efi on e88?

[z_boi]

i plan on pickin up an e88 head and want to keep the factory efi, i was just wondering if it'll all bolt up and run with no problems? And is 90 a good price for a complete e88 head? claims to have about 60k miles on it.

[2ManyZs]

Can't use the factory EFI on the E-88... you'd have to mill the injector notch into the head.

Better off to find either an N-42 head with the square exhaust ports like the E-88.... the N-42 is a good match for the E-88. The only thing you'd need to do to the N-42 is replace the bronze valve seats with hardened steel ones.

[Royce]

z_boi,

What head are you replacing? As 2manyZ mentioned the E88 the US Z E88 head isn't designed for fuel injectors and would need to be modified to do so. I believe there are some E88 heads from Maximas that are made for FI systems but don't have the details. If you are replacing a N47 head, which would have been stock on your 1978 280Z, then going to a E88 or N42 head will also mean changing to a different exhaust manifold or header. Reason being the N47 has round exhaust ports and the E88 and N42 has square exhaust ports.

Hope it helps!

[z_boi]

so if i mill the injector notch into the head, i would be fine? or do i also have to replace the valve seats? and it shouldnt be too difficult to mill the notch for the injectors rite? Only reason i ask is because this guy has a complete head wit valve train and all for 90 buks.

[Royce]

The E88 heads came with soft bronze valve guides and valve seats. These items get soft over time. One way to slow down the aging process is to use a lead additive, since gas hasn't contained lead for a few decades. Typically anytime a head is overhauled the guides and seats are replaced with hardened parts, which have been used in cars since lead went away. Since this head supposedly only has 60K on it the guides and seats may be original. Or is it that they have 60K since a rebuild? I believe the N47 head, which first came on the '77 280Z. was the first to come stock with hardened valve seats/guides. So you may still need to change the valve seats and guides. Also, if you are replacing a N47 head you still will need a new exhaust manifold/header as I mentioned previously.

It would seem that it wouldn't take much work to make the E88 head work but I haven't done it and so the thought of taking the head to a machine shop sounds expensive. If you do decide to go looking for an N47 head they came on '77 - '78 240Z's and '79 280ZX's (which were plentiful in Sacto wrecking yards last year). To me this sounds better, but you are also right to consider the heads condition in the equation. I will agree that a good E88 could be better than a warn out N47 to start with! So it may be a coin toss as to which saves you more time and money.

Just trying to give you some information to help you make a decision. Let us know which way you decide to go and how it all works out!

Happy New Year!

[z_boi]

I figured maybe i can mill the notches myself. That shouldnt be too difficult rite? How do i check if its harden steel valve seats and not bronze. thanks a bunch guys.

Happy New Year!

[Royce]

I honestly don't know a way to tell by visual inspection. If no one else has a way you may have to take it to a engine builder to check.

Oh yeah, one more thing about the E88 vs. N47. The E88 has smaller valves than the N47. I cannot remember if it is just larger exhaust valves or if the intake is also larger. Sorry, don't have the comparable sizes either. It is common to fit the larger 280Z valves in a 240Z head (E31 or E88) during rebuild so I believe they are not a lot bigger. But ever little bit helps.

Sorry I don't have more specifics. I would not be surprised to find all these details on this site. They could probably be found using some search functions.