Looking for a 300ZX modded? The Nissan 300ZX was among the most popular Japanese super-coupes when they were first released at the beginning of the 1990s. The Mitsubishi 3000GT was pricey and boring, the Toyota Supra twin-turbo was outgoing, and the Mazda RX-7 was a little too unforgiving. With its aggressive styling and affordable price, the 300ZX modded was a hit right away and paved the way for later, more expensive Nissan cars like the Skyline GT-R.
The 300ZX accomplished a remarkable feat despite just having been on the market for four years. It accomplished something that had never before been achieved: it made spending a lot of money on a Nissan look like a sensible plan of action. This kind of perception change requires an automobile that is truly credible. In this essay, we will look at 300ZX modded and 350z cheap mods.
Nissan 300ZX
Nissan created a sports car called the Nissan 300ZX, sometimes referred to as the Nissan Fairlady Z. It consists of the third and fourth Z-car generations, which are designated by the chassis numbers Z31 and Z32, respectively.
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The 240Z was the first vehicle to use the number convention proposed by Yutaka Katayama, a former president of Nissan Motors USA, for the 300ZX name. Its predecessor added the “X” to the model designation to represent “luxury.”
The Z31 300ZX, created by Kazumasu Takagi, had more power and better aerodynamics than the 280ZX. The car was powered by Japan’s first mass-produced V6 engine rather than the usual inline 6 and featured a new, sleeker body with a drag coefficient of 0.30.
Nissan said that the 300ZX’s new V6 engine will revive the original Fairlady Z’s much-loved personality.
300ZX Modded: Z31 Vs Z32
- 2.0-litre VG20ET V6 Turbo (200Z, 200ZG, 200ZS)
- 2.0-litre RB20DET I6 Turbo (200ZR)
- 3.0-litre VG30E V6 (300ZX)
- 3.0-litre VG30ET V6 Turbo (300ZX Turbo)
- 3.0-litre VG30DE V6 (300ZR)
The Z32 was a huge improvement over the Z31. It was more fashionable, technologically sophisticated, and highly functional. The Z32 300ZX, along with the 240Z, is undoubtedly Nissan’s most well-known Z-car.
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Nissan provided both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the 300ZX. These were the two 300ZX engine choices:
- 3.0 liter V6
- 3.0 liter V6 twin-turbocharged
The normally aspirated VG30DE engines now had variable valve timing, and they generated about 220 horsepower. Nissan equipped the turbo model with dual Garrett turbochargers and dual intercoolers, resulting in an astonishing 300 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 283 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.
The Z32 saw a variety of revisions throughout its existence, and additional models were added. Nissan improved the radio system, added a convertible option, and switched the brake caliper material from aluminum to iron in 1993.
Up to the car’s discontinuation in 2000, minor modifications to the bodywork, electronics, engine, and other components were performed. With a new front, headlights, taillights, rear spoiler, and other minor tweaks, the 1998 model underwent the most significant alteration.
Nissan 300 ZX Features
Bodywork And Structure
One of the most cutting-edge JDM sports cars of the 1990s, the 300ZX twin-turbo V6 engine is one of the cleanest we’ve ever seen. It will go down in history as one of the most high-tech automobiles ever. The first 300ZX examples are dressed in Glacier White Pearl Glow, including the example in the video below.
That 300ZX modded example still has its original factory 16-inch wheels covered in Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires. Its unique T-Top roof is another incredibly fascinating architectural element. An equally beautiful charcoal leather inside matches the spotless outside.
A power-adjustable driver’s seat, a Bose audio system, power windows, cruise control, and the most ’90s-inspired steering wheel and shifter you’ve ever seen are all included in the cabin. The speedometer boasts a top speed of 160 mph, and the tachometer can reach a maximum of 9000 rpm.
Like many others of the era, the rear wheel arches of this car are vulnerable. Don’t forget the gasoline filler, either, as the rot in this area might extend to the sills. When the drains for the T-bar roof malfunction, the sills also take a hit. They deteriorate from the inside out as a result of water filling the hollow rather than flowing through the sill as intended.
300ZX Engine
This Nissan sports car conceals cutting-edge technology under its exterior, including HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension) and passive four-wheel steering. The front brake calipers, which have four pistons, are concealed below those 16-inch wheels. This Nissan’s 300ZX engine, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 300 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque, is housed under the hood.
There is no slushbox here; instead, power is sent to the back through a highly sought-after five-speed manual transmission. Since they are relatively inexpensive, consumers could be inclined to spend despite the necessity of routine maintenance. Even while there are times when cars are offered for sale elsewhere at alluringly low costs, it is advisable to buy from an enthusiast who can provide you with a complete service history.
Timing belts need to be replaced every five years or every 60,000 miles. However, failure of the head gasket can result from overheating. Low turbo boost should raise red flags because the car will enter safe mode if it senses a problem. Despite this, some people are inclined to increase the boost from its default value of 9 psi.
Engines can manage more, but only if they are completely functional. Keep an eye out for a blue haze coming from the exhaust, especially if it has been sitting for a while. Although it could simply be worn PCV valves, replacing a damaged turbocharger will set you back about $2,000.
Transmission
The automatic gearbox has a very difficult time handling the amount of power present in this situation. Check the fluid; pink indicates health; brown and burned-smelling indicate it’s time for a rebuild, which can be rather costly. Every 30,000 miles, fluid replacements make sense. The manual is more difficult, but watch out for slipping clutch. The drivetrain seems sturdy otherwise.
For those 300ZXs equipped with the HICAS rear-wheel steering technology, which should be barely noticeable from the wheel. Although some choose to remove it, handling issues, such as a loose, floaty-feeling rear end, are typically caused by wear in the ball joints or bushes.
The 300ZX sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and completes the quarter-mile at 93 mph in 15.0 seconds. Even when pumping up to its 7000-rpm redline, the engine always sounds smooth and unstrained, so it doesn’t seem very rapid. The 300ZX weighs 3341 pounds, and its large, sturdy body shields the cabin from the commotion.
Interior
The Z32’s futuristic “cockpit”-style cabin won praise from the critics. It also possessed the necessary technological features, such as power windows, power steering, power mirrors, cruise control, and more.
To make sure everything works, test every function. Nissan interiors from this time period were notoriously vulnerable to sun damage. Age-related wear on the leather trim is to be expected, although it should be reasonable given the mileage and usage claims.
Trim Levels And Variants
The 300ZX has two different types of gearboxes fitted. Customers also have the choice of a 4-speed automatic gearbox in addition to the first, a 5-speed manual lever. The Nissan 300ZX employed a wide range of 6-cylinder engines during its first few years of manufacture, most of them were V-shaped and had a capacity of 2 or 3 liters. Since 1989, Nissan has streamlined its lineup and started selling the 300ZX with two 3.0-liter V6 engines, one of which features two turbochargers.
Fuel Economy
The Nissan 300ZX uses fuel in a variety of ways. The 300ZX may consume up to 11.7 gallons of gasoline while driving fast in town, compared to roughly 23.5 mpg on the highway.
Reliability And Problems
Despite being a sports car, the Nissan 300ZX is thought to be quite practical. Its excellent value for money has earned recognition from both experts and users. Despite having a rather modest purchase price, the Nissan 300ZX has high maintenance expenses.
One of the reasons for this circumstance is that this car frequently makes mistakes despite having vital parts. Another drawback is the 300ZX’s poor silencing, which considerably decreases driving comfort.
Fastest Nissan 300ZX
Did you know that the fastest 300ZX in the world has a top speed of around 261 mph? And that it was established more than 25 years ago, not recently. Given that today’s severely customized automobiles don’t reach those numbers, that is simply insane. Early in the 1990s, Japan’s JUN car and BLITZ tuning companies teamed up to build the quickest 300ZX in the world. The outcome was outstanding.
The 300ZX 3.0L VG30DETT V6 engine, this time bored up to 3.1L displacement, powers this 1,200hp monster. 890cc injectors, a 300ZX modified manifold, and two KKK 27.2 turbochargers were installed in order to quadruple the power of the vehicle’s stock output.
In order to make the car stable at high speeds, the aerodynamics of the vehicle were also modified. A rear diffuser, roof vane, and hood bulge are built to fit the larger surge tank installed. The 300ZX was the first JDM car to reach 400 km/h (249 mph).
The E/BMS group established a speed record of 261 mph (420 km/h), which has not since been surpassed. Since this JDM 300ZX Z32 undoubtedly carries a significant amount of JDM heritage on its shoulder, a sale price of roughly $71,000 is anticipated.
2JZ 300ZX Build By Kalvin Malli
Kalvin originally purchased this car as a 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0L NA with the automatic. He obviously didn’t purchase it to drive it as is; instead, he had other ideas, including installing a 2JZ-GTE in the engine bay.
He explains the procedure for 2JZ swapping a 300ZX on his YouTube channel; it’s not as simple as people might think. There is a lot of hacksawing required to make the engine section function because it is surprisingly small. Incredibly, Kalvin accomplished everything without the use of a lift.
The car’s appearance received a lot of care and attention as well. Wheels, suspension, front and rear bumpers, and paint have all been replaced. The outcome is a stunning wine-red 300ZX powered by a strong 2JZ engine. Even more, Kalvin received an invitation to SEMA 2019, where he showed his Z32 and won first place.
Pristine Wide-Body Nissan 300ZX
This particular car has a complete TwinZ body kit. This Peruvian body kit is quite uncommon. It significantly enhances the 300ZX’s figure. Fitted are some elegantly golden Enkei RPF1 that match well with the blacked-out Z32. The interior is excellent; everything appears to be brand-new, and the Alcantara material and Recaro bucket seats give the cabin a performance-oriented vibe.
The owner still powers the 3.0L VG30DETT engine, but it has been significantly bored out, and pretty much everything that can be modified has been. The turbos have been replaced with two Garret GTX2867s, which increase output to around 650 300ZX horsepower. Although it could seem a bit excessive for a road car, it is still pretty reasonable compared to some other vehicles on this list.
Nissan 300ZX Modified
A fast road cam is one of the best mechanical power upgrades you can do to your engine, especially on the NASP VG30DE. You must carefully monitor the fueling when increasing the power. Simply said, more gasoline and air are required for a higher power.
You should seriously think about fueling when doubling the power. Your engine’s injectors may need to be upgraded if you want to get enough gasoline. You will also require a larger fuel pump to supply your increased fueling. With a fuel pressure boost valve, the 300ZX’s responsiveness to the throttle can be improved.
A redesigned intake plenum was available on the NASP version of the engine used in the Maxima; this would be a simple modification for the VG30E, adding an additional 5-7 bhp. The typical bore size for the VG30DETT is 87mm, but if you’re fortunate enough to have a flawless block, you may raise it to a maximum of 89mm, bringing your cc to 3148cc.
If you decide on a large overbore, cryogenic treatment should strengthen the block. There will be faults and stress spots in many blocks, which would restrict how much of the cylinder may be extended. The twin-turbo engines respond incredibly well to a bespoke remap, and you may add an extra 20–40% of the power.
In-car power adjustments are possible with a variable boost controller, although a larger boost requires a remap. Your major concern when upping the boost is engine knock. Using a high octane fuel and adding water injection will allow you to boost the engine even more and gain even more power.
300ZX Modded Options #1: Camshaft Upgrade
The rotating component of the VG30DE can manage around 500 horsepower at the wheels because of its cast-iron block and forged rods. In light of this, an aggressive camshaft upgrade has a significant positive impact on the engine. A tune-up and extra gasoline are obviously significantly more advantageous when using a camshaft.
A larger fuel pump and larger injectors are required to handle the flow. Forged pistons are a worthwhile investment if you plan on disassembling the engine. For around $1,000, all four camshafts can be operated. Although it can end up being one of the priciest Nissan 300ZX modifications, the power is worthwhile.
300ZX Modded Options #2: Intake And Exhaust
The next system to be altered is the intake and exhaust system. A complete sports exhaust system can nevertheless result in power improvements of between 5 and 9 percent, despite the fact that Nissan’s standard exhaust system is actually rather good. The majority of 300 ZX owners select a sports exhaust just for the sound. An induction system will help you increase power by roughly 10 bhp if you remember to get a 300ZX cold air intake installed as well.
Sports exhausts will undoubtedly increase engine airflow, but don’t go overboard. For best performance, limit NASP models to 2 inches and turbo engines to 2 to 2.5 inches. When having engine repair done, invest in an upgraded clutch because as you start Nissan 300ZX tuning, the stock clutch will start to complain at about 400 horsepower.
300ZX Modded Options #3: Brakes Upgrade
The coupe N/A version of the 300ZX modded weight is as little as 3,287 pounds, making it a big vehicle. This most likely has something to do with the iron-block engine and steel unibody of the vehicle. Its weight makes stronger stopping power necessary. Even with stock brakes and no engine modifications or turbochargers, any vigorous driving will cause brake fade.
To aid in cooling, rotors with slots and vents are used, and ceramic brakes provide quiet but powerful stopping force. The price of an Akebono brake kit from Z1 Motorsports is $1,948.
300ZX Modded Options #4: Wheels
Alloy wheels improve performance and help to keep the brake discs cool because of their lighter 300ZX weight. Large alloy wheels may look fantastic on the 300ZX modded, but it’s crucial to remember that they may reduce your performance.
As you go further, your top speed will drop as a result of changes in your effective final drive ratio. Maintain the original overall rolling diameter of the wheel that came from the factory. In all circumstances, we urge against exceeding 18 inches and advise (depending on your suspension setup).
300ZX Modded Options #5: Motor Pulleys
Swapping out the driving pulleys is a reasonably easy and affordable upgrade. Owners of the 300ZX will notice a 25-horsepower bump due to this update; however, the job is probably a little more challenging than on other cars.
The power comes from the engine turning the accessories with less mass, which reduces drivetrain loss. Some larger throttle bodies would be worth looking into while the front of the engine is apart. A set of drive pulleys is available from Z1 Motorsports for $300.
300ZX Modded Options #6: Body Kit
Although the 350Z looks fantastic in factory form, the OEM body package lacks that “ground-hugging” appearance. Adding a front lip to your current Nissan bumper may drastically change the front end of the car. There are many solutions for 350Zs on the market.
It might be best to investigate some of the 300ZX Rocket Bunny, 300ZX modded supercharger, or less expensive FRP options, as that tiny collision will likely be a little more painful if you also have to think about carbon fiber repairs.
Nissan 300ZX Mods: Facts You Need to Know
- Nissan 300ZX enjoyed two generations from the 1980s until the mid-1990s and has the proper equipment to demonstrate impressive performance at a great price.
- The 300ZX has a naturally aspirated VG30DE 3.0-liter V6 that sends 220 horsepower to the rear wheels, while the 300ZX TT has the same engine with two turbochargers and made 300 horsepower, this time called the VG30DETT.
- The 300ZX remains difficult to work on because of its cramped engine bay, but there are a few performance upgrades owners can do without removing the engine.
- One of the most common 300ZX mods is to swap stock 350z wheels that are made from aluminum, shedding some weight from the already heavy 300ZX, and are 17-inches in diameter, giving the car far more tire options.
- The 300ZX’s weight dictates the need for enhanced stopping power, and owners should upgrade the brakes with vented and slotted rotors and ceramic pads to avoid brake fade. Z1 Motorsports sells an Akebono brake kit for $1,948.
- The 300ZX engine benefits greatly from an aggressive camshaft upgrade, but it could become one of the more expensive Nissan 300ZX mods. All four camshafts can run for about $1000.
- Changing the drive pulleys is a simple and inexpensive modification that can increase horsepower by 25, and some bigger throttle bodies may be worth getting into as well. Z1 Motorsports sells a set of drive pulleys for $300.
- Upgrading the intake can give the 300ZX an extra 10 horsepower, and owners recommend a JWT air filter, which costs $89.
- These 300ZX mods can be installed without removing the engine or any large parts from the car and are affordable for how much performance they offer, especially as one of Nissan’s fastest cars ever.
- The 300ZX is a heavy Japanese sports car that has the potential to perform well but can be challenging to work on due to its cramped engine bay.
FAQs On 300ZX Modded
Here are some popular FAQs:
Are 300 Reliable
Since all 300ZXs are now older than 20 years old, they all have reliability problems. They are not for inexperienced mechanics because of their reputation for being challenging to work on and their confined engine bays, which are crammed with intricate wiring and piping.
What Engine Does A 300ZX Have
The inline-six engines that had powered all previous generations of the Z vehicle were replaced by the 300ZX’s first mass-produced V6 engine from Japan.
How Much Horsepower Does A 300ZX Have
The 2,960 cc (3.0 L) VG30 V6 engine, now with DOHC and variable valve timing (N-VCT), was unchanged from the previous generation 300ZX. It produces 222 bhp (225 PS; 166 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 198 lb-ft (268 Nm) at 4,800 rpm in normally aspirated (NA) form.
How Much HP Does A 300ZX Twin Turbo Have
A 24-valve, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged, intercooled, 24-valve V-6 engine that generates 300 horsepower powers the Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo engine.
How Much Is A Nissan 300ZX
The specs and state will eventually determine the worth of any object. There are many various Nissan 300ZX variations, but not all of them are worth the exorbitant price tags that some models are commanding. Sales of the Z31 generation were higher, although the 300ZX cars made at that time aren’t quite as popular now. Z31 versions with turbochargers and without are less valuable than Z32 variants. In addition, convertible Z32 versions and one of the 300 last Commemorative Editions are considerably more valuable. Despite the 300ZX’s potential for high value, the majority of models aren’t in the finest of shape, hence the average auction price for a Z32 300ZX is around $11,000.
Final Verdict On 300ZX Modded
To customize your vehicle, look for 300ZX modded aftermarket parts. Despite the fact that Nissan had many favorable newspaper reviews, far too many people passed on this car when it was brand new because it lacked any sort of attraction. Forget the label, though; the Z32 is a driver’s car with incredible grip and powerful performance.
People are finally treating the car with the respect it merits, thanks to the current 370Z, which is helping to restore the reputation of the earlier ZX. Although it is a sturdy vehicle, you cannot afford to ignore it. The loudness, appearance, and performance can be a distraction when your intellect is most needed. Purchase a quality one, 300ZX modded and you won’t be sorry.
