Appendix 3
Engine specifications
Some Fairlady Z engine specifications were changed so often to comply with emissions regulations that it would be impossible to list every variation here (especially when taking market requirements on board), so reference should be made to the main text for specific year-by-year details. Generally speaking, engines for Canada corresponded approximately with American specifications, whilst, unless otherwise noted in the chapters, Australian versions were comparable with European/UK specs.
Z31 Series
Type VG30ET
Production (MY): 1984-1989
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 7.8:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 230 @ 5200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 245 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the Japanese three-litre ZX range. Maximum power reduced to 195bhp from October 1986, and torque reduced to 227lbft, both at same rpm.
Type VG30E
Production (MY): 1984-1989
Main market: USA
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 160 @ 5200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 174 @ 4000
Notes: Used in the American normally-aspirated 300ZX range. For 1988 MY, quoted power output increased by 5bhp.
Type VG30ET
Production (MY): 1984-1989
Main market: USA
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 7.8:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 200 @ 5200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 227 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the American turbocharged 300ZX range. For 1988 Model Year, compression ratio increased to 8.3:1, which raised power output by 5bhp.
Type VG30E
Production (MY): 1984-1989
Main market: Europe
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 170 @ 5600
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 175 @ 4400
Notes: Used in the European normally-aspirated 300ZX range.
Type VG30ET
Production (MY): 1984-1989
Main market: Europe
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 7.8:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 228 @ 5400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 242 @ 4400
Notes: Used in the European turbocharged 300ZX range.
Type VG20ET
Production (MY): 1984-1986
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 78 x 69.7mm
Capacity: 1998cc
Compression ratio: 8.0:1
Valve gear: ohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 170 @ 6000
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 159 @ 4000
Notes: Used in the Japanese two-litre range (except ZR).
Type RB20DET
Production (MY): 1986-1989
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: In-line Six
Bore & stroke: 78 x 69.7mm
Capacity: 1998cc
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 180 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 166 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the Japanese two-litre ZR range.
Type VG30DE
Production (MY): 1987-1989
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 190 @ 6000
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 180 @ 4400
Notes: Used in the Japanese three-litre ZR range.
Z32 Series
Type VG30DE
Production (MY): 1990-1996
Main market: USA
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 222 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 198 @ 4800
Notes: Used in the American normally-aspirated 300ZX range.
Type VG30DE
Production (MY): 1990-2000
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 230 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 201 @ 4800
Notes: Used in the Japanese normally-aspirated range.
Type VG30DETT
Production (MY): 1990-2000
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 280 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 286 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the Japanese turbocharged range.
Type VG30DETT
Production (MY): 1990-1996
Main market: USA
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 300 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 283 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the American turbocharged 300ZX range. If automatic gearbox specified, power reduced to 280bhp.
Type VG30DETT
Production (MY): 1990-1994
Main market: Europe
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 87 x 83mm
Capacity: 2960cc
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 280 @ 6400
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 274 @ 3600
Notes: Used in the European 300ZX model.
Z33 Series
Type VG35DE
Production (MY): 2003-
Main market: Japan
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 95.5 x 81.4mm
Capacity: 3498cc
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 280 @ 6200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 267 @ 4800
Type VG35DE
Production (MY): 2003-
Main market: America
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 95.5 x 81.4mm
Capacity: 3498cc
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 287 @ 6200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 274 @ 4800
Type VG35DE
Production (MY): 2004-
Main market: Europe
Cylinders: V6
Bore & stroke: 95.5 x 81.4mm
Capacity: 3498cc
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Valve gear: dohc
Fuel system: Fuel-injection
Bhp @ rpm: 276 @ 6200
Torque (lbft) @ rpm: 267 @ 4800