Best Z car for circuit

Hi everyone, I'm really interesting in joining a car club and getting into circuit racing. I love the 240z's, 260's, 280's even the old 300zx's. Apart from engine size what differences are there between the 240 to 280? And which one of these four would make the best circuit car? Thanks

I would imagine maybe the 240Z would be the best of the Datsun Zs. It's the lightest, and it's always easier to add power than reduce weight.

^ Ditto ^

The 240Z is the lightest and best for circut racing...

3rd. the 240Z is the lightest of them all, so it would be better to use that for circuit racing. and you could be like MikeMan on here (i think thats the guy) that swapped a SR20 into his 240Z and is fast as hell.

MikeMan is swapping a VG30DE into a Z31 last time I checked....?

Red-Neck and one of his buddies swapped in SR20DET's into thier S30 Z's...

So far I'm hearing that the 240's are the lightest cars. I though they are only lighter because of the engine that they run, being lighter. I though the actual cars themselves were pretty identical, hence same weight 'part from small little things.

So far I'm hearing that the 240's are the lightest cars. I though they are only lighter because of the engine that they run, being lighter. I though the actual cars themselves were pretty identical, hence same weight 'part from small little things.

260s and 280s had more safety features per NHTSA rules or whoever makes rules that fatten up cars.

240s were not the most powerful, but they were the lightest, fastest and most nimble of the S30 chassis.

Where do you live? I have one for sale.

I live in Melbourne, if a good one came up for sale I'd kick myself cause I couldn't really buy one now. Not that I don't have the money, just that I own 3 cars as it is, and I bought another car my parents would kill me. Plus it's getting hard for space, so my plans are I'll fix up my suzuki really nice like, and get rid of it maybe this summer, and then get a Z car. Hopefully get into racing. What are you selling anyways?

What are you selling anyways?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=452424

hehehe, not bloody likely, opposite side of the world.

I did some research on Z car specs, and it turns out that the 240 and 260 Z's are exactly the same dimensions, the 280zx is slightly bigger. So sticking with the 240 and 260, what are the differences between them? 'Part from the engine sizes.

Actually, the 240z, 260z and 280z are very very similar, the 280zx is very different. The 260z and 280z do weigh a bit more than the 240, i personally think the 280z makes up for it with the added displacement, but the 260z lacks a bit, even though it has 200 more cc's, the flat top carburetors are not good, they are very lacking, due to emissions regulation. A 240z with an l28e makes for a pretty good racer.

hehehe, not bloody likely, opposite side of the world.

I did some research on Z car specs, and it turns out that the 240 and 260 Z's are exactly the same dimensions, the 280zx is slightly bigger. So sticking with the 240 and 260, what are the differences between them? 'Part from the engine sizes.

Don't let the 2.4 liter engine fool ya... it was actually the most powerful combination in a Z until the Z31 came out... 240Zs were rated at 150 hp... which actually dropped until the 280z came out, but then the 280z is a good 700lbs heavier... not sure why, but all you have to do is open a door on a 280z vs a 240z, you'll immediately know its a heavier car.

Basically, from 1969 until 1974 1/2, the Z was unchanged except for engine displacement/carbs/smog (240z and fist half of 260z). Then from 74 -1/2 until '77 (second half of 260z and 280z) the car got huge bumpers, lots of sound deadening, beefier doors, different window glass (I think), more carpet... but, it also got a bigger engine with fuel-injection.... however power rating was still only 150hp. 79-83 saw the same 2.8 engine put into an updated but similar body- many, many more luxury items (a/c, t-tops, power windows, power steering, etc,etc) but in '81 it was also available with a turbo... so of course, the big thing now is to take a '81-'83 turbo motor, and retro-fit it into a 240z or early 260z...

To be fun on track, any Z before the Z32 will need better tires and suspension... they are all simply too soft... but with that being equal - the 240z IMO is the better track car... its the easiest to work on in your back yard, its got the power, its got the torque, its got the light weight. There's huge resources for parts & upgrades.

AND... since you're down-under... the right-hand drive cars will more easily accept swaps of RB series engines!! LOL

Anyway - good luck!!

Stacy King
Track Events Coordinator
Triangle Z Club / Tarheel Sports Car Club
North Carolina, USA

To be fun on track, any Z before the Z32 will need better tires and suspension... they are all simply too soft...

don't forget about the special edition 88 shiro.. it had stiffer suspension than most aftermarket parts do these days... as long as it hasn't been beaten on too hard it should still be pretty stiff.

Well to add more fuel to the 240Z fire, at Langley Speedway in Hampton VA, something like a 3/4mile oval track a 240Z is one of the fastest street cars that has run there, running a 19.5second lap. The other fast cars that broke into the 19s are a Integra Type-R and a dont laugh, 1977 Chevy Camaro......... that car is MEAN, also a 1995 Mitsu VR4. Although the Z32 NA and TT arent slouches either, the average times with good drivers in both those cars was in the mid 20second lap times. That was more than enough to eat a few Honda civics and a couple of boosted Civic EG-6s.