The Ultimate Datsun 280zx Build Plan | 400hp L28 Turbo

[@benjaminnielsen4288]

Nice Z. You are wise to stick with the L28. They are CAPABLE of 500 HP (with modifcations of course) and they are very solid, long lasting engines when properly maintaned. Port the head, port the intake, and get a custom exhaust manifold - the factory manifold works well with stock turbo setup, but CAN be restrictive when raising boost and power; also get a bigger TB. I use one from a BMW. and I believe you can also use one from an 90's 240sx. Certified Muffler makes a great turbo-back exhaust system for the ZX. Get some ignitors too- when these go bad, your car won't start. they only came on turbos and are now discontinued . Perhaps the megasquirt will bypass this, I don't know. Cheers and good luck ~ another ZX guy

[@SebastianWellsTL]

I've heard of people getting L28 engines over 650 horsepower for track applications. So, 400 horsepower is likely a good middle ground for power and reliability. The L28 engine was seriously overbuilt! A testament to what an inline-6 engine is capable of when you build it right.

[@benjaminnielsen4288]

Yes indeed. Well said sir @@SebastianWellsTL

[@rdjohnson7447]

Its awesome youre doing an l28et. Keeping that original spirit is badass!

[@305dadecounty_grabberbluem5]

As a previous owner of many 280 ZX's ....I will tell you this - - the L28 is bullet proof...and you chose a great motor. Honestly you can get great power just with a nice rebuild, update the turbo and add an intercooler. This care with 300 horse is sick.

[@ArcticNightwind]

Yes, so stoked to watch your new build!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thanks, and good luck with yours!

[@Edricofifrit]

I just wanted to say that you made a very wise decision to change to a different engine management system. The OEM Bosch Jetronic system is the bane of all 280ZX lovers.

[@kyanmitchell1971]

This is gonna be the greatest 280zx build of all time!!! Best of luck!

[@veteranislany8866]

My datsun m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWtonZ3rM2siLM

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thanks! Appreciate the support!

[@furufuru251]

nice car !! l also have S130Z from japan

[@FullBoostJ4]

Absolutely love this car, so rare and real expensive over here! Really looking forward to this build👍

[@oz88og40]

Me too

[@trolliux3392]

oz88 og you can get one of these for like 8-9 thousand dollars where I live

[@oz88og40]

@@trolliux3392 oh ok cool

[@renefontanez1531]

Glad to hear you keep the L28 et and have a goal of 400hp i owe a 82 et automatic for the last 25 year's, that's was mi goal few years back, my new goal is 500+ with "Factory "engine, 30 to 35 psi boost like to prove that this engine are capable of it

[@Kyle-eh3xw]

Nice to see you keeping the old girl alive and putting some love in bro.

[@nafizrashid5365]

Finally someone has come up with a lot of enthusiasm and a less amount of bucks.. Punk don feel hesitated to mess up!! Will look forward to all of ur vdos. And upload more contents.😎😍

[@bobfitten5792]

That's the cool part about the z! The squat! I have an 83 manual with t tops

[@jordanprice9285]

You gonna do a 5 speed manual swap too? Cuz that would also enhance the experience when you do turbo your L28 even more brother! Excited for this build man!!

[@Archetype_Datsun]

I don't know how I missed this video but it makes me miss my old copper 81 280zx. I did the swap from a 83 donor car I drove from California. Glad to see someone keeping it L-Series even though your not a purist. I sold my 81 over 6 years ago to buy my 79 810 wagon which still has a inline 6 (L24E). Now I have 6 datsuns one of them is a 82 Maxima with a L28ET swap, keep the datsuns alive.

[@jaredsmith4944]

I will watch every episode of this. I have subscribed for this build series

[@leifm2606]

Y"Know its funny I saw this as im swapping a turbo engine into my pearl white 85 300zx and am pretty much in the exact same place you are. 400HP reliable Z build for the win!

[@jonnyv3621]

I'm working on a '76 280Z. Previous owner already had a Megasquirt 3, rebuilt driveshaft, coilovers and bushings, a ported engine, and R200 diff. I just dropped a 5 speed transmission in and having a upgraded camshaft installed. Looking forward to your build!

[@ArcticNightwind]

Thats exactly my plan for my zx, already got the turbo engine too 😎

[@veteranislany8866]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWtonZ3rM2siLM

[@Shaolin0871]

Enjoying the editing and your hard work. I’m currently building my S130 as well. I’ll be following your build and will take notes for when I swap in the turbo motor. I’m converting mine to S13 coilovers. Floors, frame rails, exhaust and battery tray and a 4 point cage are being welded in right now. Doing custom interior as well man. Nice channel.

[@cadynmiller1060]

really love this channel. It’s a good hidden gem I discovered

[@thefeastandthefurious3499]

Oh my gosh my 280zx is called Scarlett Johdatsun haha! great minds think alike ;)

[@thomasbrandon8029]

You will need the head and block from that car, the 280zx turbo heads and blocks are different from the NA l28, piston ringlands on the turbo pistons are thicker as the normal l28 pistons will break ringlands even if the rings are loose/filed. Also the heads, one of them is a full hydraulic(p90a) and you don't want that one so make sure you have the (p90) As far as port work on the head focus on the exhaust ports the intakes actually don't need much work at all just a light cleanup. You already have a borgwarner t5 trans thank god, I chewed up 7 transmissions on my 240z before I finally learned those datsun trans are limited to about 200 hp before they spit countershaft bearings out of it. As far as your 400hp goal I don't see that happening maybe 400 torque. Also if you can get your hands on an s30 shell with that engine/trans combo you will be in heaven.

[@joshuahill4052]

You can 100% run plenty of boost thru an engine with stock cast n/a pistons. L Series issues almost always revolve around heat issues in my experience. I agree on your assessment of the power goal though... but i run boost through an N42/N42 combo with nothing special done internally.. just MS2, cam/springs, and ARP studs. No issues, run 13-15psi and daily it for the warm months.

[@jjray3045]

Great video and great car! very ready to see this thing done! best of luck!!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thank you!

[@hlotto]

You maybe have to wait two more years 😂

[@brendon-xt5fm]

I'm here cuz I just saw a white 280zx T-Top and wanted to see if I was right. Nice find.

[@2337wolf]

Sounds exactly like my mindset with my 1990 Z32

[@TheMelficemx]

Great video! L28et ftw!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thank you, I wanna beat v8’s with the old Japanese 6 Cylinder lol

[@TheMelficemx]

@@TheLeftPedal The way it should be!

[@kristophermulhollen5600]

Definitely looking forward to the build just found your channel keep it up.

[@noarhipez8897]

I am very inspired by this, myself also I have a 280zx N/A but has a 5-speed manual that I got as a project car a while back but I have a long road ahead of me. Also I love the car man.

[@PeterSyravong]

Respect! Team L28ET 💪

[@nekiko_z]

Really hope yall go into detail while doing this would be very informative to many people.

[@tannerpenko7505]

I just got my zx running this summer with a similar setup. May be able to send you a more recent megasquirt base tune if you need it but I got mine from a zhybrid forum. I'm interested to see all the tech-tuning parts if you buy them. Look into ResponseType s130 to s13 coilover adapter kit instead of tech-tuning coilovers. Gives you the option to buy any s13 coilovers that bolt on.

[@TheLeftPedal]

Alright man, I’ll definitely get in contact when we get there. And yeah I’ll look into that!

[@spartan1876]

The turbo engine has fuel injecors and if you add an intercooler and boost controller it'll make 350hp stock at 15psi

[@jodyyounger9430]

U got a cooool car

[@mr.nubblets6856]

Make sure when you take the windshield out to be careful with the top chrome trim because it you bend it slightly it will not go back and lay flush up against the roof .

[@CrypticUnlock]

I WANT ONE OF THESE!

[@tokuzumi1]

I was under the impression the turbo and NA blocks were identical. Pistons may have been different between the engines as well as top end stuff to accommodate the turbo.

[@Russpeed301]

Stock L28 comes with forged rods and crank. Look for a book by Frank Honsowitz How to build and race your nissan l series engine...or somthing like that. It is a bible for 4 and 6 cyl L blocks. I am an A series guy

[@victorpelini5995]

Great project

[@veteranislany8866]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWtonZ3rM2siLM

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thanks!

[@SRMSPLAYER64]

You have my dream car man. I love it. Where did you get the fender flares?

[@Same_old_rory]

Would i be able to do this on a skyline 2.8 gtx? Its got carbs so would i switch it to fuel injection?

[@chris_xing8332]

I'm looking for pretty much the same thing. maybe even less power. so I'm gonna follow this build. also I'm pretty sure you live nearby.

[@mikeerato7054]

Where did your suspension parts? I’m having a hard time finding what I need for mine

[@jblox1990]

Techno Toy Tuning. The fronts require modifications to the original strut assembly. Welded sleeves. I've got some of their parts on my S130. Super rad quality, awesome shit.

[@missesmew]

I’ve always wanted to put a Buick grand national turbo six into a 240,260, or 280 to make a 1/2 breed sleeper! lol

[@daft_punk24]

Gonna be long but amazing project

[@veteranislany8866]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWtonZ3rM2siLM

[@TheLeftPedal]

Definitely excited for it! Part of me never wants to be “done” building the car lol

[@toshitanabe7587]

18歳の頃HS130Z2シーターTバールーフにセントラル20のフルキットリネアクスポーツにP7かましてました❗37年前ですが今持っていたらどんだけプレ値がついてるのかな？⁉

[@junjunio4370]

Following this.

[@matthijsgerretse3217]

Cool intro

[@chris_xing8332]

Im gonna need to look into those parts your selling

[@TheLeftPedal]

Alright man, my insta is “SodaPappa” Message me on there if there’s anything you want me to put to the side!

[@jonathanmcollins4]

Great looking S130! Where is the front air dam from? Can you post a link?

[@INTHEWILDERNESS-00]

If you painted that air dam white, it would look more straight. I own a 73 240z. My brother has one to with L28et with a blow through demon carb & t3/t4 turbo.

[@tomakers57]

You can adapt s13 coilovers to the 280zx using this adapter for the front: responsetype.com/shop/datsun/fairlady-s130/280zx-to-s13-coilover-adapter-kit/ And for the rear you can make new top hats with three studs or just drill a new hole in your rear strut tower. S13 coilovers are a lot cheaper than most s130 options.

[@stevenkalisz1561]

For the love of god where did you get the fender flares

[@SidewaysGts]

Just look like ZG flares. Make a huge difference on the 280zx body

[@Rijnooit]

Any idea where to source the forged internals?

[@jsdhesmith2011]

Fast, reliable, and cheap...you can only have 2 of the three.

[@kobraz-powell6235]

I love this channel and the Datsun is a sexy looking car

[@john1775s]

Vq would have been awesome

[@ivaneberle3972]

Nothing in drivetrain that's original is likely to withstand >200hp. Realistically an honest 300 hp is a lofty enough goal with a standard L28 block and head. Sure you can add boost and nitrous but getting towed home takes some of the fun out of it. (Reliability was the long suit of why Z cars made such a name for themselves)

[@SidewaysGts]

Hitting 300 whp on a stock block/head L28 is fairly easy. 350-400~ with the appropriate supporting mods is fairly realistic for a stock block/head. The drivetrain will hold roughly 300-350~ without too much fuss, assuming hes not doing much extreme like launching it on slicks. 400~ whp is about the upper limit of the transmission (dif and axles will still be fine, again assuming theres not much instant shock to them), which is around when theyre known to let go even under high way pulls.

[@CarlosAlvarez-sw6ot]

What size are those wheels

[@Ivan_2201]

Subbed

[@danp8067]

hard top 280zx are very rare, at least where i am. its a shame its being used now as a parts car.

[@turbocavalli]

the real devil z

[@305dadecounty_grabberbluem5]

Fix the squat issue too....first and first most. lol

[@marlonbaird6070]

Get the 350z 6spd and diff

[@fazliclankids5140]

Hi..im missing my gas cap on my 280zx. Can i have d one on that spare car please please😅

[@Minggoreng]

if i were you i will keep both cars

[@GreezyWolfin]

I got a 1982 turbo for sale :D

[@Electro_Chromatica]

Details

[@GreezyWolfin]

1982 2+2 turbo t tops, needs head gasket got new ecu, distributor, injectors, battery n other junk custom exhaust and it needs a good clean in and out I'm in WA state if your near by, I want 2k for it No major dings lil surface rust clean title.

[@GreezyWolfin]

Oh 160kish miles and it's automatic and with the z, has AC heat power windows, reg locks u push, power mirrors too and headlight sprayers, if you got other questions lmk

[@mayuravirus6134]

Becareful not to run too much boost it tends to have its own "mind"

[@Russpeed301]

Frank Honsowetz how to modify your nissan and datsun OHC engine. Amazon 11$

[@RevampMotors]

I am putting a VH45 v8 in my Z, I want to sell my turbo setup, it has everything you listed in the video including the megasquirt system. I sent you a message on IG

[@CarsandCollectors]

you should have put a rotary in it

[@lesheath6216]

Caleb, I want the roof, message me!

[@hlotto]

Bla bla bla…….. after 2 years the car is driving worst. You are just doing things to this car to generate views, you are not a car guy, you are a youtuber….

[@SidewaysGts]

Man- what a cool guy you are

[@williamfullman2639]

Very interesting such a white whale I'll check it out great video