Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Learn me 90's 300ZX (Z32) 1 2

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  May 19, 2011 4:05 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

  The Z32 generation 300ZX is really falling in price lately. Later Supras and RX-7s still command crazy money, while the 3000GT and SVX continue to be pretty unappealing as a driver, so I'm starting to look at these closely; when I was a kid in the early 90's (a lot of you are probably laughing) I always thought these were the coolest. Now I'd rather have an FD RX-7, but considering how cheap the Z32s are going now (NAs seem to be around $500-4000 depending on condition, and TTs about $2000-8000) they're becoming a pretty serious option.

  I searched them on the forum, and haven't found a single discussion! I think a NA 2-seater would make a great daily driver. I seem to recall hearing that they are pretty hard to work on, but after having a couple of C900 Saabs and a V6 200SX I can't imagine they would be too bad. A nice DOHC V6, RWD and t-tops sound great to me, and I think they've aged really well styling-wise.

  So: what is GRM's consensus on the Z32?

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  May 19, 2011 4:07 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  I think I would rather have a SVX.

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  May 19, 2011 4:10 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

  Having worked on/driven a few SVX's, they are neat but the lack of a factory 5-speed combined with the sheer weight of the things keeps them from being entertaining. Great in the snow, though.

  ~Desmond 1984 VW Jetta GLI STOLEN 9/11/09 :(

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  May 19, 2011 4:14 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  The 300ZX isn't much lighter. The 300ZX has a nice interior. Never driven one though.

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  May 19, 2011 4:18 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

  The engine bays of the twin-turbo cars are very cramped and hard to work on. T-tops tend to leak. Other than that, I don't know much about them.

  The "oh, E36 M3!" handle is above and to the right of your head. In case of an emergency, stick your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.

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  May 19, 2011 4:40 p.m. sanman Reader

  I have thought about these cars as there are among my favorites as well. Though, I am another 90's kid. Though they are heavy cars, they can handle considering their weight. The vg30de in these is very reliable, but it is a bit cramped and I have heard they are a pain to work on as many fixes on the car require removing a good number of unrelated parts for access. This is worse in the turbos than the N/A cars. Parts can also get pricey. Very nice high speed cruisers though. The only thing that keeps me from getting one is that I feel the sw20 is a better choice for similar money and am shopping those at the moment. I am still considering a z32 if that doesn't work out though.

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  May 19, 2011 4:55 p.m. Scott Dork

  I love these cars. I had a '95 NA. I preferred it to my 944 and 911 that I bought after it.
  

  I think the high prices you list are towards the bottom end for a decent driver. In any case, they are 95% as good as contemporary Supras for 50% or less of the price.

  Barba non facit philosophum

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  May 19, 2011 5:06 p.m. SupraWes Dork

  Search for a slicktop model. Cool cars, If I ever had to replace my Supra it would probably be with one of these.

  Because Toyota hasn't made anything interesting since 1989

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  May 19, 2011 5:13 p.m. failboat Reader

  Friend of mines dad had an na as a dd for many years, then my frind drove it any time his mustang was down, nearly all the time. Great car, manual trans gave up at 170k miles or so after much abuse.

  boosh.

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  May 19, 2011 5:49 p.m. Vigo Dork

  The grand total of my contribution:

  I have raced an n/a automatic z32 in a 17second car and won.

  I have known a guy who had a n/a 5spd with really basic mods running high 14s.

  Moral of the story: Definitely get a 5spd (as if you wouldnt already).

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  May 19, 2011 6:45 p.m. ProDarwin Dork

  I just sold a '91 Slicktop. What you need to know:

  -All of the 2+2s are heavy.
  -Turbo Models all have t-tops and rear steering. They are ~3500lbs They also have a diff and trans cooling pump.
  -A slicktop manual weighs around 3160.
  -The NA motor will make around 230whp with bolt ons. Low 14s are not hard to achieve, and with care and attention I'm sure you can hit high 13s.
  -The Turbo motor can be had for fairly cheap. It will make 500hp on stock turbos without any internal work. (BSP trim). It's a berkeleying monster.
  -The steering wheel does not tilt. If you are taller than 5'10 you will not be able to see your turn signals or high beam light. That said, the control/interior layout is awesome.
  -They have tons of caster (yay!), and a dual arm/tension rod setup (yay for good camber curve, boo for rear toe change - S2K syndrome).
  -They fit a crap ton of tire.
  -'90 NA models have skinny front rotors.
  -92+ models have iron front calipers (boo!)
  -95-96 models have no air injection thingies
  -the engine bay isn't so much cramped, as it is full of hoses/plumbing. Its kinda scary.
  -sexy sexy sexy
  

  Edit: Fixed

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  May 19, 2011 7:31 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

  ProDarwin wrote: Really? Those points are supposed to be a list, not a paragraph? WTF? -test -test -test

  Double-space after each sentence to get a list. For example:

  -test
  -test
  -test

  The "oh, E36 M3!" handle is above and to the right of your head. In case of an emergency, stick your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.

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  May 19, 2011 10:17 p.m. ProDarwin Dork

  RexSeven wrote: Double-space after each sentence to get a list. For example: -test -test -test

  Thanks. Been a while since I posted here. That's very annoying.

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  May 20, 2011 1:13 a.m. Luke SuperDork

  My Uncle bought himself a slicktop turbo (Japanese import) a few months back, and I've had a few stints behind the wheel. It's certainly hefty for a sportscar, but brutally quick all the same, especially for something so old. I'd go so far as to say it's the best performance-car bargain available at the moment - for the same money, nothing else will touch a sorted Z32 (turbo).

  Having said all of that, the DIY-unfriendliness of the engine-bay is enough to put me off owning one, (but then I'm not the most confident home mechanic, either.)

  "Just as a proverb says, one should always ny escort prepare for a rainy day." - GRM canoe

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  May 20, 2011 1:32 a.m. Travis_K SuperDork

  I have looked under the hood of one before, and that is enough to make me not want one. I have seen various posts discussing them, and people who like them seem to get very angry if someone suggests that they are not good cars. lol They do have a reputation of being really tough, and I still see at least one that is still a daily driver. It probably depends on how scared you are after looking under the hood of one. lol

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  May 20, 2011 2:30 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

  Aaaaannnd I'm off to craigslist...

  I'm gonna butta yo bread

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  May 20, 2011 2:44 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

  ProDarwin wrote: I just sold a '91 Slicktop. What you need to know: -All of the 2+2s are heavy. -Turbo Models all have t-tops and rear steering. They are ~3500lbs They also have a diff and trans cooling pump. -A slicktop manual weighs around 3160. -The NA motor will make around 230whp with bolt ons. Low 14s are not hard to achieve, and with care and attention I'm sure you can hit high 13s. -The Turbo motor can be had for fairly cheap. It will make 500hp on stock turbos without any internal work. (BSP trim). It's a berkeleying monster. -The steering wheel does not tilt. If you are taller than 5'10 you will not be able to see your turn signals or high beam light. That said, the control/interior layout is awesome. -They have tons of caster (yay!), and a dual arm/tension rod setup (yay for good camber curve, boo for rear toe change - S2K syndrome). -They fit a crap ton of tire. -'90 NA models have skinny front rotors. -92+ models have iron front calipers (boo!) -95-96 models have no air injection thingies -the engine bay isn't so much cramped, as it is full of hoses/plumbing. Its kinda scary. -sexy sexy sexy Edit: Fixed

  Can you elaborate on the 500 hp? Or is it just intake, exhaust, MORE BOOST and ECU?

  I'm gonna butta yo bread

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  May 20, 2011 5:36 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

  ^I think that's pretty much it.

  You can tell from my sn I'm a Z car fan, I've owned a Z31 and Z33, but no Z32, although (again another 90s kid here) I've always loved since they came out. Never had a chance to drive one though.

  And yes, underneatht the hood is a bit frightening to look at.

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  May 20, 2011 6:31 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

  It's what G.I. Joe needed to get Barbie.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXdFKcETEPg&feature=related

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  May 20, 2011 6:49 a.m. simplecat New Reader

  400 crank/350 at the wheels is doable with just that, the turbos will support a bit moar, but the injectors won't. After injectors, swap in some stock red top sr20 turbos that people are always getting rid of. 600hp on race gas has been done. They work with the stock headers and down pipes designed for use with the stock headers. I agree with the luke, price per performance I think they're the deal of our time. I've had 2, loved both of them. The slicktops are super rare, sport compact car wrote a buyers guide and said they were never made. They were never made for the tt, or the 2+2, in north america, but they were made. I've seen 1 irl, it lived 5blocks away from me with some ricer owner. I put some notes on it but he never called. Too bad, its on the bucket list. Slicktop z, twin disco potato gt28r's, a lot of fuel. And winning.

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  May 20, 2011 6:52 a.m. dean1484 SuperDork

  There was a good article on these a while back in GRM. You should read it if you have not already.

  Respectfully, Dean

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  May 20, 2011 6:54 a.m. Rustspecs13 Reader

  thatsnowinnebago wrote: Can you elaborate on the 500 hp? Or is it just intake, exhaust, MORE BOOST and ECU?

  Until recently most people woul upgrade turbos after mild upgrades, but Ive been seeing some people actually put some work into them and getting awesome results. The build I saw on a Z forum recently got 500whp out of the stock twins, but it had a lot of work done to it. Like cams, maybe porting, etc etc.

  With injectors and a tune and nice intercoolers and piping I think 400whp is pretty achievable though.

  "unfortunately" I have a Z31 turbo, I can only do 300whp/350wtq on the stock single. I need a holset, clutch, and slighly bigger injectors then the 450's I have then I can do 500whp on an un opened motor...

  ~Alex

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  May 20, 2011 7:20 a.m. ProDarwin Dork

  The is a build on 300zxclub.com showing 500whp on stock turbos, no internal work (no cams, porting, etc.). It is do-able under BSP rules. I can't find it at the moment, but here is the dyno:

  
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  May 20, 2011 7:52 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

  They aren't the most fun to work on, but it's more because you have to remove a lot of stuff to get to stuff. More time consuming than outright hard or complicated, in my opinion.

  On the plus side, they're VERY robust and there aren't many cars that offer this performance that you'd have to work on LESS. I've seen beat on examples with over 200k miles run like a top. They're a japanese supercar without the supercar maintainence schedule.

  SCAVENGE THE SEA FLOOR FOR NUTRIENTS

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  May 20, 2011 8:10 a.m. ProDarwin Dork

  Downside is from a true grassroots motorsports perspective, they aren't really competitive anywhere. Although I know someone built an ITR car, wonder how that is doing this year?

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