Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (145 hp)

1981 Nissan Z Datsun 280ZX Deluxe Automatic

Nissan's 1981 U.S. factory model-variation table separately identifies this body, grade, roof, and transmission combination.

Exact 1981 Z reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “1981 Datsun 280ZX GL 2-Seater in Dark Copper, Front Right, 05-21-2023” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim: Deluxe
Body style: Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine: 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (145 hp)
Transmission: 3-speed automatic

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 topics: 4
Factory intervals: 4
Fitment-scoped: 4
Exact references: 1

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
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 1981 · United States
Naturally aspirated L28E
Applies to: 1981 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (145 hp) · 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 — 1981 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 58–59 — non-turbo engine-oil row · checked 2026-08-24
Turbocharged L28ET
Applies to: 1981 · 2.8-liter L28ET turbocharged inline-six (180 hp / 203 lb-ft) · United States
Published interval: 3,750 mi / 6,000 km / 3 months · Turbocharged engine-oil interval.
Source: Datsun — 1981 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual p. 59 — turbocharged engine-oil row · checked 2026-08-24
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Applies to: 1981 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (145 hp), 2.8-liter L28ET turbocharged inline-six (180 hp / 203 lb-ft) · United States
Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 6 months · Owner-manual oil-filter interval for naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
Source: Datsun — 1981 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual p. 59 — engine oil-filter row · checked 2026-08-24
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementNissan 15208-W1106
  Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine lubricating-oil filter; current replacement for 15208-W1116 · current
  The exact 1981 280ZX catalog row covers both L28E and L28ET engines. Confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.
  Catalog: Nissan OE parts catalog mirror — 1981 280ZX oil-filter application · 1981 Nissan 280ZX Oil Filter — 15208-W1116 superseded by 15208-W1106; GL and NON GL, L28E and L28ET · checked 2026-08-31
  Search this part on Amazon
Engine air-filter element
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 1981 · United States
Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Normal driving; service more often in dusty conditions.
Source: Datsun — 1981 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance table — air-cleaner filter replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked 2026-08-24
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Applies to: 1981 · United States
Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.
Source: Datsun — 1981 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance table — spark-plug replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked 2026-08-24

Sources

Nissan Motor Co. — 1981 Datsun 280ZX factory service manual model-variation table

Other 1981 configurations

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