Ok. I know we didn't get 280Z turbos in Australia.

What about 280ZX turbos?

Did we get any of them?

Were they even made?

If they were available in Japan, I guess there may be a 3 or 4 somewhere in Perth due to the secondhand imports we got.

How different are the engines or are they the same?

Could I use a turbo diesel block from a patrol and a petrol head?

Did they make turbo diesel patrols?

Or should I just put a RB series motor in?

I would love to see a turbo-diesel Zcar....

I've seen a couple of 280ZX Turbos but they're pretty rare. Carlos at Sportsclassic near Sydney had one for sale not so long ago.

There was no 280Z turbo.

The 280ZX turbo was US-only.

However....

there were a number of dealer-fitted turbo kits sold in AUS

(an HKS kit was used).

If you plan on making a L-turbo you can keep it pretty much stock, except shave the pistons 0.015" (or buy new ones with a pin 1mm higher). Get a fabricated exhaust manifold, bigger injectors & an aftermarket ECU (don't forget an intercooler).

I'm making 220HP from a home-built non-decompressed L28 with a T3 on it. Yes, it's reliable - 70,000km so far. Boost is only 6-7psi though due to the CR still being 8.4:1, if you lowered the CR to ~8:1 you would be able to run ~12psi. (this is how much my original L24 turbo in my Z ran - that was ~250HP).

I believe the Patrols were available with an LD28T form memory, but it's not easy finding one.

RB is pretty easy, but L-power is easy too if you want to keep the original engine family in the car. Look at Simon de-Groot's car...(which I would post the URL to, but It appears that his page is no longer on the UNQ website )

His car was featured in Zoom a few months back, it's producing ~220kW at the wheels now from an L28 Turbo setup.

Thanks for the info Ben. I also wondered where people were getting there L series turbos from in Oz.

It would be an interesting exercise to do a cost/benefit analysis of the RB20DET swap versus building an L28T.

Mmm yes I would like to know too! (for the K)

So...reading beteen the lines Mr. C... are you planning on frightening the paint off your new car by putting in a turbo donk?!

Just looking at what options are available.

If I go for more horsepower, i'll store the original engine so I can return the car to stock.

I plan on frightening the paint off with a can of paint stripper and a brush.

So assuming the Turbo's I have seen are dealer options. Would we have got the F54 block in Australia.

Yup, they were dealer options, and not all that legal either....

There are plenty of F54's around - late model 280ZX's, 280C's & Patrols are a good place to start (my F54 came from a Patrol).

Wish I could buy this L28ET combination (front cut complete) from an importer in Aus

My 2c

Steve:classic:

there was actually a L28 engine for sale in the trading post last week.

-----------L28 TURBO MOTOR recent rebuild F54 block, P90 head polished aluminium turbo rocker cover, comes with 5 speed manual with 400hp brass button clutch. will seperate. EC $1850ono (03)97890151 graedat@optushome.com.au Langwarrin ---------

sounds interesting..if i knew where langwarrin was!