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300ZX (Z32)

1989-2000 / Coupe / Convertible / Japan

// SPECIFICATIONS

Key Specifications

Spec Value
Production Years 1989--2000 (Japan), 1990--1996 (North America/Australia)
Manufacturer Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Assembly Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Body Styles 2-door coupe (2-seater), 2-door coupe (2+2), 2-door convertible
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform Z32
Chassis Code Z32 (GCZ32 = NA, GZ32 = TT)

Dimensions

Dimension 2-Seater 2+2
Wheelbase 2,450 mm (96.5 in) 2,570 mm (101.2 in)
Overall Length 4,525 mm (178.1 in) 4,645 mm (182.9 in)
Overall Width 1,800 mm (70.9 in) 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Overall Height 1,253 mm (49.3 in) 1,253 mm (49.3 in)
Kerb Weight (NA) 1,462 kg (3,223 lb) 1,517 kg (3,344 lb)
Kerb Weight (TT) 1,536 kg (3,386 lb) 1,582 kg (3,488 lb)
Fuel Tank Capacity 72 L (19.0 US gal) 72 L (19.0 US gal)
Drag Coefficient 0.31 0.31
Frontal Area 1.89 m2 1.89 m2

Engine Specifications

VG30DE, Naturally Aspirated

Spec Value
Configuration 60-degree V6, DOHC, 24-valve
Displacement 2,960 cc
Bore x Stroke 87.0 mm x 83.0 mm
Compression Ratio 10.5:1
Power 166 kW (222 hp) @ 6,400 rpm
Torque 271 Nm (200 lb-ft) @ 4,800 rpm
Fuel System Multi-point electronic fuel injection (ECCS)
Ignition Electronic distributorless (coil-on-plug)
Valvetrain Chain-driven DOHC, hydraulic lifters
Variable Valve Timing NVCS (later models)
Oil Capacity 4.2 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil 10W-30 or 10W-40 synthetic
Redline 7,000 rpm

VG30DETT, Twin Turbo

Spec Value
Configuration 60-degree V6, DOHC, 24-valve, twin turbo
Displacement 2,960 cc
Bore x Stroke 87.0 mm x 83.0 mm
Compression Ratio 8.5:1
Power 220 kW (300 hp) @ 6,400 rpm
Torque 384 Nm (283 lb-ft) @ 3,600 rpm
Forced Induction Twin Garrett T25 turbochargers
Intercooling Air-to-air intercoolers (one per bank)
Boost Pressure 0.5 bar (7.25 psi) stock
Fuel System Multi-point electronic fuel injection (ECCS)
Ignition Electronic distributorless (coil-on-plug)
Valvetrain Chain-driven DOHC, hydraulic lifters
Oil Capacity 4.2 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil 10W-30 or 10W-40 synthetic
Redline 7,000 rpm

Transmission Options

Transmission Type Gears Applications
FS5R30A Manual 5-speed NA and TT
RE4R03A Automatic 4-speed NA and TT

FS5R30A Gear Ratios (5-Speed Manual)

Gear Ratio
1st 3.214
2nd 1.925
3rd 1.302
4th 1.000
5th 0.752
Reverse 3.657

RE4R03A Gear Ratios (4-Speed Automatic)

Gear Ratio
1st 2.785
2nd 1.545
3rd 1.000
4th 0.694
Reverse 2.264

Final Drive Ratios

Model Manual Automatic
NA 2-seater 3.692 3.538
NA 2+2 3.692 3.538
TT 2-seater 3.692 3.538
TT 2+2 3.692 3.538

Differential

Spec Value
Type Open (NA), viscous limited-slip (TT)
Ratio 3.692 (manual), 3.538 (automatic)

Suspension

Component Front Rear
Type Independent, multi-link Independent, multi-link
Springs Coil Coil
Dampers Monotube gas-pressurised Monotube gas-pressurised
Anti-roll Bar Yes Yes
Rear Steering Super HICAS (hydraulic, electronically controlled) --

Brakes

Naturally Aspirated

Component Front Rear
Type Ventilated disc Solid disc
Diameter 280 mm (11.0 in) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Caliper Single-piston sliding Single-piston sliding
ABS Standard Standard

Twin Turbo

Component Front Rear
Type Ventilated disc Ventilated disc
Diameter 296 mm (11.7 in) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Caliper 4-piston aluminium (front) Single-piston sliding
ABS Standard Standard

Steering

Spec Value
Type Rack and pinion, power-assisted
Turns Lock-to-Lock 2.7
Turning Circle 10.2 m (2-seater), 10.8 m (2+2)
Rear Steering Super HICAS (optional; standard on TT in most markets)

Performance (Approximate, Period Road Tests)

Model 0--60 mph 0--100 km/h Quarter Mile Top Speed
NA Manual (2-seater) 7.1 s 7.5 s 15.4 s 230 km/h (143 mph)
NA Automatic 8.0 s 8.5 s 16.0 s 220 km/h (137 mph)
TT Manual (2-seater) 5.0 s 5.3 s 13.7 s 250 km/h (155 mph)*
TT Automatic 5.8 s 6.2 s 14.3 s 250 km/h (155 mph)*

Electronically limited. Unrestricted top speed estimated at 280+ km/h.

Fuel Economy (Approximate, Mixed Driving)

Model L/100 km
NA Manual 10.5
NA Automatic 11.5
TT Manual 13.0
TT Automatic 14.5

Tyre Specifications

Position Standard Optional
Front 225/50R16 245/45R17
Rear 245/45R16 255/40R17

Staggered fitment was standard on most TT models.

Wheel Specifications

Spec Value
Standard (NA) 16" x 7.5" alloy
Standard (TT) 16" x 7.5" front, 16" x 8.5" rear
Optional 17" alloy (various widths)
Bolt Pattern 5 x 114.3
Centre Bore 66.1 mm

Electrical

Spec Value
System 12V negative earth
Battery 12V, 60 Ah
Alternator 90A (NA), 110A (TT)
Headlights Pop-up (Japan, early) / Fixed composite (most markets)
Engine Management Nissan ECCS

Interior and Equipment

Feature Standard Equipment (TT)
Seats Leather-trimmed sport seats
Climate Control Automatic dual-zone
Audio AM/FM/Cassette, 6 speakers
Power Windows Yes
Power Mirrors Yes (heated)
Cruise Control Yes
T-Bar Roof Standard (removable targa panels)
Driver Airbag Yes (from 1990)
Passenger Airbag Yes (from 1994)

Service Intervals

Service Item Interval
Engine oil and filter 5,000--7,500 km or 6 months
Spark plugs 30,000 km (platinum) or 100,000 km (iridium)
Timing belt, tensioner, idler pulleys 100,000 km or 5 years
Water pump With timing belt (recommended)
Coolant 24 months
Brake fluid 24 months
Manual gearbox oil 40,000 km
Differential oil 40,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid 40,000 km
Air filter 20,000 km
Fuel filter 40,000 km
Vacuum line inspection 20,000 km (replace all lines every 80,000--100,000 km)
Power steering fluid 40,000 km
HICAS fluid (if equipped) 40,000 km

Model Variants

2-Seater NA

Spec Value
Engine VG30DE (166 kW)
Kerb Weight 1,462 kg
Wheelbase 2,450 mm

2-Seater Twin Turbo

Spec Value
Engine VG30DETT (220 kW)
Kerb Weight 1,536 kg
Wheelbase 2,450 mm
Additional LSD, larger brakes, Super HICAS

2+2 NA

Spec Value
Engine VG30DE (166 kW)
Kerb Weight 1,517 kg
Wheelbase 2,570 mm
Seating 2+2 (rear seats nominal)

2+2 Twin Turbo

Spec Value
Engine VG30DETT (220 kW)
Kerb Weight 1,582 kg
Wheelbase 2,570 mm
Additional LSD, larger brakes, Super HICAS

Convertible Twin Turbo (1993--1996, North America only)

Spec Value
Engine VG30DETT (220 kW)
Kerb Weight ~1,620 kg
Roof Power-operated soft top
Production ~4,000 units

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Variant Units
Naturally aspirated (all body styles) ~170,000
Twin turbo (all body styles) ~80,000
Convertible ~4,000
Total ~270,000

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