Finaly got on the dyno this weekend and get some tune time after all the mods were finished. I ran these #'s when it was an ALL stock 1976 280z. 134 rwhp and 140 torque @ 5000 rpms
This is what work\mods were done to get more ponies:
rebuilt 280zx 5 speed w\new clutch and flywheel.
head rebuilt basicly stock with a 480 duration .280 lift cam.
60mm Pallnet TB matched to intake.
Pallnet fuelrail w\pressure guage- no hp gains there but its bling anyway!
AEM adj. fuel pressure regulator
All new fuel injectors. 185cc\min@37 psi. Stock setup but all injectors were flowmatched.
6 to 1 tuned header - ceramic coated with a 2&5\8" dump
2&5\8" exhaust, aluminized stainless and a flowmaster xxl muff
Megasquirt 1.1 pcb 3.0 with a LM1 wbo2 meter
electric fan
This setup turned 166 rwhp and 159 torque @ 5100 rpms. Nice crisp throttle responce- gets waaaaaayyyy better gas milage. starts every turn of the key. Just not enough hp. So I'm going to a sbc 350 and 700r4 trans. I know this makes my z less of a true Datsun but I want more grunt. I know a turbo 280z runs with plenty of hp- I just don't like turbo setups.
I know I'm gona miss that sweet Datsun exhaust note. Then again a sbc 350 and dual exhaust sounds pretty tough.
To the Datsun engine gurues: Was that a good turn of hp gains? I would think so..... Imho.
Yup I found it in a junkyard and made it look Sweet ;-)

Why not just throw a turbo on it and have the best of both worlds? You got megasquirt already.
Just get a P90 head and thick head gasket to drop the compression a bit.
Injector Cleaning Service
THE FREE ONLINE INDEPENDENT Z STORE
Email me to add your product

get rid of the flowmaster and youll gain about 10HP
----------------------------------------------------
1981 n/a 280zx
1952 m38a1 jeep willy's
1971 fairlady 240z
95 300zx N/A
72 240z

How can you not like turbos? That's like saying you dont like women, or air, or food... lol
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project

You obviously arent planning on putting out to much power going with a 700r4.
Currently parting out 1990 300zx TT.

Let me see the 700r4 can easily handle 300 HP, and he was turning 166 HP with his modified L6, that seems like alot more to me !!
Sometimes I get fustrated with an inline 6 and would love to have a high revving Ford 302 out of a GT Mustang with about 300 HP. I could gear that down to get great mileage, it would outrun most Corvettes, and it would be more reliable than a high strung inline 6, and sound better doing it.
It's all a personal choice, and right now, i'll stay with the L6, but who knows about a few years from now.
Black, bumperless, 78 Z with MSA superturbo system, K/N cone filter, ported intake, and exhaust manifolds.....15.9 @87 mph.

um you can EASILY get 300rwhp with the Z .. at like 14psi .. and tuning..
you seem to be set with Megasquirt.. 1.1PCB board! LoL thats old!
but seriously turbo=free hp
F54/P90a w Megasquirt and a Holset Hy35W
3" hand made exhuast, Large NPR intercooler, big injectors, Tokico Illuminas, Arizona Z Springs, BIG sway bars, Innovate Wideband
www.putfile.com/proxlamus

You should get a V8 because you want a V8, not because the Nissan L28 isn't good enough. It is good enough for 300 hp.
A turbo swap would probably be much cheaper and definately easier than a V8 swap.
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1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2:
-'81 L28ET with 1984 Z31 ECCS
-'81 Turbo snowflakes
-205/60/15 BFG G-Force Sports
-Tokico springs and HP shocks
Post Edited (Oct 23, 5:23pm)

He already has MS--a turbo swap is just a manifold and turbo away...:D
(Plus the other associated items once you discover stock boost isn't enough (nor will the next few psi be enough, but at least you can keep turning it up whereas once you have an 8 you're stuck with your setup without changing cams, porting heads, etc)!)
mnelson_260z
73 240zT w/ t3/t4e @ 13psi, MSnS, 450cc DSMs on pallnet rail, NPR IC, roll cage, more....
74.5 260z w/ AZZcar brakes up front, Tokico springs/struts, 99k orig miles, more...

can i have your tranny?
==============================================
High Performance NA L28 engine, Performance Suspension, Full Interior, 2500lbs, and room for 3 HOT girls in the car!
shift_2+2
13.9 @102.7 on 205mm street tires and 110 octane :-)

well we are going V8 also as we dont want a turbo either. you either like em or you dont. we are following Darius's engine buildup here in the video link below. Darius is a friend of ours so we are around each others fast toys every week hanging out and a 700+ hp V8 like his just sounds too awesome to pass up doing.
Post Edited (Oct 23, 5:15pm)

You guys just don't get it............He doesn't want a turbo setup no matter how red in the face y'all get arguing how great they are.
Get the V-8 and be happy, you still have a Z, but with an alternative powerplant.
HybridZ.org has some more compassionate souls for this line of thinking.
Black, bumperless, 78 Z with MSA superturbo system, K/N cone filter, ported intake, and exhaust manifolds.....15.9 @87 mph.

turbos are great, but a v8 has something turbo engines will NEVER have: better reliability. Sure, high end speed on turbos are unsurpassed, but you have so many issues with turbo engines, vacuum leaks, boost leaks, cooling problems, possibly some compression ratios to mess with if you want some serious boost with the L28 (we're talking more than 600hp here) ecu tuning and tweaking...the list goes on. After owning a TT, I'd have to say they are a blast to drive, but the maintenance is borderline absurd. I had a 95 GT with cold air intake, flowmaster exhaust, timing tweak, performer II intake manifolds, and it still ran like a champ for as long as I owned it. plenty of torque, and pulled decently on the highway. But with the TTZ, I constantly had boost leaks, a couple vacuum leaks, and of course, wastegate issues....and to fix something like that, would require a new turbo pretty much...looking back, if you have the money/time, then yes, turbos are better at making serious power, but turbo longetivety is compromised....but if you have somewhat of a limited budget, than a suped up v8 would almost be just as good....my 02 cents.
1993 TwinTurbo Ultra Red (M/T) SOLD! :(
94 Honda civic hatchback with 110 horsepower.....yay.

The VG30DETT is a completely different animal from an L28ET.
I have two or three vacuum lines on my manifold and none of them leak. I have never ever had cooling problems even with a patched radiator and sludged up cooling system.
The L28ET is a simple, reliable motor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2:
-'81 L28ET with 1984 Z31 ECCS
-'81 Turbo snowflakes
-205/60/15 BFG G-Force Sports
-Tokico springs and HP shocks

1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

I have had this battle with myself many times. I was pondering buying a 280z and then deciding to either put a L28ET in it or a v8, never could decide. I like my NA 300zx for now, I'm sure I'll want more eventually, then it seems a TT swap is the popular thing to do... then I'll be back to my indecisions...
Good luck on the V8 build, I really do like the sound of a built v8...
__________________
1991 300zx N/A - Project
1995 200sx SE-R - Daily Driver
1982 280zx 2+2 - Sold

That V8 is going to need a Turbo after a week n for the rest of his "reliable" life LOL
give a factory turbo car and a hybrid V8 to a guy who knows how to run/race them n both will last about the same, give both to a loose cannon type of guy n YES, the turbo Will go south first..
Have you shared the left lane today?

>turbos are great, but a v8 has something turbo engines will NEVER have: better reliability.
For lack of a better word, that's absolute crap. An engine is as reliable as the owner is looking after it.
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project

Low-end torque is key here...no waiting on turbos to spool. I don't know if I agree about reliability...these Ls are pretty damn stout.
______________________________________________
'82 280zx -- 400+hp 355 sbc / T-56
'72 240zt - T3/T4 hybrid / TEC-II / not much stock
'82 280zxt - Stock...for now
'77 280z 2+2 -- Ongoing battle; currently in the process of "ricing

Yea low-end torque...especially gone w/ a t3/t4 and low-comp. V8s will EAT ME ALIVE off the line but once the turbo kicks in it's time to play catch-up and then the passing game. Definitely not a 1/8mile performer...but 3rd and 4th and 5th pull endlessly!
mnelson_260z
73 240zT w/ t3/t4e @ 13psi, MSnS, 450cc DSMs on pallnet rail, NPR IC, roll cage, more....
74.5 260z w/ AZZcar brakes up front, Tokico springs/struts, 99k orig miles, more...

300zxt--got proof? give me examples! I see MANY mustang gt's, camaro ss, and pontiac wr6 firebirds with 100k and still running strong, AND took abuse! Any turbo engine will almost always have turbo failure at 120k, and if not, its because it was nanny driven for 80k, which is what the car was not meant to do. My vg30dett motor had a f**cking head gasket issue, and wastegate problems....and I drove her perfectly normal, with the occasional "spirited" drive a couple of times per month at best, and 100k later, I get an f'd turbo, and boost leaks up the keyster. I had the muttstang for that much, not an f'ing thing went wrong, and I drove that car HARD. I'm sorry, but if you think turbo engines are reliable, you are wrong. V8's are simple, and if treated okay, will outlast a turbo engine. I don't see why you are getting your shorts in a knot, I've owned 2 z's before, one turbo and one non. guess how many miles the non turbo engine had before I sold it? 250k! *gasp* thats more than a turbo motor could ever have and function properly!
1993 TwinTurbo Ultra Red (M/T) SOLD! :(
94 Honda civic hatchback with 110 horsepower.....yay.

That doesn't matter, 300zxt is right. No matter what the engine, the amount of abuse it takes will determine it's life (i.e. constant redlining and hard acceleration, infrequent oil changes and spark plug maintenance, fuel management, etc).
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

Your examples aren't proof. As I said, an engine is only as reliable as the person looking after it. I'm not getting into a V8 vs V6 Turbo war here as you're trying to start because that's just stupid. You neglect an engine, any engine, then expect to have problems.
What cjh1452000 said, hehe...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
Post Edited (Oct 23, 8:07pm)

...and my turbo charged car (the "un-reliable" draw-through setup) is creeping up on 172k and no engine troubles yet! Sure, the carb is probably bad, but that's not so bad. My point is that the turbo was very reliable and functional and the motor is still in good working order.
Of course, the PO put in a E88 head with a L28 flat top bottom half, and I don't know how many miles it's had.
I digress, as Tony D would say.
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

My mothers S70 turbo volvo has been putting out 236hp and 242tq out of 2.3L for 8 years and 110k now and the engine is as strong as day 1.
Personally, I don't care if I have to fix things here and there on my Z. It's not a daily driver and I only drive it about 3k per year. I will be going turbo eventually, even if it is higher maintenance vs my souped up N/A, in which nothing has gone wrong yet (engine-wise, electrical is another story).

the whole "engine is as reliable as the owner keeps it" is nonsense. I treated my TT with such anal-like care that most people would get annoyed with it! I did everything under the sun to keep it running right, and did ALL proper maintenance to it. It was a dd, and so was the mustang. yet, the buttstang was a lot more reliable in the end, but not as fast as the TT. I'm not saying that turbos are bad, I'm just saying you need deep pockets to maintain them. But having a turbo for a weekend driver cannot really be gauged for reliability, as its only used for weekend drives. v8's can take more abuse ultimately. But I don't think you guys would see that, as most of you have a bias towards turbo's anyways, since you all own turbo motors. I however have seen and had many mechanics that do custom work with engines point out that turbos are never that reliable under full load conditions for extended periods of time. heat, the number one killer, is responsible for turbo failure, thus high maintenance costs. since owning a TT showed me first hand this experience, I wouldn't dare own another turbo motor until I have finished college and have a healthy savings account. for cheap power, a v8 is the only way to go.
1993 TwinTurbo Ultra Red (M/T) SOLD! :(
94 Honda civic hatchback with 110 horsepower.....yay.

A headgasket doesnt blow for no reason, and boost leaks dont just magically appear. Your car was either a lemon when you bought it or you didn't do the required maintinence on it often enough. You're judging your own personal experience with ONE car as a generalization on all turbocharged cars which is wrong in my opinion. Looks to me as if you're just wanting to start a V8 vs V6 turbo war, which is completely pointless because each have their benefits. You'll never convince a V8 fan that turbos are better and vice versa. To make the statement that "my car was a pos" to "all turbo cars are a pos" is a big leap...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project

i have a schwinn bicycle thats all souped up and it hasnt broken in the last 30 years. much more reliable than any V8 or turbo.

300zxt--nope, not a lemon buddy. like I mentioned above, I did all the proper maintenance. Plus, I never said turbo cars are pos's, you are putting words in my mouth. I just stated they aren't as reliable as a naturally aspirated car. t5turbo hit in on the head, "give both to a loose cannon type of guy n YES, the turbo Will go south first" well said. maybe the l28et motor is more simple than a vg30dett, thus why I had more problems with the TT. I will purchase another TT when I'm done with college, so you thinking that I'm trying to start a v8 vs v6 war is moot to say the least. I'm stating what it possibly a fact....you could argue thousands of variables for why x motor could do better than x motor, but when it comes to turbo lifespans, the v8 is cheaper to have. nuff said.
1993 TwinTurbo Ultra Red (M/T) SOLD! :(
94 Honda civic hatchback with 110 horsepower.....yay.

My Turbo Z is my daily driver and I also own a V8 Corvette. I'd say that i'm not biased towards either. I have just come to know after going through two four cylinder cars that proper care and sensible driving equals prolonged life.
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

Well I'm not trying to doubt your skills or anything, but you blew the headgasket because something wasn't right and there were vacuum leaks that should of been fixed etc However the vg30dett is arguably the most complicated Z engine there is so I'm with you on that one. I think I'm seeing your point a little clearer, a V8 would definately be cheaper to have and be less complicated than a turbocharged engine to maintain however I dont think that directly translates into more reliable. I guess it's a fair arguement to state that "the turbo will go south first" in the hands of someone who doesn't maintain it properly. I know of guys who blow headgaskets all the damn time, and others with exactly the same engine who never have. It still goes back to the fact that any engine will fail if not looked after properly, regardless of the aspiration or the amount of cylinders.
A V8 with no oil and overheating is going to break just as badly as a V6 with the same problems :P
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project

I would trust my Turbo Z on a long trip LONG before I would trust that Vette, and the Vette has had a rebuild in the last 10K!
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

300zxt--you also have a good point as well, no matter how well built an engine is, if a retard drives it and doesn't care for it, it'll be toast in a few months. I agree with that. I guess after driving the TT, It really opened my eyes as to how much it costs to keep them in perfect running condition, I had no idea how much it would be as far as maintenance. thats the reason I sold her, believe me, I didn't want to. I'm still kind of depressed about selling the z, and its been a month. After that 2 year episode with my tt, I really am appreciating how it is cheaper to run n/a engines now....but really, nothing beats the crush of turbos spooling suddenly, and the nice whistle you hear as you haul butt in 3rd gear....something v8's dont do well. So I do prefer turbos myself, but for someone who wants tree pulling torque and less $ to spend on an engine, v8 is the way to go.
1993 TwinTurbo Ultra Red (M/T) SOLD! :(
94 Honda civic hatchback with 110 horsepower.....yay.

Low boost Turbos (7-9 psi)are about as reliable as N/A engines, but all bets are off once you get into high boost territory!
I think the failures are related to people NOT letting the engine idle and spool down and cool down for a minute before turning them off after having just run the dogshit out of them down the road!
-----------------------------------------
12.804 @ 107.26 mph on crappy street tires with Dual SU Powered 2.9L Stroker!
ZCAR.COM member since Aug 1998

I'm running 10 psi of boost with a 10:1 CR motor.
And yeah, Norm, I agree. If I were to get hard on it (which was very seldom), I would make sure I had enough road to cruise at low rpms for a few minutes.
1976 280Z
Draw-Through Turbo, 10 PSI, 4 Bbl Holley, E88, L28 (Flat), 10:1 CR, 5 Spd
1974 Corvette Stingray:
350, 400 Automatic, T-Tops, 8.5:1 CR, 78,000 Miles
1994 Acura Integra:
1.8L, 5 Spd, 189,000 and Counting!

It's no arguement turbos take more maintenance. No arguement that V8's are easier to maintain and are cheaper to maintain as well. Reliabilty has way too many factors to consider. I wouldn't think twice about getting in any one of my cars for a long trip. Hell I drove my vette in late november 1200 miles without heat, (to new england no less). It just gets shitty fuel economy. The Z on the other hand gets better fuel economy, but needs other work, I'd still use it daily if need be. But for me fuel economy and maintenance costs are a factor, I dont have alot in the bank so that's why I got the civic. It's got fuel economy it's fun, and it's extreamly cheap to maintain. If a v8 fits what you need from it and it's cons outway the cons of a turbo for you than get it. If at all, it's personal preference. Just sell me some of your stuff from your L6 motor, K?
Ask stupid questions get stupid answers...
'73 240z... New Project
'74 Corvette Stingray... Old Project
'99 Honda Civic Si... Daily Driver

Fewer parts with simplicity of design will have more inherent reliability from the outset, assuming of course the engine is built with quality parts.
That's why NASA is dumping the shuttle in 2009 and going back to "Apollo type" rocket missions.
-----------------------------------------
12.804 @ 107.26 mph on crappy street tires with Dual SU Powered 2.9L Stroker!
ZCAR.COM member since Aug 1998

i had turbo experience back in the mid 70's and it seemed to be very reliable for new technology for the car we mocked it up on (a dodge colt). i remember we beat on it everyday for a year and it never broke down and not too many cars beat it. technology nowdays, turbos should be very reliable if you have the right parts together equal to a built V8.
Post Edited (Oct 24, 9:49am)

saab doesnt consider anything 15psi and below anything serious enough to even warrant a boost gauge so i guess its your reference point what high boost is! i would say if saab gives a full warranty on a car with 20psi of boost, then thats not high boost either...
now 2bar and above, im thinking all bets are off. boost means nothing if you have the correct control systems. if you dont even 4psi will kill an engine!

well brian510 the turbo has been production line optional on american cars since the 60s so they should have it all sorted by now, right? LOL!
i mean this is a japanese engine we are talking about here not something american or british! LOL!

spinZ,
Yeah I can totally understand you there, certainly nothing cheap about maintaining a vg30dett. Some people say the vg30et is complicated, the dett is twice as hard as that from what I've been told by friends who own one.
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project

I was thinking about "selling out" also, possibly just getting a Chevy, chassi and all. I agree with that an american v8 will out last a turbo motor. Turbo motors have these 4 factors working against them. (1)More complex, more parts that can possibly fail (2)More heat builds up causing "thermal breakdown" on parts (3)Compression/Intake pressures cause accelerated wear on parts (4)The turbo its self collects soot from the exhaust. I like turbo's, and they are reliable enough. Plus you can get gobs of power from a small motor with them. But I dont think they will out last a V8.
My other thoughts about going domestic is that there are a lot more prefabricated parts for domestics. Which make things easier, some times cheaper and more reliable. But the negatives are, practically everything inexpensive is an automatic. And chassi's are heavier and more for the straight line. But if you transplant a V8 in a Z, it is the best of both worlds. What would really give a Z a run for its money is if you could put a manual in a Monte SS, a "trick it out" as they say. And keeping the V8 carbed can really save you from some headaches.
Post Edited (Oct 25, 10:54pm)

Keeping it carbed can SAVE headaches? That's a new one on me, however I'm an EFI fanboy haha...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project