Need to get rid of the L...any suggestions?

[rb30dett]

Here the thing, I wrecked my 240sx about a year and a half ago and I just bought my Z. I'm going to be making a few long trips, about 450 miles one way, and I really don't want to put that kind of stress on the motor I have and I also don't want to keep it to begin with. I have been thinking of an turbo L, rb20det, or rb25de...don't ask. I just saw a 240z with a nice rb25de swap on youtube and it kinda leapt out at me as an option. Also I might be open to other options, but I'm on a strict budget. Please discuss...

[evildky]

if you are on a budget the RB's kinda go out the wiindow, the turbo L28 is the most economicalpower you're gonna find and the only swap that doesn't require some fab work

[rb30dett]

Thanks for the comment. I was looking into the L28 turbo and decided I probably would want to enforce the internals, new gaskets, all that stuff. But then I thought, man, thats going to be as much if not more as an rb20. Would it all be worth the effort? I'm just looking at putting a, dependable, reliable, fun motor in for now until I get out of the Marine Corps. I don't want to beat this car up but I don't want to deal with the jerking throttle ('70-'72) and carbs.

[minnesotazcar]

congrats on the buying the car. The more you talk about what you want to do with it the more it just seems like sticking with a turbo L motor might be the way to go for you right now. It would get rid of all the problems you think you have with the carbs, and it would need the least amount of fabrication. plus getting rid of the emissions, adding an intercooler, and a boost controler should get you more than enough safe everyday power untill you get out of the core. But hey dont take my word for it i kinda like the L motors carbs and all lol

[evildky]

thre rb20 I don't think has as much power potential as the L28ET, I know it won't make as much torque, the L28ET does nto need anythhing done to the bottom end till you are approachign 400 whp, and even then all it needs are forged pistons, the motor has 7 main bearings, I've only ever heard of one car breaking the crank, it was a 14:1 race motor n/a and making 250 whp, otherwise all the power mods that the L29ET needs are the same mods all the rb's need, injectors, ecu, fatty turbo, front mount intercooler

as for your jerky carbs, which carbs do you have? early or alte ? the tops of the carbs rounded edges or squared off? have you adjuste dthe floats? how about the jets? stock needles?

don't get me wrong if you really want an rb thats fine, but it's more than just buying an engine, you'll need the trans, a custome driveshaft, custome oil pan, pickup, motor mounts etc, you can find wrecked 82-83 280zx turbo parts cars and take the full swap for $500 or less, I;'ve bought and parted 3 ut myself and never paid more than $450, everything bolts right in, you hook up about 6 or 8 wires and you have 180chp, turn up the boost and you can get over 200 whp, keep in mind these cars only weight about 2200 lbs, add an intercooler, fatty injectors and megasquirt and you can get to about 300 whp before you need to replace the headgasket and headbolts, then you cna add a fatty turbo and get to around 400 whp befoer the pistons give weay, upgade the pistons and with the right turbo, and headyou can get north of 500 whp, in a 2200 lb car!

[rb30dett]

Thanks guys for all of the advise. I thought about the 20 and L most. I knew that I needed quite a bit for the 20, including all of those things. I actually used to have a r32 type m, which I will post a couple of pics if you want to see it. Sounds like I might want to go out and find an L28. Thats exactly what I needed. I might have to get a couple of things first. Listen to THIS!! I guess the seller was dishonest or ignorant! I topped off the gas and after I finished I saw fuel leaking out the back under the bumper. I also have an exhaust leak somewhere.

As far as the carbs, I personally dont have a problem with it, its just that I dont have the experience, or most importantly, the desire to explore it. BTW I have SU carbs and I should have stock needles. I dont know much about the setup as far as rounded or squared off? but Im going to put it up on a lift and check it out. Thanks for the patience and respect as a new classic Z owner guys, much appreciated.

[evildky]

the gas tanks on the s30 are really stupid, there are 5 or 4 hoses that go into and out of the tank, so any one of them could be causing your leak, most likely you'll have to drop the tank to fix it, and getting the filler neck back on is a huge PITA

post a pic of the carbs if you get a chance, the earlier "round top" carbs are more desirable tend to be more dependable

[Perrenial Badass]

If you are on a strict budget, replace the fuel lines and rebuild the carbs. I can guarantee you that the cost of an RB swap will far exceed the value of your car. The only "practical" RB swap into a Z is maybe the Z31 as you can get a 200ZR crossmember and bolt the engine right up. But on an S30/Z130 you will need all custom (to the best of my knowledge). Custom is expensive.

[sharjt]

It's pretty simple to put a RB in a s30/s130. The RB will pretty much bolt directly in. You just have to cut one of the engine mounts 2 in ( i can't remember which one). I've heard of prople using a hocky puck. Or you can use stock L mount and get a cowl hood. Everthing else just bolt into place. Hybridz has several write ups on this swap. The expense comes from the motor and transmission themself.

[evildky]

the problem with the rb mounts is it puts the engine too high

[rb30dett]

Yeah I heard about that. I was going to drive over to McKinney and check out there mounts. I problem with these is that they are too expensive for me; maybe later tho. The good thing about them (McKinney) is that they do quality work so I actually wouldnt mind buying those if the money was there.

I think Im going to go with the L28et. I've been searching for a motor and some things I'll need to do and buy, fix gas tank, exhaust leak should be fixed with new motor and muffler , maybe some injectors, megasuirt, and intercooler. On top of my own research let me know if I should look into anything else for smart upgrades.

[rb30dett]

Here is a couple of shots of the motor and one extra you might like. BTW the wheels and tires with 2 extra tires will be for sale shortly. I will post promptly in the classifieds. Also there are other shots of the Z in the photo section.

[Pharaohabq]

Pretty good looking Z ya got there, I used to have a Silver 260Z too. it was nice and purty, but I traded it for a rusty 280z years ago, but who knows whatever happened to it. I got a 78 280Z now, and am looking at doing the L28ET swap too. I just gotta find a decent engine too. I know of one in TX for 400 incl donor car, but it's 500 min to ship it to me. I'd prefer to pay 600 or less. Esp since I'll likely be rebuilding it.

PharP.S: hold on to your SU's and that AIR CLEANER. a lot of those are hard to find, and should be worth something...

[rb30dett]

Pretty good looking Z ya got there, I used to have a Silver 260Z too. it was nice and purty, but I traded it for a rusty 280z years ago, but who knows whatever happened to it. I got a 78 280Z now, and am looking at doing the L28ET swap too. I just gotta find a decent engine too. I know of one in TX for 400 incl donor car, but it's 500 min to ship it to me. I'd prefer to pay 600 or less. Esp since I'll likely be rebuilding it.

PharP.S: hold on to your SU's and that AIR CLEANER. a lot of those are hard to find, and should be worth something...

Thanks for the comment, Phar. I've got a couple of junk yards I'm going to check out tomorrow. I'll take your advise as far as the carbs and air cleaner. Never thought of that. Thanks

[evildky]

those are the more desirable eearly style round top carbs, if in the end you still want to convert to an RB then there is no point wasting time, money and energy doing an L28ET that you'll just be pulling later

if you get the su's tuned right they'll keep you going till you can afford the engine you want, and I've heard the mckinney mounts are good but they take a while to ship out