Few things in here i didnt know. Safety better than the 350Z and the Awards :cool:

 

 

Production 1989–2000

Body style(s) 2-door convertible

3-door hatchback

Engine(s) 3.0 L VG30DE V6

3.0 L VG30DETT V6

Wheelbase 2450 mm (96.5 in) 2 seater

2570 mm (101.2 in) 2+2

Length 4305 mm (169.5 in) 2 seater

4520 mm (178 in) 2+2

Width 1790 mm (70.5 in) 2 seater

1800 mm (70.9 in) 2+2

Height 1245 mm (49.0 in) 2 seater, standard)

1250 mm (49.2 in) 2 seater, T-bar roof

1255 mm (49.4 in) 2+2

Curb weight 1610 kg (3550 lb) 2+2

1496 kg (3300 lb) 2 seater

 

weight varies with performance package

 

 

In 1989 Nissan replaced the Z31 chassis with the Z32. Production of the naturally aspirated versions began in the Spring, followed by the twin-turbo in the Fall. The Z32 was also titled 300ZX because engine displacement remained unchanged. However, since the engine had dual overhead cams, the engine code was revised to VG30DE. The twin-turbo model had the VG30DETT engine.

 

 

Style and evolution

The Z32 chassis would likewise undergo several changes throughout its production run between 1989 and 2000. Among the milestone safety additions are the inclusion of standard driver and passenger-side airbags and true pillar-mount seat belts. The Z32's extended model year sales in 1990 reached 39,290 units.

 

1991

 

•Manual climate controls discontinued (except in convertible).

•New electronic climate controls allowing control over air flow direction, but no more ambient temp gauge.

•Nissan logo put on the front fascia (nose panel).

•Driver's airbag now optional.

•Air conditioner evaporator valve changed from aluminum to steel for better sound insulation.

•North American brake rotors changed to NA units. Previous NA rotors were 4 mm thinner.

•CD player option added for both the TT and NA; it was previously only available in the NA.

•Bose stereo head unit changed.

•Logo on floor mats changed from "300ZX" to "Z".

•Hardtop coupe available at mid-year (NA only).

•Brake master cylinder changed to new unit in February 1991.

•Keyhole on driver's door and interior light illuminated when driver's door handle was pulled.

•Sales: 17,652 units.

 

1992

 

•Driver's airbag made standard.

•Brake caliper material changed from aluminum to iron, to help warpage/shimmy problems.

•Dashboard and door complimentary material changed from fabric to suede.

•Separate mirror heater switch eliminated (combined with rear defroster switch)

•Mirror heaters made standard.

•Power adjustable driver's seat standard on TT.

•Sales: 6,708 units.

 

1993

 

•Turbo oil line insulation changed for better heat dissipation.

•Convertible option added.

•Upgraded Bose stereo made standard.

•AIV/reed valves removed.

•Non-turbo model ECUs changed from 8-bit to 16-bit

•Sales: 11,599 units.

 

1994

 

•Rear spoiler design changed to a taller, pedestal-type.

•Seat belts redesigned; they were moved from door mounts to true pillar mounts.

•Super HICAS system changed to an electrically-actuated unit (previously oil pressure actuated).

•Passenger's side airbag introduced and made standard.

•Keyless entry added.

•Titanium keys discontinued in November 1994.

•'Reset' button removed from clock.

•Off-white 'Pearl' colour is dropped. Future 'Pearls' are more of a semi-metallic white.

•Sales: 5,320 units.

 

1995

 

•New style fuel injectors that are less prone to premature failure

•Twin-turbo model ECUs changed from 8-bit to 16-bit (happened late in '94 model year)

•Front fascia became body coloured instead of gray strip.

•Sales: 3,135 units.

 

1996

 

•Variable cam timing (NVTC) dropped. Factory HP rating remains at 300 hp (220 kW) as seen on original 1996 model year window stickers and third-party dyno testing shows 300 hp (220 kW); although the torque curve, because of the loss of VTC, was slightly less aggressive.

•OBD II electronics introduced.

•Driver's seat back rest no longer included adjustable side bolsters.

•Sales: 2929 Units total, 300 of which are the "Commemorative Edition." As far as i can tell its just a normal 300zx. just that it comes with a sticker. a number badge and a satin car cover (only in america)

 

 

Racing

 

 

The 1994 IMSA 300ZX that won the 24 Hours of Daytona.In 1984 to 1985 showroom stock racing, the 300ZX captured wins on numerous occasions. The car scored its only Trans Am win in 1986 at Lime Rock by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing.

 

From 1985 to 1987, the Electramotive-developed GTP ZX-Turbo was raced in the IMSA GT Championship's GTP class and also the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, badged as a Fairlady Z, using a Lola T810 chassis and a VG30ET engine. Following development through 1987, the car would become dominant in IMSA GT in 1988. Additional factory endorsement, combined with a new chassis, transmission and more reliable Goodyear tires contributed to the team's success. The SOHC VG30ET was making upwards of 1,000 hp (700 kW), with a power band that extended from 4000 to 9000 rpm on a single turbo.

 

From 1990 to 1995, Steve Millen drove the twin turbo 300ZX for Clayton Cunningham Racing. The car dominated the IMSA in its GTO, then later GTS categories due to its newly-designed chassis and engine. Millen would rank as the #1 Factory Driver for Nissan for 7 years and earn two IMSA GTS Driving Championships and two IMSA GTS Manufacturer's Championships. Among enthusiasts and the team themselves, the biggest triumph for the race Z32, was the victory in the 24 Hours of Daytona. In the same year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 300ZX ranked first in the GTS-1 class and 5th overall. In an attempt to level the playing field in the GTS-1 class by reducing the allowable horsepower, the IMSA declared the twin turbo VG engine ineligible. The 1995 GTS 300ZX car would debut with the V8 Nissan VH engine at Daytona and would place first in the GTS-1 class at the 24 Hours of Sebring and Mosehead Grand Prix in Halifax.

 

The JUN-BLITZ Bonneville Z32 holds the E/BMS class land speed record of 419.84 km/h (260.87 mph) set at the 1995 Bonneville Speed Trial. The vehicle was built as a partnership between JUN Auto and BLITZ. This record remains unbroken. In 1990 JUN's first Z32 went 339.2 km/h at their Yatabe test course and hit 373 km/h after some tuning at Bonneville.

 

 

Awards

•1990: The 1990 300-ZX Turbo is named Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year". Motor Trend also names it, "One of the Top Ten Performance Cars". Automobile Magazine honours the 300-ZX/300ZX Turbo as its "Design of the Year", and names the 300ZX Turbo to its "All Stars" list. Road & Track names the 300ZX Turbo "One of the Ten Best Cars in the World". Car and Driver names the 300ZX Turbo "One of the Ten Best Cars".

•1991: The 300ZX Turbo is named to Car and Driver 's "Ten Best" list, and is once again one of Automobile Magazine's "All-Stars".

•1992: For the third straight year, Car and Driver names the 300ZX Turbo one of its "Ten Best", and Automobile Magazine names it to its "All-Stars" list.

•1993: For the fourth straight year, the 300ZX Turbo is named a Car and Driver "Ten Best", and one of Automobile Magazine's "All-Stars".

•1994: For the fifth straight year, the 300ZX Turbo is named to the "Ten Best" and "All Stars" lists by Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine, respectively.

•1995: For the sixth straight year the 300ZX Turbo is named to the "Ten Best" by Car and Driver.

•1996: For the seventh straight year the 300ZX Turbo is named to the "Ten Best" by Car and Driver, this is also the final year of production in the US.

Even after production stopped magazines have continued to rave and award the 300ZX even years later.

 

•2004: Automobile lists the Z32 as one of the 100 coolest cars of all time.

•2006: Automobile lists the Z32 on both the "20 Greatest Cars of the Past 20 years" and the "25 Most Beautiful Cars in History".

"once again beautiful, so sleek and tight and shimmering that it still looks great ten years after it went away" -Automobile, 2006

 

 

From the year it was introduced, the Z32 has also won many comparison tests against similar sports cars such as the Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth, Mazda RX-7, Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Supra, Dodge Viper, and the Porsche 968.

 

 

Safety

 

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

 

 

In Australia, the 1990 to 1995 Nissan 300ZX was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings brochure as providing "average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[15] The 300zx was also reported by the United States Department of Transportation to be safer than other popular sports cars like the RX-7, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and the new Nissan 350Z in the event of a crash. This is due mainly to the advanced placement of the seatbelt being mounted on the door instead of on the body of the car (90-93 models).

Edited October 24, 200916 yr by Car.Mad

I'm glad you now know!

 

This informaton is what makes the car a legend for those of us who have followed it from launch in 1990 (if you're old enough!).

you must try and go to sleep at night,,,,,,very good history there well done

good find mate :)

nice find, enjoyed reading that

nice learnt a fair bit

Have you been reading wikipedia?? :x:

Good find but not all strictly true for the UK market...

 

Ivan

Great bit of info there buddy!