Z-noob dilema... Should I buy a $900 Z31 or save for an S30?

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Just look at all the builds on HybridZ from RB swap to VG30/VG33 swaps and build ups etc, you will get a better idea, ratsun has most people with cars we love to drive at least most of us if not half don't have a fast car we just love to work on then and keep them on the road. Your questions would have been better answered in the Z section or the other forum HBZ or any other Z forum but there more than plenty of builts here that would have answered most of your questions. No one is trying to bash or be narrow minded here we just get so many people that ask the as exact questions and like most don't like the answers. We are pretty sarcastic so you have to have a pretty thick skin to get the sarcasm and bullshitting but give us great questions, pics, goals you want and you will get better answers. I can literally put link after link what to look at and what is recommended but that would take time off mine ill help with what I know and can! Just know that every forum always has a person asking the same questions all the time it's all too common!

 

Ill be generous and give you a few links to give you some tips and pointers on what to look forward to, I had to do this when I was new to the car world.

 

Start here.

http://forums.hybridz.org/

 

This link is for the L28ET if you get a S30 decide to swap the L28ET in.

 

http://www.xenons130.com/l28et.html

 

Get familiar with all the different L-6 heads.

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php?topic=6012.0

 

Take your pick!

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/51-s30-series-240z-260z-280z/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/74-gen-iii-iv-chevy-v8z-tech-board/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/32-nissan-l6-forum/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/35-nissan-v6-forum/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/31-nissan-rb-forum/

 

Also read this.

http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/13076-so-you-wanna-swap-an-rb-eng-here-ya-go/

 

 

http://www.xenonz31.com/modifications.html

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/53-z31-series-300zx/

[mhub91]

Where are you attending school? Wyotech? UTI? You sound like some boneheads I know all too well

.....

[joseph1994]

Just look at all the builds on HybridZ from RB swap to VG30/VG33 swaps and build ups etc, you will get a better idea, ratsun has most people with cars we love to drive at least most of us if not half don't have a fast car we just love to work on then and keep them on the road. Your questions would have been better answered in the Z section or the other forum HBZ or any other Z forum but there more than plenty of builts here that would have answered most of your questions. No one is trying to bash or be narrow minded here we just get so many people that ask the as exact questions and like most don't like the answers. We are pretty sarcastic so you have to have a pretty thick skin to get the sarcasm and bullshitting but give us great questions, pics, goals you want and you will get better answers. I can literally put link after link what to look at and what is recommended but that would take time off mine ill help with what I know and can! Just know that every forum always has a person asking the same questions all the time it's all too common!

 

Ill be generous and give you a few links to give you some tips and pointers on what to look forward to, I had to do this when I was new to the car world.

 

Start here.

http://forums.hybridz.org/

 

This link is for the L28ET if you get a S30 decide to swap the L28ET in.

 

http://www.xenons130.com/l28et.html

 

Get familiar with all the different L-6 heads.

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php?topic=6012.0

 

Take your pick!

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/51-s30-series-240z-260z-280z/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/74-gen-iii-iv-chevy-v8z-tech-board/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/32-nissan-l6-forum/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/35-nissan-v6-forum/

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/31-nissan-rb-forum/

 

Also read this.

http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/13076-so-you-wanna-swap-an-rb-eng-here-ya-go/

 

 

http://www.xenonz31.com/modifications.html

http://forums.hybridz.org/forum/53-z31-series-300zx/

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

[joseph1994]

Where are you attending school? Wyotech? UTI? You sound like some boneheads I know all too well

.....

I actually went to USF for a year and now I'm transferring to FIU because I want to come home.... Trying to get a bachelors in construction management.

[Spoona_Jay21]

if i had to Choose between the two.... say fuck it all and build a diesel 260Z 2+2 with a ZG nose. DONE!

[tr8er]

if i had to Choose between the two.... say fuck it all and build a diesel 260Z 2+2 with a ZG nose. DONE!

The rare, coveted 2+2!!  Just like the 2 seater, but 2! better!  Reminds me of a perfect breast, but longer.  

[tr8er]

 

I have scholarships covering over half of it, plus my parents are supportive and saved college money for me over the years thankfully and those two things are covering almost everything with school. 

 

I really hope you recognize them for how amazing this is of them.  As well I hope you find some way, though unlikely, to not take this action for granted.  There is a large period of time that most graduates now are forced to work because they have a rather immediate monthly bill that needs to be paid.  Those who don't have a great opportunity that is so easily pissed away.  I'll call it a gift and a curse bundled into one good intention.  So make those critical years after graduation count.  I wish I had the financial freedom to travel after graduation.  But no chance.  Instead I've got around $2500/month in undergrad, grad, and med school loans that pretty well pin my ass to working long hard hours.  

 

That takes me back to my question. You said to buy a good car to start with. Is a Z31 (in the condition that I described in my original post) for 900 bucks worth it? Or would I be better off with an S30 in similar or better shape for about 3k?

 

I've never owned a Z31.  I've been warned off by too many previous owners.  And I had a wonderful experience with an S30.  Therefore I recommend an S30, though I have no personal justification to put down an Z31.  A Turbo 280ZX feels like sitting in Ron Jeremys ball sac.  And looks better.  But you better have a garage for either.  Florida will dissolve that beast quick.  

 

[joseph1994]

 

 

I have scholarships covering over half of it, plus my parents are supportive and saved college money for me over the years thankfully and those two things are covering almost everything with school. 

 

I really hope you recognize them for how amazing this is of them.  As well I hope you find some way, though unlikely, to not take this action for granted.  There is a large period of time that most graduates now are forced to work because they have a rather immediate monthly bill that needs to be paid.  Those who don't have a great opportunity that is so easily pissed away.  I'll call it a gift and a curse bundled into one good intention.  So make those critical years after graduation count.  I wish I had the financial freedom to travel after graduation.  But no chance.  Instead I've got around $2500/month in undergrad, grad, and med school loans that pretty well pin my ass to working long hard hours.  

 

That takes me back to my question. You said to buy a good car to start with. Is a Z31 (in the condition that I described in my original post) for 900 bucks worth it? Or would I be better off with an S30 in similar or better shape for about 3k?

 

I've never owned a Z31.  I've been warned off by too many previous owners.  And I had a wonderful experience with an S30.  Therefore I recommend an S30, though I have no personal justification to put down an Z31.  A Turbo 280ZX feels like sitting in Ron Jeremys ball sac.  And looks better.  But you better have a garage for either.  Florida will dissolve that beast quick.  

 

 

I'm not sure what you meant by the ball sac comment lol but I've never liked the 280zxs. Some are nice, others just kinda seem saggy in the back. Thats the best way I can describe it. I really don't like the changes they made to the back half of the car in '79. I guess I should consider it though. They're much easier to find than S30s and very cheap. Theres just very very few that I've seen that I really like. If you know of any that you particularly like pics would be nice.

[joseph1994]

After checking out hybridz and z31performance and seeing some sweet high powered VG30 builds I've kinda gotten inspired to get the Z31 and see what I can make of it over the next few years. I'm gona wait another week or so to stock up some more money and then go for it. Unless I find a deal on an S30 I can't pass up. I want the S30 more but I'll still be more than happy with the Z31, and I'm young so later on down the road when I'm done with school and making some big money (hopefully...lol) I can get the S30 and have both. And on top of that I still got my Firebird to get my V8 fix haha. 

[yellowdatsun]

Here's my take...........The VG30E and ET are some of THE BEST engines ever made, period. They were SO overbuilt, and understressed, that you have to really work hard to blow one up. I've had 300ZX's, as well as a buddy of mine, I've swapped the VG30E into one 510, and we're doing two others, and I even converted my 280ZX to run Z31 fuel injection. Why you ask, because the Z31 and VG30 components are THAT GOOD. The EFI is WAY better, more reliable, and less finicky than any of the earlier systems. I've also been in 2 510's with VG30ET's swapped in, and they will scare the shit out of you. Granted they're a lot loghter, but still, the amount of power is unreal. Lighting up the tires in 5th gear on the freeway, that's some hp right there. Both of them were done with really low-buck, home-built, diy stuff. No big money.

 

With that said, getting big HP out of a Z31 turbo is REALLY easy. Because they're so overbuilt you can run huge boost on a stock block. Getting 300hp out of one is really simple, add an intercooler and crank up the boost. Even getting 400hp isn't hard. Getting 500 though you'll have to start spending some big money.

 

You'll never, ever get anywhere near those numbers with an S30, unless you do a crap-ton of work. Z31 parts are still really easy to find at any local parts store.

 

The Z31 will be the next classic Nissan. Cars with that classic Japanese 80's styling are starting to get more attention now. Buy the Z31 and make it a monster, it would be awesome.

[yellowdatsun]

Also, if you want to buy the non-turbo right now, that's fine....because it's super easy to drop in a turbo motor. Or just get new pistons for the N/A engine, since that's the only difference between the N/A and turbo anyways.

[joseph1994]

Here's my take...........The VG30E and ET are some of THE BEST engines ever made, period. They were SO overbuilt, and understressed, that you have to really work hard to blow one up. I've had 300ZX's, as well as a buddy of mine, I've swapped the VG30E into one 510, and we're doing two others, and I even converted my 280ZX to run Z31 fuel injection. Why you ask, because the Z31 and VG30 components are THAT GOOD. The EFI is WAY better, more reliable, and less finicky than any of the earlier systems. I've also been in 2 510's with VG30ET's swapped in, and they will scare the shit out of you. Granted they're a lot loghter, but still, the amount of power is unreal. Lighting up the tires in 5th gear on the freeway, that's some hp right there. Both of them were done with really low-buck, home-built, diy stuff. No big money.

 

With that said, getting big HP out of a Z31 turbo is REALLY easy. Because they're so overbuilt you can run huge boost on a stock block. Getting 300hp out of one is really simple, add an intercooler and crank up the boost. Even getting 400hp isn't hard. Getting 500 though you'll have to start spending some big money.

 

You'll never, ever get anywhere near those numbers with an S30, unless you do a crap-ton of work. Z31 parts are still really easy to find at any local parts store.

 

The Z31 will be the next classic Nissan. Cars with that classic Japanese 80's styling are starting to get more attention now. Buy the Z31 and make it a monster, it would be awesome.

I guess that settles it then.... Would it be better to swap in a turbo motor or just change this pistons and get a turbo set up on the N/A? I feel like that would be easier than having to pull the motor and put a new one in.

[tr8er]

If you have access to a lift, it may be easier to swap. You could also drive what it comes with and build a turbo engine just how you want it on a bench, then swap.  

Feels good to have made a decision right?

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Or you can get the S30 and swap over the VG30 in or even a VG33 they make those all the way to 2004 I believe.

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54914-vg30et-swap/

[Raggleflaggle]

Or you can get the S30 and swap over the VG30 in or even a VG33 they make those all the way to 2004 I believe.

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54914-vg30et-swap/

i vote this, you'll have to update suspensin, braking, etc, anyways.

[jalen]

 

 

[joseph1994]

If you have access to a lift, it may be easier to swap. You could also drive what it comes with and build a turbo engine just how you want it on a bench, then swap.  

Feels good to have made a decision right?

Hmmm, I know people were shocked by my 20k estimated build cost. But of course I'd like to do it for less if possible... So what would be the most cost effective route to take? Would it be cheaper to buy an additional motor to build or just build and turbo the one in the car?

 

Or you can get the S30 and swap over the VG30 in or even a VG33 they make those all the way to 2004 I believe.

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54914-vg30et-swap/

An S30 is just gona cost a lot more to buy, especially one that runs and has a decent body. Not to mention finding one thats well priced, runs, and has a decent body is extremely hard. At least in my area. I've been looking hard for over 2 months now. I'm getting impatient lol.

[joseph1994]

Dafuq^ lmao

[jalen]

your word to pic ratio was really off. thought i would help raise it,

[Raggleflaggle]

looking hard for over 2 months now. I'm getting impatient lol.

wait for it....

[ArchetypeDatsun]

West Coast has a lot of Z cars especially S30's you can get one pretty cheap if you look hard enough and drive it back!

[GreenEggs&Ham]

There arnt too many RB guys here.. atleast the posting ones. Ive owned a rb25det stock turbo and internals, but with a few bolt ons like greddy plenuim, 90mm throttlebody, intetcoller.. running 14psi was enough to fry tires and skid up. Plenty for me. Search google for garages in NZ, Australia, and its birth place japan where that platform has been rung all the way out to 1500hp. What ever you chose to do, make a plan from the start, stick to it, dont cut costs on your safety, and have some kind of insurance on it; the last thong you want is a smouldering pile of 20k... all that aside my vote is S30.

[tr8er]

For perspective, I looked for around 2 years for my wagon.  And I think most on here would find that reasonable to short time frame.  That said, you are looking for a car that is easier to find.  You do want to look for a car that is not in Florida.  Or one that recently moved out there.  That state is rough on cars.  I'm in Hawaii, and there is no chance I would shop for a car here.  Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.  Something a little inland and desert.  Check their craigslists right before spring, or winter break then make a road-trip vacation of it.  And try not to crash it on you way home.  

[tr8er]

 

 

 

 

I know, boobs.  But did you see her eyes?  Thats a twofer.  

[joseph1994]

The cost of going to Texas or way out to the west coast would probably come out to more than finding one here.... But I know I could find one in better shape. I guess I gota consider that now...