A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I inherited two light blue 1979 280zx and one black 1987 300zx. I am trying to decide which to keep and restore (since I probably can't afford to do both). My dad originally intended to combine the two 1979 280zx into one good car. One ran OK but had a damaged right fender, and the other didn't run very well but had a good body. The one that ran was driven into the garage (took quite some tries to get it started) a few years ago. I guess the other one was strictly for parts. I haven't inspected them in a while, so it is hard to say exactly what would need to be done to combine them into one good car. I can't remember the condition of the interiors. The 1987 300zx ran when it was put into the garage a few years ago, but I think it still needed some engine-type work to put it in good running condition. The exterior is OK, but the interior needs some help as I can recall from checking it out a couple years ago. So I am looking for opinions on whether I should go for restoring the 1979 280zx or the 1987 300zx.
Any opinions? Is there one car that is inherently "better" than the other for investment purposes? Or easier to maintain/find parts? What about fixing up the interiors? I am not a do-it-yourself type person, and would need a professional to do any work needed, but I am willing to spend what it takes (within reason!) to be able to drive one of these cars with pride. Do I need to find a specialist, or would any mechanic/detail shop be able to do the work?
I am going back to my home town where the cars are this weekend (6-hour drive), and plan to tow one of them back here to take a look at getting into good/driving condition.
Thanks for any advice you may have to help make this decision!
A:
If you dont like FI, the 280ZX can be carbed. But the 87'ZX is an all around better car.
A:
280zx, it just looks better, and it has much more potential and its easy to work on, and......
73' 240z: F54 4.2L, OS Giken LY DOHC Crossflow head, 17:3comp.ratio, N33, Tripple SU's, T10 Hybrid Draw-Through TT @ 47pds, Roots&Centrifugal Type supercharger, 3-2-1 headers, Centerforce 4 clutch, 6oz flywheel, R300 differential, Super-Hicas
A:
all around better car? very subjective opinion. i'll have to say the 280 and yes that is a very biased opinion because its the best, hehe
82 NA 5 spd
77 4 spd
A:
man... its an 87 though... the looks are improved.
id keep both... well all 3... but thats me.
77Z- (mfg. 7/77)
"Arm-chair Autox'er"
A:
There is nothing like the old Z. The sugar scoop headlights were it's trademark. The 87 nonturbo would blow the wheels off an 83 turbo. In 84 they went from a straight 6 to a v-6. Very smooth. The restored 79 will get more girls!
A:
Neither car is worth anything from a collectors standpoint.
At the risk of offending some, the Z31 is seen by many as the low point in the Z's evolution. On the other hand, the Z31 if properly cared for is a great road car. But--I think it's about 500 pounds heavier than the 280zx.
I had a 280zx (an '81ZXT actually). It was a great car to drive, easy to work on and very rewarding. Personally, I like the looks of the 280ZX a little better than the first gen 300 but that's really a matter of taste.
Since neither car has much collector car value, I'd suggest you get both cars running, then make the decision as to which you want to finish.
Dan
Its the pedal on the right, use it or move over.
A:
Are there any other earlier Z's engines capable of 1000HP?
http://www.race-cars.com/engsales/other/1146616613/1146616613ss.htm
Not bad for a low point if you ask me! ;)
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
Post Edited (Aug 8, 8:51pm)
A:
A bunch of parts? In Australia?
Sell all three and get an S30
RR
72 240
A:
Haha, so the answer is no then ;)
To be honest kns711 you aint going to get a non-biased answer here. Most users on this forum love their own Z and hate the others, and I say most, not all of us are as simple minded as that. You're best off to research the pros and cons of each car and then judge it for yourself from there depending on what it is you're looking for.
Have a look at some modified Zs of each, look at the power comparisons and anything else which will help your decision and go from there. Asking here is really pointless about these types of things, do some searching and see what it is you want out of the car and base your choice off that.
Hope that helps!
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
Post Edited (Aug 8, 9:00pm)
A:
"The 87 nonturbo would blow the wheels off an 83 turbo"
Wow.
From zhome.com
81 ZXT (AT) 6.8 15.2 89 .78 70 196 126 180/5600 203/2800 3070 CD 5/81
81 ZXT (AT) 7.4 15.6 88 .75 60 164 129 180/5600 203/2800 2995 RT 5/81
81 ZXT 7.1 15.2 89 .76 70 196 135 180/5600 203/2800 2960 CD 12/81
81 ZXT --- 15.3 93 --- -- --- --- 180/5600 203/2800 ---- E Brinkman
81 ZXT (AT) 7.7 15.9 88 --- 60 150 --- 180/5600 203/2800 2867 MT 2/82
82 ZX 9.1 16.8 82 .69 60 165 123 145/5500 166/3000 2825 RT 82
82 ZXT 7.9 16.1 86 .75 60 164 126 180/5600 203/2800 2990 RT 12/82
87 ZXT 7.9 15.8 89 .79 60 144 137 200/5200 227/3600 ---- MT 6/87
87 ZXT 7.8 15.9 88 --- -- --- 137 200/5200 227/3600 ---- HR 8/87
86 ZX 9.1 16.9 82 .77 60 148 128 160/5200 173/3600 3240 RT 86
Lower power and still practically the same 1/4 mile times as the 300zxt.
The 300zx NA, like the 280zx NA, is really slow. Period.
I'd keep the 280zx because they are more simplistic, easier to work on, and can easily make it to +250k miles without a rebuild.
But then again I agree with orange72zGuY above, sell them all and buy a first gen ;)
Mario
1976 280Z - Dad's Z (turbo swap?)
1978 280Z - Stock Rebuild | 5 Speed | Twice Pipes | Gutted
1982 280ZX - Turbo | MSnS-E | 5 Speed | Large NPR IC
BROKE: Will build computers, webpages, networks, MS units, troubleshoot computers for money
A:
They must be like lego engines to work on then, because the VG30 is far from difficult to work on and I've only been working on my own car for 6 months but I agree the NA is slow. Turbocharge it if you keep the 87...
"A stock 300ZX Turbo, when it was released in Japan in 1983, became the car with the highest HP available in a Japanese standard production car."
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
"The 87 nonturbo would blow the wheels off an 83 turbo"
I'm glad mario cleared that up by posting those times becuase thats just a bad comment. The 300zx non turbo in good condition will see roughly low to mid 16's. On the other hand so will a 280zx non turbo. As far as weight goes they aren't that much different. A 79 280zx probably weights about 2800-2900lbs and the 87 300zx probably about 3100lbs.
As for whats "easier" to restor I would have to say the 280zx. There are many more parts available as well as better parts interchangabilit with the older Z's. You'll find with the 300zx getting stock or aftermarket parts are much harder and expensive to get.
The 300zx is also more advanced than the 280zx as far as the engine and electronics are concerned. The 300zx is harder to work on and more expensive to work on than the 280zx, but the 300zx is by no means hard to work on.
Both were designed more for GT rather than sports car. In the GT catergory the 300zx is by far better in stock form. Now if you want to talk modified the 280zx would be much better, cheaper, easier to do. The only way the 300zx would come out on top is if it was a turbo 300zx. I love my 300zx but even modified it's by no means fast. My 280z is better in every category except brakes and smoothness at high speeds (100+).
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Well said... Good explanations, much better than the brainless "sell them and buy the Z I have" answers that are all so popular around here.
Although it's quite easy to turbocharge a VG30E, I agree that further modifications are by no means cheap. On a tight budget you are probably better off with the 280zx as mentioned above but throw a turbo at your VG and it changes the game all together but the turbo game is an expensive one and possibly not the best thing for your situation right now if you're on a tight budget.
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
Post Edited (Aug 8, 9:58pm)
A:
Welcome to ZCAR.COM
RR
72 240
A:
Everybody has an opinion here.
Yours is the only one that counts.
I love my 280 7 my 300. Each has her own character.
Get them running as cheap as you can and drive them and decide. Maybe both is possible.
Not everyone wants to race their car. Don't worry about it.
Collector's value - don't count on it or worry about it. They are bargains now but may go up in the future as more people discover the fun and passion we have for these cars.
Just don't expect to retire on the sale of one. You'll likely never sell either car for the money you put into it.
None of that counts. The only thing that matters is do you love to drive the car - either one or both?
Do you smile when you drive it?
Do you make excusses to drive it more?
Do you wish to drive it more when you're not driving it?
Only you will know for sure - and check these posts in the past - I don't think there is a Z car lover who has not regretted getting rid of one.
Ed and Jeanne's
ZXelda 1981 280 ZXT: ZXena 1990 300 ZX
1941 Buick Special Sedanette (Betty)
1956 Dodge Royal (Dorothy)
1971 Buick Riviera (Rita)
1975 Ford F-150 Stepside (Fiona)
1992 Firebird (Frieda)
A:
Throw a turbo on a l28 ( REALLY EASY .. you dont even heave to remove the engine .. and blow the doors of al z31 all day long :)
IT is easier less sucky on electronics ( esp the 79) more parts available ... weighs less ..
You can sleep in your car, but cant drive in your house
if you are fully in control, you are not driving fast enough!
79 ZXR 46K!
81 ZXT EURO 2+2
83 ZXT
All fine Fastback winnabego's
A:
Stock for stock, maybe due to the weight differences; both heavily modified would be a good race though ;)
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
the zx would be a WHOLE lot cheaper than the z31 to mod ..
but lets tsop the endles discussion as nobody is right it is personal prefference .. i think a z31 mosty are very unapealing others think a 280zx does .. ooh well to each its own ..
what desing do YOU like better
You can sleep in your car, but cant drive in your house
if you are fully in control, you are not driving fast enough!
79 ZXR 46K!
81 ZXT EURO 2+2
83 ZXT
All fine Fastback winnabego's
A:
Pretty much what I said above. Being that the guy is on a budget, a Z31 probably wouldn't be his best choice for his personal situation due the costs of modifying it.
An interesting statistic I found in my Z book I got here, is that a naturally aspirated sock Z31 does 0-60mph in the same time (9.2 seconds) as a stock NA 280zx. Although alot of those stats dont apply here as JDM Z31's are rated at 20HP or so more than the USDM model but still an interesting fact none the less.
I personally would like to get a 240Z one day and drop an L28 into it. Best combo in the earlier Z's performance wise you think?
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
Post Edited (Aug 9, 12:55am)
A:
There isnt anything that the 280ZX is better in when compared to the 300ZX except it may be a little lighter (if both stripped to race style they may be closer). Not stating my opinion, just meaning the technical facts. Braking, chassi, suspension, motor is larger & V'd and still SOHC'd. Just two down falls to the 300ZX, (1) very difficult to carb motor because you cant get a distributor for it (2) the after market market skipped this generation Z in race body upgrades and other things. Though you can still find alot for the motor.
A:
"An interesting statistic I found in my Z book I got here, is that a naturally aspirated sock Z31 does 0-60mph in the same time (9.2 seconds) as a stock NA 280zx"
Don't trust books and mags that you read too much. Most info I've found in books, mags, and online sources have completely wrong facts about the older Z's, including the Z31. The standard known for the 300zx non turbo is that 0-60 is 8.4 secs and 1/4 mile is 16.4 secs at 84mph. Also the 300zx was better in every way compared to the 280zx. It had faster acceleration, better handling, better brakes, better aero, etc. The only reason people would say the 280zx is better is for personal choice, meaning it's cheaper, ligher, looks better, easier to mod, etc. Stock for stock the 300zx is just better when it comes down to facts, but when it comes to personal opinion it's up to the person.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
of all the Z31 i've driven the steering feels numb compared to a 280. can't stand most of the aftermarket exhausts i've heard on them, look goofy, and i think that the 280 will respond better to mods with more options to do so, if we are only comparing the NAs, turbos would probably be more equal. just my opinions.
82 NA 5 spd
77 4 spd
A:
Yeah the Z31 has power steering which has its +'s & -'s. May not like most of their exhausts because not many are taken to the level the older Z cars are. But with the N/A, you can get some high flow heads, seeing they are split 3 into 1 (x2). You will get better flow than 4 into 1 when comparing the usual aftermarket head. 300ZX is a great street machine, just sux you cant get it to the level you can a Z with aftermarket parts. Plus it is more complex and gadgety. But off of the factory line, it is better than a Z off of the factory line.
A:
too bad they've been off the factory line for about 20 years now.
82 NA 5 spd
77 4 spd
A:
My 18 year old Turbo 300ZX makes the same HP it made from the factory, according to the dyno I put it on last year. 80k on the odo too.
88 300ZX Turbo Shiro Special (SS): K&N filter, HKS Exhaust.
God created Turbo lag so V8's could stand a chance.
A:
lol It's funny that some of you are talking about not having carbs is a bad thing, and that power steering is also a bad thing. I can see why it would be not so good for some of the older guys who prefer a more raw driving experience, but I personally wouldn't give up my EFI or powersteering for anything.
I'll admit one thing that there isn't alot of aftermarket "bolt-on" support for the Z31 but that's what makes modifying them all that much more special because almost everything is custom and you dont get the regular honda-loving ricers modifying them easily. But aftermarket body upgrades are everywhere and more plentiful than any other Z that I know of you just need to know where to look, i.e Japan :)
280z/300zx hit the nail right on the head about it being a personal perference, and it's going to come down to driving style and cosmetic tastes. Some guys like technological advancements whereas others are just too old school to care about the extras. I think that's good because it gives us each an aspect to like/dislike without actually talking sh!t on the car itself. It's more of an era thing with old technology and new techology. Some people dont like the lines of the z31 but it's an 80's car and that's what was in at the time, whereas others dont like the 70's cars because of the lack of unique design and eletronic toys. It's apples and oranges really, it's like trying to convince a turbo guy that V8's are better and vice versa; you're not going to get too far with that hehe
Personally I like them all, and each have their place in the Z timeline...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
Not like EFI is over my head or anything. Just a hassle, more costly, and a pain to work on/with. You can also save weight & complexity by stripping out all of the extra EFI stuff, gadgets, & the modern styling things. I know what you mean with the arguement. And I agree. But you can always turbo a V8. :-D
A:
I'm not an experienced mechanic by any stretch of the word, and I dont find any problems working with EFI systems. Not much can beat a beasty fuel rail, high flow fuel pump with big ass injectors controlled by a laptop operated ECU. But then again if you want cheap, the Z31 isn't the avenue for you modifications wise but that's the same with any EFI turbo car.
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
"man... its an 87 though... the looks are improved."
Once again, very subjective. That would be like saying the looks of the 87 Camaro's looks are improved over the 69's.
But if you think about it, the 80s was a crap decade for a lot of cars.
God must love stupid people, he made SOOOOO many of them!
A:
Some would say the same with the 70's as the 240 isn't exactly an original, unique design after all.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter, we all have our likes and dislikes but there's one thing that they all share in common and to me that's all that matters... They're all Z's :)
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
sportdriver, not to be rude by any means but, your car made the same horsepower with an HKS exhaust and high flow air filters as it did new without those add-ons? or was the dyno pre-mods? i hope it was pre mods or you lost probably 15 HP being the exhausts seem to wake up turbo cars. nice to see a car with an exhaust that was tuned for it by the way.
82 NA 5 spd
77 4 spd
A:
Any opinions?
- Haha heaps of them here, i own a 280zx and i like it alot, but z31's are a cool retro car too
Is there one car that is inherently "better" than the other for investment purposes?
- Investment? You have 2 x 280zx and 1 x 300zx, and the 280zx will increase in value quicker as it is an older car... My vote goes 280zx there
Or easier to maintain/find parts?
- Lots of wrecked both around the place...
What about fixing up the interiors?
- Same as above, and if you want you can get creative, its pretty basic inside both...
I am not a do-it-yourself type person, and would need a professional to do any work needed, but I am willing to spend what it takes (within reason!) to be able to drive one of these cars with pride. Do I need to find a specialist, or would any mechanic/detail shop be able to do the work?
- Any can you get thats been sitting for a bit will probably have rust and will require a fair amount of work and/or $$$... the 280zx is my choice, but if you want a running car quickly and cheaply it looks like the 300zx is a better option. If you find a Z specialist, they might be more expensive on some work, however when it comes to sourcing parts they will have access to the best range and good prices - so it pays off.
Personally, I let very few people touch either my 280zx or my gf's R33 GTS-T Skyline - but if your going let them play, make sure your trust them and know where they live...
Either way - good luck with your project and I hope you enjoy the car :)
82 (RHD - Aust) 280zx 2+2 T-Top, 17inch GeWalt Wheels 235/45's, MSD 6-BTM, Intake and Exhaust work, Lovells Springs, Koni Shocks, Noltec Bushes - stereo got stolen :(
A:
From a purely statistical, unemotional, factual standpoint, the 1979 280ZX was the BEST SELLING Z-CAR EVER.
That means, for someone owning one, on a budget, finding jy parts will be easier than any other single model.
For that reason alone, it is the superior vehicle given your set of circumstances. Cheap parts, lots of em, and plenty of upgrades from later years models in the same production run.
People Are Idiots, Just look around here and you will see!
Tony D: "Knowledgeable but Caustic"... rationull
My brother from another mother calls himself "Willie D"