Page 151 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

THE FACTS
Datsun 240/260/280Z/280ZX
240Z 260Z 280Z 280ZX 280ZX Turbo 1970-1973 1974-1976 1976-1978 1978-1983 1981-1983
ENGINE
Displacement 2393 cc 2565 cc 2754 cc 2753 cc 2753 cc
Bore X Stroke 83.0 x 73.3 mm 83.0 x 79.0 mm 86.1 x 79.0 mm 86.0 x 79.0 mm 86.0 x 79.0 mm
Horsepower @ RPM 150 @ 6000 139 @ 5200 149 @ 5600 135 @ 5200 180 @ 5600
Torque @ RPM 148 lb ft/201 N-m @ 4800 137 lb ft/186 N-m @ 4400 163 lb ft/221 N-m @ 4400 144 lb ft/195 N-m @ 4400 275 lb ft/203 N-m @ 2800
Compression Ratio 9.0:1 8.8:1 8.3:1 8.3:1 7.4:1
Fuel Delivery Twin Hitachi carburetors Twin Hitachi carburetors L-Jetronic Injection L-Jetronic Injection L-Jetronic Injection
TRANSMISSION
Manual 4-Speed 5-Speed 5-Speed 5-Speed 5-Speed
Automatic 3-Speed 3-Speed 3-Speed 3-Speed 3-Speed
Final Drive 3.36:1 3.36:1 3.55:1 3.54:1 3.54:1
BODY
Construction Unibody Unibody Unibody Unibody Unibody
Overall Length 4135 mm/162.8 in 4295 mm/169.1 in 4399 mm/173.2 in 4420 mm/174.0 in 4420 mm/174.0 in
Overall Width 1626 mm/64.1 in 1626 mm/64.1 in 1626 mm/64.1 in 1689 mm/66.5 in 1689 mm/66.5 in
Overall Height 1285 mm/50.6 in 1285 mm/50.6 in 1295 mm/51.0 in 1295 mm/51.0 in 1295 mm/51.0 in
Wheelbase 2304 mm/90.7 in 2304 mm/90.7 in 2304 mm/90.7 in 2319 mm/91.3 in 2319 mm/91.3 in
Front Track 1354 mm/53.3 in 1354 mm/53.3 in 1354 mm/53.3 in 1384 mm/54.5 in 1384 mm/54.5 in
Rear Track 1346 mm/53.0 in 1346 mm/53.0 in 1346 mm/53.0 in 1379 mm/54.3 in 1379 mm/54.3 in
Fuel Tank 60.1 liters/15.9 gallons 60.1 liters/15.9 gallons 65.1 liters/17.2 gallons 79.9 liters/21.1 gallons 79.9 liters/21.1 gallons
Trunk Capacity 241 liters/8.5 cu ft 241 liters/8.5 cu ft 229 liters/8.1 cu ft 357 liters/12.6 cu ft 357 liters/12.6 cu ft
CHASSIS
Front Suspension Independent, with MacPherson struts, coil
Independent, with MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower lateral arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower lateral arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower lateral arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Independent, with MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower lateral arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
springs, lower lateral arms, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension Independent, with Chapman struts, lower
Independent, with Chapman struts, lower A-arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti- roll bars
Independent, with Chapman struts, lower A-arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti- roll bars
Independent, with semi-trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bars
Independent, with semi-trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bars
A-arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti- roll bars
Front Brakes Disc, power assist Disc, power assist Disc, power assist Disc, power assist Disc, power assist
Rear Brakes Drum, power assist Drum, power assist Drum, power assist Disc, power assist Disc, power assist
TEST DATA
0-60 MPH 8.7 seconds (4-Speed) 10.0 seconds (4-Speed) 9.4 seconds (4-Speed) 9.2 seconds (5-Speed) 7.9 seconds (5-Speed)
Top Speed 113 MPH 113 MPH 113 MPH 115 MPH 120 MPH
Fuel Consumption 21 MPG 20 MPG 19.5 MPG 22 MPG 20.0 MPG
For more info from
snap the QR code or visit: hmn.com/datsun-z
WAYNE’S TAKE
Datsun 240/260/280Z/280ZX: These were so cheap for so long that it’s becoming hard to find good examples. The 2 + 2 design is not my favorite body style. They are technically almost bulletproof, but also especially prone to rot.
Fuel-injected 280Z resolved carburetor issues on earlier cars.
AFun to drive, ample supply, many parts sources
ÅWell-preserved examples rare; increasing demand has led to
some poor restorations ANXIETY INDEX: MEDIUM
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  149