I can't help but notice that most of the z32's I see are 1990 models.

 

With that in mind is there a year where the car was at its peak? Or are they prety much all the same performance wise?

 

Al

probably coz theyd not been out long so everyone wanted one! like for example im sure the 350z assuming they keep making it a few years, the most common will be the first year or two.

Sales were highest in 90/92 and dwindled through the years.

 

No performance differences throughout the years Series 2 onwards (late 92 onwards) slightly more desirable becuase of better cloth, improved aircon, electric passenger seat...etc

...and by the time you get round to a Series 4 (97), Nissan were cutting quite a few corners...

cutting corners in what way?

 

they were not on sale in the UK or the US in 97.

I guess he probably means the variable valve timing was disabled so the power dropped slightly.

Hmm interesting. I read that the vvt didn't impede performance though cus of uprated cams. I think I read that here actually.

 

Al

cutting corners in what way?

 

they were not on sale in the UK or the US in 97.

 

Things like Digital Climare control, electric seats, ABS...etc all started to become options instead of standard.

 

They even went back to tweed in some of the later versions

...and by the time you get round to a Series 4 (97), Nissan were cutting quite a few corners...

 

 

What were they? I thought late ones were good.

I've owned a 91 NA Auto and currently run a 97 NA manual. The 91 had more gear in it such as the auto climate and electric everything. The 97 does away with the ABS and gets replaced by an airbag. No electric seats. Cheaper carpets, no sound proofing on carpets in boot. The gurgling valves under the front wheel arches are gone. Those wind deflectors that pop-up when you remove a targa - they've gone too.

 

The variable valve timing - that's still there - at least I assume it is.

 

The reason for these omissions is I can only assume because in 1990 / 91 they were making about 40 to 50 thousand Zs per year for sale globally, and in 97 they were making about 900 per year for sale globally - so obviously the profit's gone from the vehicle.

 

So - moral of the story, buy a 1990 low milage very well looked after Japanese import and wrap it in cotton wool - and in 25 years you'll own a classic.

I've owned a 91 NA Auto and currently run a 97 NA manual. The 91 had more gear in it such as the auto climate and electric everything. The 97 does away with the ABS and gets replaced by an airbag. No electric seats. Cheaper carpets, no sound proofing on carpets in boot. The gurgling valves under the front wheel arches are gone. Those wind deflectors that pop-up when you remove a targa - they've gone too.

 

The variable valve timing - that's still there - at least I assume it is.

 

The reason for these omissions is I can only assume because in 1990 / 91 they were making about 40 to 50 thousand Zs per year for sale globally, and in 97 they were making about 900 per year for sale globally - so obviously the profit's gone from the vehicle.

 

So - moral of the story, buy a 1990 low milage very well looked after Japanese import and wrap it in cotton wool - and in 25 years you'll own a classic.

VVT was dropped in late 95

...interesting - because my 97 NA car does pull right from low in the rev range right through to the red line - in fact it's a pleasure to hear it start off with a rumble and go through a 6 cylinder roar into a whail of mechanical terror - lovely.

...interesting - because my 97 NA car does pull right from low in the rev range right through to the red line - in fact it's a pleasure to hear it start off with a rumble and go through a 6 cylinder roar into a whail of mechanical terror - lovely.

 

No reason why it shouldn't, but it may be worth checking whether you have the actuator wiring down the back of the engine.

Andy - I'll have a look and see - any pointers re what (exactly) I'm looking for? I have a workshop manual for the 91 car so I suppose I could trace it from that.

 

I'd assumed that the different engine characteristics were due to my 91 car being an Auto therefore it did what it wanted with the revs. ...and with a manual you can play more with the revs.

 

I can't recall reading anywhere about Nissan removing the variable valve timing, but then again, I suppose they'd keep this quiet. If they've removed it, what else have they done to replace it, after all the engine outputs are still reported as common to all model years (Japanese that is)...

Andy - I'll have a look and see - any pointers re what (exactly) I'm looking for? I have a workshop manual for the 91 car so I suppose I could trace it from that.

 

I'd assumed that the different engine characteristics were due to my 91 car being an Auto therefore it did what it wanted with the revs. ...and with a manual you can play more with the revs.

 

I can't recall reading anywhere about Nissan removing the variable valve timing, but then again, I suppose they'd keep this quiet. If they've removed it, what else have they done to replace it, after all the engine outputs are still reported as common to all model years (Japanese that is)...

Yep, they kept its removal pretty quiet. Altered cams were fitted to make up for the VVT loss.

...well I suppose that's something else to add to the cutting-corners list. Mind you it's also something else less to worry about.

 

Cheerz

 

Jack