Michael Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I just bought a 1987 NA 300ZX automatic for my wife as a daily-driver. Her commute is 25-miles each way, 4 days a week. The car has some rust and 180K miles, but the price was low and the interior is in great condition. The hope is that it will last for 8-10 months without major maintenance. It idles at 2500 rpm and lurches sharply when the transmission is put in gear. The exhaust leaks, the hood hydraulic posts are shot, and the a/c is depleted… but even so, it’s pleasurable to drive, and at least FEELS like a sports car. I miss that feeling, driving family sedans and economy cars. For me the Z31’s are a good compromise for daily or semi-daily drivers: cushy enough for regular commuter driving, but old enough to feel like a “sports carâ€. I have no performance aspirations for this car, and no intention of modifying it. But, by way of comparison, it is noticeably faster than my 1992 BMW 325is, which currently has 185K miles, and is fading fast. I doubt that it will make it past 200K without major maintenance – which I’m unwilling to perform. As I often say, if you prefer RWD and don’t want a truck, but prefer something reasonably economical, the choices are small and are diminishing every year, as 80’s and even 90’s cars disappear. I drive rental cars frequently on business trips, and am continually impressed by the acceleration of modern V6 family sedans – Maxima, Taurus, Malibu and the like – but to me, there is something emotionally unacceptable about FWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnySlippers Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 This section is making me miss my 88. She's been sitting in my friends back yard since my ex blew the head gasket after driving it though the mountains with no coolant. Closing in on a year pretty quick. Poor car. I just got my 75 back on the road, and as soon as I'm done with a few more things on her, I'll be cracking on the 'ol Z31. Motor needs a light rebuild, and I'll be turboing it while I'm at it. I figure I have all the turbo conversion parts sitting in storage so I might as well put them to use finally, right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 In standard form the Z31 is not something to mention....but spend a bit of money and you get pleasantly surprized, I baught my Z a few months back, it has an aftermarket fuel management system with some other stuff making 308 RWHP and a decent NM figure....with a decent turbo and decent fuel upgrade it will see power close to 400 RWHP.....then weight becomes an asset to keep the power on the road.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm loving my 'new' 86 Turbo Z31, my only gripe is the soft suspension. Hopefully this summer I'll get to throw a Romulator/bigger injectors/MBC/New Struts and Springs on it, and it'll be fancy. T Tops are awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 avoid the romulator! go NisTune! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Care to elaborate? Been busy with school, haven't had much time to do research for the 'red-headed stepchild' past the basic stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 http://www.nistune.com/ standalone capabilities with the stock ecu. This is what the vast majority of z31 tuners are running right now. user friendly and very powerful. Extremely cheap for its functionality to boot. Matt, the guy who does it has very very good customer service as well. and because it's out of australia, the usd and even cad are quite a bit stronger than the aud, so it works out being even cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Well I was drawn to the Romulator from reading the FAQs/stickies on Z31.com and loving how cheap it was. The S30 is the first love but apparently the VG30ET is so easy to mod it's kind of hard to resist. It is my DD for now though, so nothing crazy, I would just like to feel the power once and while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 bleh, z31.com is the past. z31p is the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnySlippers Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 bleh, z31.com is the past. z31p is the future. ^Word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Hey i need a late Z31 bumper. Anyone have one laying around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnySlippers Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Hey i need a late Z31 bumper. Anyone have one laying around? Front or rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetFighter Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I love my Z31! S30s have terrible aerodynamics and suspension... My Z31 has a .29 CD and weighs 2740lbs. I make about 700whp on E85. 1986 Hardtop 2JZ31. Old setup New setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeleriousZ Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 fast fast fast. i love that it's so ratty looking too, it would almost be a shame to make it beautiful on the outside. oh and flatblack280, you'll need more than just the fascia to convert noses, i'm sure you knew, just making sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 i figured the fenders and such, once again haven't done my research though :embarrassed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 You wont need fenders for your 86, they are the same(for your purposes anyway). Need the hood, headlights, and front bumper cover. Probably more little things too, but been awhile since I looked into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Well I'm not worried about it enough to do all that at this point haha Summer is almost here!!! My 31 is getting a timing belt when school gets out in three weeks and some more boost. I've also came across another VG so It'll be getting a rebuild in my spare time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnySlippers Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 I have a front bumper in storage, mounting tab for a turn signal is broken though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 started my z31 up this weekend. has a timing issue and mis-fires a bit... but man does it ever sound so good. ported the heads myself, and had the turbo rebuilt (twice, apparently), and installed an e-fan and a custom relay system for high/low speed... and PCV system to avoid the gumming of the intake that the last PCV valve did. lightweight flywheel, F1 Racing Stage 2 Clutch (gonna see how that goes, gotta break it in a little easy), and the first 350z alternator 110amp upgrade (hey, I'm proud of my discovery ). I need a new AAC/FICD to cope with the idle drop when the fan comes on... Going to get it on the ground tonight for the first time in one whole damn year. I really need to drive it around to get the engine loaded to see what the miss is all about. Gonna take it easy and just kinda baby it... don't want any bad things happening first day out. I closed the hood for the first time in a whole year... feels pretty damn good, I must say... will post pics + results later today... maybe some in-car video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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