Car Model History

Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six

1978 Nissan Z Datsun 280Z Five-speed Manual

The U.S. brochure and CARB certification records identify the 1978 two-seat 280Z with this transmission choice.

1978 Datsun 280Z (S30) — front three-quarter view
Exact 1978 Z reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “1978-1981 Nissan Fairlady 280 Z-T” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
280Z
Body style
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Transmission
5-speed manual

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1978 Nissan Z Datsun 280Z Five-speed Manual. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
5
Factory intervals
5
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
3

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1978 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 6 months · Normal service; 3,000 miles / 3 months under the manual's severe-use conditions.

    Source: Datsun — 1978 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 59–62 — oil and filter replacement at 7,500 miles / 6 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1978 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — coolant replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked

  • Fuel filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1978 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1978 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — fuel-filter replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine air-filter element

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1978 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Normal driving; service more often in dusty conditions.

    Source: Datsun — 1978 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — air-cleaner replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1978 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km / 12 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1978 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — spark-plug replacement at 15,000 miles / 12 months · checked

Sources

  1. Datsun — 1975 280Z and 280Z 2+2 U.S. sales brochure
  2. California Air Resources Board — 1977 Datsun 280Z certification model and transmission matrix

Other 1978 configurations

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