Where is the thermotime switch located?

I just called the auto parts store, they couldnt find a 'thermo time switch.' Is it called something else?

Again, I would suggest you test the components before you go buy new ones. Thermotime switch is the only name I've ever know it by. Nissan still sell them at roughly $70 ea. Part number 22635-N4711. What makes you think you need a new one?

After reading back through this thread it's becoming clearer to me that you've been just throwing parts at this car with no real solution to it's problems so far. This is your list:

MAF sensor (done)

Fuel Pressure Regulator (done),

EGR valve

distributor

Water temperature sensor

fuel injector cleaning and testing, from this place called Dr. Injector

You don't even know the name of the components. Did you test the Air Flow Meter (not Mass Air Flow Sensor), or the fuel pressure regulator before you replaced them? 82 or 83 ZX's get their engine temperature signal from a CHTS (Cylinder head temperature sensor) not a water temp. sensor. I really think you need to sit down with the 1982 or 1983 280ZX FSM and read and understand how these cars work. I say 82 or 83 since you've called it both so I'm not really sure which year car you have. Replacing parts that you don't even know whether or not they need replacement is the reason why you put a little more into car every payday. It doesn't have to be that way. If you understood how that car worked you wouldn't ask a question like "Does the cat do much more than clean the exhaust gas and rob the engine of power? Why would it being gone affect anything?" You can't just remove parts of a emissions system in a car that is 'calibrated' to run with those parts and expect it to run right without some other adjustment/modification, etc. I won't tell you how to do that. That's HybridZ stuff. My main point is that you don't seem to want to listen to the advice you're asking for.

Accident. cant delete this message