CoastGuardZ

To answer the question of why I like Z's... I just do. Emotional or Logical? My first encounter with Z's was a black 280ZXT when I was younger and I've been hooked ever since. Of course my father said it was Japanese garbage and I should "Buy American". My position on the Z and Nissan is just simple choice and personal taste partially based on old technology and shoddy build quality. Are you aware that the Big 3 use the consumer as their Q/A? Compare a new Japanese vehicle (most of which are built in the USA) to a new American vehicle and you will see my point. I've owned my share of American cars and trucks and I'm through. The Jap cars and trucks I've owned have all been extremely reliable and easy to maintain. This doesn't just apply to Datsun/Nissan but to cars like my wifes 174,000 mile Acura Integra, still going strong and holding up well too. Aftermarket support when talking about the V8's will never be anywhere near the same... the CSB has been around since when, 1955? Where as the Titans 5.6 has been around only a few years. Sheer quantity alone and the extremely wide range of placement will always guarantee the CSB a better aftermarket support. But for my taste I'll be plenty happy If my Z makes 200hp. - I reckon that's emotional. My feelings aren't hurt :hurt: , I'm just a smartass by nature. :devious: Nasty Nissan Nate

Oh yeah, almost forgot. I noticed you left out the "power house"... Chevy's 305. We all know how great that engine was... My '88 C1500 made an astonishing 180hp and had something like a 5800 rpm redline. 5.0=180hp vs 2.4=150hp... there's a fair comparison.

Well professor, how is it not a logical argument? Because I'd much rather drive a Nissan than any Chevrolet or Ford. Now if you are trying to break it down just as a mode of transportation, then I can see your complaint of illogicality. However, if that's the case then why would I waste so much time at a Classic Z Car site? The 5.7L comment is derived from the ongoing nagging session that has transversed in this thread and at least one other thread in the last few days which the brunt of V8 debate has been centered around late model SBC's LT1, LS1, LS6 blah blah blah so on and so forth. If you chose to use a 5.3L that's fine, it's still 20+ years newer and more than half the displacement of an L24. Busch cars may run an "old style" V8 but they use new castings developed with state of the art precision and their engine's cost more to build than restoring an entire Z car. A comparable engine to place a Busch Car up against might be whatever Nissan is using in the Japan GT500 class. Of course this is speculation considering I'm not even sure what they are running. Again, just stating my opinion. Not an expert by any means. Nate

I bet somebody was pissed!

You know - this whole Nissan Engine in a Nissan Car boils down to the old " I'd rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy" argument that the good ol' boys are always fighting about. Of course the topic is OHV vs. OHC. Both have strong points, both have week points. The whole L6 vs. V8 almost doesn't apply though. Honestly how do you compare a 30+ year old Nissan 6 cylinder 2.4L to a 5 or so year old Chevrolet 8 cylinder 5.7L? That's 2 more cylinders and more than twice the displacement and another 20+ years of development. Nate Nate

Sounds pretty stout and the site seems to be going to the hybrid folks now... maybe there's a buyer here... Ford 240Z? Datsun 500Z? Fatsun? Dord?

I'm gonna go with it's a "Nissan Thing". Personally I never said I was a purist, I consider myself a loyalist. Quite frankly, I'm very impressed with all the well thought out answers and I can see everyones reasons for their choice. My first car building experience was an '84 Monte Carlo SS. I built a 350 , no brainer, with 374hp at the wheels. Not bad for a 19 year old on a budget. It also got about 10mpg. Anyways... When my project is all said and (in 5-10 years or so) my anticpation is to have an L28 with tripples and a 5spd. Nissan Nate

FWIW, My '72 has the original , now broken, glovebox door and plastic hinge. It was built 9/71. Nate

Nice! Why were these skylines refered to aas "Ken & Mary"? Nate

Some of those cars are SWEET! And many of the others are proof that not everyone should be allowed to use tools! Nate

I just got nautious! :sick: Sorry aux, the bigger is better thing was in reference to Chevy's LS7-500hp with the Ford GT 5.4L-550hp rebutal. Of course you could just make it a Mazda 130Z while you're at it

Alright - point taken fellas, but you should look at it from other stand points. These Z's are classic sports cars that really changed the motoring world... You wouldn't slap a 426 Hemi in 67' Z/28 Just like you wouldn't pop a Chevy 327 in a '65 Mustang GT But hey why not- they make more power don't they? It's not the point. We're talking about tossing bigger engines in a chevette here. Also, I don't think there is a VQ70 anywhere in Nissan's future. More power to legitametly over come emissions and heavier vehicles make's since, does it not? I don't recall the C6 being like 1000 pounds more than a C5, and I don't see it pulling trailers in the future... oh maybe it's to try a go at the Ford GT. Which Ford left at a smaller output and S/C instead. Whatever this could go for days... I just don't understand the idea of killing a classic regardless of it's make. And I also know that my '72 Z looked pretty damn cool being trailered by my NISSAN Frontier when I moved up here. Nate True-Blue

Ah yes, here's more of that good ol' "Big 3" thinking, - I know how to get more HP...let's just make a bigger engine!

So Aux, Would it be a correct assumption that you only think the Z "looks" cool and could really care less about Nissan engines... with all this rotary and small block talk just curious to where your loyalties lie.

I Love both of these! The one on the left belongs to one of our members (woodzcar)... haven't seen him in a while. I like his so much he may have changed my mind on wheels. The second car is a picture I've had for a few years, but it was the ball that got me rolling to finally get a Z. It is truly a Sweet Ride! Nate

You know, the real kicker is that she's still wearing a headlight?!? Hey! #02 is Orange!!!

Dave, It's a cool damn car. I love them, and absolutely love my '72. These guys can't be that great of friends. I've got a bunch of friends in the car community and none of them have Z's but none of them ever say anything negative about my Z and in fact let me know whenever they see another one around. It's a sports car not a muscle car or a hot rod. At it's time it was the most competent Japanese vehicle to ever enter the american market, and has had a cult following ever since. Nate PrOx, Dude, you're signature is kiling me. Either the car is Turbo'd or it's N/A. It can't be both. Unless for some reason you're not getting any boost.

To all of ya'll in the Rochester/Finger Lakes/Syracuse Region of NY, or anyone up for a drive... On July 22nd there will be a "Cruisin Night" in Downtown Geneva. There will be lots-o-old cars and motorcycles so I'm told. I will be bringing out in the Z for the little shindig so please join me! I hope to not be the only old Jap car there :paranoid: If you've never been to Geneva, I recommend you make a full day event of it. The area is absolutely beautiful and you could easily spend an entire day visiting all the vineyards on Seneca Lake alone. Geneva is located at the North end of Seneca Lake (I-90 exit 42). If anyone is interested let me know and we can arrange a meeting. I'll be posting more info tomorrow. Nate