Making my '78 280z a TURBO

[zzzz... so addictive]

Im intersted in converting my '78 280z non Turbo to a TURBO. From what im seeing online it looks like they didnt make the '78 L28 in a turbo & i havent been able to find any turbo parts online. I read that i can use the turbo off a 81-83 L28 because its the same motor. Is that true? What parts to i need? What parts on my existing motor do i need to change? The motor only has 74k miles on it so im not that worried about killing it w/ the conversion. Any feedback, tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks.

[evildky]

sounds liek you found the basic info, the easiest way to add the turbo is to locate a complete wrecked 82-83 280ZX Turbo (81 works too btu the wiing is a bit different), it's far easier to swap the complet engine form a donor than to convert your engine and likely cheaper, I've bought a few wrecked turbo cars from $350-500 each, and you can sell off unused parts to offset the cost and likley end up wiht the donor for free

if you wante dto convert your motor you's need:ecuharnessdistributordistributor driveshaftAFMoil "T"oil hard lineoil panoil pump is remomended but not neededturboexhaust manifoldintake manifold"J" pipefuel injectorsfuel pumpknock sensorCHTSand you'll have to lengthen the chts wires to reach the chts which is in a different postion on your motor

if you knwo what you are doing and wante dto upgrade a lot of those parts can be substituted, stand alone engine managment will replace the ecu and likely you'll have to replace or at least modify the harness, but it will allow you to possible eliminate the afm but you might have to add a sensor such an a map, this will also allow you to run different injectors and to remove ro replace the idle air circuit so you can keep your manifold, if you wanted to add an intercoler you don't need the "J" pipe but most people use half of it anyway

but the best way to start, is with a complet turbo donor, evne if you only want the parts, it's likley cheaper to buy the whole car than to buy all the parts

[zzzz... so addictive]

Thats more parts than. I though it had more to do with hooking into the exhaust & getting power from that. Id like to stick with my current motor be i sudo-know its history & its low miledge(for its age). I figured id end up with some sort of doner, ive done that in the past w/ Jeeps. The problem is, is near impossible to find a Datson Z in anyshape on Long Island, NY. In the last 3 years ive found 5, the first 4 being s***. The Luckey # 5 is my 78 280z. If i cant find a donor localy do you know were i could get the parts online? I only found out what a Z was about 3 years ago when my friend gota new 350Z. Im 20 so they were no were to be found when i was growing up. Does the 78 have a ECU or just a control unit? Its going to be while before start the conversion because it isnt running yet(close tho). I apreciate you input. Ive seen you name pop up quite a few times around the so it seems like you know your stuff. Thanks.

[evildky]

all fuel injected cars have an ecu, but your ecu will not work with the turbo wire harness, distributor, injectors, AFM, all these aprts are different, if you really want to use your engine you still can, buy a complete donor and swap everyythng else, ebay, car-part.com sell lots of used parts, zcar.com, hybridz.org classifieds sectiosn are good sources as well