My New-old L28

[chris240]

I picked up an L28 today from a June 82 / 280zx...pretty much complete, was hooked upto an auto, still has aircon, ran well until owner replaced it with rb30 3-4 months ago ,so technically its a runner..

Its an F54 block & N42 head, all the spaghetti EFI seems ok..

From reading previous postings it appears the early 80's EFI gear is not "really" sought after ...would I be right in saying that ?

Im assuming the lack of ECU would mean a new system as the existing is a bit of an antique...at what point would you fork out for a haltech system ??

What would I have to do to the EFI to get some moderate grunt out of it, or am I better off ditching in favour of tripples.

I need some inspiration here !!

 

[Zedman240®]

If you are just going to putt around town and get good fuel economy, the L28 EFI setup is ok. If you want any power, ditch that inlet manifold and get yourself either the Turbo L28 inlet manifold  with a larger throttle body (hard to source) or a triple Weber manifold and 6 throttle bodies. I know it costs alot but I've had no issues with my setup ever since I installed it.

[Zedback]

Megasquirt it!  It's not hard, pretty cheap, and you can tune it as much or as little as you want. 

[chris240]

hmmm need more info ..

whats megasquirt ?

is this a type of injection where you use a standard redline tripple carb manifold as a base and install individual throttle bodies to it ??

[C.A.R.]

Megasquirt = ECU only.

 

You'd still need the throttle bodies...

[Zedman240®]

I think the Megasquirt system is like a DIY fuel injection; like buying one from Dick Smith and assemble it yourself..

Some people source throttle bodies from some large Japanese motorcycles (1000cc+) and bolt them to manifolds. You could always see what you can make yourself as long as you do alot of research.

[chris240]

Its basically becoming a no-brainer from here...the original L28 EFI gear is destined for removal and archiving in my shed.

One look at Scootas setup and I start to salivate...Im starting to lean toward a tripples setup..Its always so "neat & tidy" compared to a full-on EFI & ECU setup. I think its the Ol skool in me coming thru 

 

Just doing some reading on Megasquirt V2 & V3, it looks like a bargain ECU for around $US-300.. but probably not necessary on a normally aspirated L series, but could be suited for a RB..

[gav240z]

I think the Megasquirt system is like a DIY fuel injection; like buying one from Dick Smith and assemble it yourself..

Some people source throttle bodies from some large Japanese motorcycles (1000cc+) and bolt them to manifolds. You could always see what you can make yourself as long as you do alot of research.

 

I've seen some of the guys on Hybridz using this system. I'm sure they would have an image / flash / map of some set ups to get you started. Looks cool plugging the laptop in and setting up the fuel delivery.

 

Could really make a good turbo L28 set up if your willing to put the time and effort in.

[Zedback]

If you are sticking with EFI then it's an easy and cheap alternative to an aftermarket ECU system.  Mine was about AU$650 all up and controls both fuel and ignition.  I bought it as a kit and put it together from components, you can buy it for a little more as a pre-assembled unit.  I'm using the stock manifold, injectors and single throttle body.  Uses a MAP sensor instead of the AFM. 

The hardest part was working myself up to cutting into the existing loom with the fear it would never run again.  :-\

I set it up to run fuel only first, playing with the settings till it ran well.  Then I cut in ignition control using the stock ZX distributor (locked) as the timing signal.  I'm still playing with the tuning, ideally needs a bit of dyno time, but for now it's seat of the pants feel.  Even only partly tuned, and with an AFR table that is far to rich, it runs far better than on the stock ECU!   

[gav240z]

If you are sticking with EFI then it's an easy and cheap alternative to an aftermarket ECU system.  Mine was about AU$650 all up and controls both fuel and ignition.  I bought it as a kit and put it together from components, you can buy it for a little more as a pre-assembled unit.  I'm using the stock manifold, injectors and single throttle body.  Uses a MAP sensor instead of the AFM. 

The hardest part was working myself up to cutting into the existing loom with the fear it would never run again.   :-\

I set it up to run fuel only first, playing with the settings till it ran well.  Then I cut in ignition control using the stock ZX distributor (locked) as the timing signal.  I'm still playing with the tuning, ideally needs a bit of dyno time, but for now it's seat of the pants feel.  Even only partly tuned, and with an AFR table that is far to rich, it runs far better than on the stock ECU!   

 

 

Sounds like a great set up. I would definitely consider running this myself.

 

I find it quite funny though that you worked out how to install this and get it running, yet you took a photo of your computer screen instead of a screen shot .

[Bruce]

Hi Zedback,

I like the sound of your megasquirt setup.

What was your background in EFI prior to starting this?

 

cheers

Bruce

[Zedback]

ha ha, yeah the brain can fade from time to time but in this case I was running on an old laptop where it was just too hard to copy a screenshot.

 

This is my first time messing with EFI so it was (and still is) a big learning experience.  I do have the advantage of having been an electrical engineer in the past, though I haven't practiced in 10 years.  Still I know how to read a circuit diagram and wield a soldering iron...

 

There is a heap of info on Megasquirt, and it really wasn't that hard.  It's just been done so many times before. Difficulties I had related to brain fade (blew an input circuit) and matching the wiring diagram to the car.  I still don't think I have the right wiring diagram, but it's close enough I was able to figure it out.

 

Happy to help if you choose to take it on. 

[chris240]

geeez this is so tempting..

unfortunately Im not confident in setting up a megasquirt system...

so Im guessing to pay a proper wokshop for supply and install of a megasquirt would be in the order of $1000-ish ? (if its $600 to buy)

I know Sco_aus (scott 240rb25) paid around $1200 for supply-install and initial setup of his autronic system as a comparison.

Im also figuring there would be more auto-electrician labor involved with setting up a new ECU on a EFI L28 than a RB25..

decisions decisions 

p.s.

merry x-mas all zedders.

(wife & daughter gone to church, and Im eulogising zedworship on the forums !)

[sco_aus]

Umm, no, I paid $5356 for my supply install and rewire with road tune with an Autronic SM4, I wish it was that cheap.  I think you got the cost of the power fc confused there.  Canberra is the city of Autronic, nearly every workshop in canberra can tune them, but dont know much on MoTec or some of the others very well, so it does give you some choice on tuners.

If you like, we/I can go and have a chat to Russel who did mine and see what he says.  He is really good and there would be a lot less labour involved, the RB system is quite complex compared to the L28.  You would probly only need a and SMC which is cheaper anyway.

[Zedback]

If this isn't your daily driver I'd say go for it.  If there is time pressure, you really need reliability or you really need a professional setup for some reason then go with an autronic, motech, etc.  I don't know how megasquirt compares functionally to those systems, but for me megasquirt gives me all I need, I did it myself, and I have and still am learning heaps.  All the reasons I DIY 

 

I'm going off memory here because it was Christmas eve last year that I was building the system, but for anyone one who wants to know, the components I bought were:

• MSII ECU in kit form (can be bought completed)
  
• MSII "Stimulator" for testing (simulates sensor inputs)
  
• Intake air temp sensor
  
• Innovate LC-1 Wideband O2 sensor & Controller
  
• 12v relay for the LC-1
  
• 12' pre-made wiring loom (much easier)
  
• O2 sensor bung welded into exhaust
  

I already had a "throttle position sensor" (which is different to the stock throttle position switch) and reused the stock "water temp sensor".  I used the stock 280zx EFI relays for main power and fuel pump.

I used the existing resistor pack associated with the low impedance injectors (alternatively you can stuff around with pulse width modulation on the injector drivers).

 

You either need a laptop with a serial port or you need a USB to Serial converter.  The battery on my old laptop died, so I ended up buying the USB converter.

I bought everything except the relay and odds and ends of general wiring and connectors from www.diyautotune.com

 

You will also want to make up some intake plumbing to replace the Air Flow Meter.  Try and find a series 2 ZX AFM to Throttle body boot with two holes in the top.  Use one for the air bypass and the other for the IAT sensor.

[dazzed]

hi chris, the L28 from the 280zx is a great set up for many reasons , for a start early zeds were designed to accomodate this set up , fire wall has dimple guide marks for wiring loom to be fitted , fuel pump fixures are already there and very easy to set up parts are readilly available, and they go well, either in auto or manual form. the 280zx is a lot heavier, tho there are a few variations in engine camshafts fitted and throttle body types they are bassically the same, dont forget the car are pretty old now and the type of system this is will only work well with a good motor, air flow meters loose there callibrations and sensors are starting to fail, harness connectors in most cases on the loom will need replacing but dont worry as replacement parts are in abundance , A L28 EFI set up with a A grind cam and a lightened flywheel and all components in good working order makes for a economical, fun steetable and not to mention if set up neatly can be made to look like it came out of the factory that way and it did, the 280z was in usa. the set up is simple and if you get it all set up and its not running right it will be easy and cheap to rectify and reliable, early zeds are desirable to people because of the simplicity of there lay out, and i see it over and over all the time conversions that are so messy and complicated noone can work on and nobody wants to know about they just shrug their shoulders and palm it of  to someone else if you dont want to have your head stuck under the bonnet broken down all the time pulling wires testing this cutting open wiring looms , i would go for this set up, i hope this helps you decide which way you intend to go, cheers dazzed.

 

[chris240]

whooaa !!

Im on information overload  what a top week for threads about L28's & EFI, megasquirt & ECU's..

my zed is strictly a sunday arvo car, so I dont need economy or a mild cam.

As my zed is in perfect mech condition ATM, I have time on my side to tinker with the L28 thats residing in my carport, before I drop it in..I just need to get my head around all these great options.