I have a line on a turbo z31 for a steal, it's a shiro special edition, also.
iirc the z31 turbos come with adjustable coilovers, don't they? is the cost of the z32 worth it, or is the z31 barely inferior, and can be made much better with a little money?
appearance is not a deciding factor for me, because I love the 31 and the 32 for different reasons.
thoughts?
thank you
oh, and is the z31 less space starved in the engine bay than the z32?
I only have 2nd-hand experience with Z32s, but this was the sum of my friend's stint with an N/A car: "It's slower than my S13". His S13 at the time was gutted and had some mild port-work in the head, but was elsewise stock.
I'd go for the Z31 myself.
I don't know which i would choose, but i do know that i wouldn't give the n/a models of either a second glance.
The turbos are cheap enough now that it's not worth settling.
I'd go straight for the Z32 turbo. You can find them relatively cheap, and they're purty.
Being an avid ex-Z31 owner, I would go with a Z32.
The special edition is cool, but it's not really that collectible and I don't think it got any extra HP over the standard turbo.
They didn't have "coilovers" but electronically controlled damper settings. But from '88, not going to hold a candle to a properly matched spring/shock setup now.
Wait for a Z32 TT.
I must be only person on the planet that hates the looks of the Z32.
I'm basing my suggestions on performance.
But the rear overhang on the z31 is pretty untidy these days.
z31 or z32 ?
What ever it takes.
This alphabet soup nonsense needs to stop.
I had to google this to find out I had no interest in finding out what it was. 
I still don't know.
ditchdigger wrote: This alphabet soup nonsense needs to stop. I had to google this to find out I had no interest in finding out what it was.
Well, those chassis codes aren't exactly obscure--especially on this board.
Anyway--pretties:
Z31. Although personally I would say neither.
I love the idea of a clean TT Z32 (400whp is EASY), I think I'd feel differently once I need to go under the hood....
Datsun/Nissan Z-car chassis code primer:
S30: 240Z, 260Z, 280Z
S130: 280ZX
Z31: 1st. gen. 300ZX (1983-1989)
Z32: 2nd. gen. 300ZX (1989-1996 US, 1989-2000 Japan)
Z33: 350Z
Z34: 370Z
Z32 with LS1. 
Wait. I'd never thought about that one.
RexSeven wrote: Datsun/Nissan Z-car chassis code primer: S30: 240Z, 260Z, 280Z S130: 280ZX Z31: 1st. gen. 300ZX (1983-1989) Z32: 2nd. gen. 300ZX (1989-1996 US, 1989-2000 Japan) Z33: 350Z Z34: 370Z
When I hear Z34 I think of:
njansenv wrote: Wait. I'd never thought about that one.
Don't see why not:
Z32 = cooler
There was a thread on Z32s in the past couple of months.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/learn-me-90s-300zx-z32/35493/page1/
ProDarwin said: I just sold a '91 Slicktop. What you need to know: -All of the 2+2s are heavy. -Turbo Models all have t-tops and rear steering. They are ~3500lbs They also have a diff and trans cooling pump. -A slicktop manual weighs around 3160. -The NA motor will make around 230whp with bolt ons. Low 14s are not hard to achieve, and with care and attention I'm sure you can hit high 13s. -The Turbo motor can be had for fairly cheap. It will make 500hp on stock turbos without any internal work. (BSP trim). It's a berkeleying monster. -The steering wheel does not tilt. If you are taller than 5'10 you will not be able to see your turn signals or high beam light. That said, the control/interior layout is awesome. -They have tons of caster (yay!), and a dual arm/tension rod setup (yay for good camber curve, boo for rear toe change - S2K syndrome). -They fit a crap ton of tire. -'90 NA models have skinny front rotors. -92+ models have iron front calipers (boo!) -95-96 models have no air injection thingies -the engine bay isn't so much cramped, as it is full of hoses/plumbing. Its kinda scary. -sexy sexy sexy
RexSeven wrote: Datsun/Nissan Z-car chassis code primer: S30: 240Z, 260Z, 280Z S130: 280ZX Z31: 1st. gen. 300ZX (1983-1989) Z32: 2nd. gen. 300ZX (1989-1996 US, 1989-2000 Japan) Z33: 350Z Z34: 370Z
what's my 87ish 200sx SE?
S12, maybe.
In reply to Luke:
Yep. Then you get into S13/S14/S15 Silvias/240SX. S12 was a (JDM) Silvia as well.
Not an AE86
Grizz wrote: Z32 with LS1.
Winning!
Appleseed wrote:Grizz wrote: Z32 with LS1.Winning!
Seems like a lot of work and money to make less power than the stock motor will with normal bolt ons. 
That's only true if you're talking about the turbo variant.
The lighter slick-top NA version sounds like a GREAT candidate for an LS1.
You'll need to log in to post.
