L28ET, how common/rare are they in the US?

[toecutter]

Just out of curiosity. Is it possible to find these motors in US junk yards? If so what does a complete motor sell for when pulled out of a wreck?

We did'nt get them in Australia!

Sulio

[Carl Beck]

Hi Bo:

I guess it depends on what part of the Country you are in, or how close to a major population center you are - around here (Clearwater, FL) we don't see too many First or Second Generation Z's in the junk yards and a Turbo L28 turns up maybe a couple times a year.

If you want a Tubo L28 in this area - you watch the used car ad.s - and you can usually pick up a whole car, with very rusty body for between $850.00 and $1,200.00.

So:

Engine with all accessories = $650.00

T-5 Trany = $350.00 to $450.00 (depending on the mileage)

R200 Rear End = $225.00

C/V half shafts = $125.00 to $150 a pair

Then if your lucky - you can sell a few other parts off the 280ZX T and haul it off to the crusher or junk yard.

I have a whole, good running 83 280ZX sitting in the back yard, waiting to be disassembled now.. but with all the other projects I have ahead of it... I don't know if I'll ever get to it.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[Mr Camouflage]

We did'nt get them in Australia!

Sulio

Nope, but you can find L20AET's in Aus (or NZ), which you can strip for all the necessary gear to put on a L28E and have some fun. Thats what I have planned :classic:

The L28ET comp ratio is about 7.9:1

I think the L28E has a comp ratio of 8.5:1, still low enough to add some boost.

The L20A turbo exhaust manifold will bolt right on to a L28.

You can find P90 heads in Aus. I believe some aussie delivered nissan must have had them (either 280zx, patrol or 280C), because I have one on an NA L28 in my 240K, and I doubt it came from overseas.

I dont know if the L20ET oil pump is the same as the L28ET, as all my parts are still in NZ, but I plan on doing a write up of the conversion of a L28 to a L28ET once I actully do it, but thats a long way off.

Theres alot of information about L28ET's over at www.hybridz.org

[toecutter]

Thanks Carl. Hmmm...USD$650 is about $850 Australian dollars. Something for me to think about.

How indicative do you think that figure of twice a year is to other parts of the country? I suppose I'm trying to ask is there a particular part of the country they tend to be more common in?

I have a freind living near Detroit, he's not a Z man but just wondering what his chances of coming across one in that city might be like?

Thanks again Carl!

EDIT. Thanks Mr Camo, you must have posted as I was replying. OK, there's a couple of guys in Melb that have gone down the path of building up L28 turbo motors which have cost the 10K mark. There's people asking big money for P90heads around here these days. Anyhow I long gave up thinking about this option and I've got an L28 N42/N42 sitting in the garage waiting on some head work and a mild cam but it's gotta wait until I finish my house renovatons and new garage. I thought in the mean time I would do some homework out of interest. Even shipping from NZ can add up when your getting bit's and pieces. I've been checking Patrol heads for ages now and have'nt come across one yet although I have heard they're out there! Anyhow it sure would be nice to get it all in one peice ready for reco!

BTW, what model did the L20AET come in?

Cheers

Sulio

[hls30.com]

I have several L28ets, L28Es R200s and sets CV joints in storage, and an entire '83 2+2 turbo. I have never paid more than $200 for a bare engine, $300 for a complete engine, or $400 for an entire and complete car. If you need all or part of one, I would take care of you at what it costs me. I can even take care of it today-I have spares for my projects, and can replace the spares through time.

WIll

[Mr Camouflage]

NOt sure about over east, but we got alot of 80's grey market second hand imports in the late 80's, so you can sometime find C210 skylines with L20ET's, though they are very rare. I know of a guy with some (about 5) L20et's lying around his shed, but he wont sell any of them.

[toecutter]

Wow, thats sounds great Will. I am definately interested. If you can spare a complete motor that would work out quite nicely for me. I have just started my holidays from work and I'm off to Malaysia for a couple of weeks as of this Wednesday. During my holidays I will contact some friends to see how long I would have to wait for some space in a shipping container from the US to Australia along side some cars and parts they import from the US. I will PM you over the coming weeks so we can work out how best to do this, ie price, payment, pick-up etc

Thank You,

Sulio

[hls30.com]

Glad to help!

Will

[Go240Zags]

I had a full 280ZXT 2+2, with a rough body, but not beyond repair. Sold the entire car for $500 on eBay to someone who drove 6 hours from Montana to pick it up and haul it back. He had plans to swap the motor and T5 tranny to his 240Z. The parts were worth more individually probably - Complete L28T (had a bad turbo unit though) and T5. I thought about doing the swap myself, but decided to go for a nice L28 from a late NA 280ZX instead with some slight mods and a P90 head. I advertised it here first but got little response. EBay dinged me for $100 in fees - but with the remaining $400 and $200 more I picked up a nice early shell in the Seattle area. I just had to drive 5 hours over a mountain pass and back to pick it up. What we'll do for these cars huh?