bazpantsphil
New Forum User
Hi, my dads just bought a 280zx off ebay in need to restoration, after seeing a 260z on a show with James May and Damon Hill and a 510y on wheelerdealers and impulsively buying one which needs a lot of welding to the floor, and restoration to the bodywork which he would be looking to get done local to us, but although a recommendation on where to get it done would be welcome
Its a 2.8 n/a and has been sitting at 117k miles for the last 10 years so it hasn't been driven.
Its a 1982 model so it will still need to go through an MOT and get road tax until 2022, which it should do once everything is complete.
One of the ideas that I have had as this is all being done, is for an Engine swap and my dad is onboard as well. We don't mind just using the current engine which runs at the moment, but is not very powerful out of the factory and is not in the best shape.
Posting on a general car forum I was told to use an RB25det and just keep the car all nissan, and ive been put off a v8 build. I would still be happy to go for a 1jz if the overall cost of the build and amount of work required would be the same, and it would be better in the long run.
i've looked for engines online and found RB25dets on JDM garage and ebay for between 2100 and 3800
Would it be best to buy the rebuilt engine, or go for a cheaper engine and get it rebuilt. Is there a better gearbox to go with the engine, or the the package worth going for? Or is the NEO engine the one to go for. A 1jz does look cheaper to buy so would still be open to it.
Ideally we are looking for around 400bhp, but the option for more may be ideal as well in the future. Would the rebuilt or NEO engine be better for this, as i've read that the standard engine has weak rods, and issues with piston rings, or would it be better to just use the standard engine to start with and get it rebuilt. What else would be needed for the swap? Is there a better transmission to use, or should I look for the one that came with the RB25
One of the issues, is that that we would need the work done by someone as neither myself, nor my dad are capable of carrying out the work ourselves so we also need to find someone to carry out the swap. in an ideal situation, we want to be able to take it to someone, and get the engine for them to drop in but I don't expect it to be that easy. I live in Warwickshire and would ideally look to get any engine swaps done nearby, but its not too big a deal to get it trailered throughout the UK if necessary considering its going to cost a lot to get done anyway.
The car would need to remain as a manual, and I believe it has powersteering and would still want that for it to be easy to drive. Ideas on suspension and brakes would be good as well.
I'm also not a fan of the rear taillights, and like the ducktail spoilers i've seen on some of the cars. I like the tail lights on the older 240z/280z or even the z31, so I would like to change that as well. Would it be a straight swap?
Any advice would be appreciated
Its a 2.8 n/a and has been sitting at 117k miles for the last 10 years so it hasn't been driven.
Its a 1982 model so it will still need to go through an MOT and get road tax until 2022, which it should do once everything is complete.
One of the ideas that I have had as this is all being done, is for an Engine swap and my dad is onboard as well. We don't mind just using the current engine which runs at the moment, but is not very powerful out of the factory and is not in the best shape.
Posting on a general car forum I was told to use an RB25det and just keep the car all nissan, and ive been put off a v8 build. I would still be happy to go for a 1jz if the overall cost of the build and amount of work required would be the same, and it would be better in the long run.
i've looked for engines online and found RB25dets on JDM garage and ebay for between 2100 and 3800
- The lower being for a normal engine.
- A NEO engine for £2500, which i've read has stronger internals
- An engine and gearbox package for £3750
- A rebuilt engine for £3500 http://www.jdmgarageuk.com/engine/engines/rb25det/nissan-rb25det-rebuilt-engine.html
- Also there are 1jz engines between 1650 and 2350
Would it be best to buy the rebuilt engine, or go for a cheaper engine and get it rebuilt. Is there a better gearbox to go with the engine, or the the package worth going for? Or is the NEO engine the one to go for. A 1jz does look cheaper to buy so would still be open to it.
Ideally we are looking for around 400bhp, but the option for more may be ideal as well in the future. Would the rebuilt or NEO engine be better for this, as i've read that the standard engine has weak rods, and issues with piston rings, or would it be better to just use the standard engine to start with and get it rebuilt. What else would be needed for the swap? Is there a better transmission to use, or should I look for the one that came with the RB25
One of the issues, is that that we would need the work done by someone as neither myself, nor my dad are capable of carrying out the work ourselves so we also need to find someone to carry out the swap. in an ideal situation, we want to be able to take it to someone, and get the engine for them to drop in but I don't expect it to be that easy. I live in Warwickshire and would ideally look to get any engine swaps done nearby, but its not too big a deal to get it trailered throughout the UK if necessary considering its going to cost a lot to get done anyway.
The car would need to remain as a manual, and I believe it has powersteering and would still want that for it to be easy to drive. Ideas on suspension and brakes would be good as well.
I'm also not a fan of the rear taillights, and like the ducktail spoilers i've seen on some of the cars. I like the tail lights on the older 240z/280z or even the z31, so I would like to change that as well. Would it be a straight swap?
Any advice would be appreciated