924Board.org

[Ozzie]

I looked at buying a 240z before I bought the Porsche.
It was modified in the front suspension to take the 3.8lt V6 GM EFI motor.
However he wanted too much.
Went like a scalded cat in a straight line but crap on corners.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[leadfoot]

Datsuns are one model I've been in alot, 180B,200B, 120K (probably the crappest stock) but they did make a special edition in japan only that had much better power, 240Z, 260Z 2+2, 280Z and I have to agree on the handling issues but the power was much better... although like the stock 924 it always seemed that it needed just a touch more to get the right feel... and as for the road noise, well I've been in others that were just as bad if not worse... can anyone say mini or MG....
best datsun I was ever in was a racing '67 1800, mind you we all had to get out of the car when going over speed humps as it was lowered that much, you see them in targa all the time cause there one of the best handling cars for the years they were made in....
Leadfoot
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

[helowrench]

Ok as a former owner of both at the SAME TIME I guess I will repost from an earlier thread.
BTW in the subject line it was specified ZX so my info is more pertinent than the info of 240/260's
the ZX did have rack and pinion
The 280ZX was made from 80 to 84 I think. It was the last z with the straight 6 (all later 300Z's came with the v6). I had a 82 280zx 2+2 at the same time I owned my 78 924. The ZX his a GT type car... more luxury less pure sports car. It came with AC, power windows/locks/steering/brakes. The turbo models were only offered during 83 and 84.
Direct comparison of the two cars will reveal a very different personality. The ZX will pull and pull from the torque of the I6 but does not have the crisp handling of the 24. however the 24 did not have anything near the pull from the motor.
A lot of this is due to the two cars weights. 82 280zx 2+2 3200lbs 78 924 2600lbs.
More HP and tire on the ZX but much less weight on the 924.
The ZX is a better car on open high speed road (interstate) hands down, I have run at 120+mph for 30 min or so and it loved it and was running great. The 924 was a much more tossable car in the twisties and if you want it to perform you have to "drive it like you hate it" upper RPM band of the motor. , but setting up a 4wheel drift around the apex and transitioning correctly to the next curve on a tight tree lined road is a singularly satisfying feeling.
for info on the Z or ZX go to ZCAR.COM
Sorry for the diatribe but I do miss my Z, BTW it currently has 290,000+ miles on the original motor! The head has never been removed. But it did eat 4 transmissions before I found out that my driving style was killing them (there is a simple fix for that too).
The 280ZX did handle very well, just not as good as a 924.


Rob

[Trogdor]

Hah, I was excited when i looked at the title of the thread! My roomate ironically purchased his '77 280z the day after I bought my 924. I had access to either car. From my drives in his 280 with fresh urethane bushings, new arms, shocks, swaybars, and a driveline in a decent state of tune, the Z is an awesome car. I owned a 280zx a few years back, solid rear axle as opposed to the 4 wheel macpherson of the 280z. The driving style demanded in the Z is totally different. There's a fistful of low end torque Smooth, early reactions are neccessary it did seem front-heavy. Remember also that in an S30, you're sitting atop the differential/drive wheels. Balance and power delivery is way different. The center of gravity and instant center in the Z is lower as well, difficult to manage when oversteer comes on, it tends to want to keep coming around. The reason I said "had access" is because my pal and I were driving to work and encountered inescapable understeer on this backroad. Plowed a curb at ~60mph:/ I provided a push down the 20 ft hill we unintentionally conquered. The damage was done however as the frame bent near the firewall, the car nearly seperated in two. As moone924 said, the non-rusted ones are rare, ESPECIALLY early coupes! This holy grail of Z's (rust free 2 seater in our garage) isn't totalled however. It's set to receive a 7M-GTE (MA70 Supra I-6 Turbo motor) and tube frame front end, as well as an S13 rear subframe and D2/Cusco coilovers. There's my schhhpiel about something other than my temporarily down 924 for today. The Z is a blast and an interesting challenge. Although in closing, I'll say that I'd rather drive my 924 in a perfect state of tune any day of the week I drive it "like" I hate it at least, ohh, every time it leaves the garage... It's bar none the best way to vent that I know of. Run though the gears, run through and past apexes with an aggressive angle, run the tach past 6k, run away from reality.

Eric