duowing

I was curious about the 280ZX vs. the 280Z. Now I was looking at a specs chart and it looked like the 280Z put out more Horespower and Torque than the 280ZX, but the 280zx was faster than the 280z? I'm just curious about why one car with less HP and less Torque end up coming out faster than the previous model which had the same engine, but produced more HP and Torque?

DoTheDrew888

They changed the way in which horsepower was measured between 1978 and 1979. The L28 in the 280ZX actually makes about the same amount of power as the one in the 280Z. In 1981 it started making about 10hp more than the previous engines because of a different head and piston combination.

Bleach

A fully loaded all power options with AC 280ZX from 1981-83 will be quite a bit heavier. Well, 150-200 pounds. I would guess that a 280Z would beat it in a quarter mile race but not by much.

because so many years and so many miles are on all these cars, it comes down to how well each engine is running, any simple modifications that are installed, and the driver's skill of course. Either way it will be close.

If you are trying to decide which one to buy, knowning which car will beat the other by 10 feet in a quarter mile race (with stock engines) should not matter. The engines can be changed. Choose which body style you prefer or if you want powe windows, ect, then get the 280zx.

duowing

No, it wasn't a matter of which to choose to buy. Personally I like the 280zx over the 280Z. I'd love to get a 240Z one day, but I thought it was just odd that the 280Z was making more Horsepower than the 280ZX. Seeing as how you'd think engine's would be progressing, you'd think a later model would be producing more power than an earlier model.

RodMoyes

Two words... E-Missions.


Rod.

RubberBerner

emissions came into effect in early 70's (72 or 74 i always forget!)... so all 280's were required to meet Nitrogens of Oxide (NOX)-egr/three-way cat, CO2-two-way cat, and Hydrocarbons (HC)-02 sensors or electronic air metering device, emissions. I don't think they changed between 77 and 83...could be wrong, but im just trying to remember all this **** from Emissions classes.

jfairladyz

Emissions may have come into affect back then but every year they get more and more stringent. So every year manufacturers have to find a way to meet the requirements. Back then it meant sacrificing power. Now a days you can get the best of both worlds. The concern then came off of performance and shifted towards making a car that they could just sell without pissing off the EPA. And a 280zx was just a 280z with a face lift. Weight wasn't much different at that point as the 280z was already over weight. The 240Z, IMO, is the only Z worth owning if you're going to go pre-ZX. Unless of course you just prefer that body style. But I prefer the ZX body style. But like I said, I my OPINION. So please send all hate mail to admin@stickersarefaster.com. If you're nice he'll send you a sticker to make your car faster.

Buy yeah, what he said up there. It was just the way they rated the HP. BUSTED. They had to do it the right way for the ZX

WildmaN

I agree on the 280zx on the way it looks. But I still like the old Z's also. I would like to have both styles. Because the older Z's were more sporty looking, and the Zx's are more for sleek, and comfort, along with some luxury. What I like about the Zx's is the rear wiper in back, I think that looks tight. And when I get an older Z, I am going to put a rear wiper in back like the Zx, just to be different, and because I like the look. All in opinion though.

DynamicJ

yep, 280ZX is luxury... don't forget the 280ZX commercial with the old man, showcasing all of his luxurious cars, and he still chooses to drive the ZX. Sheer class

Bleach

I'm going to remove the rear wiper from my car!

"its a long way to empty in a Datsun!"

FubarI33t

I thought about moving the rear wiper to the top of hatch. instead of bottom. Another thing to make her mine.

lww

Took the rear wiper off mine. Cleans up the styling nicely.

NismoPick

no more bloody rattling either.

RodMoyes

Yours rattles?

That's pretty weird. Did you try tightening it? I've never once heard mine rattle... the rest of the car maybe, but not the rear wiper. Hell, my stereo is usually so loud that I can't hear anything rattle. The dashboard squeaks, center console, drivers window too... drivers door rattles a little bit, hood rattles a little bit, brakes squeak a little bit. Crap... my car is a rolling turd.

Rod.

P.S. Is it wrong that every time I see a Toyota with a TRD sticker on it that I have an insatiable urge to insert the letter U in between the T and the R? Just asking because I can't help myself from wanting to do it every time I see one... "Hey look you guys, that ugly *** new tacoma has a great big TuRD on the side of it!"

Rod.

FubarI33t

lol. funny. Hell I don't think any of my wiper's work. front or back. hell. I need to get some new hatch strut's. Mine are shot, and that thing get's very heavy. I got one of those extendable paint sticks. but look's bad.

duowing

it sounds like the reverse for the 300zx. The hood struts were shot so we were using various object to hold the hood up. Tree branch, broom stick, stick of wood, book, etc.

lww

At least you'll never have to worry about it wearing out!

RodMoyes

If you have a 280ZX with bad deck lid struts, Get the deck lid struts from a second gen 300 (Z32). They are way stronger. You just need to flip them upside down for them to mount up.

Rod.

FubarI33t

thanks for tip there rod. If I find some, will be sure to get them.