Im looking at getting a 280zx as longs as its manual coupe and T-top and was wondering how hard it would be to mod the n/a to get 7.5-8 sec 0-60 or if i should just wait for a turbo coupe

I would just hold out for a turbo. The automatics are faster, 0-60 in 6.8 or so.

How quick are the manuals?

A little slower, maybe 0-60 in 7.4 or so. A little more turbo lag on the manual cars.

wow that much lag?

wow that much lag?

Yup. Remember that you are looking at classic, old-school turbo technology. Car makers have learned a lot about turbos in the last 30 years. And in those days, obvious lag was expected from turbos.

The "old school" turbos are just miserable in stop-and go city driving. Especially hot. I'd bore out a NA, cam it, do whatever it takes before I'd suffer with another old-school turbo vehicle. And I've owned a half dozen, Subarus, Porsche, MR2...