So i'm brand new to this site and to the Z world. but i've always loved these cars so i finally picked one up! so far this is what we got (me and a buddy are doing this project together)





So neither one of us have any schooling or training or anything with being a mechanic so this is all gonna be a learning project. keep in mind we still have personal experience with cars and have a pretty good understanding.

A little thing i might want to add is that so far we have a 1981 datsun 280zx that is currently not running. has rusted frame, dented rear quarter panels (i think it was rear ended), tinted tail lights-look terrible, HORRIFIC interior, engine has 220,000 miles and doesnt currently run, no battery. and we just picked up a L28 motor, front lip, rear louvers, and random miscellaneous engine parts for free from a guy who used to own a 280. the engine has 85,000 miles and was in great running condition when the guy pulled it out. so good deal for us. we spent 300 on the car. so far its a pretty cheap project!! wont be for long though.

We're getting a re ring kit and replacing all the gaskets, timing belt, fluids, and all that stuff to see where we're at with the engine.

will keep updating as we go!!

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Good find and good luck w/ the project!

 

thank you! anyone know the best route to go to mod the stock engine? we want a good amount of hp but would like to stick with the engine we have. any suggestions are helpful

 

The cheapest way you are going to make more power is to do a turbo swap. Bolt on mods like a less restrictive air filter and header/exhaust will be your cheap HP upgrade for a NA then it starts to get expensive. If you want to make any serious power you have to go a stroker build which is around $3-4k for a proper build. Head work, cams, etc don't work well with the stock ECU so you would have to go with an aftermarket ECU like Mega Squirt, etc.

Read, read and read some more. This is an excellent S130 forum and there is lots of good info to sift through at Hybridz.org as well for engine performance and swaps.

 

Nice car man,it'll be worth it no doubt. Keep the z world posted on your progress! this forum has helped me alot!! So post any kind of question, these guys in the forum kno there stuff and always got good advice to give. LONG LIVE THE Z's!!!!!!!!!

 

could you possibly give me some links or shoot me in the right direction? or should i just look around at all the build threads?

edit:
also what would be the best/cheapest route? getting all the engine work done to the L28 or getting a rb25det? here is one off of the local craigslist: http://dayton.craigslist.org/pts/2442309962.html

 

actually we've had a bit of a turn of events already. we found someone with a rb25det engine swapped into a 240sx. it has no motor mounts, intercooler, down pipe, or wiring harness. (we will need new motor mounts and intercooler and wiring so thats no big deal) the 240 has coilovers on it as well. so we're gonna get the 240 for a parts car if you will and swap out the rb25 (a lot of work from what i hear) and swap out the coilovers and brakes and what ever else we may need. and its all for a good deal too.. we're trading him two L28's and $750 for a 240sx with a non running rb25det!!! hell yeah. i'm pumped for the build

 

so wait...

you're doing an engine swap before fixing the chassis...?

 

Seconded, make sure that your frame rails aren't eaten, or any other damage

Power upgrade before chassis integrity isn't the best idea O.o

 

no no no sorry for the confusion. we knew that a little ways down the road we wanted to get the rb25 but we found this deal so we figured we couldn't pass it up. we're going a bit out of our budget for this early in the project but we couldn't pass up this deal. so we're just getting the 240 with the rb25 and we're going to pull the engine out of that and put it on a stand and work with it and in the meantime work on the frame/body/interior of the 280. yeah no big power with bad chassis. thats a bad idea lol

 

For $2500 you can get an L28ET, intercooler setup, GT35R ball bearing turbo, Megasquirt, freshen the bottom end and get 300RWHP reliably whereas the RB25DET is about 250HP at the crank stock for $2500.

 

i'm giving the guy two L28's plus $750....?

 

As stated, L28s can make 300, and the Rb25 can make 250 stock, for around the same price, and the Rb25 has a higher range of power, but everything will need to be modified. Transmission mount, motor mounts, driveshaft, etc.

So, your two L28s plus 750, you still probably have around (at most) another thousand to spend to get it operational, unless you can self fab everything

 

we need motor mounts, intercooler, downpipe, and wiring harness... so yeah we will be putting money into it. but we plan on putting more money into it anyways. and we're looking for more power than the L28ET can do.. idk what you're trying to tell me? lol

 

Not sure what impression we got

But there will be quite a bit of money spent on what you listed =P

What specific power are you looking for?

 

The L28ET was making 700Hp in the '80s... That being said if you are looking for over 500HP I'd look at the RB26DETT or RB30 or a 2JZ. Of course 500HP+ isn't good for anything other than bragging rights and maybe drag racing.

 

we're looking at the 350-400 hp range.. the RB25 is one of my all time favorite engines and we got a deal for one and we're getting a 240sx shell and our next build will be a 240. so that's my reasoning behind getting a 240sx shell with an uninstalled rb25det engine in it. there's no doubt that the L28 is an amazing engine. we just went a different route. thats it

 

...and that's cool. It's just for Joe Average the cheapest/easiest route is the L28ET. If you are into the fabricating an have the extra $$ to spend the RB25 is a cool swap that always draw attention. I like the ITBs in the RB26 though...

 

yeah i would have prefered an rb26 but hey for the type of deal we're getting i'm not the least bit upset lol

 

Fix yours yet?
I kid. Your car is badass.


Subscribing to this thread. Do work!

 

no we're in the process of buying the new engine. sorry but to warn you guys but this is going to be a slow moving project lol

 

if anyone has any links or anything that will point me a good direction post them up. i've been searching and finding a lot of good stuff. just if you have anything let me know. anything that has to do with the RB25 swap or good suspension, brakes, everything. let me know!

 

Sure here is some swap info for you.

.... it never gets tired

 

lol i've seen 90% of those links already. thanks though fricfrac! lol its always sweet to be shown how to use google like i said i've done my google searches and my forum searches. just if you guys have anything perticular that was a big help to you or you feel will be a big help to us then let me know!

 

ICICE9's pics: http://www.zcar.com/car_talk_forum/b..._824230.0.html

Hybridz would have all the info. Also search for "Tetsu Takakamo" famous RB 280zx swap: