Z31 and Mid-4 similarities

[Holyterror]

The Mid-4 and Mid-4 II were both based on the Z31 chassis. Does anybody how many parts they share? I wonder how feasable it would be to convert a Z31 to a Mid-4. The body would have to be custom fabricated entirely, but the rest of the car might be found elsewhere. The chassis was Z31 modified to accomodate the VG30 in the back, and shortened a little up front. The engines used were early versions of Z31 turbo and Z32 twin turbo motors. The AWD was sort of a predecessor to ATTESSA, and also used a prototype HICAS system. Pulling these from a modern GT-R would give the converted Mid-4 superior performance to the old prototypes. I suppose it would be a very expensive project, but I think it would be awesome to be able to drive one of Nissan's cars that should have been. What does everybody else think?

[NISSANSPDR]

What's a Mid-4..? Never heard of it and I've been around plenty of 240SX's and 300ZX's (mainy Z32's but some Z31's) and never heard of it...

As a similar side note:
Have you heard of 200ZR's and 300ZR's? Just so I dont keep the crowd in suspense...the first is an RB20DET powered Z31 and the second is a VG30DE powered Z31...that's the NA engine used in the Z32's...DOHC. The Z31's were SOHC...at least the NA's were...not sure about the Turbo ones.

[mjeelani]

For all of yall who didnt know, here is some background info for the Mid4:

The Nissan Mid4 was a prototype for the Nissan Z which was to come after the Z31. It got a lot of attention and looked awesome. It looked similar to the Z31, with pop up headlights, similar chasi, etc. It was supposed to be the first 'exotic' Japanese sports car, and it looked exotic. It had two models, the Mk1 and the Mk2. The Mk1 was the original Mid4 prototype and the Mk2 was the second prototype. The Mk2 looked a lot better than the Mk1.

The Mid4 was supposed to be a Mid-Engine Z. It was only to come in 2 door models. It was to have 4 overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel stearing, 4 wheel abs, Twin Turbo, dual stage intake intake tracts, variable camshaft timing, low-voltage electronics contol of direct ignition to each of the 6 cyinders, knock cessors for individual cylinder detonation control, and ciscous coupling in its 4Wd driveline.

You have to see pictures of the Mid4 to see how awesome it looked. It was kinda like a Z31 crossed with a Z32 crossed with an NSX crossed with a Ferrari (the back resembled a Ferrari) with 4WD and all of the other features meantioned above! The chassi is most similar to a Z31 and it should not take too much custom works to build one.

Unfortuanately, Nissan withdrew its prototype and designed the great Z32. The Mid4 was to hit the markets in 1989, but was replaced with the Z32. It would carry the 300zx name (and thus it would be 3.0 liter.) I agree with you that this would be an awesome car to drive and an awesome project. I am not sure about how man parts it shares with a Z31; however a majority of the work would be body work, which should not be too expensive. The Mid4 was based on the Z31, so it shouldnt be too hard to do a conversion. Does anyone know anything else or have any ideas about this conversion?

[mjeelani]

Pictures of the Mid4:
http://www.supercars.net/Pic?s=1&id=...Mid4%20Concept

http://www.supercars.net/Pic?s=1&id=...Mid4%20Concept

Come to think of it, this really looks similar to the NSX. It is said that the rear resembles a Ferrari. The front clip looks similar to the S13 240sx and it seems like its related to the NSX. Maybe Acura stole this design and used it for the NSX? You know one day when i hit the jackpot, im gonna build an Mid4. It might cost a lot, but it would be just truly awesome!

[Holyterror]

Originally posted by NISSANSPDR
Have you heard of 200ZR's and 300ZR's? Just so I dont keep the crowd in suspense...the first is an RB20DET powered Z31 and the second is a VG30DE powered Z31...that's the NA engine used in the Z32's...DOHC. The Z31's were SOHC...at least the NA's were...not sure about the Turbo ones.

I am a big fan of basically every Z car ever made. I love both the 200ZR and the 300ZR. I may steal a 200ZR hood scoop for my Pulsar, if I can find one. The Z31 Turbo used the SOHC VG30ET, still a respectable motor. I actually forgot that the 300ZR had the VG30DE. So the engine was already in production when they put it in the 2nd Mid-4 prototype.

Originally posted by mjeelani
You know one day when i hit the jackpot, im gonna build an Mid4. It might cost a lot, but it would be just truly awesome!

The pictures you linked to are of the first Mid-4, and I still found myself drooling all over it! It was a terrific idea, and I'm really not sure why it got axed. I figured they could at least have produced it in Japan, but apparantly there was only room for one car - which ultimately would be a Z car - and Z cars are not mid/rear. Of course purists (and engine design theorists like myself) flinched a little when the first 300ZX rolled off the line with anything but a straight six. Yes, I am definitely considering building one someday.

[Zcarfan]

to me it actually looks much more like a Lotus Esprit. The NSX and Ferarri resemblence is only in color and the fact that they are mid-engine.

[Jay!]

If you want to get you hands on a Mid4, check your local hobby shops. There were a couple of 1/24 scale plastic model kits made, but they don't sell well, because no one ever knows what the car is...

I never gathered from the name that it was 4WD... Duh!

I still havent figured out which way the engine was mounted....