1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

'83 RX-7 vs. '79 280zx

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Old 11-07-02, 08:06 PM
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'83 RX-7 vs. '79 280zx

Ok, would it take any mods or anything to make sure that an '83 RX-7 w/ RB header and preformance exauhst w/o emmissions, A/C or tornado fan that can be done. The engine isn't ported, she is wicked fast as is, and after this winter she will have a fully custom nikki, that I am doing w/ my dad, he is really knowledgable in that stuff. Oh yeah, porting the engine is pretty much out of the question right now, I am pretty much dead broke. I'm not taking on the Z till next summer but I really want to smoke him or give him a good run. The Z isn't a turbo or anything, but I am sure it has had some stuff done to it.

Any advise would be greatly appriciated.
Old 11-07-02, 08:22 PM
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With the stock ports in the engine, you're limiting the potential for your future custom Nikki to put down the numbers....no one actually knows for sure, so we all quote Yaw's 150 HP max until someone can put a stockport but max'd 12A on a dyno for the "final" truth...my suggestion? A 75 shot of the good gas will virtually guarantee victory if you can put the power down w/o going up in smoke...
Old 11-07-02, 08:38 PM
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He really only says 150hp max for stock port, I think the car can pull better then that, being the same model just w/o cats puts out around 125 I heard. I think I will see what I can do w/ stock port then have it dynoed for all to see, but I might wait till I rebuild, but it could be interesting to do a before and after dyno too. any one know the price of getting a car dynoed? An estimate will do.

Also, this is going to sound bad, but what do you mean by 75 shot??
Old 11-07-02, 09:34 PM
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75 hp shot of Nitrous Oxide

Its figured something like this: If you inject it for 10seconds, the total amount injected will boost horse power by the number shot, like 50 shot, 75, 400, etc....
basically its how Nitrous injection is measured and the bigger the number the more your car better be ready for it.

Last edited by Project84; 11-07-02 at 09:39 PM.
Old 11-07-02, 09:43 PM
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I know a guy with a 78 280Z, and with a cam, exhaust, and I think a header, his car runs 15.4's.
Old 11-07-02, 10:44 PM
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Well I own a 81 280ZX and a 84 GS so here's my 2 cents.

We've never gotten the RX-7 to run right - bought it with a bad clutch, then the accel pump on the nikki toasted. Been waiting on the money to go dual dell'ortos for the last 3 months.

The 280zx.... ~170hp stock at the flywheel . ~2800lbs . Slow low, pulls good from about 4000-5500.

Stock for stock -
101hp GS - 21.78lbs/hp
280ZX - 16.47lbs/hp

So just on these numbers... you'll need about 140hp @ the flywheel to beat him, if we're racing on paper.

In real life, na ZX's today are hard pressed to get a 16.9.

Exhaust doesn't do too much for the L28 - full exhaust usually net ~5hp at the wheels. Unless he's spent atleast 5k on the motor, you can assume he's got less the 155hp to the wheels
Old 11-07-02, 10:52 PM
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I smoke that same car daily but my motor is slightly (cough cough) ported. HE gets me shortly after the quarter. But get a good set of tires and be ready to launch. That is the real key trust me i beat a grand national that should smoke me everyway to sunday. but becuase the kid played spin the tires for 6 secon ds at the line i just won barely but i won. That is right a first gen 12a beat an 87 gran national!!

jr
Old 11-07-02, 11:21 PM
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Dyno time, no tuning (small stuff is permitted usually if it can be done in a minute or so...) 3 or 4 pulls will set you back anywhere from $45 to $80 depending upon the shop...
Old 11-08-02, 05:19 AM
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Well I know the '79 280zx only came w/ 140hp and no turbo option, I don't know how much his car weighs but I know I have gotten mine down by a lot, I am below 2500lbs w/ my car, we believe it to be in the range of 2200 really or less, no real way of weighing it right now, I have just been taking stuff off and pushing it up a hill. it is almost too easy for a single person. I have no clue on my hp I just know that on the highway I can keep up with all the different cars, even did a good job keeping up w/ a C5, but my dad always smokes me in his 100% modded C4.
Old 11-08-02, 07:14 AM
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but my dad always smokes me in his 100% modded C4.
I hate it when that happens...

~T.J.
Old 11-08-02, 08:21 AM
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What kind of mods has he done. You know that all the Z cars from 70-83 are interchangeable right? So he could have the heades from the 81-83 turbo version and that will make a huge difference, also it could be cammed or stroked also. Get some info from your competititon before you start modding and get upset. And remember racing is racing so if you have nos more to your advantage. .....it doesnt matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning.... lol

peace
Old 11-08-02, 11:26 AM
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Damon, the Z-cars from 79-83 are far, far different from the Z cars preceeding them. The ZX series, though having the same inline-6 engine, have a heavier body and hundreds of pounds of bituthane and power accessories not found on the 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z.
Old 11-08-02, 01:07 PM
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and the car is a California car.

The vette has new cam about .48 on the lobes, 9.5:1 compression, stage 3 race chip, it has had a full valve job, the heads have been shaved along w/ the pistons, high power coils, and all the emisions stuff has been pulled and stainless race exauhst put on. The car is insane, but extremely fun to drive.
Old 11-08-02, 01:17 PM
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yes I know but the person could have swapped all but the lower part of the engine they are completely interchangeable. I have been researching them since I finished my car (need a new project) and there are three engine types L24, L26, and L28. the engine# coencide with the model (ie 240, 260, 280) and both the 280z and the 280zx have the same block. The pistons are dished in the zx and flat in the z, the heads are the same aside from the shape of the exhaust ports. Also you can bolt any combo of heads and blocks tobether and interchange the pistons and crank/cam shafts to make one engine.

sorry for the long post but I know that the zx has mor bolt on crap then the z

peace
Old 11-08-02, 01:41 PM
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Yep. I have a good friend who built a convertible 280Z, similar to this one back in the early nineties. The car was gorgeous, as if it was made to be a convertible. He added a 1983 Turbo Head on, and the Turbo and manifold. He did a cheesy (but very well done) Draw-Through Carb Turbo with No intercooler.

The car would run high 12's. After two or three runs, and a little heat-soak, it would run mid 13's.

Be careful. - a Well done Z can be fast.

A Stock Z, should't be much trouble for a healthy RX-7. Even when I had 12A powered cars, I would smoke 280ZX turbos in the 1/4.
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