Which engine for the Z?

edz280zx · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:12 pm

Ok, I'm redoing the engine in my Z and have a few options at my disposal. I can put together a high compression 2.8 with either fuel injection or triple carb it. I have a turbo motor sitting in another car. And I have a Ford 302 v8 auto. Or...I've got several good stock motors.. What do you guys suggest?

bullitt · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:44 pm

I vote for Stock with ITB... :twisted:

john · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:52 pm

My vote is L28ET.

Gareth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:47 am

My vote goes for the carbed L28. I just love the aesthetics of the good old L-gata motor, and as a plus it comes in as a factory engine, which means that you won't need any fabrication (which can be a pain in the butt). Additionally, there ale lots of hi-po parts available in the US, and thinks like complete carb kits are easily available. I know that the aftermarket support is nothing comapared to the Ford 302, but do you think your car would retain even a small bit of its character if you swapped in a V8?

edz280zx · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:43 am

I am leaning toward the triples right now. They look bitchin, sound bitchin, and in general perform bitchin..if tuned right. Plus, you just dont see that many in s130 chassis..at least not as much as s30's.

veritech-z · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 pm

I vote turbo. I went from SUs to megasquirt to megasquirt turbo, and I won't be going back any time soon. My car was so anemic feeling pre-boost, it's like a whole other car now. And that is awesome.

Gareth · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:18 pm

Well, it depends what you like. I had rides in several FAST cars (including a E46 M3, various 911s etc., Evos and such), but I don't think this is what I need in my Z. I'd like to have a characterful, responsive oldschool motor that would perfectly match my right foot and my car. This is why I LOVE the carbed L28s...

Edz280zx, this is for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sGH-2uzOB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFm5gMyNPGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE9igvMJ4WQ

Those were the days when carbs were the way to go when it came to high performance engines... I am more of a carb guy than FI guy, so I admit I'm biased. But anyway, there's nothing that comes close to a high powered carb engine.

(they're much harder to maintain, use and tune than FI engines, but who cares?)

810-again · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:52 pm

What's the difference in the catagory 'Fuel Injected 2.8' and 'Stock'?

edz280zx · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:42 pm

Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific. I've got enough parts for a high compression (10 to 1) motor. I could fuel inject it or do the triple webers. I would probably put a cam in it either way. And I've already got a coated header. The stock motor would be just that: stock.

jimbob_racing · **Posted:** Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:56 am

I'm doing a 280ZXT swap into my 280Z right now since it seems to be the easiest and best bang for the buck power wise.

cressida · **Posted:** Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:14 am

i go for the turbo engine.

veritech-z · **Posted:** Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:06 pm

You wouldn't be using a factory fuel injection on that high compression 2.8 with the huge cam? I've been told it doesn't work very well, but haven't tried it myself.

edz280zx · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:48 am

veritech-z wrote:

You wouldn't be using a factory fuel injection on that high compression 2.8 with the huge cam? I've been told it doesn't work very well, but haven't tried it myself.

Probably not. I've got a non-egr intake I would use and probably get a pallnet fuel rail, bigger injectors, 240sx throttle body, and then run megasquirt. If I was to do it, I would try and get rid of as much of the factory wiring as I could. I would love to get ITB's but I don't have that kind of bank :lol:

gogriz91.5 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:14 am **Posts:** 46

Recommend triple Mikuni 44s over any other option, easier to tune (which is a relative concept) and will perform as well or better than Webers and will stay tuned longer. Are you experienced tuning these carbs or know someone who is? It can be quite difficult if you don't know what you're doing.

van · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:26 pm

L28E for me!

cucuy · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:36 pm

LS1 is the way to go

edz280zx · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:42 am

gogriz91.5 wrote:

Recommend triple Mikuni 44s over any other option, easier to tune (which is a relative concept) and will perform as well or better than Webers and will stay tuned longer. Are you experienced tuning these carbs or know someone who is? It can be quite difficult if you don't know what you're doing.

Not really experience in tuning them but you gotta learn some time eh? I know a guy who can do it so I would have him show me...plus I'd probably study up on it.

gogriz91.5 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:14 am **Posts:** 46

edz280zx wrote:

gogriz91.5 wrote:

Recommend triple Mikuni 44s over any other option, easier to tune (which is a relative concept) and will perform as well or better than Webers and will stay tuned longer. Are you experienced tuning these carbs or know someone who is? It can be quite difficult if you don't know what you're doing.

Not really experience in tuning them but you gotta learn some time eh? I know a guy who can do it so I would have him show me...plus I'd probably study up on it.

Go to Hybridz.org, there's a Mikuni PHH manual in pdf format if you search for it plus a ton of info on modding an L-28.

Sr-FairladyZ · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:02 pm

I would go L28 w/Mikuni carbs, And 3.0 stroked if possible. Oh wait, for a S130? I would go L28ET. haha. Its just the 80's reflects "Turbo" power to me. Digi dashes, talking cars, and turbo trust

edz280zx · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:37 pm

Sr-FairladyZ wrote:

I would go L28 w/Mikuni carbs, And 3.0 stroked if possible. Oh wait, for a S130? I would go L28ET. haha. Its just the 80's reflects "Turbo" power to me. Digi dashes, talking cars, and turbo trust

But I don't have the digital dash and talking lady.........thank God!! :lol:

I've just been listening to cammed na's on youtube..omg they sound sooo bitchin'! I've also noticed that alot of JDM tuned s130's use triples, and thats kinda the vibe I'm wanting. I'll have to wait for $$ tho :wink:

Which engine for the Z?

Who is online