300ZX Twin Turbo vs. Supra Twin Turbo

[MMX]

Here is a thread that is sure to cause a lot of replies.(Hopefully! )

Why would someone pick the Supra Twin Turbo over the 300ZX Twin Turbo?

Let's analyze this-

(Specs for 1995 Twin Turbo models)

300ZX-----Supra

Weight~ 3518----- 3445
HP~ 300----- 320
Torque~ 283----- 315
Engine~ DOHC V6----- DOHC Inline 6
Transmission~ 5 Speed manual----- 6 speed manual
City/Hwy MPG~ 18/24----- 17/23
Wheels~ 16"----- 17"
Doors/Seats~ 2/2----- 2/4
0-60 mph~ 5.2----- 4.9 (from Motor Trend 7/93)
Quarter Mile~ 13.8----- 13.4 (from Motor Trend 7/93)
Both assembled in Japan

Okay, Okay, I'll admit that the Supra does win on every spec except MPG (but who cares about MPG!) but not by much!.
Both cars in stock form are just about equal in speed, good looks, reliabilty and tuning potential (I have seen modified examples of each built over 700HP)
Also the Z has that goofy All Wheel Steering but both are still bad ass rear wheel drive demons that to this day kick every other new car's ass!
So why is there such an overwhelming cult status dedicated to the Supra and not the Z? Most Twin Turbo Z's even cost $15,000.00 less than a Supra Twin Turbo of the same year.


Let the replies roll in!

[chs68]

i would go w/ the supra i was thinking of a z or a supra and i want to get the supra. im still working on getting it tho. imo the supra looks better, i dont see them as much as i see zs. I just think that u would get more respect for haveing a supra but that is just my opinion. They r both really nice cars.

[bowlofturtle]

both are great cars. But the Z's interiors look too old school for me. I mean i would just go Supra for the name and looks. I'm sure a good percentage of people would know and say a Supra looks better then the Z. The Fairlady is a great power one of the better Nismo products out there. I would say a better comparision would be a Z and a VR-4.

Maybe Supra's are overrated. I mean most people know what one is now.

[Razo-E]

Supra hands down...

why..?

well, besides the obvious, and everything you've posted, the Z's engine bay is VERY cramped, and hard as hell to work on...

especially if you're doing it yourself..

[BlitzNuRspec]

I generally get 25mpg. So that bit is wrong

Supra for reliable power, and ease turning up the power.

[95Supra]

supply and demand is the dif in price. I can travel from my home in upstate NY to Canada and never see another Supra. On the other side I may see 10 300Z's. The 300Z is a great car but, the Supra is hands down the better car. The 2JZ-GT and GTE engines are way over engineered and withstand lots of abuse.

[Neon]

may be the Supra participated in many well known racing event to gain popularity and its status ???

and Supra is the TOP MODEL from Toyota, but 300Z is not. Nissan have the skyline =) i guess is just feels cool to drive a top model from Toyota rather like 2nd line from Nissan

[2wickedtoyz]

the one advantage a z has over the supra is you can get a new engine for it out of a maxima and other z's where as the supra you can't but also as razo said that engine bay is really cramped

[shockel]

Other than the looks, the main reason is the motor. It is an inline six which is always easy to modify, witstand higher revs, get more hp out of it and much more durable. The supra is basically a supercar for the average guy, it was way over engineered. i have a stock tt and at 150 it feels as if it has not reach its limit..

[repinS]

Originally posted by 2wickedtoyz
the one advantage a z has over the supra is you can get a new engine for it out of a maxima and other z's where as the supra you can't but also as razo said that engine bay is really cramped

you sure? FWD into RWD, transmission definately can't be used... and electrical issues abound. Similar idea as taking a 3VZ-FE from an older 4Runner and putting into a 92-93 Camry...

[Rolla97]

2 things.

Potential- The 2JZ-GTE can run 900+ HP on the stock block. lets see that on the Z

Reliability- The 2JZ is one solid ass motor and........ Its a Toyota.

[cleartwo]

supras are just better thats all.... JK
i've just never felt that way about the Zs.

[Razo-E]

Originally posted by repinS
you sure? FWD into RWD, transmission definately can't be used... and electrical issues abound. Similar idea as taking a 3VZ-FE from an older 4Runner and putting into a 92-93 Camry...

I think he's possible refering to something along the lines of how the VQ is used in the Altima and 350Z; but i dont think they're nowhere near swappable...

[Jeeves]

Originally posted by 2wickedtoyz
the one advantage a z has over the supra is you can get a new engine for it out of a maxima and other z's where as the supra you can't but also as razo said that engine bay is really cramped

Did you JUST say the 300ZX's Twin Turbo and the Maxima's used the same engine?

Umm, No. The 300ZX TT used the VG30DETT, a 3 Liter, 4 valve, DOHC motor which put out 300hp, 283ft-lbs. Even in it's N/A form, the 300Z came with the VG30DE which gave up 225hp and 210ft-lbs.

The Maxima came with:
· (89-94 GXE, 89-91 SE) VG30E - SOHC, 160hp, 182tq (In the 3rd Gen)
· (91-94 SE) VE30DE - DOHC, VVT, 190hp/190tq
· (95-99 all) VQ30DE - DOHC, no VVT, 190hp/205tq


All of these were 3 Liter, V6, 24 valve motors, however turbocharging these was never a factory option. To boot, the Maxima never officially used the VG30DE (The DOHC model). They used the VG30E which made much less power (Note: 65hp, 28tq by official numbers). Also note that the VG30E motor was FWD and could not be converted for RWD usage. The Maxima.org forums prove this repeatedly.

The VE30DE that was used in the maxima was actually closer to the VG30DE motor but only in common technology used as the VE shares no major common components with the VG. (i.e. camshafts are driven by chains rather than belts, The engine block is stronger with greater rigidity, the larger heads have their four valves per cylinder splayed at a relatively narrow 30 degrees, and on the SE the VVT option.)

To top it all off, there were several variations of the VG30E, one was RWD, and one was FWD. They were not interchangable.

So, let's sum up:
· Different Motors used.
-----Maxima = VG30E (SOHC, FWD).
-----300ZX (N/A) = VG30DE (DOHC, RWD)
· Maxima VG30E (SOHC) = FWD, could NOT be converted to RWD for use in a 300ZX. Nor would you want to (SOHC)
· VE's never had Turbocharging factory. VG's did, but only on RWD, DOHC Models.
· Yeah.....No. You cannot put a maxima engine in a 300z. Period.




As for the topic, when you figure out the power/weight ratio of both vehicles they both come out very close. In the end, it often comes down to being a drivers race.

[85Celica-Supra]

this is in reply to your statement
"but both are still bad ass rear wheel drive demons that to this day kick every other new car's ass!"
Umm have you ever heard of a EVO, SRT4, STI, R32 non turbo running low 13s supra stock wont beat every new car but most//some