Turbo/NA engine swap - San Diego
07-18-2003, 12:45 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ok, this is a Rant....
Why the heck does evey other freakin' post on this forum have to be about converting a N/A ZX to a turbo ZX. If you guys would just look at the previous posts, you would find a plethera of information on this (beaten into the ground) topic. Look, if you want a Turbo ZX, you need to swap everything out! Motor, steering (if not rack and pinion equipped), Wiring harness, ECU, and the MAF meter. A turbo is too much for the weenie rings on the NA motor, so quit asking about it!!!!
grr.....
Why the heck does evey other freakin' post on this forum have to be about converting a N/A ZX to a turbo ZX. If you guys would just look at the previous posts, you would find a plethera of information on this (beaten into the ground) topic. Look, if you want a Turbo ZX, you need to swap everything out! Motor, steering (if not rack and pinion equipped), Wiring harness, ECU, and the MAF meter. A turbo is too much for the weenie rings on the NA motor, so quit asking about it!!!!
grr.....
07-18-2003, 09:06 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sorry my little post pissed you off so much.
1. I have researched threads regarding ZX's in about 4-5 different places the past two weeks and no where was I able to come up with a place in San Diego to do the work for me. Thus the post.
2. Most posts regarding the turbo engine drop discusses adding an intercooler and when I mentioned this to the place that might do the work for me, they stated the intercooler is not street legal here. Thus, I posted a question about this.
And sorry, this is a BBS and I'll ask what I want on the topic. Thanks for the kind reply.
1. I have researched threads regarding ZX's in about 4-5 different places the past two weeks and no where was I able to come up with a place in San Diego to do the work for me. Thus the post.
2. Most posts regarding the turbo engine drop discusses adding an intercooler and when I mentioned this to the place that might do the work for me, they stated the intercooler is not street legal here. Thus, I posted a question about this.
And sorry, this is a BBS and I'll ask what I want on the topic. Thanks for the kind reply.
07-18-2003, 10:56 AM
#5
Super Siver & Black Stud
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hayward Ca
Posts: 1,526
CaseyZX
theres been a lot of write ups on www.hybridz.org on this subject.. theres a lot you can do to get the amount of HP your looking for out of your engine.. but as far as being "Legal" any upgrade or modification you do to your engine is gonna have to get by the smog ***** in cali.. best thing to do is to locate your local smog refree and ask what you need to do to upgrade your n/a to a turbo.. it should be okay as long as you keep all smog devices on the turbo engine and as long as the turbo engine is from a later ZX model. as far as your intercooler... i dont think youll pass the visual inspection.. your gonna have to find a way to get around the smog problem when regestering your car... ill be doing the same swap as you by years end and im still trying to figure out how im gonna get around that same problem.. i might just use my friends n/a to use for smog...
theres been a lot of write ups on www.hybridz.org on this subject.. theres a lot you can do to get the amount of HP your looking for out of your engine.. but as far as being "Legal" any upgrade or modification you do to your engine is gonna have to get by the smog ***** in cali.. best thing to do is to locate your local smog refree and ask what you need to do to upgrade your n/a to a turbo.. it should be okay as long as you keep all smog devices on the turbo engine and as long as the turbo engine is from a later ZX model. as far as your intercooler... i dont think youll pass the visual inspection.. your gonna have to find a way to get around the smog problem when regestering your car... ill be doing the same swap as you by years end and im still trying to figure out how im gonna get around that same problem.. i might just use my friends n/a to use for smog...
07-18-2003, 11:14 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ice,
Thanks for the tips. I've actually been researching hybridz and have actually posted there a couple times; I'm using the same nickname there as I am here. The descriptions of turbo mods go from timid to severe and come from all over the USA and I can't always tell what is legal for CA or not. I had no idea an intercooler was illegal here until the shop told me so and now you (being in CA too) just verified that bit of information so now I know I'll need to drop that idea. Dangit! This shop guy suggested dropping a stock turbo engine in and first make sure that it's functioning correctly before making any mods. I guess that's what I'll do as well as maybe some exhaust work to go along with it and turning up the boost a little. I don't know what that'll get me, but it'll make merging onto the freeway a little more fun. Then maybe look into EFI and air-intake. Are those K&M cold induction things legal here? Is a Rising Rate Fuel Pressure Regulator legal? I've never heard of a smog referee. Maybe it's time to call DMV.
Including here and hybridz, I also review posts at:
www.zcarchat.com
http://www.zcar.com/
Thanks for the tips. I've actually been researching hybridz and have actually posted there a couple times; I'm using the same nickname there as I am here. The descriptions of turbo mods go from timid to severe and come from all over the USA and I can't always tell what is legal for CA or not. I had no idea an intercooler was illegal here until the shop told me so and now you (being in CA too) just verified that bit of information so now I know I'll need to drop that idea. Dangit! This shop guy suggested dropping a stock turbo engine in and first make sure that it's functioning correctly before making any mods. I guess that's what I'll do as well as maybe some exhaust work to go along with it and turning up the boost a little. I don't know what that'll get me, but it'll make merging onto the freeway a little more fun. Then maybe look into EFI and air-intake. Are those K&M cold induction things legal here? Is a Rising Rate Fuel Pressure Regulator legal? I've never heard of a smog referee. Maybe it's time to call DMV.
Including here and hybridz, I also review posts at:
www.zcarchat.com
http://www.zcar.com/
07-22-2003, 03:13 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
you can swap a later modle turbo engine into your car and then register the motor which will turn your car into a turbo car. which then you will get a new vin sticker and everything. but the motor has to be legal and it has to show that you bought it legally. after u get the stock turbo motor in and register it smog it. then u can mod as u plz because youll have 2 yearsbefore naother smog, unless u get a fix it ticket by a cop. which then you will need to fix it. almost everything is illegalin CA , a cop doesnt need to know anything. if its shiny and doesnt look stock, they can write you up for it if there isnt a carb number. the only legal intake you can get is aem, which doesnt make one for old cars like ours. nothing much you can do thats legal. you can upgrade your exhuast system to a 3" mandrel bent, which will still be ilegal, but if you keep a 3" cat and a 3" muffler, i think will pass smog, just wont pass visual. only thing you can do is mayb up the boost like 2 or 3 psi without doing anything "illegal"
07-22-2003, 08:17 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Awww, man! You are dashing my hopes here. It sounds like I have little hope. Well, at least a stock turbo engine is still better than my NA.
So a larger turbo and EFI with Microtech computer is illegal? Since I'm no mechanic and it's really just a weekend car, I don't want to be swapping parts/engines to pass visual for each smog check. I'm really glad you replied. It sounds like the smog laws are really out of hand. Now I know I'm going to have to get out there and talk with some people.
So a larger turbo and EFI with Microtech computer is illegal? Since I'm no mechanic and it's really just a weekend car, I don't want to be swapping parts/engines to pass visual for each smog check. I'm really glad you replied. It sounds like the smog laws are really out of hand. Now I know I'm going to have to get out there and talk with some people.
07-22-2003, 09:22 PM
#9
Super Siver & Black Stud
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hayward Ca
Posts: 1,526
a good way around it is to know someone who does smog.. find another 280ZX same year as your but with all stock engine... and bribe your smog guy to use the other Z when you smog your car... lol hahahahaha i know,..... ive thought about it too...
07-24-2003, 05:46 AM
#10
Externally Wastegated
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,220
If you want a smog legal I/C, buy an HKS one, they're all 50 state legal, just that they cost an arm and a leg. HKS's EVC boost controller is also 50 state along with their fuel controller. They're the only ones with 50 state certs. Just be prepared to spend a nice sum of money, but at least you won't have to have the headaches that the rest of the motor swapped people will have come smog time. The intake is easy to put back to stock and a catback muffler will not be illegal so don't worry unless you change out the downpipe and catalytic converter. Keep the stockers to pass smog.
John 82ZXT
John 82ZXT
07-24-2003, 10:04 AM
#11
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Posts: n/a
Lifeguard, you give me hope!
But wow, $2,600 for the intercooler kit on one site I viewed. But if it's legal, then it's in the realm of possibility.
Do I need to still run the stock turbo or are larger after-market turbos legal too? I was hoping to get a performace CAT as well, but maybe I should stick with what came with the vehicle. And maybe a K&M intake is easy to switch back and forth when it is smog time.
I see you are in San Diego. Heard of McKinny Motorsports? I was thinking of going to them when I'm ready for the engine drop and mod, which I'm guessing will be late Sept or early Oct. (Got my quarterly taxes to save up for now and I'm redoing the interior first anyway...new dashboard from Nissan, carpet and seat cover kits OEM.) Dang, have to run to an appt. Thanks for adding to the thread, I have hope again.
But wow, $2,600 for the intercooler kit on one site I viewed. But if it's legal, then it's in the realm of possibility.
Do I need to still run the stock turbo or are larger after-market turbos legal too? I was hoping to get a performace CAT as well, but maybe I should stick with what came with the vehicle. And maybe a K&M intake is easy to switch back and forth when it is smog time.
I see you are in San Diego. Heard of McKinny Motorsports? I was thinking of going to them when I'm ready for the engine drop and mod, which I'm guessing will be late Sept or early Oct. (Got my quarterly taxes to save up for now and I'm redoing the interior first anyway...new dashboard from Nissan, carpet and seat cover kits OEM.) Dang, have to run to an appt. Thanks for adding to the thread, I have hope again.
07-24-2003, 05:58 PM
#12
Externally Wastegated
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,220
McKinney Motorsports? Yeah, I've talked to him quite a bit in the past. I'm supposed to have him do my i/c piping whenever I get back to the States. I've seen some of his work and it's pretty good. My friend Jamie had him swap in a KA24 into a 510. Did he show you his 240SX with the RB25DET in it? That car is awesome. The HKS I/C, the cheapest I've seen it listed is at www.optauto.com, it's about 1200 bucks plus shipping.
I don't know about the turbo, but the weird thing was, was when I went in for smog the guy that checked it didn't really give my car a real good look. He just said nice car, and got the readings and looked to see if I had my smog equipment under the hood. I think a T3/T4 might pass if they aren't attentive, but it's best to ask a smog ref, don't ask DMV, they're no help at all. I think a performance CAT will be okay, most of them are 50 state cert. The smog guy didn't even get on his hands and knees to check to see what kind I was running. Just so long as my readings were clean. Anyway, I've noticed most smog shops are slightly less strict with our cars then they are with the newer sport compacts. I got grilled when I went in with my friend who got his 240SX smogged.
I don't know about the turbo, but the weird thing was, was when I went in for smog the guy that checked it didn't really give my car a real good look. He just said nice car, and got the readings and looked to see if I had my smog equipment under the hood. I think a T3/T4 might pass if they aren't attentive, but it's best to ask a smog ref, don't ask DMV, they're no help at all. I think a performance CAT will be okay, most of them are 50 state cert. The smog guy didn't even get on his hands and knees to check to see what kind I was running. Just so long as my readings were clean. Anyway, I've noticed most smog shops are slightly less strict with our cars then they are with the newer sport compacts. I got grilled when I went in with my friend who got his 240SX smogged.
07-25-2003, 03:35 AM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey CaseyZX...I just wanted to add to John's post, I just checked www.alamomotorsports.com and thier HKS intercooler is priced at $936.00, but I would e-mail them or call and see if that changed. If so, I would go with John's first option. John's a good man, he knows his stuff. 
Chris
Chris
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