Hello!

 

Right, I currently drive a 1.3 Polo G40, and at some point next year want a car of atleast equal performance, but that looks a bit nicer, and is rear wheel driven. Always been a fan of Japanese cars, and I've shortlisted it down to a 300ZX. What are some common problems to look out for with them? AND what sort of maintenance is required? My Polo needs a supercharger rebuild every 20,000 miles, so I'm not picking faults, just wanting to know what the upkeep of them is. Basically my point is: I don't know the cars well at all, and don't know what to look out for, for eg. if I were to go look for another G40, I'd be asking them when the charger was last serviced, checking to see it's not loosing boost etc.

 

On from that, what sort of engine modifications are available for them? (excluding NOS) What's a reasonable BHP, 0-60, 1/4 for an averagely modified one? Just trying to get a feel for them, whether or not they are pretty much tuned out, or have lots of potential, without resorting to NOS.

 

Stock figures for them come out at 14.40 1/4 mile, and 5.6 0-60 which is about what my Polo is doing currently, and that's almost had it's power output doubled, so it's not really gonna get much better than that. Where as, if these ZX's are easily, and cheaply tuned up as my Polo, they should be making silly amounts of BHP. What's the standard boost for one?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Scott

Any more sites like this??

 

http://www.300zx-mods.co.uk

 

Excellent site. Any sites you can recommend for uprated engine components?

you reckon your polo will keep with a z :rofl:

 

wake up and smell the kenco ;)

 

by the way welcome :D

Here we go... :o

 

A stock Z versus a modified G40 for a 1/4 mile run yes. Anything after the 1/4 mile, no. It's a 1.3 at the end of the day. I didn't come here to bitch about what's the better car.

 

I was mearly stating fact.

 

Fact 1:

I have a 1/4 mile print out of my Polo doing a 14.40 1/4 mile, and hitting 60 in 5.8 (Same run) The first guy to own it got apparently got a 14.02 1/4 mile and a low 5 0-60, maybe possible, but I have no proof.

 

Fact 2:

Carstats.co.uk says a stock 300ZX does this:

0-60 mph (sec) 5.6

Standing ¼ml (sec) 14.4

 

Which is pretty much the same as my Polo. Which is fast and I love, but as I said in my original post, that's pretty much the max you can take them, so I want something that can be taken further, and in stock form is atleast as quick as my Polo.

 

Any helpfull info would be cool.

 

What's the difference between UK spec and Japan spec?

 

Oh and I hate coffee.

 

Just for you mate.

 

I was wrong it was 14.47.

 

I like my Polo.

I like 300ZX's

I liked my mates old 200SX

 

I'm not here to talk argue. I'm just trying to find out information on 300ZX's as they look the shit, and after some reading seem to have lots of potential in the engine!

--13.40s @ 107mph 1/4mile -- 0-100mph in 12.3s -- 0-155mph in 38s @ 1.1miles

 

 

NICE

 

 

 

 

Pete Shrimp, do you have list of engine modifications you've done anywhere?

you reckon your polo will keep with a z :rofl:

 

wake up and smell the kenco ;)

 

by the way welcome :D

 

 

nice comments greg to a potential new member :rolleyes:

 

As he's said his polo is pushing out nearly double its original spec, and make no mistake these g40s are pretty nippy instock form off the mark, infact if hes doubled his power im suprised his 0-60 isnt a bit better than what hes quoted!! so yes it would keep up with a zed until probably around the 60 mph mark, where the 300's bigger engine will come into its own!!

Have a look here as well, that should answer a lot more of your questions. If you still have question after this and you can't find that answers by using search give us a shout.

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk

sorry for my ignorance i was tired and looked at [1.3 polo] and well you can see what im saying i dident see the supercharger bit :o

 

were not all like me sorry :D

--13.40s @ 107mph 1/4mile -- 0-100mph in 12.3s -- 0-155mph in 38s @ 1.1miles

 

 

NICE

 

 

 

 

Pete Shrimp, do you have list of engine modifications you've done anywhere?

 

i think pete would prefer to answer the question but i think he has uprated exhaust,induction,chip and 12.5 psi of boost so not huge mods but its down to a good driver IMO a decent clutch aswell but if you got an auto who needs a clutch

 

me hates cofee to gives me a rash lol

scoops[/u]]nice comments greg to a potential new member :rolleyes:

 

As he's said his polo is pushing out nearly double its original spec, and make no mistake these g40s are pretty nippy instock form off the mark, infact if hes doubled his power im suprised his 0-60 isnt a bit better than what hes quoted!! so yes it would keep up with a zed until probably around the 60 mph mark, where the 300's bigger engine will come into its own!!

 

 

from the most polite member on this forum :rolleyes:

Cool cheers for the link. I was googling most of the night and have found quite a few sites. Greg, np's mate, the 1.3 Polo thing usually gets everyone. It's always fun taking a skeptic out for a ride hehe. I think it's because they're so light, the bhp/tonne is insane, but, anything after 80, and they're dying out.

 

Cool so these things can get get good 1/4 mile times, with just a little tuning and even in auto form :shock: So is UK spec as standard better than Japan spec as standard?

Cool cheers for the link. I was googling most of the night and have found quite a few sites. Greg, np's mate, the 1.3 Polo thing usually gets everyone. It's always fun taking a skeptic out for a ride hehe. I think it's because they're so light, the bhp/tonne is insane, but, anything after 80, and they're dying out.

 

Cool so these things can get get good 1/4 mile times, with just a little tuning and even in auto form :shock: So is UK spec as standard better than Japan spec as standard?

 

no j-spec=300BHP

uk-spec=280BHP i think personally there is no differance in performance just a few differant variations in body style,and gadgetry for eg..uk spec tend to have leather interior and headlamp washers

 

where as j-spec have electric mirrors amongst other things uk cars are harder to come but jap cars tend to have less mileage and less rust but suffer from lack of service history :D

 

dont be put of by import cars there are some insurers that charge the same insurance as uk cars

 

autos are easier to come by!

manuals are less common each to there own wont start a debate which is better we all know which is best

 

find a good one and 3rd gear will make you smile from start to finish

i was once witness to a proper humbling of one of my mates by a g40......he was in his nice new v6 calibra turbo and was laughing at the little polo but what he didnt know was that us 2 in the back had seen the g40 badge and were egging him on knowing the outcome sure enough lights green blam the g40 dusted and well and truelly trounced my m8 in his we ribbed him for months afterwards

ahem.. make your mind up was it a v6 OR a turbo, two different beasts ;)

it was defo the v6......oops

Hi EeekiE

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Nice figures from your car mate - impressive for a 1.3. No wonder your supercharger needs a rebuild every 20K ;)

 

The ZX engine is pretty unstressed with stock boost around 9psi. They are pretty tough but simply increasing the power of a 10-15 year old engine without considering some re-build work will have a negative effect on reliability.

 

As for standing 1/4 times remember the ZX is a heavy rear wheel drive car and can fight for grip if too much power is forced through the rear wheels. The figures for stock cars are indeed fast but where the ZX really excells is the mid range overtaking speeds.

 

Also with age the weight takes its toll on the suspension so if you want to go fast round corners this will need sorting too.

 

Good luck with your search - there are a few for sale here at the moment, which is probably the best route if you want one that has been looked after properly.

 

Richard :hyper:

Cheers Richard.

 

Next question, gear ratios! What does each gear redline at? Someone on the Polo forum did a cool Excell spreadsheet for the different gearboxes, and wheel sizes calculating speeds etc. Anything been done like this for the Z? I'm on about manual btw. Thanks

Cheers Richard.

 

Next question, gear ratios! What does each gear redline at? Someone on the Polo forum did a cool Excell spreadsheet for the different gearboxes, and wheel sizes calculating speeds etc. Anything been done like this for the Z? I'm on about manual btw. Thanks

 

 

there is a lookup table for gear ratios on different models on http://www.300zx.org.uk. will try to find a link for you.

 

 

bingo !!

 

http://www.300zx.org.uk/gear_ratios.htm

Thanks man. Quite long ratios. I don't suppose there's any videos kicking about showing the speedo whilst accellerating?

 

eg. http://vwvids.co.uk/vids/vwpolog40.rm

 

Also, anyone ever stripped out a Z in search of weight reduction? If so, what a sensible weight it can be taken down to?

Hello Eeekie.

My ex girlie had a poloG40 and I loved it to bits.(She was ok as well). I thought about getting one as a second car as it was great fun. Welcome anyway and good luck with whatever you choose.

Thanks man. Quite long ratios. I don't suppose there's any videos kicking about showing the speedo whilst accellerating?

 

eg. http://vwvids.co.uk/vids/vwpolog40.rm

 

Also, anyone ever stripped out a Z in search of weight reduction? If so, what a sensible weight it can be taken down to?

 

Im not sure anybody on here has done major weight reduction but Im fairly sure there would be one hell of a lot to be saved in dumping a lot of the interior trim, its pretty much a luxury car (in the early '90's japanese sense of the word anyway!) by ditching the miles of sound proofing, and trim along with aircon bits and bobs Im sure there could be a fairly substantial weight saving. although gotta think about if you want something as comfy as a rally car (i.e not at all, and really noisy) or a nice comfortable and pretty quiet and fairly fast cruiser.

 

im guessing your polo must be a bit of a go-kart as its not built for luxury to start with so if thats what you are used to the zed will seem very very nice in comparison! The difference between the zed and my mkII golf run-around if amazing, especially the road/wind noise at speed on the m-way.

 

Of course there is the MUCH more expensive route of replacing stock parts with light weight bits and bobs but Im unsure exactly how much of that is available for the zed as I dont think too many people actually "properly" race them.

Well my brothers Mk2 Golf is luxury compared to my Polo lol :D Then again, for me it's all about that feeling of your chair pushing your back. Hence the Polo. Because they don't handle brillaint, they look naff, and there are no luxury bits lol. So a nice nimble lightweight 300ZX would be excellent I think.

Mine weighs 1410kg with emmissions control junk and 4WS removed. Last dyno was 370bhp @ wheels, 1/4 13.3s. Mods engine wise just exhaust, intake and one of my own chips. It's a 2 seater jap manual.

Biggest problem on 1/4 is launching, anti-squat and heavy front end don't make for good 60ft times.

Handling is OK ish of you change the shocks and springs and all the bushes and disable the 4WS. Just don't expect to be chasing evo's round the twisties. Balance is pretty tail happy, but not uncontrollable. Basically it's a good laugh to drive.

Well my brothers Mk2 Golf is luxury compared to my Polo lol :D Then again, for me it's all about that feeling of your chair pushing your back. Hence the Polo. Because they don't handle brillaint, they look naff, and there are no luxury bits lol. So a nice nimble lightweight 300ZX would be excellent I think.

 

the TT has bags of torque so handles being a heavy car pretty well, you defo still get squished in your seat!! the NA is certainly no slouch either but will probably feel slow compared to your polo.

 

You will however notice that the "sensation" of speed is one hell of a lot less in the zed than you polo, zipping along at 100mph+ will feel like warp factor nine in a little car like that, however in the zed its a comfy cruise, you dont really think "christ im shifting" until 130+ (at least thats my take on it anyway)

 

to be honest, if you get a stock TT you will have very similar performance to your g40, with lots more comfort and its much more of a head turner too. running costs prob wont be much higher as you wont have to keep rebuilding a supercharger! (i bet thats expensive!) running stock boost and if the car has been looked after many people get well over 100k miles on thier tubs, mines 80k and not a whiff of smoke (tempting fate!) im sure some people on here have over 120k on them.

 

get out and have a drive in a few and make sure you see loads before making your mind up, its a buyers market at the moment so you should be able to break some poor sods balls on the price too! :) 3.5-4k should buy you a 90-91 manual (import) in good nick with a reasonable history. maybe even a bit less if you go for a auto.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18238&item=2490002424&sspagename=rvi%3A1%3A3 = WOW is that a standard exterior?

 

4WS = Four wheel steering? Isn't that suppsed to assist you? lol. I've always know these cars were backend happy. My mates 200SX was and he used to enter drifting competitions for a 200SX club. He said after driving a decent RWD car, you'd never want to go back to a FWD one. What's the 2 seater got, where the 4 seater back seats would be? Just a bigger boot space?

 

After doing some reading a '94 '95 Jap manual would be ideal. Are imports more to insure?

 

A supercharger rebuild is around £250. Not to bad. There are some G40's close on 200,000 miles being sold for a couple of grand lol. Rock solid powerplant in them.

 

John, you seriously got 370 @ the wheels from just exhaust, intake and chip?? :eek: Brilliant.