Crate Motor Or Engine Rebuild Kit For 280zx

[N388S]

I have a 1979 280zx that needs a new or rebuilt motor. Where can I find a crate motor or engine rebuild kit for the Datsun 2.8 liter engine? I have searched the net and have not had any luck. Thanks in advance for the help.

[1viadrft]

They don't make crate engines for L28's...

[N388S]

Would you reccomend trying to find a good used L28 motor somewhere or just getting a good Chevrolet V-engine?

[1viadrft]

Most of us around here frown on Domestic Engine swps around here... so don't look for too much support. But it's your car. Do what you please. Personally building up a decent L28 may be a bit of a challenge... but gosh I love those motors the more I research them. A swapped in L28ET (turbo) with beefed up internals and some bolt ons from Japan (RHDJAPAN.com can source some parts for L-Series engines) and you'll have yourself a nice lil' sleeper... but tht would be the way I would do my project.

[xXxRocker5150]

^ the guy who bought parts from my z31 has a 240z with an L28 turbo engine that cuts 11s in the 1/4 mile... that's some serious power

[dimefury]

L-power all the way!!!!!

i've seen too many JDM corvettes. (Zs with SBCs)

it might be harder to find parts, but IMO the L-series motor is the only way to go. boost prefered.

what part of the country are you in/from?

find your local datsun club, if you are in northern cali, ZONC (Z owners of northern california) is who you want to get ahold of. also Norcal UFO (510 club) has members who can help find Z parts.

DANDO's in fremont, CA can also help you out, they specialize in old and new Zs.
http://www.dandos.com/

junkyards . . . .

that is all i can think of off the top of my head. i'll look around online for you and post back if i find anything good.

[Nissan-Fan]

Haha, SBC S130/S30's arent so bad You kinda need to ride in one to know...I do love the L28, but when it comes to cheap horsepower and foot pounds, you simply can not beat the SBC engine swap, even with my VERY mild 350, the car cant be touched by the majority of what i find on the street. But shit, if you have lots of flow, buy an L28et and build that up...with the stroker kit and a turbo that straight 6 can make some pretty mean numbers.

[stephenp]

so how hard was it to get the suspention to hold up the the sbc????
i got a 78 and a 83 turbo i was going to swap the turbo into it(the wiring harness and head but keep the thicker rings) but hmmmmm i need to rebuild that to make it work and for that i need pistons and everything

hmmm i hav e a smalkl block already.......hmmmm
lets see stock 280 rebuild or... forged pisons and a cam in a 4 bolt 350........
hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ive heard of it and always frowned on it but when its iin your face like that....
also got either a t5 or a th350 ....
hm independent suspension under a sbc cammed .......

[stephenp]

ok sorry to rape your thread but on the sbc note i figured i list a few mods that i currentlty have that obviously would go on it and id drop a good 4 or 500 in on top and for a sbc thats a bit

1. holley 650
2. edelbrock rpm performer intake
3. accell hei brute thunder incap coil
4. accell super high output mdule (allow 9000 rpms unshunted)(aka no break up)
5. meling high volume
6. open element intake(eeewwww)


but for me to be happy id get on top of those
1. headers
2. forged pistons
3. exhaust (3" manderal)
4. valve springs
5. a healthy cam


and the rest of my $$$$ into the springs and suspesion in general (tie rods ball joinmts and bushing kit

[DeleriousZ]

i don't think the sbc would be much heavier than that iron BRICK that is the l28.. not that i'd ever consider it but hey, i'm a purist, all you mudders can do whatever you want

[ALEXMOSICHMILLER]

a stock sbc350 is only 140 lbs more then the l28 in front adn adds 40 on teh rear but with alluminum heads and headers you can bring it down to less then 80lbs more then the origonal engine and snag a few horsies doing it


make sure you reinforce your car if your gonna put a v8 in it
but really befor you do anythgin go to hybridz.org and they will tell you most of the basic information on v8 datsun swaps

[DeleriousZ]

congrats for a first post on a thread that's more than a year old... read the dates before you post please