Nissan 300ZX
The Nissan 300ZX is a sports car that was produced across two different generations. As with all other versions of the Z, the 300ZX was sold within the Japanese domestic market under the name Fairlady Z.
It was sold in Japan from 1983 to 2000 and in the United States from 1984 to 1996, the 300ZX name followed the numerical convention initiated with the original Z car, the Nissan Fairlady Z, which was marketed in the U.S. as the 240Z. The addition of the "X" to the car's name was a carryover from its predecessor, the 280ZX, to signify the presence of more luxury and comfort oriented features. The first generation 300ZX known as the Z31 model was produced from 1983 through 1989 and was a sales success becoming the highest volume Z-car for Nissan.
To become even more competitive in the sports car market, the second generation 300ZX was driven up-market. It was redesigned to be faster and to feature more advanced technology, but came with a higher price than its predecessor, with consecutive price increases each model year of availability. As such, sales dwindled each year, a trend in the higher end sports car market at the time, and Nissan placed a hiatus on selling new Nissan Z-Cars to the US after the 1996 model year, though the car would continue to be sold in the Japan domestic market until 2001 in low production numbers.
Car and Driver placed the Z32 on its Ten Best list for seven consecutive years, each model year of its availability in the United States. Motor Trend awarded it as the 1990 Import Car of the Year. The Nissan 350Z, officially the Z33 generation Z-Car, succeeded the 300ZX in 2003.
Z31
The Z31 chassis designation was first introduced in Japan on September 16, 1983, as the Fairlady Z. Designed by Kazumasu Takagi and his team of developers, the Z31 improved aerodynamics and increased power when compared to its predecessor, the 280ZX. The newer Z-car had a drag coefficient of 0.30 and many were powered by Japan's first mass-produced V6 engine instead of the inline-sixes of the previous Z-cars. According to Nissan, the new V6 engine was intended to uphold the sporty, six-cylinder spirit of the original Fairlady Z, but in a more compact and efficient package.Mechanical
All Z31s were equipped with engines that had electronic fuel injection, and all cars were rear wheel drive. There were five engine options in total: A turbocharged dual overhead cam 2.0 L straight-six, a turbocharged single overhead cam 2.0 L V6, a naturally aspirated single overhead cam 3.0 L V6, a turbocharged single overhead cam 3.0 L V6 and a naturally aspirated dual overhead cam 3.0 L V6.Many of the Z31s were equipped with the new VG family of V6 engines, which was Japan's first 60-degree V6, unlike its predecessors, which used L-series I6 engines. The VG engines were found in the 200Z/ZS/ZG, 300ZX and 300ZR trims, from 2.0L to 3.0L. The VG30 engine was either a type A or type B sub-designation from 1984 to March 1987, while models from April 1987 to 1989 had a W sub-designation. The W-series engines featured redesigned water jackets for additional cooling, and fully floating piston wrist pins. Finally, these engines were equipped with self-adjusting hydraulic valve lifters.
Some Z31s are equipped with the turbocharged RB20DET engine, which are the last Z-cars to use a inline-six cylinder engine; these were sold as the Fairlady Z 200ZR, of which roughly 8,283 were produced between 1985 and 1988. 200ZR's came in two trims; 200ZR-I, and 200ZR-II. 200ZR models also came standard with the R200 limited-slip differential, white faced gauges, and ZR specific cloth upholstery.
| Model | Engine | Displ. | Config. | Power | Torque | Market |
| 200Z /ZS /ZG | VG20ET | V6, OHC with turbo | at 6000 rpm | at 3600 rpm | JDM | |
| 200ZR | RB20DET | I6, DOHC with turbo | at 6400 rpm | at 3600 rpm | JDM | |
| 300ZX | VG30E | V6, OHC | at 5200 rpm | at 4000 rpm | US, 1984-87 | |
| 300ZX | VG30E | V6, OHC | at 5200 rpm | at 4000 rpm | US, 1988-89 | |
| 300ZR | VG30DE | V6, DOHC | at 6000 rpm | at 4400 rpm | JDM | |
| 300ZX | VG30DE | V6, DOHC | at 5600 rpm | at 4400 rpm | Global | |
| 300ZX | VG30DE | V6, DOHC | at 5600 rpm | at 4400 rpm | Saudi Arabia | |
| 300ZX Turbo | VG30ET | V6, OHC with turbo | at 5200 rpm at 5200 rpm | at 3600 rpm at 3600 rpm | JDM, 1983-86 JDM, 1986-88 | |
| 300ZX Turbo | VG30ET | V6, OHC with turbo | at 5200 rpm | at 3600 rpm | US, 1984-87 | |
| 300ZX Turbo | VG30ET | V6, OHC with turbo | at 5200 rpm | at 3600 rpm | US, 1988-89 | |
| 300ZX Turbo | VG30ET | V6, OHC with turbo | at 5400 rpm | at 4400 rpm | Global |
The Z31s are equipped with a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission; all Z31 automatics were the E4N71B equipped with torque-converter lockup, including turbo models. All Z31s were equipped with a Nissan R200 rear differential. April 1987 and later turbo models received a modified R200 featuring a clutch-based limited-slip differential, except 1988 Shiro Specials which had a viscous-type limited-slip differential.
Technology
As with some other Nissan models of the period, the new Z31s were equipped with a "Voice Warning System". The Voice Warning System used a pre-recorded voice box, the vehicle's radio and driver's door speaker to mute the radio and provide a vocal warning whenever the left or right door was ajar, the exterior lights were left on after the vehicle was turned off, parking brake was left on while trying to operate the car, or the fuel level was low. This system was dropped for the 1987 model year.Other technological features in the 300ZX included a "Body Sonic" audio system, analog gauges, stereo and climate control, or an optional digital gauge cluster, digital stereo with equalizer and an optional fully digital climate control system.
Chassis
The Z31 chassis was based on the 280ZX. Although the newer chassis had the same wheelbase and MacPherson strut/semi-trailing arm independent suspension design, it handled and accelerated better than the 280ZX it replaced. Turbocharged models, except for the Shiro Special edition, lower trim 200Z models, and the 200ZR-I, had 3-way electronically adjustable shock absorbers. The Z31 was available in either left or right hand drive.Style and evolution
As originally released, the Z31 used black polypropylene bumper covers and body side moldings, with black front and rear spoilers. Turbo models had a hood-mounted scoop mounted off-center. All cars were fitted with a T-top roof.The Z31 body was slightly restyled in 1986 with the addition of side skirts, flared fenders, and 16-inch wheels. Many black plastic trim pieces were also painted to match the body color, and the hood scoop was removed.
The car was given a final makeover in 1987 that included more aerodynamic bumpers, fog lamps within the front air dam, and 9004 bulb-based headlamps that replaced the outdated sealed beam headlights. The 300ZX-titled reflector in the rear was updated to a narrow set of tail lights running the entire width of the car and an LED third brake light on top of the rear hatch. This was the first car in history to have the central brake light with LED, in 1987 model year, made by Stanley Electric.
The Z31 continued selling until 1989, longer than any other Z-Car at the time. Cars produced from 1984 to 1985 are referred to as "Zenki" or "Zenki-gata" models, while cars produced from 1987 to 1989 are known as "Kouki" or "Kouki-gata" models. The 1986 models are unique due to sharing some major features from both. They are sometimes referred to as "Chuki" models, but are usually grouped with the Zenki models because of the head and tail lights.
North American market
North America was the main market for the 300ZX, as for previous generations of the Z-car. It was introduced to the United States in October 1983, along with the remainder of Nissan's 1984 model year lineup. By now the "Datsun" nameplate had been completely retired in North America. Over 70,000 units were sold in North America in 1985 alone. There were three trim models available: SF, GL, and GLL. The SF model was only available in Canada. The new V6 Single overhead cam engine was available as a naturally aspirated VG30E or a turbocharged VG30ET producing, respectively. The 1984 to 1987 turbo models featured a Garrett T3 turbocharger with a 7.8:1 compression ratio, whereas 1988 to 1989 models featured a low inertia T25 turbocharger with an increased 8.3:1 compression ratio and slightly more power — naturally aspirated and turbocharged.For the 1986 model year, the base two-seater model was made available without the T-bars, creating a lower cost entry-level version.
Special editions
Two Special Edition versions of the Z31 generation model were produced by Nissan; a 50th Anniversary Edition celebrated the company's semi-centennial in 1984 and offered additional luxury features, and a "Shiro Special", released four years later, with performance-oriented upgrades.The 1984 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition, released to celebrate the automaker's half-century, was a turbocharged coupé model with a Light Pewter/Thunder Black color scheme. All 50th Anniversary Editions came equipped with a digital dash and ancillary gauges including average mileage, G-force, and compass readouts, in-car electronic adjustable shocks, Bodysonic speakers in the seats, cruise and radio controls in the steering wheel, mirrored t-tops, embroidered leather seats, embroidered floor mats, aluminum wheels, rear fender flares, flared front fenders, a 50th AE logo badge on the driver's side front fender, and grey cloth indoor car cover with 50AE printing. The only option available to the 50th Anniversary Edition was the choice between an automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. 5,148 AE models were produced for the U.S. market and 300 for the Canadian market. A non-turbo 2+2 model was also available with 50AE badging in the Australian market.
In 1988, the turbocharged Shiro Special debuted with pearl white paint, stiffer springs and matched shocks, heavy-duty anti-sway bars, a unique front air dam, paint matched wheels, Recaro seats with matching door panels, painted bumperettes, white painted door handles and a viscous limited-slip differential. No options were available for the Shiro. It was the fastest car out of Japan, capable of speeds, as tested by Motor Trend with the electronic speed limiter disabled. A total of 1,002 Shiro Special Z31s were produced for the U.S. market between January and March 1988, plus an additional 75 units for the Canadian market.