project franken- Z

[dyne_ii]

Im toying with the idea of putting a tdi motor into an '83 nissan 280zxt i happen to have in an auto cocoon on my property.  a stock 280 zxt weighs like 2600# and has 180hp. due to terrible rust id fab up a one piece clamshell fiberglass frontend and rear fenders and roll pan which should drop  2-400# ish. and switching to the smaller tdi motor will drop at least 100-250#, and bunch of other stripping and modifying should put it around 2000-2200# maybe less.

so what i need to know is how much power can a tdi block handle? I was thinking like 250-300hp, with either a bigger turbo or a custom fabbed compound turbo setup, with a giles manual ip, pd150 pistons,maybe machine the block for o-rings like the big diesel guys do, arp head and main cap studs, ect. tell me how you'd build it, whats stock parts would need beefier replacements, what turbo would you recommend, i was thinking maybe a big vnt single, but what turbo's would a good compound setup?

the other part of this franken tdi/Z-car, I was thinking about using an audi quattro trans and front end parts to go awd. I know this is crazy and i know how much work it will be, and i also know most guys would probably think this is a dumb idea. But i like z-cars and i love my diesel golf,  so help me out with some advice!

[scottyroccodiesel]

do it man! I love Z cars but i am a fan of the 240/260z.   you can def get alot  out of a tdi and it should move that guy especailly after fiberglass work.  it will be a huge project but if you are up to it go for it!  I wouldnt really want to change it to front wheel drive if I were you, maybe use an audi quattro transmission and go the distance with AWD!!!!   but I would stick with rear wheel , maybe use a 944/924 transmission??

[KTZed]

Hmm I think you've been spying on my thoughts somehow...
Glad to see someone on here from the Island too! Another VW/Datsun owner to boot. Where abouts are you located?
I have a '73 240Z and while I like the old L6 there is something appealing about the torque and fuel economy of a TDI...im just not sure I would be satisfied with the power. Another thought is putting in an LD28 Nissan diesel and slapping the turbo from your engine on there as it should all bolt right in...if you can find one  :roll:
I also think your weight figures for the 280zxt might be a little optimistic...Id bet it weighs closer to 2800-3000lbs.
I think a TDI in a 510 would be really sweet  :twisted:

[Patrick]

Wouldn't the 6 cylinder vw engine out of a Volvo work a little better? Easier to adapt I would think, tranny and all, already RWD.......  More engine too!

[KTZed]

Wouldn't the 6 cylinder vw engine out of a Volvo work a little better? Easier to adapt I would think, tranny and all, already RWD.......  More engine too!

Nissan LD28 from an early '80's Maxima...literally exactly the same inline 6 that the Z's came with but diesel. Even the turbo & exh manifold would bolt on from the L28ET he has in there already. Problem is they're really hard to find due to people tearing them apart for the stroker cranks to use in the gas motors.
And yes, its already been done...
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wLbN45c44Q8

[dyne_ii]

i'd either stick with the stock rwd or go awd.
the LD28 came in international scouts as well i believe? i thought they didnt have  very wide rpm range? (i remember something like 2800 rpm redline?) and i seem to recall they are prone to overheating and cracking heads if you work em hard for too long in stock form. maybe im thinking of a different version or motor though. plus this is going to add a fair bit o weight. kinda wanted to drop #'s. sweet that its been done before though id wonder about adding diesel weight for the NA's 73hp and 133 ftlbs torque... (specs as per chiltons industrial LD28 NA)