how do i make it fast?!!!
08-18-2009, 05:37 PM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: new england
Posts: 73
how do i make it fast?!!!
i recently picked up a 1981 280zx non-turbo.
doesnt really neeed anything.
im new to looking into performance things and this is my first nice/fun car.
what should i do under the hood that will give it more power?
ive just purchased some iridium sparkplugs. but other than that everything is original under the hood. i dont really want to put major things that require alot of tuning, and might kill it. I want stuff that will give it good power but also stay reliable.
the car only has 97000 original miles, has new oil and oil filter.
other than that, i dont really know alot about it
, but i would love to learn.
any helpfull info u may know of would be greatly appreciated.
doesnt really neeed anything.
im new to looking into performance things and this is my first nice/fun car.
what should i do under the hood that will give it more power?
ive just purchased some iridium sparkplugs. but other than that everything is original under the hood. i dont really want to put major things that require alot of tuning, and might kill it. I want stuff that will give it good power but also stay reliable.
the car only has 97000 original miles, has new oil and oil filter.
other than that, i dont really know alot about it
, but i would love to learn.any helpfull info u may know of would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by 81-280zxnt; 08-18-2009 at 06:03 PM.
08-18-2009, 06:05 PM
#3
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datsun are impossible to find in newengland...im lucky to come across one that i picked up with no rust and has good components.
any info on how i could make it perform extremely well, but stay reliable at the same time?...any info u got helps me.
thanks a bunch!!!!
any info on how i could make it perform extremely well, but stay reliable at the same time?...any info u got helps me.
thanks a bunch!!!!
08-18-2009, 06:27 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Valdosta GA
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hmmm how to make a 280zx fast...
step one, KILL IT WITH FIRE!
lol imo the cheapest way is engine swaps, either the l28et or the other plethora V8's and blaa blaa blaa
you will learn the pros and cons, alot of this depends on your mechanical skills
step one, KILL IT WITH FIRE!
lol imo the cheapest way is engine swaps, either the l28et or the other plethora V8's and blaa blaa blaa
you will learn the pros and cons, alot of this depends on your mechanical skills
08-18-2009, 07:05 PM
#5
This facepalm's for you!
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Interwebs
Posts: 1,175
heres my little diagram for ya....
[Power]-------|-------[Reliability]
the closer you get the red marker to one end, the farther you get from the other
If you want to make your NA fast, or even do a swap, its going to take real work and require tuning.
[Power]-------|-------[Reliability]
the closer you get the red marker to one end, the farther you get from the other
If you want to make your NA fast, or even do a swap, its going to take real work and require tuning.
08-18-2009, 07:25 PM
#6
Haterade by da gallon!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Valdosta GA
Posts: 2,306
lets get our x and y axis'ses right
.LS series Vates
.
.
. RB26
.
.
.
.[Power]-------|-------[Reliability]
.
.
. SR20
.
.
. stock L28
just my opinions, some may weight the benefits of an sr above a V8, but guys those aren't real men
Last edited by 280zx2by2; 08-18-2009 at 07:30 PM.
08-18-2009, 08:05 PM
#9
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08-18-2009, 08:16 PM
#11
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08-18-2009, 08:23 PM
#12
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08-18-2009, 08:25 PM
#13
This facepalm's for you!
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Suspension is equally as important as engine work. Every part of the car works together to get the final result.
and that is a great book
08-18-2009, 08:29 PM
#14
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alright thanks. apprciate it.
08-23-2009, 10:01 PM
#17
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I would also take the diff out of an 87-89 300ZX turbo for a cheap lsd but I would re-gear it to a 3:90. If I remember correctley those came stock with 3:70's. I hate open diffs. Also follow all of the machine work that that book suggests.
08-23-2009, 10:19 PM
#18
08-24-2009, 09:26 AM
#19
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 145
first you need spinners on your ride. your z will look fast even when you stop at a light, and if you go with the spinner hub caps and you can't find the right size you can always use zipties to jimmy rig it on your wheels.
Now buy some nitrous, it's probably the easiest way to add power to the car. You need a wet kit for the fuel injection system and I don't remember what people say the stock l28 can handle but it's a fairly tough motor.
Ok now to be on a serious note. Strip off as much weight as you can off the car. It's the cheapest way to gain more performance. It's free if you already own a ratchet set. You can also consider the nitrous option if you want.
Now buy some nitrous, it's probably the easiest way to add power to the car. You need a wet kit for the fuel injection system and I don't remember what people say the stock l28 can handle but it's a fairly tough motor.
Ok now to be on a serious note. Strip off as much weight as you can off the car. It's the cheapest way to gain more performance. It's free if you already own a ratchet set. You can also consider the nitrous option if you want.
08-24-2009, 09:45 AM
#21
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That's funny I was thinking about the hood on the zx. That thing weighs a ton and hacking up the ribbing underneath should shave a decent amount of weight. You would probably need some hoodpins afterward to hold it down well. Some people out there are weird about hoodpins though. oooh, and acrylic windows. The rear hatch uses a flat pane of glass. It would be easy to replace it with light acrylic. Someone told me they did that with their zx for drag racing.
08-24-2009, 09:51 AM
#22
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That's funny I was thinking about the hood on the zx. That thing weighs a ton and hacking up the ribbing underneath should shave a decent amount of weight. You would probably need some hoodpins afterward to hold it down well. Some people out there are weird about hoodpins though. oooh, and acrylic windows. The rear hatch uses a flat pane of glass. It would be easy to replace it with light acrylic. Someone told me they did that with their zx for drag racing.
08-24-2009, 11:21 AM
#24
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We bought ours from some local store for $160 for a 4'x8' sheet. I'm not sure if that was a good deal or not... But it replaced the entire rear window and both rear door windows on the Volvo with plenty to spare for other cars
