I want...

[Rx7or280z]

I want a 280z to be sorta a project car for me, but what are the differences between the 260,280,the z, and zx models?

[street_racer_00]

I don't know, but I'm sure that StageIIIturboZ knows. Oh yeah and your signature...."I'm doin 100 on the highway, so if you do the speed limit get the f*ck outta my way...I'm D.U.I. hardly ever caught sober, and youse about to get ran the f*ck over!!!!"

[Layla's Keeper]

Ahh, the venerable Z. Katayama's masterwork of Amercian marketing appeal. Spanning initial introduction in 1970 as the 2.4L straight six powered 240Z to the last of the original chassis striaght six Z's in 1981 (I think), the 280Zx, the Z car was a steadfast example of great performance at a reasonable price. The moderate changes made during the production run amounted to enlarged displacement in the L18 series six which gre from 2.4L to 2.6 to 2.8, finally acquiring a turbocharger in the ZX model. The Zx also was longer in length and heavier, with more emphasis on comfort than performance. Other notable differences were a mid-life facelift on the 280Z, the adoption of a 5 speed transmission on the 260Z, and fuel injection on the 280Z. Other wise, the car was mostly the same, year in year out, which gives it a great parts supply base and means that there is a great amount of interchangebility between models. I've seen lighter 240Z's with 280Z fuel injection and 5 speed transmissions. There are small shock valving differences, some interior bits, and sway bars changed from year to year. I also believe that brakes were enlarged on the 280Z and ZX to cope with the increased weight.

Also of note is the long nose that denotes a Japanese market Fairlady Z (260 model). It's actually a better piece aerodynamically, though not quite as attractive.

On a personal note, avoid ZX's like theplague. They're nowhere near as agile as their non-X brethren, and actually not as powerful even with turbo because of the heavy smog limitations. Remember, we're talking about cars before they learned how to be clean and fast at the same time. A fuel injection 280Z is probably the best bet. Especially since it'll run on unleaded without problems.

[Cbass]

The optimum model to find would be a late 70s 260Z 2 seater. One with a 5 speed of course.

The entire 280 range had a body redesign, most apparent in the 1/4 window, which is longer in the 280s.

Turbo parts are easily interchangeable from a ZX, including the fuel injection as Octagon noted, and they are still light. They are really nice sports cars, with great power potential!

BTW, the 280Z ended production in 1983, before the introduction of the 300Z the next year.

[Rx7or280z]

Ok first off thanks for all the Info... I'm guessing th best bet will be a fuel injected 280z, with a 5 speed, and then swap a turbo on from a 280zx? Or should I go for a 260z and swap in the 280z engine, and then turbo it? Is that possible? And how much do you think I could find a 280z or 260z for ?I am looking to spend around 2 to 3 thousand.

[Cbass]

Your best bet would probably be to get a 240Z or 260Z, and rebuild the engine. There are a lot of engine swaps out there, a 280ZX engine should drop right into the 240 or 260, especially if you take the 280ZX transmission and differential with it.

I would caution against the 280ZX if you can find a good 240Z or 260Z instead. The Z cars make better sports cars than luxury cars.

As far as engine swaps go, you can put just about anything you want in a Z, ranging from a SR20DET 4 cylinder to a smallblock V8...

[street_racer_00]

Indeed. I know someone who has a 240z that swapped a 283 chevy motor into it. Needless to say, it shoved a little.

[Cbass]

The proprietor of the other shop in town had a 240Z with a 400CI Pontiac smallblock in it... He had it making something over 400hp, in a 2800lb car!

Anyways, what level of work are you willing to do on this car? If you're willing to go swapping motors at will, a 240Z or a first generation RX7 is just the ticket. If you've followed this forum much, you'll be well aquainted with my love for the RX7/Ford V8 swap. Realistically, all costs told, that would cost around $3000 if you did everything yourself, accounting for engine, transmition, car, kit, and exhaust.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t64088.html

I'm not sure about Zs, I have seen a kit for smallblock chevies for
$1500, but that is way too much, and probably has $200 worth of parts, and $1300 worth of mark up.

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/nissan.html
http://www.zhome.com/rnt/L28conversion/engine.html
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...car/zpage.html

Some 240Z pics for ya






http://www.nissannews.com/multimedia...olour/240Z.jpg

[StageIII_TurboZ]

Originally posted by Octagon
Ahh, the venerable Z. Katayama's masterwork of Amercian marketing appeal. Spanning initial introduction in 1970 as the 2.4L straight six powered 240Z to the last of the original chassis striaght six Z's in 1981 (I think), the 280Zx, the Z car was a steadfast example of great performance at a reasonable price. The moderate changes made during the production run amounted to enlarged displacement in the L18 series six which gre from 2.4L to 2.6 to 2.8, finally acquiring a turbocharger in the ZX model. The Zx also was longer in length and heavier, with more emphasis on comfort than performance. Other notable differences were a mid-life facelift on the 280Z, the adoption of a 5 speed transmission on the 260Z, and fuel injection on the 280Z. Other wise, the car was mostly the same, year in year out, which gives it a great parts supply base and means that there is a great amount of interchangebility between models. I've seen lighter 240Z's with 280Z fuel injection and 5 speed transmissions. There are small shock valving differences, some interior bits, and sway bars changed from year to year. I also believe that brakes were enlarged on the 280Z and ZX to cope with the increased weight.

Also of note is the long nose that denotes a Japanese market Fairlady Z (260 model). It's actually a better piece aerodynamically, though not quite as attractive.

On a personal note, avoid ZX's like theplague. They're nowhere near as agile as their non-X brethren, and actually not as powerful even with turbo because of the heavy smog limitations. Remember, we're talking about cars before they learned how to be clean and fast at the same time. A fuel injection 280Z is probably the best bet. Especially since it'll run on unleaded without problems.

Dayum........well, there's not much more i can add to that. He knows his stuff.
240Z = 2.4L
260Z = 2.6L
280Z = 2.8L
300ZX = 3.0L (otional turbocharger) like octagon said above, the "ZX" had more of a focus to comfort and interior styling. (i think they were still able to keep a good amount of the power focus also) [84-89 definately]

If you're opting for a V8 swap, i'd have to agree w/ him on going with the 280Z. Slap in a good V8( LT1!! LT1!!),turbocharge or supercharge (you're choice) the engine, and with basic mechanical knowledge you'll have a car with almost limitless HP possabilities. I myself have always been a big fan of ALL the Z's, but in my opinion, going stock for stock, i'm stuck on the 84-89 300ZX. When i first got my stock '87 300ZX Turbo, there weren't many cars on the road that i couldn't pass. I think the 80's 300ZX's are stong, dependable cars, which are pretty easy to modify and maintain. I was able to find a fairly knowledgable mechanic, who, after tweaking (or disabling i should say) the RPM/Speed regulator, he also did a little fooling around with my "smog control pump" as he called it(not sure what it's actually called), by removing the belt that went to it from my powersteering pump....i'm not sure sure if all Z's are equipped with them, or if it was just because my Z came from California.
Don't know why, but i'm not too impressed w/ the 90-96 models. I like the body, and styling, i just think nissan strayed from the idea of performance, and in my opinion, produced a car that looked faster than it actually was, and kinda dis-appointed me. I think they shoulda left it a single turbo car, and slapped on ONE HUGE A$$ FRIGGIN' TURBO, intead of 2.....but, just my opinion. Out of all of my friends that have owned a 90-96 Z, not one of them was able to avoid mechanical problems. Haven't got to drive the new 350Z, so i don't have much to say about it.

Looking for a Z/ZX of any year? goto the "automobiles for sale" section at www.zcar.com . There you can also learn just about anything you want to about them.

There's not much i could add(he wrote it better than i could have) to octagons reply, except for my own opinion. Hope it helps some.

[DeViL]

400CI Pontiac smallblock in it

Not to be a smartass but Pontiac doesn't make their own engines, what you saw was a Chevy motor, most likely a 396. Thats all I guess I have to say on this post lol I can't think of anything to say right now.

[R1-rider]

Originally posted by StageIII_TurboZ
If you're opting for a V8 swap, i'd have to agree w/ him on going with the 280Z. Slap in a good V8( LT1!! LT1!!),turbocharge or supercharge (you're choice) the engine, and with basic mechanical knowledge you'll have a car with almost limitless HP possabilities.

Ever seen Darius's 280Z? Supercharged LT-1 in it.

[r1dg3_rAc3r]

280z with an lt1..............thats just crazy go nuts.

hows the handling on the Z series, i heard the the 240-280's were hideous. Im sort of in the same boat, being as ive narrowed it down to the nissan Z's now.

[R0B0H4X0R]

(to the person above me)Joey you DONT DESERVE A NEW CAR!!!! MUAHAHAHA! But you, the poster should DEFINATLY not go with a ZX, my friend Ian has one, and its like a boat liner instead of a speedboat

[MadZ]

Originally posted by R1-rider


Ever seen Darius's 280Z? Supercharged LT-1 in it.

yup. Have you seen the video of it? It burns out through damn near every gear going down a public road. They had to get a couple of grown men to sit on the back of the car when it was being dynoed because of traction problems. Thats when you know your a badass.

[r1dg3_rAc3r]

daaaaaaaaaamn

where can i d/l that?!