Nissan Z32 300ZX LWB vs SWB?

ubersonic

ubersonic

ubersonic

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Hey all, I'm planning to buy a Z32 as it's one of the cars I have always liked and I know that as time goes on decent ones will become harder and harder to find, anyway on to my dilemma:

For those of you that don't know the car was available in a short wheelbase two seat model (roughly same size/weight as a 350z) and a long wheelbase 2+2 seat model (roughly the same size/weight as a Supra). I can't decide which one I prefer aesthetically, part of me thinks the LWB looks right and the SWB looks squashed, but the other half thinks the SWB looks right and the LWB looks stretched (for reference the LWB is still smaller than a Mondeo so it's not exactly huge).

Side profiles wise the LWB does look a bit odd without one of the factory or after-market spoiler options but I would want one of them on it anyway. As far as the differences go the LWB is 215mm longer and 104kg heavier, but it has better weight distribution and is harder to get sideways (not something I want to do anyway).

Maybe I need to see both in the flesh to appreciate the difference because as stated above if a car that's slightly shorter than my old Supra and shorter still than a Mondeo looks long in pictures then I guess that has to be some kind of optical illusion.

Just interested in peoples opinions on this especially former/current owners.

Thank you.
 
Clarkey said:
I think there's little doubt that the swb is better.
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Well it depends on what your after I guess, speaking to people who have owned them I have figured out these advantages for each:

SWB: Weighs 104Kg less, is 21.5CM shorter, has smaller turning circle, is easier to drift.

LWB: Can carry more that 2 people or additional luggage if needed, better handling (50:50 weight distribution), racing pedigree.

Doesn't help my aesthetic issue much though lol, guess ill go to one of the Japanese car shows this summer so I can see both at the same time. As it stands I think I am leaning towards the LWB slightly as according to the specs is is slightly smaller and lighter than the MKIV Supra TT I used to drive and I never thought that was slow or overly unwieldy.
 
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Bear in mind if you want to modify it you will have a hard time getting SWB exhausts and interior bits.

Nomisf on here as a SWB slicktop. I am sure he will be along soon to answer all your questions!

Kind Regards

Alec
 
ubersonic said:
Well it depends on what your after I guess, speaking to people who have owned them I have figured out these advantages for each:

SWB: Weighs 104Kg less, is 21.5CM shorter, has smaller turning circle, is easier to drift.

Not sure what this 'easier to drift' is about, shorter wheelbase cars are well known to be trickier. It's actually only about 50kg lighter.

LWB: Can carry more that 2 people or additional luggage if needed, better handling (50:50 weight distribution), racing pedigree.

The rear seats are hopeless, you cannot carry 4 people at all. Heavier car will never have better handling, especially when it has longer wheelbase too. The IMSA cars are just space frame silhouettes, the road going cars have no racing pedigree at all. The weight distribution is only 2% different, not that it really matters a jot anyway.

Doesn't help my aesthetic issue much though lol, guess ill go to one of the Japanese car shows this summer so I can see both at the same time. As it stands I think I am leaning towards the LWB slightly as according to the specs is is slightly smaller and lighter than the MKIV Supra TT I used to drive and I never thought that was slow or overly unwieldy.
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To me, the SWB is the proper Z, looks like a compact sports car, the LWB is more 'ZX', a big GT. BTW, I own a LWB and have been involved with the Z scene for 13 years so if you have any questions I'll probably be able to answer.
 
Clarkey said:
BTW, I own a LWB and have been involved with the Z scene for 13 years so if you have any questions I'll probably be able to answer.
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Excellent then I shall fire away (I have Googled most of these but found ambiguous or conflicting answers) :D

Firstly are you sure that the is only about 50kg difference between the two? as these were the weights I got off the net: (I'm not trying to say your wrong, I'm happy to hear they're that close :))

300ZX LWB: 1634Kg
300ZX SWB: 1530Kg
300ZX SWB Hardtop: 1501Kg

Secondly what I meant by easier to drift was that I had read on various 300ZX sites that the SWB has an almost square wheelbase and so is more prone to stepping out or four wheel drifting in corners than the LWB, is that not correct?

Next, when you say the rear seats are useless, how useless? Obviously I wouldn't consider taking four people on a long trip in a 2+2 car but I have done short pizza hut/cinema/etc runs with a full crew in MKIV/III Supras (MK3 is a 5 seater), Gen4/5 Preludes and an S14a, is the ZX really worse than those?

As the Z32 went on sale in the 1980's I am guessing the air con originally used R12, do you know what year the cars switched over to R134a?

Having already mapped out in my head some changes I would like to make to the car once I get it, do you know if 18" 350z OEM Rays wheels will bolt straight on of if they need spacers?

What's the oil change interval?

I am thinking of going to Japfest in may specifically to see Z32's, do you think the will be many?

If I trust you my email can you send me some pics of your car please?

Do you know how the Z32 compares to a stock Supra TT? I would probably do basic intake/exhaust upgrades to the Z32 but nothing major and am wondering if it would be slightly slower/faster, and where the power lies in comparison (I.E picks up faster then trails off, or picks up slower and stays longer, or what).

Thank you very much.
 
ubersonic said:
Excellent then I shall fire away (I have Googled most of these but found ambiguous or conflicting answers) :D

Firstly are you sure that the is only about 50kg difference between the two? as these were the weights I got off the net: (I'm not trying to say your wrong, I'm happy to hear they're that close :))

300ZX LWB: 1634Kg
300ZX SWB: 1530Kg
300ZX SWB Hardtop: 1501Kg

That's from people that have owned and weighed both.

Secondly what I meant by easier to drift was that I had read on various 300ZX sites that the SWB has an almost square wheelbase and so is more prone to stepping out or four wheel drifting in corners than the LWB, is that not correct?

Yeah it's right enough but I don't know why you would worry about it.

Next, when you say the rear seats are useless, how useless? Obviously I wouldn't consider taking four people on a long trip in a 2+2 car but I have done short pizza hut/cinema/etc runs with a full crew in MKIV/III Supras (MK3 is a 5 seater), Gen4/5 Preludes and an S14a, is the ZX really worse than those?

The rear of my S15 is a lot more roomy, presumably that is comparable to an S14. The Z32 is cramped and the roof height is low, good only for small children I would say.

As the Z32 went on sale in the 1980's I am guessing the air con originally used R12, do you know what year the cars switched over to R134a?

Series 3, so late 93 on. Mine has a drop in replacement gas which works very well.

Having already mapped out in my head some changes I would like to make to the car once I get it, do you know if 18" 350z OEM Rays wheels will bolt straight on of if they need spacers?

Yeah they go on, as do the Z33 brembos.

What's the oil change interval?

3-4k miles

I am thinking of going to Japfest in may specifically to see Z32's, do you think the will be many?

A few, I would guess most that would frequent such an event would be awful ones with plenty of tasteless fibreglass addons. Clean original cars are hard to come by.

If I trust you my email can you send me some pics of your car please?

I guess so yeah.

Do you know how the Z32 compares to a stock Supra TT? I would probably do basic intake/exhaust upgrades to the Z32 but nothing major and am wondering if it would be slightly slower/faster, and where the power lies in comparison (I.E picks up faster then trails off, or picks up slower and stays longer, or what).

Power is about the same, the parallel turbo setup doesn't have the funky 'second turbo kicked in y0!' step that a supra does, it's smooth and has big torque from 3-6k. The VG motor can't be compared to a JZ though, as lovely as it is to drive, it doesn't have the reliability or ultimate strength.
They suffer from the immense engine bay temperatures and much of the wiring harness, fuel, boost, water hoses perish and cause issues so you need to be aware. Tuning beyond 400hp = sketchy, beyond 500 = nightmare.

Thank you very much.
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After an enormous delay in seeing this thread, I figured I would bump - I drive a SWB Twin Turbo Slicktop (No Targas) which is visually stock other than wheels with some goodies underneath. I should also be able to provide some pictures / advice and mine will be on the 300zx.co.uk stand at JapFest should you wish to come poke about !
 
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