2wickedtoyz said:
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.