280zx

[DSC]

A buddy of mine is looking at an 83 280zx with 80,000miles. We can't find much info on the car tho as far as stock HP, weight, wheel base, ect...
What can you tell me about this car?

[will]

which model?
nonetheless go here for specs:


1983 280ZX specs

[geeaj]

Best bet is to goto http://www.zcar.com you will find all the info you need and more.

Off the top of my head, the 83 zx non turbo puts out 140hp N/A with the L28 block. Turbo'd version 180hp. Weight is around 2800lbs.

[DSC]

It's the turbo 2 door coupe
1983 NISSAN 280ZX, turbo, strong engine, 80k orig miles, T-tops, 5spd, digital dash, stereo cassette, slightly worn interior
How much do you think would be a good price for this car?
Do you think this would be a good cheap 1st car?
How is the reliability?

Thanks for the links

[wherezmytofu]

280sx ownz! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>

[burgy240]

Those cars are bad ass still today!!!

[200sx]

If he can afford it, get it!! &nbsp;damn cool assed cars man.. I had one for my first car, and had two more after that. &nbsp;Watch for rusting out spots on the rear quarters/fenders and the floors. &nbsp;VERY strong in-line 6 engines. &nbsp;1st ans 2nd gear ALWAYS grind a bit, its a common thing with these cars. &nbsp;
Extreeeemly reliable. &nbsp;I was never left stranded, except when I left the lights on over night once. (oops) &nbsp;I have heard the turbos were not quite as reliable but still good. &nbsp;And damn fast too!! &nbsp;You can kick these cars ass, and they will take it. &nbsp;Trust me.
(4000rpm launch... slam to 2nd at 6000, hold on caus its gona break the back loose! &nbsp;hit 3rd at about 5500, and then check the speedo when you go to 4th @ 4500... realise you are doing 150K in a 60K zone and nail the brakes!&#33<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[DSC]

Could you describe the handleing characteristics of this car?

[240booster]

My friends got one of those and alot of peeps drop a chevy 350 in em. It's pretty common and easy by what i hear. They got a kit for it and everything... &nbsp; would make one hell of a sleeper. &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[s15dude]

If its turboed from the factory, then build a nice turbo motor. No reason why you can't easily get another 100 or so hp from the engine for the same price as a V8 swap.

[mrmephistopheles]

Actually that chassis (S130) isn't well documented for V8 swaps like the S30 and S31 chassis are.. For crazy motor swaps, you'd be best off getting a 240Z.. For all-motor power, look to the late 70s 280Z (NOT 280ZX) with the proper piston/head combo you can have up to 10.8:1 compression.. given a good intake and exhaust, you'll make nice HP..
If you have crazy money to spend, go to Japan and track down an LY28.. basically an L28 with a cross-flow head, which = MUCH better flow, which in turn = more power.
The racing LY28 Nissan had pushed around 300HP...

edit: http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/heads.html

[DSC]

How do you think this car would handle compared to an s14? The 280 is about 200lb's heavier but with a slightly shorter wheel base.

Another note, this car is going to stay stock (atleast for a while <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'> ) So would it make a good daily driver? How are they out at auto-x? Would their handeling characteristics be similar to an old 300zx?

We're gona go test drive it today, I'll let you know how it goes.

[White240sx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Mar. 29 2002,10:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How do you think this car would handle compared to an s14? The 280 is about 200lb's heavier but with a slightly shorter wheel base.

Another note, this car is going to stay stock (atleast for a while <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'> ) So would it make a good daily driver? How are they out at auto-x? Would their handeling characteristics be similar to an old 300zx?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I hear that the rear gets pretty unpredictable and a bit giddy at the limit. The Z31 has supposedly a vastly improved version of the semi trailing arm rear, and I can say I’m not overly impressed with it's handling so I can't imagine what a 280zx will be like. I guess it was probably ok 18 years ago, but there are many cars today that display more agility and more favorable handling characteristics.

[DSC]

Hrm...so would they be better drag cars than handleing machines? &nbsp;What kind of suspension do they have anyway?
Here's a pic

[White240sx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Mar. 29 2002,12:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hrm...so would they be better drag cars than handleing machines? What kind of suspension do they have anyway?
Here's a pic
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
It's not that it's got bad handling or no potential, it's just not as forgiving as many newer cars with more advanced suspensions.

I believe the 280zx has a McPherson strut front and a semi trailing arm rear. I'm not positive on the front though.

[DSC]

Cool, just read up a bit on trailing arm over here. Doesn't look very good, but atleast it's got our wonderful suspension up front <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
Unfortionately the owner didn't call us back today so we didn't get to test drive it but I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.