Hey guys I was just wondering wut the power difference between a 1980 280zx with a manual transmission is vs. an 86 300zx automatic transmission both no turbo and all stock I just want to know who has the edge over who
thanks guys

 

actualy Idk. A sheet with specs shows the non turbo 280zx and 300zx do 0-60 at the same time

 

My friend has a 87 300ZX n/a with automatic. GVW says 4062 lbs. No thanks. I would assume that the 280zx is faster.

 

4000 is max payload on factory springs. Those cars weigh only slightly more than the 280ZX.
The 280ZX should win a race. The auto is not very good for acceleration. The engine has more torque and only slightly more horsepower in the 300ZX.

 

GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight. That's how much the car is rated to carry.

The actual 'Curb Weight' is substantially lower. Or you wouldn't be able to put any gas in the tank or any people inside.

I think the first generation Z31 Curb Weight was in the neighborhood of 3000lbs leaving around 1000lbs for 'cargo'.

That being said, the 5-speed 280zx if driven correctly 'should' be faster than the automatic 300zx. But a lot depends on gearing and driver ability.

The Auto will be more consistent from run to run, where the 5-speed will have variation on shift point, shift speed, and accuracy.

In bracket racing on the drag strip, you want the auto because of it's consistency.

 

The NA Z31 was rated at right around 160HP, the '80 ZX was rated at 132HP. The weight difference isn't enough for an '80ZX to best an 300ZX. In 81 the HP went up to 145. It'd be pretty even there.
Transmission didn't affect engine output on these cars, just acceleration.
Turbo 280ZX-180HP, turbo Z31-200HP. The 300ZX had a bit of weight on the 280ZX though. The 280ZX should be right around 2800lbs, the 300 3000+. Auto adds weight, can't launch as high, and slips if accelerated to hard.

But you asked for power figures, so I'll leave it at that.

 

thanks everyone my friend has a 86 300zx and she wanted a race against me I have my na 280zx so I was just wondering who had an edge on who thanks. Now all I gotta do is put the motor in my car and get it titled, tires and some primer on the body and I'm off. I have someone coming over this weekend to help me get the motor in so....
thanks again

 

Put some descent tires on that thing, and you'll take a stock Z31 if you got a manual. Not by much, but you should be able to edge her out. I took a Z31 with my 4spd 280zx. Everything is stock but the tranny and the timing.

 

**** RED pulled sooo hard a z31 yestday that is no way that it could have gotten way.it was at the stop light ahead of me.. i reved up .the light when green he jump on it my AT lagged a little but as soon as i hit 2000rpm there was no stoping red.... i could have past him in the middle of town. but he turn off becuase he is a sister act......... the same thing happened to me with a 2005 vett the day befor that.... but iam sure he could have gotten away if he wanted to i dont think he was trying that hard ..

 

I got into it with a yamaha YZF 600R 2 days ago, He cheated though he took it up to 11,500 RPM's I coulda got him if he did go past 3000 RPM

 

I saw a video clip of a 280ZX wooping all over a street bike(something Italian). I'll look for the clip today and post the link if I find it.
Of course it helped that the car was running a twinturbo V8. It was f-ing awesome to see though. The bike pulled on him at the start, and he's speeding along, and then out of nowhere the Z just flies by him like the bike ain't even moving. I almost wet myself.