• 300zx Non Turbo?
    26 replies, posted
I've been looking for a 300zx as my second car and since i have such a low budget, i can't really find any Twin Turbos in good shape. So facepunch, i was wondering: is it worth it to buy a non turbo? is it still a fun/worthwhile car? maybe if I threw in a cold air intake and a good exhaust would that help?
You probably want to look more...
I'm only commenting on the info and reviews I've read about these cars but have never had the chance to drive one. They're not particularly slow by the looks of things, 230ish BHP, 7 seconds to 60, low 15s on 1/4 mile so it's no slouch car but you also have to remember it's also a heavy car weighing in at around 1500kgs so it probably wouldn't be pin-sharp through the corners but should still be pretty acceptable. The suspension will probably be pretty tired by now so if you can stretch the budget some new shocks, springs and bushes would give it a new lease of life. I've heard repairs can be pricey as there's not much room in the engine bay but buying the non-turbo should mean it's fairly reliable compared with the turbo providing it's been looked after. Breathing mods will be a good upgrade but might not be effective until you've had a proper tune up, to hazard a guess you might free up around 15-25 horses with a decent cold air intake and free flowing exhaust minus the cat, maybe more.
get a z31 instead
z32's suck, they're slow (don't let the 230hp rating fool you, they're heavy and make maybe 170 at the wheels), incredibly annoying to work on, and they're the least attractive of the series, imo. Buy a z31.
I think the Z32 LOOKS good, but they're an awful platform. Underpowered and overweight. Z31 is alright but my least favorite Z car. I say Z30. Not the fastest, but definitely has some class.
Buncha friends told me about a wrong decision if I bought a Z32. Super awkward engine placement and it's quite short for drifting. I was this close to buying an automatic one. Settled for a 5-speed 240sx :)
[QUOTE=bradley;35688374]I think the Z32 LOOKS good, but they're an awful platform. Underpowered and overweight. Z31 is alright but my least favorite Z car. I say Z30. Not the fastest, but definitely has some class.[/QUOTE] Don't you mean s30?
[QUOTE=Aetna;35697309]Don't you mean s30?[/QUOTE] No, I meant Z30.
What would that be? If you mean the 280ZX, those are called S130.
*shrug* I've heard it called both. But they're currently the cheapest Z car and are a decent platform, it's what I'd go for if I really wanted to get one.
[QUOTE=bradley;35697715]No, I meant Z30.[/QUOTE] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_S30]All 280/260/240z's are the s30 generation.[/url] I've never, ever heard anyone online or in person call them z30's.
[QUOTE=Aetna;35698764][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_S30]All 280/260/240z's are the s30 generation.[/url] I've never, ever heard anyone online or in person call them z30's.[/QUOTE] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datsun_280ZX]That would work if I was talking about an S30.[/url] [editline]24th April 2012[/editline] As snaker said, it's the "S130", but I've heard it referred to as a "Z30" as well. It's more of an incorrect way of saying it but it harkens to the basic platform it shares with the later 300ZX.
[QUOTE=bradley;35698898][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datsun_280ZX]That would work if I was talking about an S30.[/url] [editline]24th April 2012[/editline] As snaker said, it's the "S130", but I've heard it referred to as a "Z30" as well. It's more of an incorrect way of saying it but it harkens to the basic platform it shares with the later 300ZX.[/QUOTE] The s130 is terrible though. :( It was literally the worst generation of Z; the heaviest, most gutless, and most difficult to work on apart from the z32.
They weren't the most difficult to work on, at all. They aren't as bad as they are made out to be. Heaviest? No, the Z31 and Z32 were heavier. Most gutless? It had the most horsepower out of all pre-300ZX Z cars, considering the 280Z shared the same engine. Especially in turbo trim, where it had 20 more horsepower than the non-turbo Z31 with the VG30E, which was a much more modern engine with modern electronics. I personally like the 280ZX platform better than the S30 and the Z31/Z32, but it's definitely far from the best looking Z car.
[QUOTE=bradley;35699931]They weren't the most difficult to work on, at all. They aren't as bad as they are made out to be. Heaviest? No, the Z31 and Z32 were heavier. Most gutless? It had the most horsepower out of all pre-300ZX Z cars, considering the 280Z shared the same engine. Especially in turbo trim, where it had 20 more horsepower than the non-turbo Z31 with the VG30E, which was a much more modern engine with modern electronics. I personally like the 280ZX platform better than the S30 and the Z31/Z32, but it's definitely far from the best looking Z car.[/QUOTE] They're still heavier than the s30, which is a much better platform from a suspension/power perspective. I've read many complains about the squirlyness of the s130 compared to the s30 platform, and its pathetic cornering and lap times in comparison. The s30 and z31 made more power than the s130, both N/A and boosted. The numbers are hardly comparable as it is, they're incredibly close. N/A the vg30 made 153, while the l28 made 145. The [b]original[/b] 240z STILL made more power at 151hp, but feels even faster due to being nearly 200 pounds lighter. And with the z32, what it lacked in weight it at least made up for in power with a much better power/weight ratio, and a very sporty suspension that's incredibly fun to toss around. If you dig around on the forums, the s130 platform is the least preferred of all builds, due to its uninspiring suspension and power. Not to mention it's a pretty ugly transition of a s30 and a z31.
Alright, whatever. ¯\(°_o)/¯ Comparing the S130 to the S30 is apples and oranges -- The S130 is the Z31/Z32's blood brother. That's who should get the comparison. Sure, the 300ZX made more power, but they also had better, modern engines. And they cost more, currently. Don't compare two entirely different platforms, though. A Z31 and an S130 will both handle just as shitty compared to the S30.
[QUOTE=bradley;35701543]Alright, whatever. ¯\(°_o)/¯ Comparing the S130 to the S30 is apples and oranges -- The S130 is the Z31/Z32's blood brother. That's who should get the comparison. Sure, the 300ZX made more power, but they also had better, modern engines. And they cost more, currently. Don't compare two entirely different platforms, though. A Z31 and an S130 will both handle just as shitty compared to the S30.[/QUOTE] Fair enough, fair enough. And dude, thanks for debating with me without being a dick. I think that's the first car argument I've had in weeks that someone didn't get heated over nothing.
[QUOTE=Aetna;35701611]Fair enough, fair enough. And dude, thanks for debating with me without being a dick. I think that's the first car argument I've had in weeks that someone didn't get heated over nothing.[/QUOTE] Psh, I don't get my panties in a wad over opinions. I try to be a bro when I'm talking about cars. I don't want to upset anyone and I don't want to get butthurt. I'd like to hope everyone here feels that way. But I know it's... otherwise. :P
This thread is dead as fuck, but I too am looking for a 300zx as my second car (to replace my E46). I'd love to hear your inputs on the matter.
Shit engines. That is all. [editline]28th June 2013[/editline] VG30 is literally trash.
[QUOTE=TinyTank;41220663]This thread is dead as fuck, but I too am looking for a 300zx as my second car (to replace my E46). I'd love to hear your inputs on the matter.[/QUOTE] Just read a few posts above you dude and please don't necropost again. Just post in General Discussion The car looks good but completely sucks bollocks. They are a pain to fix and maintain. The parts are also getting harder and harder to come across. So goodluck if you break your door handle or headlight assembly. That rare relay? Yeah, not going to happen. Just; buy a 240SX preferrably S13 version if you want the looks AND ease of maintenance. That's me though
[QUOTE=Deadman123;41224401]Shit engines. That is all. [editline]28th June 2013[/editline] VG30 is literally trash.[/QUOTE] This man speaks from inexperience. Nothing wrong with a VG30 provided it's maintained, like EVERY MOTOR EVER. It's just gutless and eats gas. My buddy is running a VG30ET powerplant in his s13 making over 380hp at the wheels for the past 32k and hasn't blown it up yet.
Better to buy an NA and drop a turbo in it, or buy the car already TT'ed?
Are we trying to summon Bradley again or something?
I'm P sure the 300sx is one of the overrated cars. You're paying out of your ass for it's looks.
To end discussion: Don't buy one unless you have deep pockets, small arms, and a motorswap planned out. Or, if you're an enthusiast / collector. But c'mon, this is racekor.
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