Ok so I would like to know what the normal oil temp range would be on a 280zx turbo. I know I have a temp gauge on the car and I can't remember how high it reads but on the way home today she wanted to go a little over 200f so I pulled over and let her idle and cool of for a few minutes. Maybe it's fine but I'd rather be safe than sorry and have to buy a new turbo and/or engine. If anyone would happen to know that would be great thanks

Engines are normally design to operate with oil at 185f or higher. This is drive off any water condensation out of the oil. Contrary to the common belief, water and oil can mix, but only a small percentage of water - say a 1/2% max.

Condensate can occur inside the engine block when temperature drops to near the dew point over night. This is because the iron block radiates infrared heat and actually drops the temperature below the dew point. At this point water droplets form on the block walls in much the same way as the outside of a glass of iced tea.

I certainly wouldn't be concerned with oil temperatures below 250 degrees. Oil circulation is the major means of cooling the turbocharger bearings. Hot oil from the turbo mixes with the other oil where it is radiated through the oil pan and oil cooler if installed.

If you are worried about oil degradation use a synthetic oil like Mobil One.

Most cars oil temp is around 200-220 f. The confusion is that the cooling system generally operated in the 185 range, the oil is a bit hotter as it is in the combustion chamber and friction surfaces internally whereas coolant simply exists inside a jacket on the "cold side" of these actual hot parts. Some newer cars operate at even higher temps.

Thanks for the info that is reassuring now that I know so I figure I should be ok but in the future I may put a oil cooler in here just to help a little bit thanks again

Running the oil too cold is also bad, especially for a turbo car, thats why the cooler on the Z32 was thermostatically controlled.

Just an additional thought... my 82 turbo oil temp gauge gets to ~250-270*F during freeway drives. The first few times I was really worried, pulled over and checked the side of the oil pan with my infrared thermometer, which read ~215*F. I've done ohm and wiring tests, and everything checks out... so my dash gauge just reads high. My 81 turbo gauge rarely gets above the second tick on the gauge, yet the side of the oil pan is ~215*F.