Key Specifications
| Spec |
240Z |
260Z |
280Z |
| Production Years |
1969-1973 |
1974-1976 |
1977-1978 |
| Chassis Code |
S30 |
S30 / RS30 (2+2) |
S30 / RS30 (2+2) |
| Manufacturer |
Nissan Motor Co. (sold as Datsun) |
|
|
| Assembly |
Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan |
|
|
| Body Styles |
2-door coupe (fastback) |
2-door coupe, 2+2 coupe |
2-door coupe, 2+2 coupe |
| Layout |
Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
|
|
| Wheelbase |
2,305 mm |
2,305 mm (coupe) / 2,565 mm (2+2) |
2,305 mm (coupe) / 2,565 mm (2+2) |
| Overall Length |
4,115 mm |
4,265 mm |
4,325 mm |
| Overall Width |
1,630 mm |
1,630 mm |
1,630 mm |
| Overall Height |
1,285 mm |
1,285 mm |
1,300 mm |
| Kerb Weight |
1,060 kg |
1,130 kg (coupe) / 1,190 kg (2+2) |
1,185 kg (coupe) / 1,235 kg (2+2) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity |
60 L |
60 L |
60 L |
| Boot Capacity |
~190 L (under hatch) |
~190 L (coupe) |
~190 L (coupe) |
Engine Specifications
L24, Datsun 240Z (1969-1973)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement |
2,393 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
73.0 mm x 71.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
9.0:1 |
| Power |
151 hp (113 kW) @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque |
198 Nm (146 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Twin Hitachi SU carburettors (round-top Series 1, flat-top Series 2) |
| Ignition |
Points/condenser, distributor |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Single-row roller chain (early) / double-row (late) |
| Valvetrain |
Single overhead cam, rocker arms |
| Oil Capacity |
4.3 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
8.5 L |
| Redline |
7,000 rpm |
L26, Datsun 260Z (1974-1976)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement |
2,565 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
75.0 mm x 77.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.8:1 |
| Power |
162 hp (121 kW) @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque |
217 Nm (160 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Twin Hitachi SU carburettors (flat-top) |
| Ignition |
Points/condenser, distributor |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Double-row roller chain |
| Oil Capacity |
4.5 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
8.5 L |
| Redline |
6,500 rpm |
L28, Datsun 280Z (1977-1978)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve |
| Displacement |
2,753 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
86.0 mm x 79.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.3:1 |
| Power |
170 hp (127 kW) @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque |
227 Nm (167 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection |
| Ignition |
Electronic ignition, distributor |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Double-row roller chain |
| Oil Capacity |
4.5 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
9.0 L |
| Redline |
6,500 rpm |
Transmission Options
| Transmission |
Type |
Gears |
Applications |
| Nissan FS5C71A |
Manual |
4-speed |
Early 240Z |
| Nissan FS5C71B |
Manual |
5-speed |
Later 240Z, 260Z, 280Z |
| Borg Warner |
Automatic |
3-speed |
Optional on all models |
Manual Gearbox Ratios (5-speed, FS5C71B)
| Gear |
Ratio |
| 1st |
3.321 |
| 2nd |
1.902 |
| 3rd |
1.308 |
| 4th |
1.000 |
| 5th |
0.864 |
| Reverse |
3.382 |
Differential
| Spec |
240Z |
260Z / 280Z |
| Type |
Limited slip (optional) / Open |
Limited slip (optional) / Open |
| Model |
R180 |
R180 (early 260Z) / R200 (late 260Z, 280Z) |
| Final Drive Ratio |
3.364:1 (manual) / 3.545:1 (auto) |
3.545:1 (manual) / 3.700:1 (auto) |
Suspension
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Independent, MacPherson strut |
Independent, Chapman strut |
| Springs |
Coil |
Coil |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar |
Yes |
Yes (optional on early 240Z) |
| Steering |
Rack and pinion, manual |
, |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock |
2.7 |
, |
| Turning Circle |
9.4 m |
, |
Brakes
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Ventilated disc |
Drum (240Z, early 260Z) / Solid disc (late 260Z, 280Z) |
| Diameter |
254 mm (240Z) / 267 mm (260Z/280Z) |
228 mm drum / 267 mm disc |
| Booster |
Vacuum-assisted |
, |
| ABS |
Not available |
, |
Performance (approximate, period road tests)
| Model |
0-100 km/h |
Quarter Mile |
Top Speed |
| 240Z (manual) |
8.0 s |
~15.8 s @ 140 km/h |
200 km/h |
| 260Z (manual) |
8.5 s |
~16.2 s @ 135 km/h |
190 km/h |
| 280Z (manual) |
8.2 s |
~16.0 s @ 137 km/h |
195 km/h |
| 240Z (auto) |
10.5 s |
~17.5 s |
180 km/h |
Fuel Economy (approximate)
| Model |
L/100 km (combined) |
| 240Z (manual) |
10-12 |
| 240Z (auto) |
12-14 |
| 260Z (manual) |
11-13 |
| 260Z (auto) |
13-15 |
| 280Z (manual) |
11-13 |
| 280Z (auto) |
13-15 |
Wheels and Tyres
| Variant |
Standard Wheel |
Standard Tyre |
| 240Z |
14 x 4.5J steel |
175SR14 |
| 260Z |
14 x 5.5J alloy (optional) |
185/70SR14 |
| 280Z |
14 x 5.5J alloy |
195/70R14 |
Common upgrades: 15 x 7J or 16 x 7J alloys with 205/55R16 or 205/50R15 tyres. The Panasport-style wheel is the classic Z-car choice. Watanabe-style wheels are also popular and era-correct.
Electrical
| Spec |
Value |
| Battery |
12V, negative earth |
| Alternator |
40A (240Z) / 50A (260Z) / 60A (280Z) |
| Spark Plugs |
NGK BP6ES (240Z/260Z) / NGK BP6ES or BPR6ES (280Z) |
| Spark Plug Gap |
0.8 mm (carburettor models) / 1.0 mm (fuel injected) |
| Points Gap |
0.45 mm (where applicable) |
| Dwell Angle |
49-55 degrees |
| Ignition Timing |
7 degrees BTDC @ idle (240Z) / 10 degrees BTDC @ idle (280Z) |
| Firing Order |
1-5-3-6-2-4 |
Valve Clearances (cold)
| Valve |
Clearance |
| Intake |
0.25 mm (0.010 in) |
| Exhaust |
0.30 mm (0.012 in) |
Fluid Capacities
| Fluid |
Capacity |
| Engine Oil (with filter) |
4.3 L (L24) / 4.5 L (L26, L28) |
| Coolant |
8.5 L (240Z) / 9.0 L (280Z) |
| Manual Gearbox |
1.0 L (4-speed) / 1.3 L (5-speed) |
| Automatic Transmission |
7.0 L (total) |
| Differential |
1.1 L (R180) / 1.3 L (R200) |
| Fuel Tank |
60 L |
Service Intervals
| Service Item |
Interval |
| Engine oil and filter |
5,000 km or 3 months |
| Valve clearance adjustment |
10,000 km |
| Spark plugs |
20,000 km |
| Points and condenser (where applicable) |
10,000 km |
| Timing chain (inspect) |
80,000 km |
| Coolant |
2 years or 40,000 km |
| Brake fluid |
2 years |
| Carburettor synchronisation (240Z/260Z) |
10,000 km |
| SU damper oil (240Z/260Z) |
5,000 km |
| Differential oil |
40,000 km |
| Gearbox oil |
40,000 km |
Engine Oil Specifications
| Specification |
Value |
| Recommended Grade |
10W-40 mineral or 15W-40 |
| Alternative (cold climates) |
5W-40 semi-synthetic |
| API Rating |
SG or higher (ZDDP-containing oil recommended for flat-tappet cam) |
| Note |
Diesel-spec oil (e.g., Penrite HPR Diesel 15) provides zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) protection for the flat-tappet camshaft |
Production Numbers (approximate, all markets)
| Model |
Total Production |
| 240Z (all variants) |
~170,000 |
| 260Z (all variants) |
~160,000 |
| 280Z (all variants) |
~85,000 |
| Of which Australian-delivered RHD |
Estimated 5,000-8,000 (all models combined) |
Colour Codes (common Australian-delivered colours)
| Code |
Colour |
Models |
| 901 |
Grand Prix White |
240Z, 260Z |
| 905 |
Safari Gold |
240Z |
| 910 |
Orange |
240Z (Series 1) |
| 113 |
Sunshine Yellow |
240Z |
| 104 |
Monte Carlo Red |
240Z, 260Z |
| 206 |
Metallic Blue |
260Z, 280Z |
| 114 |
Emerald Green Metallic |
260Z |
| 002 |
Stardust Silver |
280Z |
| 335 |
Burnt Orange Metallic |
280Z |
Identification
Chassis number location: Stamped on a plate on the firewall (engine bay side) and on the right-hand inner guard. Also on the compliance plate (door jamb, driver's side).
Engine number location: Stamped on the right-hand side of the block, near the front, on a machined pad.
Chassis number format:
- 240Z: HLS30-xxxxxx (LHD) / HS30-xxxxxx (RHD)
- 260Z: RLS30-xxxxxx (LHD 2+2) / GS30-xxxxxx (RHD coupe)
- 280Z: HLS30-xxxxxx (LHD) / HS30-xxxxxx (RHD)
Engine number format:
- L24: E88 prefix
- L26: E88 prefix (different series)
- L28: E88 prefix (different series)