Hi all. I have a dilemma and I would really appreciate some help: I currently own a 290bhp Calibra Turbo 4x4. I have spent £6000 on mods and while it can out-handle just about anything (including a 300ZX ;o), I find that it just doesn't have enough power. I could continue tuning it, but money can't buy me an extra 1000cc, an extra turbo and an extra 2 cylinders unless I replace the engine and start tuning from scratch. So, the question is, do you think I should buy a 300ZX (which I have always really liked) or stick with the Calibra. I realise that some of you may be biased ;o) but I'd really appreciate your opinions as I have never driven a 300ZX and don't know the engine or the problems and therefore my basis for comparrison is a bit weak. All comments will be much appreciated.

 

buy a 300 :) see, i'm unbiased !

 

seriously though, putting the V6 from another calibra should be a straightforward(ish) swap no ?

that way you keep your exisiting non engine mods.. but adding a turbo (or 2) to a non turbo engine is less easy...

 

take a 300 for a test drive and see what you think first. you might not like the change from 4wd to 2wd...

 

And that difference alone is enough to make it difficult to compare the cars..

 

BUT, you get to start with 300bhp BEFORE you start spending money on mods... lol

and the only way is UP !!

 

will the v6 out of a cab mate up to the 4wd on another cab. when you think for six grand you could buy a mint 300 whith a fair bit of mods already done. all of this depends on how much you get for ure current chariot and we all know you never get back what you've spent.

 

Nik,

 

Why don't you go to one of the next meets and have a ride in one of the modified 300s.

 

Then you can make you're own mind up.

 

Where are you?

 

It comes down to style and taste, but you should probably take a look at Skylines/Supras as they can take heavy mods too. But you'll probably pay more a lot more than you would for a 300... and you wouldn't be able to use this forum!

 

Also, can you're Calibra do 190... sorry, just trying to tempt you!

 

8)

 

Yep, buy a Z hehe

 

6k's worth of mods on a Z would give you scary HP figures!

 

if he's up northwest way we can show him both sides of the 300 nature johnnys outright speed on a straight and i can scare him shitless round the streets and prove to him as big as a 300 is its still a supreme rear wheel drive machine and also introduce him to the pleasure of passive rubber smoke inhalation hehe

 

4wd on the vauxhall v6 has been done but it's not an easy one. Of course, it may not be quite as difficult as fitting Skyline 4wd running gear to a 300 ... (now that sounds like a Steve E tempter if ever I heard one).

 

A well sorted calibra should beat the 300 in purist handling on a track due to the significantly lower weight. However, handling means different things to different people. Contrary to some opinions, 4wd does NOT give more grip round corners - it makes it easier to pull out of slides.

 

Handling to me is about having fun. In road terms, the best handling cars I ever had is a toss up between an ex-rally mini I had and a 325i. Why ? Because they could both be taken closish to their limits within speeds which were (relatively) safe on the road.

 

The 300 MAY be better handling but I don't know ? Boring though it may sound, any sane person cannot reach handling limits on the road in a 300. We can all hang the back end out on a roundabout but that's not reaching the car's limit - it's abusing the cars power.

 

Patronising thought it sounds, very few people ever get close to reaching the handling limits of their cars because their own handling limits are reached way sooner. You can just look at Craig at the karting to see that ! (there Craig, and you thought I wasn't going to respond to the 'ugly git' text you sent!)

 

Anyway, don't mean to go on but interested in others' opinions.

 

Dave

 

thanks dave :p

 

Dave,

 

Skyline 4WD on a 300 sounds good but I'll leave that to Andy Elephant'#$...

 

I reached the handling limits of my previous Z and even exceeded them. I was still ready to keep going but that lamp post finished off my front end. Even 4wd wouldn't have got me out of that one!

 

Talking about handling limits on those karts... if my kart had any power in it I may have scored some points that day :-)

 

By the way, I'm not biased either so get a 300.

 

Steve

 

 

 

Steve, I reckon it was that lead helmet you were wearing !

 

Oh, and I missed one thing from my rambling post - I'm not biased either and I've got a 300 and it's the best so buy one !

 

Dave

 

Thanks guys, those are exactly the kind of responses I was hoping for. My inclination is to test drive one to see how much I like it and I will definitely go ahead with this. I would love to come to a meet and see some of your fine motors as I've never actually seen a 300 up close.

 

The Calibra 2.5 V6 engine will drop straight in (mating to the 4x4 transfer box), but the conversion costs around £4500, plus another £1000 for the 3.0 Omega block, plus God knows how much for a twin turbo conversion. Basically, it would take me years of saving to get a similar engine to the 300 but I just don't have the patience.

 

Tooley - I'm down in Southampton I'm afraid. All meets (for Club Calibra and the VPCC anyway) seem to be 'oop North'. However, if anyone is around my way that wants to take me for a spin, I'll happily demostrate my cally's handling.

 

Hairsy - You're right of course about the lateral traction in a 4x4 being no different, but the 4x4 helps to accelerate out of a corner without exessive oversteer or understeer as the power is transferred to the axel with most grip. The traction itself is helped by the 8"x18" wheels w/ Pirelli P7000 tyres, the Koni top adjustable suspension, the uprated and welded suspension arms, the powerflex bushes and the LSD. :o)

 

Cheers guys.

 

 

Hey, you've just got to get a 300 - that way you can go to 18x10 wheels !

 

Incidentally, do you have any details of Calibra clubs down South ? A mate of mine has a 2.5 which he wants to do some work to and is looking for some sort of club for advice etc. If you can email me with any info you might have to help him out, it would be appreciated.

 

Dave