'80s 300ZXs

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I know how you feel CFM, I remember when I gave my car that treatment. It's amazing how much whiter it was after I buffed it out by hand. My arms were dead afterwards, though. Took hours!
 
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Too bad you got stuck with an Auto trans though.;) My fist car was an auto trans when I was 16, and my 1982 Fiat Spider I got when I was 18 was too (bad luck as autos were so rare in those), but the 8 cars since then have been manual trans all the way. I'll NEVER buy another auto trans unless I end up with a leg amputation or something.:sick: Or possibly a Ferarri F430 with the paddle shifters (in my dreams anyway:dopey: ).
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Hey Todd,
Thanks again for the info. Today I fixed the rear lights, and cleaned my fuel gauge unit. I can now read the how much gas I have :dopey: YIPEE! Tomorrow I wash , compound and wax :crazy: . I'll put up a few pics to see if there's much of a difference.
I hear you on the auto. I'm 30 and I've never owned a car with auto. Although I couldn't pass this one up. You should see the service papers that came with the car. The first owner had it for 101 k. Now it has 105k. He did eveything to take care of it . At 100k he did a major tune-up with new hoses, belts, starter, alternator, plugs, distrubator cap and all the minors.Before that it reads like a how to on services for Z.
Even with the auto it still gets up and goes. :trouble: :trouble: Anyway I'm moving in a year to France so it will do. It's going to kill me to say goodbye to the car even though I've only had it for a week. I just say that the next owner is a lucky duck but for now I'm going to enjoy it. : :cheers:
 
bk911hm
Hey Todd,
Thanks again for the info. Today I fixed the rear lights, and cleaned my fuel gauge unit. I can now read the how much gas I have :dopey: YIPEE! Tomorrow I wash , compound and wax :crazy: . I'll put up a few pics to see if there's much of a difference.
I hear you on the auto. I'm 30 and I've never owned a car with auto. Although I couldn't pass this one up. You should see the service papers that came with the car. The first owner had it for 101 k. Now it has 105k. He did eveything to take care of it . At 100k he did a major tune-up with new hoses, belts, starter, alternator, plugs, distrubator cap and all the minors.Before that it reads like a how to on services for Z.
Even with the auto it still gets up and goes. :trouble: :trouble: Anyway I'm moving in a year to France so it will do. It's going to kill me to say goodbye to the car even though I've only had it for a week. I just say that the next owner is a lucky duck but for now I'm going to enjoy it. : :cheers:
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Let me know how the fuel sending unit works as you empty the tank. I was just going to replace mine since the cleaning doesn't always work out. Less hassle than cleaning, but if it worked out well for you, maybe I'll re-consider cleaning mine. Some people were saying that the guage isn't very accurate after cleaning. Have fun with the rubbing compound...hope you like a good arm workout.:) :crazy: BTW, how much did you pay for yours if you don't mind me asking?
 
CFM
Let me know how the fuel sending unit works as you empty the tank. I was just going to replace mine since the cleaning doesn't always work out. Less hassle than cleaning, but if it worked out well for you, maybe I'll re-consider cleaning mine. Some people were saying that the guage isn't very accurate after cleaning. Have fun with the rubbing compound...hope you like a good arm workout.:) :crazy: BTW, how much did you pay for yours if you don't mind me asking?
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Hey,
Your right about the accuracy. The Fuel gauge cleaning worked but not perfectly. I can only tell when it's empty or full, nothing in between. For me I don't think it's worth it. I'm just going to buy a new one. Here are a couple of links to get them if your looking.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/Mercha...n=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=25060-Z31DG
And...
http://www.nissanparts.cc/cart/?pn=25060-17P75

I paid $2100 for the car. Like I said before biggest problem is the mildew smell and the fuel gauge. It also needed new rear tires which cost $180 and now I'm I giving her a new alaignment for $69. She pulls a little at high speeds. Not bad I thought and the other thing is you can put a price on Love. :)
 
awesome looking zs guys 👍
so clean too, "its pretty" :sly:

i figure the "sleepy eye" headlight look began with these cars. my uncle had a z31 turbo back in the mid 90s. digital tach with cracked leather. sold it once california required car insurance tho.

anybody (from japan) have a "zr" by any chance? :)
 
Looks like CFM has great taste in cars. 👍 That "Z" is beautiful. I agree with Jugend on 80's cars. It's been growing on me a lot, also.
 
Same here. Unfortunately there aren't many on sale in Ontario, I quite like the '92 300ZX.
 
Well, as this appears to be the definitive thread for Z31's, I've got a few questions.
Do you guys know of any idiosyncrasies on these cars? What don't you like about them?
I'm asking because I'm thinking about an '85 ZX, 5 speed (From California, I believe, as it says 'California 5 speed' in the ad). "Faded paint". $2900 (So... whittle down to $2500 CDN or less). I haven't had the chance to call him on it yet, so more info will come as I get it.
Is there anything specific to look for when purchasing a Z? I've looked around and there appears to be nothing major. Injectors, rust in the trunk, digital dash, and leaky T-tops appear to be the only Z31-specific things to look out for.
Any advice to heed?
 
Slicks
Well, as this appears to be the definitive thread for Z31's, I've got a few questions.
Do you guys know of any idiosyncrasies on these cars? What don't you like about them?
I'm asking because I'm thinking about an '85 ZX, 5 speed (From California, I believe, as it says 'California 5 speed' in the ad). "Faded paint". $2900 (So... whittle down to $2500 CDN or less). I haven't had the chance to call him on it yet, so more info will come as I get it.
Is there anything specific to look for when purchasing a Z? I've looked around and there appears to be nothing major. Injectors, rust in the trunk, digital dash, and leaky T-tops appear to be the only Z31-specific things to look out for.
Any advice to heed?
Click to expand...

I just sold my 84 2+2 model Z.

The electronics are notoriously BAD in these cars. DO NOT GET A DIGITAL DASH CAR IF YOU CAN HELP IT!! But as far as engines go look at all the rubber vacumn hoses. If any of them look dry rotted or cracked...you have problems in the near future. There are alot of VERY important rubber parts under that hood and about a mile of vac hose. Even the dealerships sigh just thinking about having to replace it all. They just laughed when I asked how long of a job it is to replace all of it. The electrical connections are notorious for getting corroded and failing or just coming loose with age. And depending on which one can make the car run horribly. Injectors, MAF, CTS, TB are all common places for a bad connection causing problems. Also, rust.....rear QP will have rust on 70% of these cars. Mine being a Florida car had no rust but I have yet to see one up here rust free. Oh, and like any unibody car if there's any rear qp damage it's a $2k repair bill. And the last thing I'll tell you is T-Top leaks. 90% of these cars have T-Tops and 50% of those have leaks, mainly becuase the drain holes get plugged and nobody thinks to check it.

Go to Z31.com and get on there forum.

Good luck to ya. And even 2500 seems like too much. I sold mine for $1100 with 146k 5-sp ran perfect but needed body work on drivers side front fender ($200 to get fixed) and a good respray.

So yeah, sounds like anything over $2k is too much for this car. But you never know untill you drive it right??
 
Talked over the phone to the guy today, but haven't seen the car in person.
Here's what I took away from it.
1985 Nissan 300zx
From California to Canada 3 yrs ago
5-speed
red/ not flaking, faded paint
132000 miles
Price-2900 CDN (2630 US, with current exchange)
Auto/Standard-5 speed
Turbo-non
Trim - GL
Accidents- right door replaced, last owner claims no accident, sound otherwise
t-tops? yes, no leaks
2+2? 2 seater
When was it imported? (“California 5 speed”) 2 summers ago, spent $2200 on maintenance then,
Rust- None.
Mechanical condition- Strong motor, no smoke. Has new shocks and brakes, makes no noises.
Needs new bushings on rear suspension/shocks
Needs new rear tires, front tires are acceptable
Minor P/S leak (needs to be topped up every few months)
aftermarket CD
Unknown timing belt service

Digital dash- No
How long they’ve owned it- 3 years
Reason for selling- too many cars.

Smoker/Smoked in? Yes.
A/C? Does it work? Has A/C, works.
Cloth seats. Needs dash, has seat covers.


Whaddya guys think? Is it worth it?
 
Slicks
Needs new rear tires, front tires are acceptable
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Drifter? :p

j/k


It sounds pretty good to me (No rust, no leaks), you really need to go check it out for yourself to be sure.

I drove around a Z31 50th anniversary (non turbo, 5 speed) model for awhile, was a nice fun car but I felt the suspension was too soft.
 
Slicks
Needs new rear tires, front tires are acceptable
Click to expand...

Drifter? :p

j/k


It sounds pretty good to me (No rust, no leaks), you really need to go check it out for yourself to be sure.

I drove around a Z31 50th anniversary (non turbo, 5 speed) model for awhile, was a nice fun car but I felt the suspension was too soft.
 
Slicks
Needs new rear tires, front tires are acceptable
Click to expand...

Drifter? :p

j/k


It sounds pretty good to me (No rust, no leaks), you really need to go check it out for yourself to be sure.

I drove around a Z31 50th anniversary (non turbo, 5 speed) model for awhile, was a nice fun car but I felt the suspension was too soft.
 
*EDIT* OH god Sorry, GTP froze up and when I came back this happened
 
Don't think the guy's a drifter... Sounds too old on the phone.
Went to go look at it today, and he had moved it (Lives on a boat, had it parked in a lot, wasn't there today). I'm hoping he hasn't sold it.
 
Here's my '88 Z31 turbo.

Mods:
VG30ET
Z32 wheels
Open downpipe
Boost controller
Running 10psi on 93

Debating on whether or not to dump more money on it.
300zx26mv.jpg

300intr3re.jpg


The real toy is the 240Z Turbo... deserves its own thread...
 
MY
NEW
FAVORITE
THREAD

I love 300ZX's :D I know another person had 2! 300ZX's here on GTP.. I forgot who it was. You can add me to the list when I get mine :)
 
That was me... although ones a 280zx and the other was a Z32.... I just recently sold the Z32... and the 280zx is now sitting in my garage in a semi running state....
 
Syntax error
That was me... although ones a 280zx and the other was a Z32.... I just recently sold the Z32... and the 280zx is now sitting in my garage in a semi running state....
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O yeah thast right.. I forgot. Why did you get rid of your 300ZX? WHY WHY WHY!!! You could of given it to me. I would of taken it :D
 
Yoda, I'd would love to have kept it, but It was burning a hole in my pocket so large that I unfortunately had to make the executive decision... and sell it. It would have been fine, but I'm saving for my own house and 2 rego's, constantly rising fuel prices and insurance was all killing my other dreams. So for the time being the 280zx stays in the garage as my tinkering car, and I'll pick up a something cheap to run around with as a daily.

S30T, very nice looking Z. Usually not a big fan of the 31 but that one is so clean that you just might get hooked on buying another ...... :lol:
 
S30T, very nice looking Z. Usually not a big fan of the 31 but that one is so clean that you just might get hooked on buying another ...... :lol:
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Thanks. I like it. Going to see Tokyo Drift tonight and wish I could take the 240, but it needs tires baaaaaad, so instead I'll be rollin in the Z31. Eh, at least its loud.
 
Z31 are great car, know what you should do, do a RB26DETT swap....
From what i heard, the engine bay is large enough, unlike Z32. Get the power of the godzilla. More likely the engine will cost alot, as well as the conversion plus fitting a gear box with custom tail shaft. Im just saying, if you ever get the money to do a engine conversion.
 
HKS_T51KAI
Z31 are great car, know what you should do, do a RB26DETT swap....
From what i heard, the engine bay is large enough, unlike Z32.
Click to expand...

You can fit them in Z32's.

 
wow Viper, and I thought the VG looked a little cramped and messy in there.. hehe I've seen SR20's in there as well and apparently it's a good conversion as the weight of the car drops a bit under 200kg just from the engine swap.

Anyways, my 280 is now officially off the road. It's getting a full overhaul by me. I'm hunting for a new engine and the body will get striped soon as well hopefully. Still undecided on what engine to put in there. I'm split between A. L28 turbo, B. RB26DETT, or C. a big VG45. The L28 is purely a sentimental option and would keep the car in it's "original" state..... so it's tuff, plus there is also the cost of each option to consider....

Anyway, although it's not an 80's 300ZX, it is an 80'S Z.... '82 280ZX, so I'm gonna post some pics in this thread..

The car in the garage at work...
280garagechopchop2nn.jpg


Here is a little PS'd shot of me and my mates car at a bathurst cruise...
racein8tw.jpg


And this one is for Viper.... :sly:
sau24mr.jpg



Edit: and yes, if any one notices, they are series one rims on a series two... It came from the factory like that for some reason or other...
 
Nice pics 👍, I would love to do a Bathurst cruise sometime.


Heh SAU 👍
 
HKS_T51KAI
Z31 are great car, know what you should do, do a RB26DETT swap....
From what i heard, the engine bay is large enough, unlike Z32. Get the power of the godzilla. More likely the engine will cost alot, as well as the conversion plus fitting a gear box with custom tail shaft. Im just saying, if you ever get the money to do a engine conversion.
Click to expand...

With all the money and time you could put into that, you could have a mean ass vg30. They hold up to 500 hp stock, and mods are relatively cheap...
 

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