motor swap from N/A to turbo

[har19962]

i just bought a 86 300zx auto (unfortunately) that has 260k and runs great, but i want a turbo. so i found a 85 with a turbo and transmission (auto) with 114k but the body is junk. so i was thinking about buying it, swapping everything that's good on that over to my car. how hard would it be? i heard i would have to swap the ecu as well because the turbo'd models have a different one. is that hard? and would there be anything else i should do?

[evildky]

Difficulty is relative. To me it's simple, to someone else it's impossible. A complete donor car is the best way to go. Yes you'll need the ecu. You'll want the entire engine, harness, trans, and crossmember. You'll also need the pedals, clutch master, hydraulic tubing and anything the donor has that's better than yours.

[har19962]

Okay ill keep that in mind thank you! I appericate it.

[evildky]

Just to clarify you don't actually need the entire engine it's just easier. Oil pan, driver side exhaust manifold, turbo, oil lines, injectors, air piping etc.

[har19962]

I feel like it would be easier to just swap the motor and transmission because my motor has so many miles on it and Same with the transmission. Also, what are some things i could do to it while its out to make it faster?

[evildky]

The fastest way to do the swap is the leave the engine and trans together with the trans crossmember and engine crossmember still attached and drop them both out the bottom, not the easiest thing to do without a lift and lining up the crossmember can be a bit tricky but it allows you to leave most of the accessories intact as this is how the manufacturer did it.