Nissan 300ZX

Nissan 300ZX
Manufacturer:	Nissan
Production:	1984–1999
Class:	Sports car
Z31
Production:	1984–1989
Body styles:	FR 2 seat hatchback FR 2+2 hatchback
Engines:	3.0 L VG20ET V6 3.0 L RB20DET I6 3.0 L VG30E V6 3.0 L VG30ET V6
Length:	170.7 in 178.5 in (2+2)
Wheelbase	91.3 in 99.2 in (2+2)
Weight	3,163 lb
Z32
1998 Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
Production:	1990–1999
Body styles:	FR 2 seat hatchback FR 2+2 hatchback FR 2 seat convertible
Engines:	3.0 L VG30DE V6 3.0 L VG30DETT V6
Length:	178 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Weight	3,494 lb

The Nissan 300ZX, also known as the Nissan Fairlady Z is a sports car produced by Nissan Motor Company. It comprises the third and fourth generations of Nissan's Z-car line-up, respectively given the chassis designations Z31 and Z32.

Z31

The Z31 chassis designation was first introduced in 1983 as a 1984 model and the third-generation Datsun/Nissan Z-car. The car was designated as a Datsun/Nissan 300ZX in its 1984 premiere, but the Datsun badge was dropped in 1985 when Nissan standardised their brand name worldwide. The car was designed by Kazumasu Takagi and his team of developers, and featured a new, more aerodynamic body than its 280ZX predecessor. It also had a more powerful line-up of V6 engines instead of the old I6 used in the 280ZX. According to Nissan, "the V6 engine was supposed to re-create the spirit of the original Fairlady Z." (Datsun 280 Nissan 300ZX, p.65) This new V6 (2960 cc) SOHC engine was available as a naturally-aspirated VG30E or a turbocharged VG30ET producing 160 and 200 horsepower respectively. The engines were either a type A or type B series engine from 1984-1986 and later a W series from 1987-1989 which produced 165 and 205 horsepower.

On the home market, the list of models included the 3-litre 300ZX and the 2-litre Z, ZG, ZR, and ZR II spec. The 300ZX in Japan was not subject to tough emissions regulations as in the US therefore producing 230 horsepower . The 2-litre models used either a VG20ET, then later the RB20ET engine and developed between 170-180 horsepower . This was to, "make the most of the local taxation laws." (Datsun 280 Nissan 300ZX, p.69)

The chassis remained somewhat similar to the 280ZX, with the same 91.3 in (2319 mm) wheelbase and MacPherson strut/trailing arm independent suspension, however the 300ZX both handled and accelerated better than the 280ZX it replaced. All turbo charged models (except for the SS special edition) featured 3-way electronically adjustable shock absorbers.

There were also two special models produced. In 1984, the 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition was released in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. In 1988 Nissan released a pearl white 300ZX "Shiro Special" (SS) with stiffer springs, matched shocks and no available options. There were no stellar differences setting the SS apart from a regular 1988 model 300ZX Turbo except for the pearl white paint, front air dam, wheels, Recaro seats, suspension and a viscous limited-slip differential in place of the clutch type,upgrad turbo from T-25 to T-28.

Due to its quickly aging design, the Z31 body was slightly restyled in 1986 with the addition of side skirts, and removal of the hood scoop for a much smoother look. The old fiberglass spoiler was replaced with a more durable plastic one, and a third brake-light was incorporated within the unit for safety. The car was given a final makeover in 1987 that included more aerodynamic bumpers, fog lamps within the front air dam, and replacement of the sealed beam style headlights with more modern 9004 bulb based lights. The "300ZX" reflector in the rear was replaced by a narrow set of tail lights running the entire width of the car, and a 3rd brake-light located on the top of the rear hatch. A few minor engine changes were made which consisted of a smaller T25 turbocharger, a compression ratio of 8.3:1, and an R200 limited slip differential for quick response. The car continued selling until 1989 and sold more than any other Z car made to date with over 70,000 units sold in 1985 alone. In 1990, Nissan replaced this very successful car with the Z32, and was a complete redesign version of the Z31. It was also called the 300ZX because it retained the 3-litre engine and 2960 cc displacement.

Z32

The Z32 was a complete redesign. It featured a naturally aspirated engine rated at 222 hp, and a top-of-the-line Twin-Turbo version rated at 300 hp (224 kW) at 9.5 psi (66 kPa) of boost through two intercoolers. A naturally aspirated convertible model was also introduced in 1993. Twin Turbo models were not offered as a 2+2 or convertible in the United States.

The twin-turbo Z32s can be spotted with a different front bumper featuring three vents for supplying air to the dual intercoolers, as opposed to the naturally aspirated (NA) models. They also came with the requisite "Twin Turbo" badging in the rear and a subtle tail spoiler, which was enlarged and redesigned in 1994. It also featured larger 245/45-16 and 16x8.5 wheels in the back as opposed to the 225/50-16 tires in front and on the NA version.

One major difference between the VG30E(T) in the Z31 and the VG30DE(TT) placed in the Z32 was the dual overhead cam design and variable valve timing system.

The platform was new, with a longer 97-in wheelbase and sophisticated multi-link suspension front and rear. Twin Turbo models featured electronically adjustable shock absorbers, and Nissan's all-wheel-steering system SUPER HICAS (Super High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension), which could turn the rear wheels a full two degrees at speed.

In 1991, as well as in 1995 for the Z's 25th anniversary, Steve Millen, a famous race-car driver from New Zealand, built a limited-edition run of 300 tuned 300ZXs, known as the SMZ, through his company Stillen. These cars had features such as flamboyant bodywork and paint and extensive performance upgrades, resulting in 460 bhp (343 kW) for the 1991 edition and 365 bhp (272 kW) for the 1995 edition.

The Z32 was discontinued in 1996 in North America due to dwindling sales figures, heightened smog regulations, and rising production costs. The price of a Twin Turbo 300ZX rose to US $45,000 that year, too high for many consumers and far from the US $27,000 price it had started with. Production of the Z32 continued in Japan until 1999 through a major redesign in 1998, in naturally aspirated 2-seater, 2+2 seater, and "R" versions, which were 2+2 twin turbo models (as pictured above).

Awards

The Z32 300ZX Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best list every year it was available, from 1990 through 1996. The Z32 Turbo was also Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1990. It was critically acclaimed by many magazines as being a complete turnaround from the Z31, which many critics felt was a sloppy-handling GT, far from the agile, sporty 240Z of years past. From the year it was introduced, it won many comparison tests against similar Japanese sports cars such as the Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth and the Mazda RX-7, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Supra and the Porsche 968.

Racing

In 1984 to 1985 showroom stock racing, the 300ZX (Z31) was a potent competitor and captured wins on numerous occasions. The car scored their only Trans Am win in 1986 at Lyme Rock by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing

From 1985 to 1987, the Electramotive-developed GTP ZX-Turbo was raced in the IMSA GTP class and also the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, badged as a Fairlady Z, using a Lola T810 Chassis and a VG30ET engine. A series of crashes attributed to tire blowouts combined with difficulty of working on the T810 chassis caused less than stellar performance both seasons.

Later on between 1988 and 1989, the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo dominated in IMSA GTP racing. Additional factory endorsement, combined with a new chassis, gearbox and more reliable Goodyear tires contributed to the team's success. The new Electramotive (later to become NPTI) chassis was easier to work on, more robust and technically superior to the T810. The VG30ET was making upwards of 800 hp, with a power band that extended from 4000 to 9000 rpm.

From 1990 to 1995, as well as dominating the GTP category, now with a newly designed chassis, the 300ZX (Z32), who was campaigned by Clayton Cunningham Racing was championed by Steve Millen in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and its GT and GTS classes. He was ranked as the #1 Factory Driver for Nissan for 7 years, as well as two IMSA GTS Driving Championships and two IMSA GTS Manufacturer's Championships before the car became banished from competition altogether.

See also

• Z-car

External links

• 84-89 300ZX Information and Forum
• 84-96 300ZX Forums
• 90-96 300ZX Forums (US)
• Nissan 300ZX owners pics (CarDomain.com)
• Scanned 300ZX Articles
• Z Club (UK)
• Australian 300zx Owners Association. (AUS)
• Australian 300zx Community Forum. (AUS)
• 300ZX owners club (UK)
• New Zealand 300ZX Owners Club (NZ)
• About Z The wikibooks about Zs and Fairladies