[mike]

I own a 1983 280 ZX, I have a chance
to buy a 1981 280zx turbo real cheap.

Question?

Any problem transplanting the 1981
turbo powerplant into the 1983 car?

I've been restoring english sports
cars for years, but don't know the
Datsuns at all.

The parts car is complete, but is a
veteran of northern winters and road
salt, body is gone!

Engine was well maintained according
to records found in glve box.

I'm getting ready to rebuild my engine
anyway, so why not go turbo?

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[CarlosZXT]

the swap of a '81 ZXT engine to an '83 is not a direct fit.

You will have to swap everything from the '81 to the '83 body
including efi harness and fuel pump

you can put in only the hard parts (engine including manifolds) but your n/a eccs will not be able to cope with the airflow provided by the turbocharged engine.
maind differences:
1. capacity of the injectors (I am not sure if the n/a ecu is capable of managing the turbo injectors but I am almost sure you can tune it to do so)
2. Ignition retard when in boost (a turbocharged engine needs boost retard when pressure increases to avoid detonation) you still can deal with boost retard getting a MSD Boost timing master (or something like that)
3. Fuel pump (just swap it in)

for your case....
writing this post I've convinced myself that YES you can swap the engine w/o having to swap the f.i. system

The problem with most (not your case) n/a to turbo swaps is the compression ratio of the n/a engine and the problems I stated before about the injection

I am sure you will have no prob with the swap
give it a try!

CarlosZXT

> I own a 1983 280 ZX, I have a chance
> to buy a 1981 280zx turbo real cheap.

> Question?

> Any problem transplanting the 1981
> turbo powerplant into the 1983 car?

> I've been restoring english sports
> cars for years, but don't know the
> Datsuns at all.

> The parts car is complete, but is a
> veteran of northern winters and road
> salt, body is gone!

> Engine was well maintained according
> to records found in glve box.

> I'm getting ready to rebuild my engine
> anyway, so why not go turbo?

> Any suggestions appreciated.