me he tried to wire wheel all the rust off and just spray painted it to keep it from rusting more. Interior is sub par, the PO tried to "blackout" the interior and ended up taking random panels out and painting them black ( a few of the pieces look alright) and then the rest is mostly ripped or has tears. Hopefully i'll be able to pull the motor out next weekend, when I can ask my friend to bring the engine hoist over. Good thing is that the car only has 96xxx miles on it and the turbo has been "rebuilt" (showed me a receipt from a garage with a $300 'turbo rebuild' on it). Other than that i'm trying to part out the car.

 

Now down to business,so far the things I have/will use are the engine(block, ex. mani, turbo, downpipe, dizzy, oil cooler) and an N42 non egr intake. I am looking to get an intercooler, and single fuel rail from pallnet (unless anyone want to sell me one) some supra injectors, and Megasquirt.

 

My NA zx now only has what's required for the engine to run(took out AC, cruise, etc.) so hopefully it should be easy to get my engine out. Pictures soon to come.

 

If anyone has any advice or words of wisdom please chime in. (feel free to tell me I'm doing something wrong as well)

[JSM]

Congrats! $500 is a fair price. It seems all the cheap cars are becoming far and few between here in FL. I haven't seen a turbo car for sale in awhile.

[Challenger]

I got both of my turbo cars for $500-550. Good find.

[BluDestiny]

Some pics of the car:

 

front of hood is filled with foam or something in those holes

a Nasty Rust hole near the gas filler:

and dents everywhere:

 

ttops are good though:

 

 

and the engine, with a lot of homemade stuff on it.

[ckolander]

I'll take those wheels if you wanna donate them to the "Get Chuck's Car On the Road Foundation" lol