a Z vs. a 510

[littlekeeley]

i know my 510 is nimble, and fun and awesome. but i would imagine a z car is more sporty oriented... which can only mean more fun!

 

instead of listening to my obsessed brother preach about 510's, if anybody can support the z car side of the argument, i'm all ears to the up's, down's, and all around's of hearing about these things!

 

never driven, ridden passenger in one. if anyone has the time, educate me!!

[philcas1987]

510 all the way!. Just buy a z car. If you don't like it sell it and buy another 510

[Skib]

510 all the way!.

 

:fu: game on phil!

[DISLEXICDIME]

510 in my book

[NorCalDime]

ive always like both... almost got a 240z but deal fell through and i picked up my dime. I still want a 240z. Love how they look, and i want an rb swap.

 

[510six]

It would depend on what you are really looking for, a mildly modified 510 vs, a mildly modified z car I would take the z car hands down. The z car has more performance potential in stock form and greater aftermarket support.

 

http://www.hybridz.org/

 

http://www.the510realm.com/

 

Do some reading , then figure it out.

[nbesheer]

Well if you're looking at the 280ZX Then that's pretty much a 2 seater 510 in terms of suspension. and it has the L6 with more power but more weight too. If you're looking at the earlier Z cars they have better suspension and are lighter. So I would say Z car again. I loved the 510 we had and I have a love/hate with the 610 I have but I absolutely love my Z more than anything

[240ADAM]

I'm a Z car guy, but both cars have amazing potential. If you have enough money you can make a bad ass car out of either one and either way and its still a Datsun. Its all in personal preference, you wont really know whats better untill you've had one of each.

[benzo]

I like the Z more. seems to handle better and more a sport car feel. I had a Z before and own a wagon now and I still would like to get another Z again. just has a good sports car feel

[hughdogz]

Most of the 280ZX's are actually lighter than the 280z. It is not that well known though :confused:

 

I just got a book that came from dealerships when they were first introducing the ZX. It mentions extensive wind tunnel testing and explains the Cd (drag coefficient) went from 0.467 for the S30 down to ~0.385 (modern cars are probably around 0.28). Clf (lift coefficient) went from 0.41 to 0.11 and Cmv (yaw coefficient) went from 0.10 to 0.04:eek:

 

The book says that even though the overall dimensions of the ZX are larger, it IS lighter than the previous 280z (even with the 21 gallon fuel tank).

 

I know I'm gonna get flamed, but S130 over the (late) S30...better aero and lighter!! :fu:

 

[Edit: I admit, I've never even ridden in a 510 before (I'd love to ride in a hopped-up one). I think they're more nimble than an S30]

Edited June 28, 2009 by hughdogz

[sssr20det510]

Ive had both and preffer the 510 they just seem funner to drive like driving a go cart

[Icehouse]

I've driven quite a few different datto's. Going from a z to a 510 it's easy to tell the 510 is lighter and a bit more nimble. Then going to from a 510 to 1200 its anther step in the "lighter is faster" direction. When it comes to any highly modified car it's near impossible to say which is better or which out handles the other one.... So basically I need one of each :D

[qwik510]

If you have the means, get one of each. I love my Z car and I love my 510s. My Z is a blast to drive and look beautiful but somehow, I enjoy the 510s more. The more open, spacious interior, the way it feels going down the road and the fact that most people around here don't know what it is. The 510s are certainly more rare now too.

[72240z]

Ya I think the mod vs mod is always a pointless argument. It really is just preference, both have just about the same potential performance wise up to the high end where the z passes the 510 due to a few reasons.

 

It's WAY more about what you want then the car vs car. They are both great.

[steve g]

i feel more secure in a z car,, has more of a racecar feel inside.....

If you like racing in parking lots and pissing off elders doing 80 mph on residential roads then its 510 all the way...... on the other hand if you like pissing off cops at 120 mph on the freeway then i would consider a Z

[Skib]

Iv rode in an SR20det 510 and it was fast and fun as hell, it tore threw the corners, but Id choose my Z to drive over anything because I know it inside and out and its "personality" so to speak.

 

 

its not all car vs car but the driver as well.

[philcas1987]

I have no problem ripping through residential areas at 80 mph and hitting triple digits on the highway in my 510.

[DISLEXICDIME]

my car will do triple digits no problem it did it to and from canby. and it is still l powered:p

[dgi]

I had the good fortune to own each of the following, all 1972 models starting in 1972 and over the next 8 years.

 

510 2 door

510 wagon

Z

521

1200

 

All were in stock or near stock condition when purchased, usually non-stock wheels at the most.

 

The 510 (L16) eventually got an SSS head and SUs, .040 overbore, flat-top Z pistons, Shelby wheels and sticky tires. This was and still is my all time favorite car. Owned it for 10 years. Sold it to buy a BMW that I fell in love with and then hated within a year. Should have kept the 510!

 

The 510 wagon was absolutely great! The only mod to it was the addition of a factory tachometer. Probably the most utilitarian vehicle I've ever owned. A friend paid me way too much money for it because... well, just because he fell in love with it and was willing to choke me with money for it.

 

The Z was a really nice car, purely stock. It had more low end torque, but wasn't much faster than the modified 510. Nowhere near as nimble. I got bored with it and sold it in about 6 months.

 

The 1200 was light and nimble. Loved the gas mileage. But, since I already had the 510, it wasn't comparable. I sold it in about 3 months.

 

The 521 was purchased new in 2/1972 and I owned it until 12/2007. Failed me only twice in 35.5 years... once when an aftermarket tach shorted out and killed the ignition, and another time when the fuel tank got enough rust in it to plug up the fuel filters.

 

So, for me it would be in this order

 

510

Z

521

510 Wagon

1200

 

Just wish I still had them all.

 

Currently, I have another 510 2 door on the way to becoming a a nice daily driver. Hmmm... think I will drive it to work tomorrow! :)

 

Only one problem... finding any 510 or early Z here on the East Coast that is a decent car is either impossible or VERY EXPENSIVE.

[das280zx]

I like them both. I have only breifly driven a 510, but I thought it felt sorta cramped for me and I am only 6'1" tall. It kind of dashed my dreams of making an sr20 powered 1200 someday, because I can only imagine how much smaller inside one of those things is. I love how you sit in a z, there is plenty of leg room,etc.

[Z-train]

Most of the 280ZX's are actually lighter than the 280z. It is not that well known though :confused:/QUOTE]

 

 

The ZX is lighter than the Z and Rosie O'donnell is lighter than Jennifer Lopez.

[hang_510]

if anybody can support the z car side of the argument...

 

i support the front and back too...easier to take all the parts off for my 510 :fu:

 

 

 

 

personaly, i dont really care for the Z. never owned one but have driven them all. i like the 240 best.

ive seen many that i would love to take out for a ride though :w00t:

 

introduced to them in HS when i had a 67 mustang. the only one who could keep up had a turbo :D

my GF had a 260 at the time.

[hughdogz]

^^^ Read it and Weep, Man :rolleyes:

 

From the book Datsun 280ZX, Copyright by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Published in 1978, Printed in Japan. Page 18:

 

"Reduction in Weight

 

Although the overall dimensions of the 280ZX have been increased over those of the previous Z series cars, total weight has been reduced. At the same time such crucial areas as the front dash panel have been strengthened, and the unitary construction has been beefed up to virtually eliminate vibration. While the objective has been to reduce the total weight, no reductions were made which would affect the overall driveability of the car.

For example, the capacity of the gasoline tank has been increased to 80l (21 gals.). This presented problems in body weight, inertia moment, and collision safety features, but these were all solved in order to provide a car that can be driven over very considerable distances with a minimum of stops for refueling."

[das280zx]

Yes a 2-seater 1979 280zx is lighter than a 1978 280z. Not lighter than the 240z, but from what I hear the 240 is kind of a wet noodle. My 280zx GL model comes in at around 3000 lbs fully loaded with fuel (maybe with me in it, I can't remember).

[sssr20det510]

well the 510 is lighter than all z cars so :fu: