Male

Well thanks man that takes off a couple weeks of research lol and yeah it's going to be a wile intell I can afford it so il be doing research daily lol

Male

Hey guys! I today I saw my very first 280zxt!! It was awsome it was in a junk yard but they want 1500 firm for it. It looked in pretty good condition from what I saw but I asked if he would sell me the motor and the hood. He said 850 is that a good deal??

ThaPimpShrimp

Well what kind of condition is the motor in? I assume you'll be wanting to do a complete rebuild anyway? Keep in mind rebuilding the Turbo also.

NismoPick

That's pretty steep for junk yard prices (at least in my area).

The Pick N Pull sells complete running cars for $1k. Engines with accessories for $149:


300-4 Engine Carb W/Access Car $149.99 $49.99
300-DEngine Diesel Long Block Car $199.99 $49.99
300-4DEngine Diesel W/Access Car $219.99 $49.99
300-4FEngine F-Inj W/Access Car $149.99 $49.99
300-2 Engine Long Block Car $134.99 $29.99
300-1 Engine Short Block Car $109.99 $19.99

But if you are paying him to pull the motor, $850 should include labor.

Male

Yeah I tol them I bought my car for 1500 runnin good they kept saying theres is beter but the transmition is messed up on there's and I'm not sure what condition didn't turn it on but the cars interior was pretty nice saw a little of Frame rust but I poped the hood and fell in love I want one of these motors!!

FricFrac

Don't forget all the important parts. The engine bay harness, ECU, AFM and boot, down pipe. The exhaust is larger on the turbo car but you are better off to fab your own. Also the 82 - 83 has a fuel pump control modulator near the ECU which you need to turn on the fuel pump otherwise you'll have to add your own fuel pump relay. The engine bay harness will come out whole. The fuseable link has tavs that hold the power lead in. A small slotted screwdriver will get it out.

Male

Ok I'll keep that in mind and a question is how did you guys learn to swap motors? Because Im have trouble making brakets for some racing seats I can't imagen swapping a motor I don't want to pay some one to do it because I like to do things myself and don't realy want to pay some one to do it. Is it plug in basically?

NismoPick

By researching and doing. I've already stated that all L-Series motors are interchangeable. You LITERALLY unbolt the old motor, and bolt in the new. The only "hard" part about the turbo motor swap is the wiring, and there are numerous write-ups. Even the wiring is simple as long as you follow directions.

Rebuilding a motor is a lot more complex because it takes patience, time, the right tools, and techniques.

FricFrac

As NismoPick already stated it's the easiest motor swap you could possibly do. The engine is designed to fit into the car. The only consideration as far as dropping the engine in is that there are clearance issued with the ball steering setup. If you have the rack and pinion you are good to go. The wiring plugs into your stock locations just remember the 82-83 has a fuel pump control module.

Male

So basicly all I have to worry about my steering set up and wireing and with the steering set up can I use one from the 81-83

Male

Yea I read it's not worth rebuilding the motor just need to find one with low miles

ThaPimpShrimp

Well it depends on what you want really. Do you want a brand new motor that you just rebuilt? One that you know will last you and is essentially brand new?

Male

Well don't rebuilds cost mor than te actual engine

NismoPick

aye aye aye...

How about finding one that you can buy / obtain first?

I've bought complete drivable 280zxt's for $300, $400, and $500.

If you don't want to do a single thing to a ~150k miles motor, then don't. But you will probably need to do work to it later on... so the general rule of thumb for mechanical work is: DO IT WHILE YOU'RE IN THERE. Water pump, gaskets, etc as a bare minimum. It's much easier to work on an engine sitting on a stand, than in the car.

I think I already said once in this thread:

Yes, a full rebuild doing all but machine work yourself will cost ~$800-$1k. If you need a mechanic to do the work, you will be $2k-$3k.

With a rebuild, and upgrades / mods while you're in there, will easily get you to 250hp, whereas a stock L28ET running stock ecu and max 10psi boost, ~200whp.

Male

Ok thanks I'm gessing I'm just going to get some headers with a down pipe and a intake for now intell I'm older and ready for the swap. Hopfully that gives me desent power

jaromgi

I love reading these threads because NismoPick and FricFrac are like mad scientists.

Male

Do you guys know how much hp that will give?

NismoPick

1234778923797234hp, to be exact.

ThaPimpShrimp

How much difference the intake an exhaust will give you? What are you doing exactly? Just headers? I mean really exhaust and intake are mostly preparations for bigger performance mods. It'll maybe do a little but nothing super noticeable. The sound is usually what you'll appreciate most.

Male

Damn I was about 2hp off

Male

Yes some msa headers 2.5 down pipes with a exhaust and a cold air intake
And yeah i read there isnt much to do with n/a engine endless your rich
O and the muffler do you guys know any mufflers that are farly quite but can sound like a actual car not a bus when your passed around 4k rpm?

NismoPick

^^^ Search for "muffler". We've discussed mufflers, exhaust, and n/a mod's more than several times.

Not trying to be an ***... but really, all this info is readily available.

KC81ZX

Datsun 280zx turbo motor rebuild

Check this out... near my house if anyone is interested....

NismoPick

^^^ Sheesh! That is a good deal.

Male

I would love that but no money right now