Which year 280z S30 would you recommend?

[dogma420]

I am thinking about getting a 280z as a 2nd Z car, either a 75, 76, 77, or 78.

I would lean towards a 78 because a 5 speed would be nice, but an automatic wouldn't hurt either.

I think I just want something to drive as a daily driver, and I'm ready to retire my 72 from being a daily driver. She deserves it if I can find a 280z to use instead.

From the 280z guys, what would you recommend if all else equal, might get an automatic, might get a 5 speed (or 4 speed if a 75/76 was real nice)?

I have owned a 74.5 260z, so I am familiar with how a 75 280z would drive, other than fuel injection. And although it could be a money pit, I am interested in expanding my automotive knowledge by tackling and conquering the fuel injected S30! (sounds pretty nuts huh?).

Take care all, and have a good weekend!

[Zrush]

I would recomend the 1977 280Z. It was the first year of the 5 speed. Has the highest rated hp of all the Z's (1st gens) at 170 I believe. I think is has less smog bits then the 78. I have owned a 78 also and there really isn't much difference but I favor the 77.

Bonus on the 78 however is it's the last year of the first gens. Both good 280Z's.

JMO

Vicky

[sblake01]

Actually, and I have somewhat reasearched this over the years, the 77 and 78 are virtually identical. Both rated at 170 hp, both have the hood vents, both have two fusibile link covers instead of one like the 75-76, and the five speed had become an option for both years. The only real difference I could find is the style of the 5 speed emblem on the hatch. We discussed that in another thread. The 78 doesn't have more smog stuff that the 77; that came later with the ZX's. I would lean toward a 77-78 over a 75-76 since Nissan had a couple more years to work the bugs out. Plus the 78 is the last of the S30's as Vicky mentioned. The EFI system is really not all that mysterious. The secret is to have a lot of spare parts like I have collected over the years. I have two cars with that system if you include my 810 and have gained lots of practical knowlege on them over the years. There is still a lot of useful info available on troubleshooting the EFI. My 78 Z was a realiable daily driver when I used it as one. My 79 810 has been a reliable daily driver for almost 3 years. The only problem I've had with it in that time was a fuel pump problem that turned out to be the check valve rather than the fuel pump itself. Easy fix.

[Arne]

Good comments in the previous replies. And if you're looking for a 5 speed, getting a '77 or '78 that came with it from the factory would be a plus. Two other things come to mind, though. You might want to look through the catalogs to see if there are any gaping holes in parts availabilitie for either the '75-76 or '77-78. It might be that some parts (trim, particularly) might be more available for one vintage than another.

And my last thought you probably already know, same as for any used car purchase, especially for a daily driver - buy the best example you can find/afford. Even if it's not exactly what you think you want.

[kenz240z]

Dogma, my prediction is that you will get bit by the WIAI bug, no matter what year 280Z you end up with! Prepare to upen up thy wallet!!!!

[zman525]

i have a early production 76 believe buildate was 10/75... anyways i havent really done much with it but it does have a 5 speed (dunno from wat year). I would much rather have a 5 speed then a 4 however i like my 76 beacuse it wasnt molested completely by smog stuff.

[Mat M]

There is a member here that is in a bind and needs to sell her 77 fast.

You may want to contact her.

Tootsiepop0831

[Pennyman]

Has the highest rated hp of all the Z's (1st gens) at 170 I believe

Hmm, always wondered why everyone says the 77 Z's have 170 when my 76 Z says 170 as well? In all honesty, I think all 280Z's came with 170HP stamped in the engine compartment. Can someone prove me otherwise?

BTW, I'm partial to the 75-76. The bumpers are smooth and the bumper ends aren't huge = much better looking. Parts are easier to find for the 77-78's though.

Oh, BTW, once you become familiar with the fuel injection layout, its REALLY easy to work on.

[Zrush]

Hmm, always wondered why everyone says the 77 Z's have 170 when my 76 Z says 170 as well? In all honesty, I think all 280Z's came with 170HP stamped in the engine compartment. Can someone prove me otherwise? .

Looking at Carl Beck's article in the winter 2005 SZM "Timeline", It states the 1975 280Z has having 149 hp. This I would guess carries over into 1976 model because he then writes the 1977 280Z hp jumps to 170.

Maybe the FSM with specs can clarify?

Vicky

[Pennyman]

Looking at Carl Beck's article in the winter 2005 SZM "Timeline", It states the 1975 280Z has having 149 hp. This I would guess carries over into 1976 model because he then writes the 1977 280Z hp jumps to 170.

That timeline was (sorry to say) more or less copied from an article on Zhome which has been online for YEARS. Go to Zhome.com and click on "History Time Line" and it says almost verbatim what is in the SZM says. At the top of the article in SZM it even says thanks to Zhome for the info.

All I know is that I took that timeline with a grain of salt when I saw false horsepower numbers printed for my car. But here's another something to think about: The 75-76 Z's were pretty much identical except for the switch to a voltmeter from and ampmeter in the dash (please enlighten me if there's more). How does that explain a HP jump from 149 to 170? It doesn't. Someone screwed up their numbers, the HP jump to 170 should be in 1975, not 1977.

[jmortensen]

Am I remembering wrong that 75's don't have catalytic converters? Never had a 280, but I seem to remember reading that somewhere. That would seal the deal on a 75 for me...

I wouldn't buy a Z because it had a 5 speed unless I was trying to get the 5 speed out of it. 5 speeds and different diff ratios are so easy to change out that those things shouldn't be a deciding factor, unless the owner doesn't have the tools/wherewithal to change those parts out.

[nwcubsman]

Dave,

You probably have already thought of this, but any car '75 or newer will need to be DEQ'd (emission tested here in the Portland area). You might find a 240 or 260Z that has had the fuel injection added. Maybe of no concern to you, but I thought I'd mention it. Good luck!