Well, back in 1979 when I bought, you COULD NOT buy a new 1969 240Z. The choice was between a new 1978 and a new 1979. The '78 Z was very long in the tooth, still had rear drum brakes, heavy.

The 79ZX was more rigid, better aerodynamics, better rust prevention, and better mileage than the '78Z. The ZX is stable in stock form to run all day at 130mph. I later picked up a used 77, but it never felt stable above 100+mph. The brakes are better in the ZX. The weight was the same or slightly less than a 78. Longest trip in the ZX was 512 miles non-stop on just under 20 gallons used.

After 300,00 miles as the original owner without any problems, the 1979 ZX seems very ballanced, high quality, fun.

Anyone who says a 79 ZX is heavy at 2750 pounds should complain that the new stock 350Z weighs MORE than a new stock Corvette...

Originally posted by TKR514

Anyone who says a 79 ZX is heavy at 2750 pounds should complain that the new stock 350Z weighs MORE than a new stock Corvette...

We do! :classic:

The information below was gleaned from ZHome.com with sources listed. Data was compiled by Dr. Donn Vickrey IZCC#443

Year / Model-------------------70Z-------------------------79ZX

0 to 60 time =-----------------7.8sec.---------------------9.4 sec.

1/4 mile time =--------16.1 sec. @ 87 mph------17.0 sec @ 83 mph

Lateral G = ------------------.78-------------------------.76 g (C/D 4/79)

Braking from =----------80 mph in 259 ft.----------70 mph in 206 ft.

Top Speed =--------------109 mph*------------------118 mph**

Peak H.P =-------------151 @ 5600 rpm----------135 @ 5200 rpm

Peak Torque =---------146 @ 4400 rpm----------144 @ 4400 rpm

Curb Weight =----------2330 lbs.-----------------------2970 lbs.

Source - ----------Car & Driver 6/70-------------- Car & Driver 4/80

* 70 Z equiped w/ 4 speed manual

** 79 ZX equiped w/ 5 speed manual

BTW Many of us who enjoy 240Z's feel that long before 1978 the "Z" breed had morph'd into something other than the Sports Car it was when introduced in late 1969. The introduction of the ZX in 1979 simply completed the transformation into a "Boulevardier" /GT car by replacing the smooth, flowing lines of the S30 with the more angular, dare I say boxy lines of the Z31.

Hardball starring Carl Stahlnecker

Numbers don't lie man, numbers don't lie.........I love it!

Thanks Carl.---Jerry

BTW---I dig Nash Metropolitans...long live Pee Wee!

Well, numbers don't lie, people do.

EVERYONE knows that the 2.8 in the ZX is 170hp if you measure it the same way that they measured 150hp out of the 240Z. The ZX also gains superb drivability with the fuel injection.

The curb weight of 2970 was probably the GL 2+2 version, my stock 79 coupe that I've weighed is 2750.

I guess that drag was never measured on the 240/280, the 79ZX had a 0.24 coeffiecient. I seem to remember that the early Z is something like 0.45.

Yea, the 79ZX is not a drag racer. If I wanted a drag racer, I would have bought an American car with a V8. The ZX is a better ballanced car than an a fast American high-cubic-inch drag car. The 240/280 are not considered "fast" off the line either at 0-60 in just under 8 seconds.

I agree with BambiKiller, the 78 Z was darn near a ZX anyway. The 79 ZX just added the "horrors" of power windows as an option...

Yea, the Nash 2-seater has a following and is kinda cool. PeeWee, on the other hand, has neither IMHO.

Originally posted by TKR514

.

The curb weight of 2970 was probably the GL 2+2 version, my stock 79 coupe that I've weighed is 2750.

I don't know if it was a GL or not, but it was not reported as a 2+2

Originally posted by TKR514

.

I agree with BambiKiller, the 78 Z was darn near a ZX anyway. The 79 ZX just added the "horrors" of power windows as an option...

....and an fugley body style (better drag coefficient or not)

Originally posted by TKR514

.

Yea, the Nash 2-seater has a following and is kinda cool. PeeWee, on the other hand, has neither IMHO.

Aw, come on, anyone as into porn as Pee Wee can't be ALL bad!

While in Parris Island (a.k.a. hell) boot camp last winter, I distinctly remember them naming 'famous' former Marines that first horrible week in November....among the list were Drew Carey, Dee Snider of 80's glam rock Twisted Sister (was a Drill Instructor), Mr. Rogers was a friggin' sniper! (he supposedly wore long sweaters every show to hide his arm tattoos) and yes, Paul Rueubens (a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman) When I saw that lil ex-jerker in front of the Nash all this info jus clicked back into my head.....but since this is a Z forum....uh.....'81 turbos ran 7 psi stock and could probably take up to 10psi before additional engine mods would be needed (Intercooler, fuel pump, psi regulator, etc) If I'm wrong (about Pee Wee) someone correct me but everyday of my existance in Parris Island is very detailed in my mind.....bad $^!# usually stays around longer, peace

I guess that drag was never measured on the 240/280, the 79ZX had a 0.24 coeffiecient. I seem to remember that the early Z is something like 0.45.

I would be VERY surprised if this in fact turned out to be correct, a drag coefficient of 0.45 is pretty close to that of a perfect sphere if I am not mistaken. I sure don't notice THAT much resistive force at high speeds, seems to cut through the air pretty well.

One could always determine it experimentally if they took the time, but I imagine the results would vary greatly from run to run when performing it in an imperfect environment like the real world, whereas I imagine most auto manufactuers publishing a specific drag coefficient do so with wind tunnels, etc.

Mr. Rogers was a friggin' sniper! (he supposedly wore long sweaters every show to hide his arm tattoos) and yes,

I have heard that too from a friend who went into the service. I didn't believe it at the time, and I searched briefly for info on it on the internet and found nothing about it and dismissed it as a myth.

Andrew

Mr. Rodgers, an ex sniper?

Now you see, that's why nobody messed with his neighborhood.

I would be VERY surprised if this in fact turned out to be correct, a drag coefficient of 0.45 is pretty close to that of a perfect sphere if I am not mistaken. I sure don't notice THAT much resistive force at high speeds, seems to cut through the air pretty well.

Yea, probably wrong on that one, but it was never quoted that I can find. I do know that the areodynamics and cooling issues were not as important on the original Z(but then it was way better than an American car of the 70's).

I do know that aerodynamis were better in the ZX as far as lower high speed drag and better stability at high speeds.

I've always seen the Z as a great around town car and the ZX as a great interstate cruiser. Nither better, just different.

Hmmm, Mr. Rodgers a sniper? I thought that he must have a past that he was hiding from

Originally posted by MakDiesel

Mr. Rogers was a friggin' sniper! (he supposedly wore long sweaters every show to hide his arm tattoos)

Don't believe everything you're told:

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/denver.htm