The 300zx

Hey I was wondering if it is worth getting a 1986 300zx non-turbo as a first car/first drifter and what would be some of the problems with the car.

i dont know, pretty heavy car it hasn't been done very well in the past, but i have seen the 300zx drifting before, you could try it and be the first though.

no problems, the engine is good because it has alot of torque.

that would make an excellent first car as well.

well i've just heard weight distribution is pretty bad, and weight itself, its somewhat of a haevy car.

It can be done, Z's are great little drift cars. They tend to be nose heavy, so a bit of braking and a slight turn in can get the rear to brake lose if you time it right.

The VG30 should do ya good, just make sure it's in proper running condition before you start to hammer the shit outta it.

they arnt very stable cars, they are heavy and they dont handle well, just go with a 240 and get an sr20, 300zx's are to expensive any way.

WHERE the fuck is iviadrift?

WHERE the fuck is iviadrift?

Miss me? Wow... it's been awhile.


they arnt very stable cars, they are heavy and they dont handle well, just go with a 240 and get an sr20, 300zx's are to expensive any way.

Not stable??? Z cars are one of the better handling cars out there. 240's and SR's? Pfft. Like that hasn't been done a million times, huh?


As far as a Z31 NA goes... they have good HP and Torque as already mentioned. A little heavy yeah... but if you are interested in the older models like the 240Z then they get lighter but get heavier through the years. The Z car can be called ONE of the original drifter cars IMO... since they were around at the time of the birth of the drift scene in the '60s. As far as expensive? Unless you are dealing with Turbo's or Z32's and up I don't see why they would be any more expensive than an S13... probably cheaper. SR swaps are expensive and with the Z you already have a good decent motor and you have the option of swapping in a turbo engine (possibly Super-Charging a Z31) or just buying a Z31 Turbo for under $3K!!!!

Weight is an issue? Tell it to this guy:

http://escort-us.com/img/BM3.JPG

That's a Z32 ripping it up... NO, there is no-damn SR swap or some kinda trickery... that's a bonafide Z32 with a VG30DETT! Of course I'm sure he has some weight reduction but I'm also sure he is no light-weight. I'm aslo sure a Z31 could just as well or better...

IMO: I think it would be a great drifter and it's nice to see people thinking outta the box instead of going the direction of all the lemmings. the Z31 is practically similar to the S12 Silvia/200sx and even shared the same engine (VG30E) in some trims. S12's are also great Ol' School drift cars. Although I no longer actively drift... I commend you for wanting to be a part of the Z heritage! they are great cars and if you get one... I'm sure you will enjoy it!

the only things bad i can say about it is that its heavy and probably the ugliest z car ever.

go for it.

a n/a z31 is a great first car, and even though its not turbo you will still have enough power to play around and throw her sideways every once in a while, not to mention parts for z31 are gettin cheaper every day

It seems to me that RWD Nissan's, hell even back to the old Datsun's were always pretty well balanced. Like Drift said, its a good car and it is unique. Good luck

Heavy and not stable typically don't go together. Think about it... What holds something down better than weight? uhh....

Heavy and not stable typically don't go together. Think about it... What holds something down better than weight? uhh....


Horse Stables are Heavy... But they still arent held down too well since Tornados fuck their shit up...


:uhoh:

Thanks everybody for the info. lots of usefull stuff learned.

when I was doing drift research I read something about the old z's not being great drift cars because of a certain suspension related attribute I can't remember off hand.

That doesn't mean it can't be done though, because I've seen a z31 pull it off.

A z31 would be a unique first car for sure, great first drift car? Not so much. Because it isn't as light as many other rwd setups, you will have trouble throwing it around depending on how quickly you learn. The z31 could definitely be a great drift car, just not a great FIRST drift car for a beginner.



Edit - here is the suspension attribute I had mentioned earlier

***another note: CARS WITH SEMI TRAILING ARM REAR SUSPENSION SUCK TO DRIFT!!!****** and should not be used by beginers. not saying it can't be done, but they have irregular handling characteristics at and beyond the limit, which is not what you want in a drift car. short list of cars with this suspension should be avioded if at all posible

84-89 300zx(Z31)
82-85 celica GT-S/mk2 supra
85-87 cressida's, ex wagon
80's 3 series BMW's, hell any 80's BMW......lol
84-88 200sx(s12)
90-92 infinity M30's

Also a couple of pictures of an old z drifting.
This guy is incredibly skilled though.


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a355/FCSuperDorifto/IMG_4026.jpg


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a355/FCSuperDorifto/IMG_4028.jpg


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a355/FCSuperDorifto/IMG_4031.jpg



All things considered, there's a reason so many people go the 240sx route for drifting. The 240 is a great beginner car and its lighter weight enables it to respond pretty well in order to conquer some pretty hearty drifts.


If people are so concerned about sticking out from the crowd and 'not getting what everyone else has' then there are dozens of other options available to the 240sx platform to ensure you aren't just 'being like everyone else'. The sr20det is so common in 240's these days that its actually come under fire from those obsessed with originality.

when I was doing drift research I read something about the old z's not being great drift cars because of a certain suspension related attribute I can't remember off hand.

That doesn't mean it can't be done though, because I've seen a z31 pull it off.

A z31 would be a unique first car for sure, great first drift car? Not so much. Because it isn't as light as many other rwd setups, you will have trouble throwing it around depending on how quickly you learn. The z31 could definitely be a great drift car, just not a great FIRST drift car for a beginner.



Edit - here is the suspension attribute I had mentioned earlier

***another note: CARS WITH SEMI TRAILING ARM REAR SUSPENSION SUCK TO DRIFT!!!****** and should not be used by beginers. not saying it can't be done, but they have irregular handling characteristics at and beyond the limit, which is not what you want in a drift car. short list of cars with this suspension should be avioded if at all posible

84-89 300zx(Z31)
82-85 celica GT-S/mk2 supra
85-87 cressida's, ex wagon
80's 3 series BMW's, hell any 80's BMW......lol
84-88 200sx(s12)
90-92 infinity M30's

it depends the way you look at it, i can see somone seeing this car as 'difficult' to learn on, but at the same time if you were able to get this car going well, think how you could do a car thats 'easy', just my point of view.