L28 rebuild, what to do?

[mrcow]

I have been lookin at a 77 280z and if i purchase it the first thing in line to do is rebuild the engine. It currently runs fine but it is getting old. I plan on using this car as a daily driver but i am interested in what i can do to crank out those extra horses.

I realize headers, exhuast, and intake will help but what else do yall recommend? cam?

How much power can be expected from a L28 engine? i will probably spend from $3-5000. I am not looking to do anything radical.

I have searched this site and there is a ton of info but it is all spread out and hard to piece together.

[Greatwhite]

This topic has been covered NUMEROUS times before so, doing a *simple search* would most likely answer all of your questions.

Justin

[Corganx33]

3-5k on an engine rebuild? Thats pretty radical..

larger pistons, port and polish and a better cam would be a good start for the engine.

you need to decide which way you want to go, what you are aiming for. i.e. turbo, stroker, high torque or high hp, or just a stock engine rebuild.

a stock engine rebuild can be done for under a grand, 3-5k on an engine gets you into rebello racing and sunbelt engine territory....

good luck, also look at zcar.com and hybridz.org

Most important, decide what you want before you start, you'll save $$ that way.

[Bambikiller240]

3-5k on an engine gets you into rebello racing and sunbelt engine territory....

I haven't shopped Sunbelt for prices, but $3K-$5K will not get you very far into "Rebello Racing territory".

Jasper Engines will chage close to $2K for a stock rebuild, plus shipping. ATK will charge around $2K+ for a rebuilt exchange engine as well.

[Corganx33]

I know people have bought sunbelt heads for 1500, and I've seen Rebello engines (used, low miles ) go for 5500. Was just pointing out that 3-5k was more into radical territory than he may have thought.

2k for a stock rebuild seems high ( they may charge that much, it seems high to me is all. ) Can't you get the whole engine from victoria british for 1700? or 1800? I'd think that to pay more for a rebuild than a new engine seems kinda nuts...

anyway, it really just depends on what you want to do, what your goals are etc. Make sure they are set before you start rebuilding.

[Ed]

Are you going to do any of the work yourself? Or are you going to take the car to a shop and say "rebuild the engine please"?

The first will get you some good parts for some extra ponies. Pistons, porting, cam, ignition, headers etc..

The second will get you a stock rebuild.

[Bambikiller240]

I know people have bought sunbelt heads for 1500, and I've seen Rebello engines (used, low miles ) go for 5500. Was just pointing out that 3-5k was more into radical territory than he may have thought.

2k for a stock rebuild seems high ( they may charge that much, it seems high to me is all. ) Can't you get the whole engine from victoria british for 1700? or 1800? I'd think that to pay more for a rebuild than a new engine seems kinda nuts...

anyway, it really just depends on what you want to do, what your goals are etc. Make sure they are set before you start rebuilding.

OK, USED engines is something else. I was thinking NEW from Rebello.

You are right, $3K-$5K is alot of money. You can do a lot with that budget.

I don't know about Vic Brit for engines.

I had Rebello do a stock rebuild with new Valves, Guides, Seats, & Lash Pads and complete "optimization" of my High Comp E88 head around 4 years ago. Told them I was in no hurry and could wait for it to be done when they were slow (Like they ever are slow). They charged me $600.

I had a short block rebuilt by a friendly local engine builder who happened to have a few sets of pistons and bearings and such still on the shelf from years ago when they rebuilt and stocked reman L24's and you could walk in the door and pick one up. The short block rebuild cost me $1K (@ the "friendly" discount). This was done 2 years ago.

Then I still had to put it all together. I had to buy the Upper Gasket set, Oil Pump, Timing Chain/Gears, etc. I had more time than money and wanted the Rebello service bad enough to go that route. I'm happy with it.

[mrcow]

sorry i didnt mean 3-5k on just the engine. That would be more of the exhuast, intake, headers, and engine rebuild. That is my complete budget to get some more zip in the car. I am not looking to build a drag racer just a daily driver. i guess really what i am asking is what modifications have yall made, for what price, and what performance increase did you get out of it? I plan on fixin up the suspension and brakes as well but that is a different story. Thanks for the replies so far.

[TomoHawk]

Before you start taking the engine out, or while you ARE taking it out, you better look at the wiring and connectors, if the connectors aren't perectly clean & shiny and the wires conduting perfect with no resistance, your money won't be of much help.

The engine depends on the ECU doing its job perfectly, and with the old wiring ( and sensors, and AFM, etc.) and connectors, the ECU won't be getting the correct information to produce the right fuel mix or probably even put out the right signals to the injectors, etc. to make those horses you are looking for.

Get yourself a good repair manual and/or FSM, and the "280Z fuel injection 'Book":

'280Z fuel Injection Book

I've been working on the wiring & stuff for about two years (summers) when I get time.

[mrcow]

So after more reading it seems to beef up the engine you have two choices... stroker or turbo. What are yalls thoughts on those? i guess the real problem is the 77 280z doesnt have the right stuff to go either way.

[Bambikiller240]

Unless you can build the stroker motor (properly) by yourself, you'll need to bump your budget a good deal higher.

You can do a Turbo swap/upgrade within in your budget, but you'll need time and skill (and most of your budget) to make it happen.

[beandip]

Before you start taking the engine out, or while you ARE taking it out, you better look at the wiring and connectors, if the connectors aren't perectly clean & shiny and the wires conduting perfect with no resistance, your money won't be of much help.

The engine depends on the ECU doing its job perfectly, and with the old wiring ( and sensors, and AFM, etc.) and connectors, the ECU won't be getting the correct information to produce the right fuel mix or probably even put out the right signals to the injectors, etc. to make those horses you are looking for.

Get yourself a good repair manual and/or FSM, and the "280Z fuel injection 'Book":

'280Z fuel Injection Book

I've been working on the wiring & stuff for about two years (summers) when I get time.

Where did this come from ?? No one was talking about wireing or connectors! Are you reading the same thread ? HELLO :stupid: :stupid: