titles pretty self explanatory... just looking for good tips if i were to get either for the same price same miles.

 

I would say see if you can bolt the bell housing from the l28 onto a late z31 turbo automatic.

I would say run the manual.

 

and run non turbo? i want to run turbo thats the whole point. even if i go for the na eventually along the lines of getting her upgraded id wanna get a turbo

 

why not make the automatic manual?

 

Lol, I thought you where talking about replacement transmissions... Turbo all the way, just be sure to use an external trans cooler.

 

i knew there was some miscommunication.. lol do u think it'd be hard to do the manual swap?

 

Not really. Pull old trans, pull torque convertor and flexplate, remove pilot bushing, remove auto shifter, install flywheel and clutch, install trans, install clutch pedal, run hydraulics, trim auto brake pedal, install new driveshaft, bleed system, done....

 

Unless you are looking for a parts car I would get the one that had the solid body. You can always swap stuff in. If both bodys are the same get the turbo - it's almost a no brianer

 

yeah i got the n/a manual... homeboy with the turbo never hit me back up... so $#@& you if u c this!

anyway i figured new motor on an older tranny was much better than a new tranny on an older motor. i just couldnt get over the automatic every car ive ever had has been automatic. no bueno

 

Well the NA looks pretty cherry (including the colour - lol) so like I said body before all else with the S130 Of course you Cali guys get all the solid cars anyhow but we get to throw whatever we want in our old cars so it all balances out

 

Since you'd almost have to pull the motor to swap in the manual trans, I'd say get the N/A, and find yourself a turbo motor

Just me tho.

 

He got the NA already...

 

That I did.. the z is an incredible drive. Drove her about 300 miles already.
I took the car to my mechanic and someone correct me if I'm wrong but he mentioned to me that I lucked out on the find...
There's a # on the rear of the engine bay mine begins with a J.. that if the 83 ZX has it means it the car was made in Japan not American manufactured therefore making the motor strong enough to withstand turbo.. the American made motors can not.
If this is true I can just get a turbo and not swap anything.

 

***Only the ones made in the last quarters of production were made in Japan in guessing during the transition from Datsun to Nissan.

 

That's a gigantic load of crap from the mechanic who is either an idiot or a liar or both. Every Z ever made has been made in Japan.... in fact the 370Z is one of the few Japanese built Nissans for the North American market.

This is how you read the VIN on an '81 and up S130 (79/80 had the older shortened VIN like the S30s)

JN1 H Z0 4 S* DX ######

JN1 = Nissan Passenger Vehicle

H = Non turbo
C = Turbo

Z0 = S130 chasis

4 = Coupe
6 = 2+2

* = Check Digit

B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983

X = NISSHA Plant

X is the ONLY plant the S130s were made.....

Also the only blocks the L28 came in were the N42 and the F54. The F54 has some extra webbing so people tend to lean that way but they are pretty equal as far as strength goes. There have been 700HP engines built from these blocks. There are no American made L28s....

The block, crank, and con rods are the same the only difference between the Turbo and non turbo is the head, pistons (turbos are dished for lower compression) and oil pan (tapped for oil return). Change that and the turbo manifold, distributor, ECU and harness and you can keep the stock bottom end...

Moral of the story is you found a great car but a mechanic who has no idea what he's talking about....

 

Lol - and just moments after I posted this I find a much more detailed reference for reading S130 VINs

 

Lol alright man