3.0 in a 280zx
#1
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whats up new here and decided to ask some experts on the subject at hand. I had a 1994 j30 which in the snow i slid into a pole so now i have the motor with an original 43 thousand miles just sitting. I just bought a rough 280zx has rust but i'll fix it later. I was just wondering what modifications will i have to do and what parts from the j30 will fit on the little 280. It has an auto but i really don't want to convert everything. The 280 is a turbo and a manuel but i haven't really looked it over to far. i would like to swap in the center console and a few other goodies, but yeah any help would be apprieciated thanks.
#2
If you've got the engineering & design skills, go for it.
This question has been asked before tho... Not to deferr you from our site (cuz ours rocks!) but hybridz.org has about 5.4 billion engine swap write ups.
This question has been asked before tho... Not to deferr you from our site (cuz ours rocks!) but hybridz.org has about 5.4 billion engine swap write ups.
#4
Originally Posted by PooFlinginMonke
Forget the engine.......grab that r200 clutch type diff.
![075](https://www.zdriver.com/forums/images/smilies/075.gif)
Besides, an LSD won't do too much good in a stock 280zxt... you won't benefit much until you are above 200hp.
#5
The benefit of lsd becomes instantly apparent when you try to put down power out of a corner next time you go to a track day and end up watching cars pass you as you lay a singletrack through the carousel.
I spent the 80s putting L engines in z31s and 240sx cars so I kind of went the opposite direction.
I spent the 80s putting L engines in z31s and 240sx cars so I kind of went the opposite direction.
#6
yeah i was going to try and swap rearends to or just parts but running matters first. Then maybe swap in the 280's turbo if i can figure out how it works. i fugure the original rear will hold up for a little but one never nows at 140.
#7
Originally Posted by PooFlinginMonke
The benefit of lsd becomes instantly apparent when you try to put down power out of a corner next time you go to a track day and end up watching cars pass you as you lay a singletrack through the carousel.
Are you talking about the diff from the J30? Surprise, but it's not the same diff as the 280zx / z31... So if he were to follow your advice, he'd have to do a lot of fab work to get the J30 suspension into the Z.
280zx / Z31 diff:
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/403000-403999/403158_115_full.jpg)
J30 diff:
#8
damn nismopick is good i have the whole car so i can always go to my back yard and strip the rearend out and see wants up but the motors what i want. For now. But i was also wondering what is different between the auto and manuel, ex.engine components and computer if its too much i don't want to do it so yeah. i got to work for the summer in California(money) cause i don't have it i'm only 17.
#10
I would put the two cars side by side & take measurements of the parts to see if they interchange. Some stuff just isn't going to match up.
ICICE9 has some pics of S130's w/ S13 & Z32 suspensions: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/336708/6
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336708_83_full.jpg)
It's a lot of work tho.
ICICE9 has some pics of S130's w/ S13 & Z32 suspensions: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/336708/6
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/336000-336999/336708_83_full.jpg)
It's a lot of work tho.
#11
sure is i was just going to mod. the stock rear brakes to fit but i just haven't had the time nor the space, plus the caris slowly sinking, in gravel so i need to jack it up before it dissappears.thaks for the help one of the other forums had the swap but i think it was on a turbo model, the had to notch the frames on it , which i don't want to. Well if anyone has done this swap tell me what all i need thanks. I am in need to beat up a rich kids chevy tr**** runs 13's high so wieght plus areo i should have him.
#12
LOL.......of course I know that and that the inner tripods are a different length on certain diffs as well.
I was talking about the clutch type internals.........or he could trade it to a 240sx dude for mucho cash since it has the same ears on the housing.
I said forget the car because of the amount of work it would take to put his rear sump engine into a car that wasn't built for it.
Not only would he have to either make a new pickup that picks up from the original port but with a longer pipe or drill the block out to use the front oil passage with the stock pickup.........but he would also have clearance issues with the downpipe regardless of whether he uses a z31 or a 280zx downpipe.
I was talking about the clutch type internals.........or he could trade it to a 240sx dude for mucho cash since it has the same ears on the housing.
I said forget the car because of the amount of work it would take to put his rear sump engine into a car that wasn't built for it.
Not only would he have to either make a new pickup that picks up from the original port but with a longer pipe or drill the block out to use the front oil passage with the stock pickup.........but he would also have clearance issues with the downpipe regardless of whether he uses a z31 or a 280zx downpipe.
#13
i read some were velse that the engine would fit as long if didn't have a turbo on it but thats cool the engine is the same out of a newer z car not 80's. So i just gonna try what i can if it doesn't work there will be some parts for sale after the summer. Well thats all for tonight off to bed nite.
#14
VG30ET should be a great swap into a S130, at present I'm doing a VG30DET into my S130 coupe. With the stock turbo it would fit, just, with a GT35R internal gate the left rail will have to be modded. Car is RHD of course.
Also fitting the entire suspension etc from a S14 into it. Big job at the rear but the front is relatively easy. You need some skill to do it all, including fabrication, a fair bit of that.
In my opinion the S130 just begs for a modern engine
Also fitting the entire suspension etc from a S14 into it. Big job at the rear but the front is relatively easy. You need some skill to do it all, including fabrication, a fair bit of that.
In my opinion the S130 just begs for a modern engine
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#17
Originally Posted by 260DET
VG30ET should be a great swap into a S130
.................................
In my opinion the S130 just begs for a modern engine![Smilie](https://www.zdriver.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
.................................
In my opinion the S130 just begs for a modern engine
![Smilie](https://www.zdriver.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The VG30 is only about 8 years newer than the L28.... and the VG30 is now 22+ years old.... Yes, it's modern compared to the Ford Model T engine.... but there have been plenty more modern engines since the mid 80's.
#18
Originally Posted by wreckedj30
. The 280 is a turbo and a manuel but i haven't really looked it over to far..
After your done looking it over you can ship it to me ....
i would love to have any of your left over turbo parts
block , head ,turbo maniflod
ecu , full wireing harness ,turbo fuel pump
baha baha baha i need a full turbo shell...
BUT WILL TAKE ANYTHING YOU WONT USE
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Bleach ... i hate you J/K
Last edited by 81 Black L28E; 05-20-2006 at 04:01 PM.
#19
no my engine came from a 94 so yeah, 12 years old sure i'll hit you back up 81 i have a job in so. cal for the summer so after that. yeah my front suspension is smashed on the j30 so there won't be any swapin to the 280 the rearend however is a maybe i have to get under it in the rocks so that **** sucks. can the discs swap in cause four is good but five is better, what about drive shaft and all the other crap. Will it be worth it to throw n the abs and all the other little bonuses the j30 has. the car needs to be really light to pull from a 300 horse truck so what else can i do for more power.