sup all. i recently acquired a ihi turbo from a 92 probe with the 2.2l engine. i plan to modify this to work on my 83 280zx. i know that the z turbo stock puts out about 7-9 lbs of boost max. the probe turbo puts roughly the same.the question is how much more boost do you think ill get from the 2.8l versus the 2.2l?

 

the ihi is WAY to small... i had it on my 1.6l civic and it was too small for even that...

 

The amount of boost you get depends on the turbo and your settings, not the engine size. A larger engine will spool the turbo faster. If it is smaller, it may not even mount to your exhaust manifold. You should be able to find a T25 turbo off another car easily that can work on your 280ZX. I think the 80's 300ZX and Thunderbird use that turbo.

 

yeah but the turbo is too small, it will over spool? and get you no were fast

 

actually, its a pretty descent turbo, my mx-6 uses the IHI and boosts 15 psi easily. just make sure you keep it well cooled, I've gone through a couple because I've burned the seals. WRX's use the same turbo also.

 

Try it on your vette!

 

im niot saying its a bad turbo i just though it would be a bit too small for it

 

Agreed, I think you'd be better off sticking with Garrett turbos that came from the Z's. That IHI turbo might be like the T25's that came on the 2nd generation Eclipses or KO3 turbos on the VW's. Too small and ran outta breath once you cranked up the psi.
John 82ZXT

 

Is your '83zx a turbo or NA car? I'm assuming it's an NA since installing that turbo would be like going backwards on a turbo zx. With the high compression you are already running in your NA car I think that turbo would do fine if kept below 7psi. if even that high. I'm no expert, but I DO know you don't want a whole lot of boost in a higher compression engine. If you want more boost than that, you will probably need to change your head gasket to a thick, steel one to lower your compression and keep you from blowing the top off your motor!
If your zx is already a turbo, keep the stock one or upgrade, don't downgrade. Try the T3/04 hybrid or something. That's the direction I'm heading with mine.
That's my 1/2 cent worth
-Kel

 

it is a n/a and i plan to use an intercooler. this will allow me to run higher boost with lower risk of detonation.

 

That's what I thought, but you still need to lower your compression if you plan on running more than just a few psi. Your stock NA headgasket won't be able to withstand the boost pressure.
-Kel

 

i thought he have a compression of 8.3:1? cause that is nice and low for turbo and the ihi will onkly boost 8psi or higher unless he changes the waste gate arm

 

oh no, if he had a 1980 or older Z then he would have 8.3:1 AND an open chambered head. The head design would be a big mistake to run forced induction on. He's got an 83 with the P79 closed chambered head and F54 block/flat tops. 8.8:1 compression.

Factory psi is about 175 at that compression. A turbo has the same quench chamber in the head but with dished pistons and 7.5:1 compression. I think they run 125psi static compression. I'm not sure on all the reasons to not run high compression on a turbo motor, but even late model engines don't do well with that combo. Read up on all the 350Z turbo attempts. 5-6psi is what they run on them. But that engine is a much better design. We're working with old technology here.

if you're running an NA fuel injection system, you might as well stick with 5psi anyway. I hope you know more about this than it sounds. Do you plan to change injectors or the fuel management in any way?

 

yeah i plan to change it all. and if it blows the engine, oh well, all the more reason to install a turbo engine set up already

 

Or just put NA dished pistons in your F54 block and use your stock P79 head. Turbo that with boost less than 10psi and it might work good for a long time.

 

i think it would be alot more easy to say the hell with it and go with a v-6 out of say an 85 or 86 300. those are CHEAP here.

 

I would think that replacing pistons in a straight six is much easier than doing a custom engine and transmission swap. It'll be as much work as dropping in a V8, but you'll have a 160hp V6.

 

good point!