Solid motor mounts and MSA sway bars, best $290 you will ever spend on your car. Both are super easy jobs can be done in 2-3 hours.

The suspension on z31 is soft because it was designed as a grand tourer, and appeal to the American market. Because of that, it was the best selling Z of all time, but I suspect the same reason for such little aftermarket as well. There is hope though, as I've seen more aftermarket parts become available within the last two years, than I have ever remembered seeing, in the previous ten years combined. Glad to see a fellow Z31 owner, that's actually younger than me lol.

@shark8240

3 жыл бұрын

Hi I’m thinking about purchasing one but the one I’m looking at has 280,000 on the original motor, what do you think about that? The seller claims there are no issues with it but still that’s a lot of miles

@joelstatosky1817

3 жыл бұрын

@@shark8240 . Where are you from and how much can you spend. Any car with over 200k miles I am kinda scared off. But I do not know much

@iassosa9200

3 жыл бұрын

@@shark8240 Probably 20-40k left on that motor. But got to test drive it first and see if it still drives smooth. If it's the non turbo, they can last a bit longer.

@user-yh5wt3ls1r

2 жыл бұрын

21 year old 87 z owner here!

@rocketforsalebawx8300

Жыл бұрын

15 year old 86 turbo z owner here lol

"What's that, that's emissions." *pointing at the P.S. fluid reservoir.*

@snowysysadmin59

3 жыл бұрын

i was like....i see you dont know shit about cars

@mrr1756

3 жыл бұрын

Thought I was the only one who saw that.

@captaintehe4501

2 жыл бұрын

Homie thought it was the EGR valve

Most of these problems can be fixed with a Megasquirt setup, NA2T some injectors and a tune. It’s worth it for the boost, these VG30 engines are extremely capable and robust

@lethaljugg3568

2 жыл бұрын

Any idea where to get some good injectors for these cars

@4AMFOREVER

2 жыл бұрын

@@lethaljugg3568 let me know when you find them pleaseee

@binkles2k32

Жыл бұрын

sounds like that can blow the transmission or the motor itself, so some upgrades to make your engine more durable should be taken note of too. But thats more money for more caution really

@erikt211

Жыл бұрын

@@binkles2k32 Do some research on these cars, engines and transmissions specifically. The key here is research. The 30A transmission is extremely robust and can handle it. The engine comes with forged internals and can handle it. It’s been tried and true for 39 years. There’s plenty of research out there of what people have done

@wishusknight3009

5 ай бұрын

@@binkles2k32 The very same engine and transmission came in turbo form as well. So the NA is very under stressed.

Nice clean car, I talked myself into a 1987 Z31 N/A with only 80,000 miles on it. It’s amazing when you see an old but goody.

@icantthinkofaname2417

3 жыл бұрын

Man that's my dream car. I love the interior of that model the most out of the rest of the z31 series.

@gabec2494

3 жыл бұрын

Buying one for my son's first car. Identical to the one in the video but automatic. 77k original miles

@Dany-kl6fj

2 жыл бұрын

I’m getting a 86’ z31 for 4k, near perfect condition and runs great, only downside is that it has 140,000 original miles, should I go for it ?

@gabec2494

2 жыл бұрын

The guy selling it decided to turn it into a bidding war unfortunately. So instead, I'm picking up a 1985 corvette with 91k original miles for $3k.

@prod.deathwish

2 жыл бұрын

@@gabec2494 for 3k that’s insane

Fast and to the point! Love the vid and love the Z😼

This video gets me more excited than ever. I just came across a $2,000 300ZX sitting in a parking lot when i was out with my friend tonight. I got more excited than ever, because one of my dreams is to get an old japanese car to have some fun with. I contacted the owner, but he was probably sleeping. I don't plan on getting any sleep tonight, but instead dreaming about my future with this beauty of a retro car.

@hankboii7624

Жыл бұрын

Update?

@wazooee_yt9812

Жыл бұрын

@@hankboii7624 was too old of a car for my parents, they wouldn’t even consider it😥 Now I have a 2012 G37 that I absolutely love and just got some rims and exhaust for. All I know is that I will have a z31 before i die. Ever since I got denied the chance to have one last summer, I’ve been obsessed with them and I WILL own one someday.

@wishusknight3009

5 ай бұрын

@@wazooee_yt9812 I have an 89 RX7, There is something about these japanise coups that is addictive.

@personalstuff3019

Ай бұрын

​@@wazooee_yt9812as an 84 vg30et owner with over 300k miles and minimul maintance your parents missed out, these engines are overbuilt for boost and pressure, dare i say theyre almost as bullet proof as a 2jz. Car has its quirks but its to be expected at 40 years old

@jamesbeauregardd

26 күн бұрын

@@personalstuff3019i’m looking at an 85 300zx, any chance i could ask some questions ?

Like the vid, subscribed! My first car was a 94 300zx...still have love for them today...

i love mine too. i recently bought an rb25 powered z31 because my family moved houses and the new garage has space for days, and it being my first car and the car ive been saving up for since i was 12, it is everything i ever wished to own. i cant wait to be old enough to drive it.

@wishusknight3009

5 ай бұрын

Kind of doubt that. There are only a few swaps worldwide. It takes special mods to make that engine fit and for something that has no more power than the 3.0 twin.

Dude, youtube trips me out, I’m really into mountain biking and apart from that I’ve been looking at a bunch of z31 300zx’s as I’m looking to get one myself since I really love the car, but getting a video of you wearing a gmbn shirt and reviewing the car just after opening a single gmbn video surprised the hell out of me, nice video!

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha, that's amazing, I love mountain biking too! Thanks for the support

Nice Z31, that's also with the 280ZX Turbo so much wiring covering the whole engine. Spark plugs, injector wires, fuel lines and water pump lines. Very confusing looking engine, but the 280ZX is a very nice car.

Long time ‘88 GLL owner here, you pretty much nailed the Z31 annoyances.

Awesome vid bro! The Z31 does look like a pretty nice car

Mr Riggs, you really have such a beautiful car! The things you mention give your car some kind of character. If a sports car has "everything" you expect it should have it is anyway some kind of boring...

That’s car is so clean damn

Fellow Georgia z brother 💯 I own an 88 300zx shiro special. Glad to see more z31 owners around my age 😅

@irfyninja6843

3 жыл бұрын

damn, legendary z

the last owner of my 1985 put 1" lowering springs on it that are really stiff. i still need swaybars but i love the suspension on mine. not to mention it has 285's on the rear so it has no problem getting power to the ground. the problem i have with mine is that i wish it had just a little more power. and i agree about the aftermarket. it sucks

Was thinking about buying a z31 and was looking for the common issues not this but I'll sub since you seem like a decent dude and i like the z31. Although i definitely prefer the zenki over kouki.

50th subscriber! Can’t wait to see what you do with this car

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Man 👍

@mistrbloosky956

4 жыл бұрын

Joseph Riggs dude what shoes are those they look awesome

Lol one of his complaints was about the pint cuz he parks in a gravel parking lot then at the end of the video is whipping it in a gravel parking lot 😂😂 awesome car tho man! Thinking of getting one for myself so videos like this are super helpful

I have an 87 but the previous owner used it for drifting so the suspension is even worse than stock AND it had a crash😔

👍🏽good points

tryna sneak out of the house like 0:36

The suspension is easy to fix up, and there is some help from aftermarket in that case too. Do youself a favor, get yourself some lowering Eibach springs, either Bilstein (very stiff), Tokiko (stiff) or KYB (not as stiff) shocks to start. After that you can add heavier and bigger sway bars and the last part is add a cusco strut brace bar. When you have done that all the sway will be gone...

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha if you check out my latest video, I actually ended up getting Powertrix Coilovers, thanks for the tips tho

@jeffleeds914

4 жыл бұрын

@@josephriggs5276 Cool, Didn't see that coilovers probably solved most of your issues. If you didn't do a strut brace bar those are a big help too

i know of a 31z near me that has sat for at least 2005. I do not know about most of its condition, would it be a good project car for a person new to cars?

I dont think it still has any problems, this is my dream car

Hi, I’m ashley and I just got a 1985 in a deep red. I noticed you have a VERY nice interior, did you get it like that or did you buy the parts? If so where cause she’s a beauty on the outside but a little rough inside.

Were do you guys advise me to search for an 87,88 or 89 z31 in Europe?

Im sure there must be a way to stiffen the rear suspension... Can you really not swap it for a harder spring

Hi from Chattanooga, we only have about 6 z31's in town with mine being the best. I've owned my 86 for 30yrs glad you have a great one to start with. With a little time and money you can get 250hp to the wheels,no turbo or so. Coilovers,bigger sway bars and replace all bushings with polyurithane and your done. With that being said, this will get into your pocket .$$$ Love your Z!

@c2chris889

2 жыл бұрын

Where does one purchase these items?

love it, keep it up!

Ah yes the good old marshmallow suspension 😂 Feels like you're pulling the front wheels off the ground when you launch. But its just the car squatting till its nuts hit the ground.

You're asking too much out of a car that was built in a different era. The stock suspension was great the day it was built, and its 37 years old. probably not as good as it was when it rolled out from factory. The speed and power was fine for the time. Not now in the 21st century. Nissan has used all those vacuum lines on their engines for years. nothing new. Black paint is like that on most cars, not only a Z31. Its a great car. Enjoy it. Drive it. Appreciate it. Disregard its shortcomings.

Please tell me where you got this car

Isn’t gravel and paint bad for every car? Not really a 300zx specific lol

how much did u buy this car for

Hilarious man... but I gotta tell you, you still HAVE A 300ZX!

My 300zx has like a dial in the center console near the gear shifter and apparently it either stiffens or softens the suspension but I feel no difference except my suspension is stiff so imma assume ur shocks are done for but mines the turbo 86 so it might be different

@MrBlaze256

2 жыл бұрын

My 84 turbo shocks were shot. I would get to ride I wheelie sometimes.

Great vid! but your power steering isn't emmisions haha

Im looking at one of these to purchase, now im not a car fanatic but I absolutely love the look of these cars. I have a daily right now, it gets me places, but I hate that thing so much ahah. Just want some input for someone getting into cars, is this car a good place to start? If not what would be?

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

It is an old car, so it's going to have issues. And the aftermarket dosnt tend to have a huge community. But I'd say this is a great platform to learn on, it's fairly realiable, and quite simple. Definitely need more people in the z31 community 👍

Yess the aftermarket sucks lol. I have an 86 Z myself

what coilover did you get i have an 86

The suspension is stiffer on thr turbo models with the adjustable modes

Is a Z31 300zx 1988 good? Currently planning to buy one. I need more information on this type of car

@awagnow

3 жыл бұрын

uh.. yes? pretty weird and vague question "is this car good"

@xiitexo

3 жыл бұрын

@@awagnow I think it meant if it was reliable, if not is it easy to work on?

Okay so I’ve just turned 16 and I’ve been wanting one for awhile I found one that needs a motor but I can’t afford the motor but I have an ls and I found and adapter should I go through and do the crime and just have a really cheap but great car, ik I will have to upgrade suspension

@jackheadrick3576

3 жыл бұрын

It's prolly gonna cost more to make the ls work than the cost of a motor. Ls swaps arent as budget friendly as most make them out to be. Goodluck man.

It was meant to be a sport luxury car my friend but I like the race type myself race suspension all that good stuff just going to have to be creative and put it how you like it good luck with it I got one too

Tell me about it man it took me a whole week removing tubed and wires just to take off my upper intake manifold

im in love

I have a 1989 maxima with the exact same motor, suspension, and paint. I have the same problems except mines a 4 door and barely over 3000 pounds? Als its a FWD so not much drifting :(

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha, those old Maxima's were great cars. Don't see too many of them on the road

@cedricmiller4370

3 жыл бұрын

@@josephriggs5276 do Maxima drivers be trying to challenge your 300zx?

You point to the power steering fluid reservoir "yeah thats for emissions"

I just got a 1985 Nissan 300zx

No. 6: it's a Kouki 😂

Yea it's a "sports car" but nissan did go cheap on the. I had an 88 turbo model factory boost is 4 psi and nissan didnt run an intercooler that's why boost is so low... there was an option my car had it but it didnt work for suspension adjustment with electronic suspension so you had soft medium and stiff and as far as aftermarket parts there is some out on the market but a lot of guys use s14 parts and 4 link it and run s13 s14 aftermarket coils brake upgrade is getting z32 calipers and rotors. The nissan 300z is a reinforced chassis with enough space under the hood to fit a v6 and similar version fit the rb20 (200zr) straight 6 without having to modify the fire wall I prefer the z over the 240 six because the z were more solid built and ment for great things but the 240 is light af

@derf6572

4 жыл бұрын

Are you sure it only runs 4 psi, my 86 turbo hits about 6.8 but that might just be the OEM gauge being off, I know that Nissan did swich the compression and the turbo for better response time, but 4 sounds a bit low.

@KnineLiveZ

4 жыл бұрын

@@derf6572 different t turbos. 84-87(pre 4/87) cars came with a t3 turbo (stock boost 6.8) the late 87-89 used t25 which did about 4.5 psi of boost

Possibly picking up a AMAZING condition 87 300zx soon even tho it a video about its cons I’m still soooooo excited

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

Do it, you won't regret it

@awagnow

3 жыл бұрын

how many miles?

Hi I love thous cars too , but can't some of the emission system be taken away ?? Thank's and good luck

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've already deleted Cats and I am going to delete EGR equipment

@mrkongsimr

3 жыл бұрын

@@josephriggs5276 Cool , did it make any difference ?

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

@@mrkongsimr pretty much just made it louder 😂

Also. Have the stuff you showed under the hood was fuel lines😂

I call it the spaghetti suspension

Did you point to power steering tank and say it’s emission lol?

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, people have already commented about it, the vacuum canister is just to the right of the power steering tank, I accidentally pointed at the wrong one 😂

@FleetTech97

4 жыл бұрын

Joseph Riggs haha no hate man just was confused haha. Planning on doing any deletes? I miss my Z!

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

@@FleetTech97 oh yeah, for sure, that EGR and those cats are going byebye 😂

Your car is hot

Is it the twin turbo version? & can we see then engine bay & the engine & everything inside the hood 🥺🥺🥺😍

@KaizerKaine

3 жыл бұрын

The z31 I believe only came with the single turbo.

@germanmiranda4127

3 жыл бұрын

@@KaizerKaine There is a configuration that came twin turbo. But i just wanna know if this one is single turbo.

This car was meant to be turbo . This was the highest power car made in Japan when it was released .

Dude.....the z31 was built to b a long highway cruiser thats why it has long suspension...2 it made 160 almost 30+ years ago so its probably lost atleast 40hp by now and 3 i love that he pointed at the powersteering Reservoir as if that's an emissions thing.... why not give some actual problems like how almost all of them have electrical issues and or Howell the t-tops leak or how about the fact that the blower motor amplifier switch goes out and they stop making those 20 years those are actual problems not superficial problems

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

I understand these are z31 issues, but my t-tops don't leak and I've never had electrical issues. In this video I explained some simple pet-peeves I have about the car, things that I am taking steps to improve upon. Take it lightly 😉 (the emissions vaccum canister is next to the power steering reservoir, my pointing wasn't accurate)

Clean car there is no issues with the car. You should do bushings instal coilovers, delete your emissions and get intercooler. The car is fine take care of it 😂

Paint and gravel don't mix? You know what else doesn't mix? Braces and shades.

Its a gt car not a true sport car, they where trying something new on that gen and market it upscale thats qhy that gen faild, it price itself out of the market. They went back to true sport car in z32 gen. Thats why the suspension is so soft.

I have the same car mines white with red interior just bought it lol

I'm pretty sure I saw your Z in a Walmart parking lot.

Your #1 problem is its an NA. Most of your issues are fixed in a turbo model.

3:58 isn't that the power steering fluid

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, you caught me, I meant to point towards the vacuum canister (to the right) 😉

@derf6572

4 жыл бұрын

@@josephriggs5276 ah I see now Btw love the car very clean

@powerfullance1898

3 жыл бұрын

So the suspension is soft on a 40 year old car. Shocked

I love my Z31

What made you buy this car?? That's my question 🤔if u hate some stuff I'm just sayin🤷‍♂️

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

Well, take the video lightheartedly. Just thought I'd share a couple of my personal pet peeves 😉

still waiting to see that Devil Z 👿

Z31 vs z32 ?

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

I prefer the z31, but thas a bias opinion giving that I own one 😂

@Pertplus

4 жыл бұрын

Joseph Riggs same here. I like the look of z31 but doesn’t z32 have better features ?

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

@@Pertplus yeah, the z32 was quite high tech. It was pretty quick and was very well designed.

“The issue is that it’s black” damnnnn bro

These cars have decent power if you know how to drive it lol

Your power steering fluid reservoir is not emissions.

Instead of hating your car find the things about it you like. I have a 1984 300zx and I love it to death sure it's an 80s car so it's going to have 80s problems.

How much did you pay for it?

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

5400. If you're still curious, you can check out the BAT listing when I got it: bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-nissan-300zx-4/

But some coil overs in it then

Isn't that any car you have that is 30 y.o.

Very nice, pushed me more now to buy a z31. But I have a question to the 300zx community, how much does the Turbo varient with 205 horses consume on fuel? I have the money saved up for a car, but I cant afford his gas prices long term. Thanks in advance

I’d say the biggest thing I’d hate is the fact that it’s not a z32

Joseph, check out XenonZcar.com they have some good Z31 stuff on there!

@josephriggs5276

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks man, I love XenonZcar. Such a helpful website

@PaSlots

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! They are good friends of mine, only about 10 minutes down the road!

I want your wheels.

Video starts at 1:05

Aftermarket isn’t that bad tbh

issue number one, to sum it all up, its stock

It was even worse in the 80s about go fast parts . Even with turbo car you'd get your ass handed to you by mustangs and GNs.

@jonathanpinckney9227

3 жыл бұрын

The car wasn't built for the quarter mile, it's better suited for cornering. At the same time, the Z31 has a higher top speed than the Mustangs of the time.

Joe, The Fairlady Z, or Z31 platform is a GT car. When these designations meant something. A GT car will not handle like a GTS or Sport Suspension cars. I'm probably double your age and drove a Z31 when your parents were turning teens. And because of our US standards, cars here that come from overseas are much more lifted on their suspension, headlights are different etc; And because domestics used to complain about "harsh" European suspension cars; auto manufacturers softened the ride for the American market, so you dont jostle that 2 dollar burger and fries out of you before you get home and pop yourself; If you HATE your Z31, I'll gladly purchase it from you to join my other Z31. Aside from ignorant comments about a very very good vehicle, please learn a little Japanese and watch all the Hot Version (Japanese Top Gear) and learn that the Z31s, whether the ZX or ZR versions, lacked postal codes behind its counterparts like the RX7 that would run rings around the Z31 and the RZ (Supra) thru the corners.

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

I did extensive research before purchasing this car. Yes, I knew this was a GT car (thas why nissan added the X). I use sports car in a general way. If you watch the beginning and the end of the video I mention how much I love this car. I never said that I hated the car. This video is merely a fun video to complain about the things I dislike about it (things I plan to change/are changing). So yeah, I knew it was a GT car, but, it's a fact that a stock z31 does not handle well, hence the reason handling is on the list. (if you watch my most recent video, I have actually done coilovers on the car).Thanks for the concern 👍

@andydecu

3 жыл бұрын

@@josephriggs5276 Joe, thanks for the reply. You're a cool cat for liking Z31 and for clean comments. My good man, X was added for the T-Top option when Nissan carved two holes in their brand new S130 chassis (I believe is the 280ZX designed); that's why the other S30 are the REAL Z cars. Non t-top, no power nothing lol. And remember, a 2+2 isnt a real Z! Zs are 2 seats only; it's in their name NISSAN=two people. I speak few languages and read many a books about cars and Nissan's history as Prince, then Datsun. And few engineering books on engine design, build and application specific engine designs. But good job and keep it between the ditches & dont text and drive because it's got no ABS. Good luck buddy!

You forgot vacumm controled AC

@davebar2017

3 жыл бұрын

ECU. A/C & HEAT not a fan have a 86 zx turbo 5sp myself .

wait... this is my school lmfaooo

should have found a turbo

@josephriggs5276

3 жыл бұрын

There's plans for that...soon 👀

Complainging about paint getting dirty when its not the stock paintjob is wildy streching

10 catalytic converters? 🤣🤣🤣

And I live on a gravel road lmao

Please learn about cars before posting videos slamming their “problems”. You can’t tell the different between a power steering reservoir and emissions equipment? Also…. They make these things call urethan bushings and sway bar upgrades to fix the corner dives. Also, COILOVERS or lowering springs. Look them up! Jesus, the car is nearly 40 years old!

The things you hate about your car are asinine and you should learn about cars before making a video about them. Like your power steering pump reservoir isn't part of emissions. No paint job and gravel mix. Nissan had a great stock paint job. The suspension is what made Z cars so beloved. 165 hp was great at that time and 3200 lbs is lightweight which is why these cars were considered sporty and fast in their time. You're a kid so I'll let you make it. But your video was a farce to say the least

Dude isnt old enough to have an opinion...