'80s 300ZXs

[Omen87]

Anyone besides me own one?

 

[Jay]

Nice, do they have Turbo Z31's in the US?

 

[CFM]

Nice, do they have Turbo Z31's in the US?

Yes, here's mine. A 1988 model. 205 HP, 220 Ft/Lbs Tq. All stock.

I think if I have the money this summer I might put on a high-flow intake, get a custom bent 3" exhaust all the way from the turbo back with no mufflers, and turn up the boost about 5 lbs with a MBC. Shouldn't cost more than $400, should add about 30-40 HP. I'll probably end up spending the money getting a full exhaust for my MX-5 Turbo though. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Jay]

Your Z31 is in looks brand new 👍, What engines do the US versions use? VG30ET, VG30DET?

Or didnt they change anything on the US versions like they did with Silvias.

 

[CFM]

Your Z31 is in looks brand new 👍, What engines do the US versions use? VG30ET, VG30DET?

Or didnt they change anything on the US versions like they did with Silvias.

Is is in awesome condition. I got it for $3200, and it only has 69,000 miles on it. I scrubbed it all up, waxed it, fixed a water leak in the taillight seal, cleaned the interior, and now it's like new again. Shiny paint to boot. Everything works except for the oil temperatue guage, thats a project for this summer. I can't wait to take the T-Tops off when it gets warm enough.

I don't know engine codes and whatnot. It's a 3.0 liter V6 with a 5 psi turbo. That's all I know.

 

[Jay]

Sounds like a great buy.

Sorry about the codes, is it single or double overhead cam?

 

[CFM]

It's SOHC for this generation in the US, 1984-1989.

 

[Jay]

It's SOHC for this generation in the US, 1984-1989.

Yeah I though it would be, good to see they didnt tone it down for the US market like they did for the 240sx.

 

[Jugend]

Is is in awesome condition. I got it for $3200, and it only has 69,000 miles on it. I scrubbed it all up, waxed it, fixed a water leak in the taillight seal, cleaned the interior, and now it's like new again. Shiny paint to boot. Everything works except for the oil temperatue guage, thats a project for this summer. I can't wait to take the T-Tops off when it gets warm enough.

I don't know engine codes and whatnot. It's a 3.0 liter V6 with a 5 psi turbo. That's all I know.

It's an awesome car you got there. Love the all through original (is it?) 80's condition on it. Please keep it so.

 

[CFM]

It's an awesome car you got there. Love the all through original (is it?) 80's condition on it. Please keep it so.

I'm not going to rice it out if that's what you mean. Anything I change will be removable, if I do anything at all. I kind of feel the same way as you do about preserving a classic. A lot of the features it has are really ahead of it's time for 1988, electronic 3-way adjustable suspension (still works), 8-way power lumbar seats, steering wheel controls for the stereo, heated mirrors, lap timer, etc. No wonder it cost over $25 grand way back then. It was the beginning of the japanese sports cars outpricing their market here in the US.

 

[Jugend]

I'm not going to rice it out if that's what you mean. Anything I change will be removable, if I do anything at all. I kind of feel the same way as you do about preserving a classic. A lot of the features it has are really ahead of it's time for 1988, electronic 3-way adjustable suspension (still works), 8-way power lumbar seats, steering wheel controls for the stereo, heated mirrors, lap timer, etc. No wonder it cost over $25 grand way back then. It was the beginning of the japanese sports cars outpricing their market here in the US.

I'm not talking about ricing it out, just though that it's better to keep it in it's very original shape than to do eventual small mods like removing a badge or get a less conspicious antenna to make it a bit cleaner. 80's cardesign is growing in my eyes very rapidly these days. Coming classics.

But it sounds as you're on that line too. 👍

 

[Omen87]

Yes, here's mine. A 1988 model. 205 HP, 220 Ft/Lbs Tq. All stock.

I think if I have the money this summer I might put on a high-flow intake, get a custom bent 3" exhaust all the way from the turbo back with no mufflers, and turn up the boost about 5 lbs with a MBC. Shouldn't cost more than $400, should add about 30-40 HP. I'll probably end up spending the money getting a full exhaust for my MX-5 Turbo though. Decisions, decisions.

Yours looks really nice man, awesome. The paint is still nice and shiny on mine too, however, the front end has some rock chips and the guy who owned it before me did a really crappy job of trying to fix some scratches. This car was in Kansas City, MO for about 18 years so it's got a few. Now it's living in a much more vehicle safe town of only about 45 thousand people. Mine's bone stock, I have the digital instrument cluster, which I have to say is just plain cool.

It has only minor problems. The A/C compressor squeals when it's engaged, and the oil pressure sending unit doesn't work, and the fuel sending unit is off by quite a bit, but it hasn't left me anywhere without fuel yet. Also, it has a small leak in a vent line from the fuel tank. But all these were common problems with the Z31s except the A/C problem.

 

[CFM]

Mine has about 300 tiny rock chips on the hood. The car is originally from Montana, I think he did some driving on the "no speed limit" highways they used to have. They ended up changing that law though, I think.

The previous owner had all new accessories belts put on, so maybe mine had an A/C compressor squeal also. If you want an oil pressure sending unit, you can get one from www.victoriabritish.com for $40. I'd suggest you get their free catalog for Z cars, it has lots of good info in it.

Hopefully your digital dash will keep working, those are notorious for failure.

P.S. Is yours a 1986 model?

 

[240Z]

No one has a non-turbo? I've got some non-turbo wheels for an 80s 300ZX that I need to sell. They were on my car when I bought them, but now I've got BRE-style wheels.

 

[car fan]

i have a 1992 zx but no good pics

 

[El Barto]

I don't know engine codes and whatnot.

the Z31 300ZX has the VG30ET and VG30E engines.
VG = no real meaning, just the name nissan gave it
30 = engine size (3.0 liters)
E = fuel injected
T = turbo charged

I'm not sure why I know that. I probobly discovered it when I was trying to find info on my 90 Maxima, which has the VG30E.

BTW, nice Z. I saw a black one at school today, but it looked like ****, covered in rust.

 

[Shentar]

I have an 86 300ZX Turbo. I love that car. I can't drive it anymore because I went to college and the car stayed at home. Its red, has the digital dash, leather seats.. everything they had as an option.
They are cool cars. The US cars have the same engine as the Japanese ones, but they US cars are slower. The US cars put out 200hp and the Japanese ones put out 230hp. The difference was a more aggressive camshaft and better flowing intake and echaust manifolds. I actually ended up putting a JDM engine in my Z31 when the other engine developed problems. Unfortunately I had to use the US manifolds. I still have all the JDM manifolds though and you can see the differences.

 

[Thirdeye]

I might be getting this:

1985 300zx (non-turbo) only $3000. Has a cd-player, t-tops, alloys, etc. It's a california car so no rust. It has a few tiny cosmetic problems (some paint chips on the black paint under the lights, the front left fender strip is coming off, and the spoiler could use a replacing), but damn, the paint looks like new aside from those light chips on the black front. I hope the miles aren't too high... I called them but they weren't home. Oh yeah, it's got brand new tires too.

 

[Jay]

Pic not working.

 

[Thirdeye]

Works on mine, probably cached... i'll use imageshack and edit it.

 

[Thirdeye]

There we go

 

[Thirdeye]

Guess I won't be getting that one. 160,000 miles :-/

 

[bk911hm]

Hi everyone,
I just picked one up last week. It's a 87 2+2 non. It was sitting for five months with water in the trunk. Oh the smell! I stripped out the inside and cleaned all the carpets but the smell is still there. Not as bad but still there. Besides that it needs a new fuel sender and lots of elbow grease. It's paint could use a good compound and the rims need a little work. I LOVE IT! Fast, smooth, comfortable and looks good too. For a car thats 18 years old it better than most cars todaY. Here's some pics. If anyone has any suggestions for the mildew smell I'll be more then glad to hear them.

Thanks, Ben

 

[blargonator]

well, i can't help you with the smell, but autopia probably can <8- ) http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html and i recommend downloading the free book, i have been reading a section a day and i have been learning a lot about car care.

 

[Jay]

Nice Z, enjoy it 👍

 

[CFM]

Spent all weekend detailing mine, did a complete wash / rubbing compund / wash / wax. It really took a lot of the oxidation off of the paint, but boy my arms are tired. Took about 5 hours, plus another hour and a half scrubbing the 17 years' worth of brake dust build up off the rims. But it was worth the effort, looks nice and shiny again. The rims turned out better than expected also.👍

Not bad for an old girl. I'm starting to think I got a really good deal on this car, as I saw some non-turbos with over 150,000 miles going for $3000 or higher recently. Some of the prices on Ebay were really suprising too. I only paid $3200 for mine last fall and it has 71,500 miles now. If I knew I could get about $4500 for mine I'd be really tempted to sell it.

Hope you enjoy your new wheels bk911hm.👍 Sent you a PM about the leaks, hope it helps. 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. Or possibly a Ferarri F430 with the paddle shifters (in my dreams anyway ).

 

[Jay]

Wow your Z came up GREAT! Too bad you cant come and do my car

 

[CFM]

Wow your Z came up GREAT! Too bad you cant come and do my car

Buy me a plane ticket and I'll detail your car for free.👍 Well, maybe gimmie a sandwich and a brew also.

 

[Small_Fryz]

A vegemite sandwhich???

Great car Todd! 👍

Do you drive it much?

 

[CFM]

A vegemite sandwhich???

Great car Todd! 👍

Do you drive it much?

Thanks Dion. Yea, I alternate between driving the Z and the MX-5 to work. I mostly use the Z for running errands, and the MX-5 for long drives or pleasure crusing. The MX-5 gets put in storage out of the snow from about Dec. to Apr. so the Z gets all the drive time in the snow. It's a blst to drive in the snow since it's so heavy, gets good traction and does great drifts. We have my wife's '99 Mazda Protege also for the snow. I usually only put in about 5000 miles a year total on cars as everything is nearby where I live.