The harmonic balancer blew off my crankshaft, ruined the slot for the key on the crankshaft. The engine also overheated and has no power now. Looks like I'll be installing a new engine. I want this motor not stock so if anyone has information on which block, head, cam,, crank, etc combination I can get without the high price let me know. Also is fuel injection better than carburation as I'm set up with EFI.Not much money here in Reno so I want to do what I can for the lowest price.
I'm Going to sratr taking it apart this week-end and will know more as I go.

 

what do you plan on doing with the car? that will be the biggest thing to consider about which motor combo you plan on doing. IMHO carbs are better than FI, but only slightly. they are less complicated and there are fewer bugs and complications that can crawl out of the woodwork. however, car manufacturers switched to FI for several reasons: it's dependable, efficient, and because it takes readings from various parts of the system it allows you to get the most potential out of your engine in ALL ranges.... well, i didn't make that great of a case for carbs, but i'm sure someone else will..

 

i would stick with the EFI, as long as its easy to do so. the biggest drawback to the EFi is the complexity, but with a little luck you should be able to unbolt your intake from your old engine, and bolt it on to your new engine without any problems. to convert to carburation would be a relatively large chore, and while it is simpler, its also not as self-adjusting.. fuel injection works the same in any temperature, humidity, air pressure, elevation, etc etc etc. carbs need to be reset to match the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, you'd probly be able to milk some more power out of some triple webers or mikunis , especially with a nice airbox cramming air through them, but its alot of work to install and maintain them.

 

What year is your 280Z?

My suggestion for the most simple swap is to get a 1981-83 280zx non-turbo head/block. Drop it in there as it is and bolt your intake manifold to it.

depending on which year your 280Z is, you may need to use your Z's exhaust manifold or possibly the ZX's exhaust manifold.

The later ZX block has a better quench deisgn in the head and slightly higher compression. A mild cam and larger exhaust will add some power and maintain drivability.

 

bleachzee--

you say the head has a better "quench design"

you mean the coolant channels?

"quenching" the heat of the engine, right? or what?

 

My 280Z is a '77. I like the idea of bleachzees. I have decided not to bore out the block or go real drastic. Would doing anything with the head(port & polish) help very much. I do plan with going with a header and have a cat converter that I can remove. Any ideas on how radical of a cam I could go. In other words a little better than stock. Thanks

 

Better quench meaning that 1975-80 L28 heads were open chamber. 1981-83 L28 heads were closed chamber. Plus, 81-83 used flat top pistons were previous pistons were dished. The mixture when compressed is pushed up into the head more and over to one side towards the spark plug. Those engines are less prone to pinging.

With stock compression of 8.8:1, you should run no more than 280 duration. (usually a #2 cam) The porting will help your higher rpms a lot. That's the main downfall of the L28's design. Port the head, concentrate on the intake. Exhaust isn't so vital. Port match the manifold, and possibly the throttle body opening to match a larer 60mm throttle.... larger AFM conversion, K&N intake!

 

I agree with the F-54 block from a '79--83 ZX as for the injection being that you are already set up for that stay with it. I prefer SUs myself because of the fact they are simple and I can do all the work on them if necessary. Just find a good ZX non turbo engine and bolt on all the stuff from the old one. The ZX blocks and heads are the latest development on this inline engine .

 

Just to clarify, the 280zx was made from 1979-83. The new F54 block came out in 1981. 1979-80 280ZX's will have the same head and block as the 77-78 280Z.

Here's a pic of a closed chambered head for your viewing enjoyment.

 

okay i know im being a lazy schmuck but could you post a pic of an open chambered head so i can compare? im pretty sure ive been shown this before but i cant recall what it looks like..

i've parked my z for a bit to do some extended work on it, and i just might do a new head for it, im learning alot about the cylinder heads that i only knew abstractly before.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll keep coming back for more I'm sure. If anyone knows which AFM i should go with let me know. Will the flat top pistons from 81-83 fit in my 77 block?

 

HEY!!!
i live in reno and just so happen to have a 77 280z and i have a parts car with a "spare" engine.... i got it in this KILLER deal i picked up in carson... you can have the engine AND 4 speed tranny if you want it.... give me a call for the details
(775) 240-3790 my name is Eric.
P.S. what color z do you have mabe ive seen you around????????