Car Model History

Two-seat rear-wheel-drive T-bar fastback coupe · 2.8-liter L28ET turbocharged inline-six (180 hp / 203 lb-ft)

1981 Nissan Z Datsun 280ZX Turbo Grand Luxury T-bar Automatic

The first U.S. 280ZX Turbo was a two-seat T-bar Grand Luxury model and automatic-only for 1981.

1981 Datsun 280ZX (S130) — copper, front three-quarter view
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
Grand Luxury
Body style
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive T-bar fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28ET turbocharged inline-six (180 hp / 203 lb-ft)
Transmission
3-speed automatic
Edition
280ZX Turbo

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 1981 Nissan Z Datsun 280ZX Turbo Grand Luxury T-bar Automatic. 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
4
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
2

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

    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

  • 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

    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

      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

  • 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

  • Engine oil and fuel filters — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin B120 / BF1105

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish service intervals or a complete maintenance schedule.

    Applies to: 1981 · L28ET · United States · The 1981 catalog table publishes only the turbo L28ET row; naturally aspirated fitment is intentionally withheld. Confirm the engine and installed filters before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 460, Nissan 1981 280ZX 6-2753cc (2.8L) FI row(s) · checked

    Verified ordering references

Sources

  1. Nissan Motor Co. — 1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo factory service supplement

Other 1981 configurations

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