Power Output

[Deus Ex]

Hey Guys.

Just a quick question about my new Z, i havnt really had a chance to test the power as yet and i thought that you guys might be able to use your experience and give me an idea about power output. It is a L28 with 200B flat top pistons and bored out to 2.9. It has a P40 head (US turbo unit i believe) and triple 35mm Webbers. I has a ground cam and flywheel (cam not that lumpy) mated to a FJ 20 5sp with a 2.5 system. Its a very torquey motor, 1st revs hard but is basically for moving forward and the shift to 2nd is a tricky one, from there is smooth shifting. And driving it nicely to work means driving it slowly, until you get into 2nd and 3rd anyway.

Just thought you guys might have a rough figure to go by, any imput would be appreciated, i dont wanna get fried by a V6 Commodore because i cant shift .

(new to fast manuals)

Thanks

[Murph]

Originally posted by Deus Ex 1st revs hard but is basically for moving forward and the shift to 2nd is a tricky one, from there is smooth shifting. And driving it nicely to work means driving it slowly, until you get into 2nd and 3rd anyway.

I think your describing the same thing as I notice with my zed. First gear is rather short and will rev out quickly, but the car doesn't accelerate that hard. Sorta like most of the power goes into reving the motor rather than pushing the car. When you get to 2nd and 3rd then it really starts to pull. That what you mean?

I find that if I can get some wheel slip off the line so that it doesn't have to rev through the full rev range it's much much faster through first gear.

I'd imagine you wont have much trouble dispatching most V6 falcodores though.

[Deus Ex]

Yeah thats pretty much it, makes it harder by the fact that the 1st to 2nd shift is hard, i need some practise but yeah 2nd and 3rd is where it counts. Yeah i guess the slip would be easier, has no problems spinning them in the 1st to 2nd shift.

Its a bastard cause of the MSD ignition the tacho hasnt been calibrated, so i really dont know how hard i am reving it at the moment. Thats makes it hard to run a gear.

[Murph]

Try changing the oil in your box. If it hasn't been done in quite a while, it will make a huge difference.

The short gearing sorta bugs me around town, eg when taking off from lights. Unless you want to rev it a bit you spend all your time shifting gears. Mind you, you'll get to love the flexibility of the motor. Normal driving I'd rarely rev it over 2000rpm and it'll happily haul 3rd gear from bugger all speed if asked to.

[Deus Ex]

Yeah exactly, its either slow or fast, and a prick in the city. Ill give the gearbox oil a go and see if it makes a difference. Thanks J.

And now and then its fun to rev it out a bit, but im pretty cautious of the fuel. I might consider straping a bowser to the roof

[Murph]

Haha yeah I thought mine was bad enough on fuel.....but you have tripples to contend with.

[VertexZ]

I have a 260Z 2+2 with a 280zx efi motor (stock but reco'd), 280zx 5sp, 3.7 diff, 2 1/4 exhaust and it was recently dyno'd at 82kw at the wheels.

it is almost exactly the same in terms of acceleration against stockish VT commodores/EL Falcons. a tad quicker of the line, but the larger 6's have the torque at higher speed.

The 280zx 5sp has lower ratio's (1st is 3.3 vs 2.9 on the 260Z box) which gives better acceleration off the line, but runs out of breath a bit earlier. Cant say I have any issues shifting from 1st to 2nd though...

2nd and 3rd is where is pulls well

i get about 18l/100km - im guessing thats about the same as most of you guys?

[Murph]

I usually get about 14-15L/100km out of mine. It's a basically stock L26 though.

Out of interest though, what is the powerband in everyone elses zeds like? Mine for example builds power till around 4200, then flattens out, but still makes usable power till 5000, then drops off. There's usually no point reving over 5000rpm. I have heard many others saying they should be able to pull to about 6 however?

[Zpeed]

I had a 260z 2 seater with a freash rebuilt L26, 260z 5spd, 3.9 rear, 240z Su's, extractors and exhaust, 280zx ignition

i keept with v6 5spds, and burnt all v6 auto's no problem,

burnt Vl 5ltrs, and other cars of that area, cept for the turbo's of corse, beat Vl 3.ltr N/A autos and 5spd's...

had alotaa fun in that car

anyone got one for me they want to sell...

[260DET]

He he, mine presently does 220 rwhp. New engine etc coming.:cheeky:

[Deus Ex]

What have you got strapped in yours 260DET?

Ive been finding that fuel is pretty good since i have been keeping her under 3k as much as possible. But its still great to give it that little bit extra. Havnt really had a chance to take her out for a strap yet, and cause of the MSD i dont know how much i am reving it (the taco needing calibration because of the new ignition). But as soon as my mate gets his Z on the road (Kalium this means you!) let the fun begin.

Eventually i will get it dynoed when i tune the carbs abit. Also, anyone had experience with MSD's and recalibrating the taco?

[Murph]

260DET has an FJ20DET.

Re the tacho, maybe as a temporary measure by one of the those "car" multimeters that can do rpm. They aren't too expensive from memory.

Is the MSD a CDI ignition? Or what's the reason it can't be hooked to the stock tacho?