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View Full Version : Is '85 300ZX non-Turbo good?


some guy
04-02-2003, 08:29 PM
Hi, I just found a 85 300ZX 2+2 Auto, the car has 170k mile for $1500. If I buy this car, I'm going to swap the turbo engine in anyways, but how hard it is to do a auto->manual swap? Should I go for this car or stick to my original intention and find a S13 fb? If anyone had owned a 300ZX please give me some opinion, does the 300ZX handle as good as the S13? Is it reliable? I've heard the VG30ET is not tuner friendly, can I find parts to upgrade the 300ZX easily? Thanks in advance.

AKADriver
04-02-2003, 10:14 PM
2+2? non-turbo? auto? don't waste your money on that.

It won't handle anywhere near as well as an S13.

some guy
04-02-2003, 10:31 PM
Thanks for the response, if I'm doing a engine swap anyway, how hard is the auto -> manual conversion? I really like open top cars, but convertible is so rare that it isn't an option, but this Z has T-tops which I really like. But if this is not a good car to mod I'll keep looking for a cheap S13.

zweebach
04-03-2003, 01:51 AM
The Z Board (http://z31.com)

Go to the above link - it has the most information available about those cars.

I've owned 3 of them (84 na auto, 89 na 5 sp, 88 turbo 5 spd).
The turbo is fun and you can easily and cheaply get it faster than Mustang Gt's and such, but handling wise, it still needs help. I had springs and shocks on mine, and a stock 240 will still out handle it.

To me, this is important, because handling allows you to have more fun on the street without being illegal. At least you're less likely to get bothered by the cops. With a turbo KA, or an SR, you'll easily out perform a Z31 (84-89 300ZX) in power and handling.

Also, why buy a car and plan on an engine and tranny swap? Z31's are cheap and you should be able to find a turbo 5 speed for not much money.
Z31's can be fast, but the aftermarket never really focused on them.

some guy
04-03-2003, 03:12 PM
Thanks for the link. :cool: Power is nice, but handling is more important to me, otherwise I would've got an American car. What makes the Z31 handling so bad? Is it because all the weight are in front of the car? Or just the chassis design is bad?

Anubis
04-03-2003, 03:27 PM
the 2+2 Z's are incredibly ugly

some guy
04-03-2003, 03:36 PM
It's a personal preference I guess, I don't think the 300ZX is ugly at all.

Here's a pic of a modded 300ZX I just found on Z31.com

http://homepages.picknowl.com.au/djkemp/DCP_0329.jpg

Looks good to me.

PSI240SX
04-03-2003, 03:38 PM
with all the money you would put into the swap (engine and tranny) you could prolly buy a 5 speed turbo. Keep looking if thats what you really want.

some guy
04-03-2003, 06:10 PM
I found a VG30ET engine and trans for $500 in my area. But right now looks like I'm not going to buy the car because of the not so good handling.

zweebach
04-03-2003, 07:52 PM
Originally posted by some guy
Thanks for the link. :cool: Power is nice, but handling is more important to me, otherwise I would've got an American car. What makes the Z31 handling so bad? Is it because all the weight are in front of the car? Or just the chassis design is bad?

I wouldn't classify the handling as bad, just not good; but that's semantics.

The chassis definately has some flimsy-ness to it. drive one, then hop in a S13, S14, Z32 and the improvements will be very obvious. Also, the rear suspension (trailing arm design) allows the camber to change greatly over the suspension's travel. If you're interest is in handling, a 240 is much better suited to your tastes. But to really find out what I'm what I"m talking about drive one. They are good solid cars, but there's a reason why Z31 guys have been talking about fitting a Z32 rear subframes on their cars

some guy
04-03-2003, 08:08 PM
Thanks for the explaination. :cool: The Z32 has T-tops also, but it's too expensive. Oh well, keep looking for cheap S13 fb.