5th Jul 2003, 16:42
I also have an 86 Turbo. This has been a fun and reliable car, although I do agree that the AC is a little weak.
17th Oct 2003, 00:35
I have a 86 300zx, live in Eastern North Carolina, USA (90+ degrees F and 50%+ humidity in the summer often here) and my AC works great! It will chill the car in less than 5 minutes from sitting in the hot sun (car is red with black leather interior,) and will keep you cool thereafter. The secret is the vacuum actuators that operate the system. If there is the slightest leak in any of the lines or actuators, the system will default to full heat upon the slightest acceleration or other loss of vacuum. With leaks, stop and go traffic equals no ac, and marginal ac at steady cruising speeds.
I took out my dash and replaced all the foam in between the various pieces that channel the air to the occupants of the vehicle. While I was in there, I had to replace three of the vacuum actuators, and replaced all of the rubber tubing behind the heater core with silicone tubing.
There are two clues that your vacuum system may have a leak: Cold air changing to hot under acceleration, and hearing a lot of clicking of solenoids above the trannsmission hump (above the driver's feet on a LHD car.)
28th Apr 2004, 10:56
There is a recall on the fuel injectors. Go to any Nissan dealer and they can run the VIN and see if this has been done to your car. If not, free replacement of injectors and related components.
I own and '86 NA and had this done a few years back.
17th Sep 2004, 07:27
Yes I too have a 300zx turbo my AC works great. One thing I don't really like the gas gauge is broken on it, but that some thing fixable. i love the sound my turbo makes when you rev high.
2nd Apr 2005, 19:29
Hi all! I'm currently trying to get an 86 turbo Z.
My previous car was an 88 Nissan Maxima with the same engine in it as the Z31's
I just want to say if you can get the recall done for the injectors DO IT! I saw the recall on a forums I used to frequent and went to the dealership and had it done (took about 4 days with no rental for it either). when I got it back it was a whole new car! it had 210000 miles and all of a sudden ran like it had 21000 miles on it.
Crazy fun! I going to do it with the Z when I get it.
Take care.
30th Dec 2005, 11:39
I have owned 3 1987 300's and just recently picked up a 1986 model. It has 64K original miles on it and needs a few rust spots taken care of. Other than that, the car is in great shape. The air is very cold and the heater will run you out. The interior is in very good shape for a 20 year old car. These cars are a lot of fun, and if properly taken care of, I see the value rise. Older z cars are coming back into vogue. I had a teen ask me if my car was an older model Porsche. I had to laugh.
30th Dec 2005, 15:25
I would agree with collectibility of older Z cars, but only through the last 280ZX in 1983. The 300ZX just looks too different from the original Z.
Of course, many others think that nothing built after the last 280Z will ever be collectible. In the US, old Japanese cars in general (with rare exceptions like the Toyota 2000 GT and Honda S500) do not seem to bring the big bucks on the collector car market. Buy one because you like it, not because it is going to dramatically increase in value.
2nd Jan 2006, 00:19
I own an 84 300ZX. Mine has 143000 miles, and it runs great. The problem with the A/C also was present on mine, but was fixed with replacement of vacuum hoses. I've had mine up to 135 MPH, and it handled like a new car. Also if you have any questions about your Z's, go to ZCAR.com and log in. It's free and you can get all the help you need.
9th Mar 2006, 20:37
I have an 86' NA, the A/C is ice cold! I mean its crazy cold! All the A/C components are original! 151K miles! I bought the car as a temporary car, because I had wrecked my 91' Explorer. But, it has been 500% more reliable than that POS Ford ever thought about being! I absolutely love it!
22nd Aug 2006, 20:59
I just bought an 86 300zx 2+2 n/a and let me tell you, this car is hot. the new exhaust and intake I got on it make it sound like a v8 it was deff worth its 2g with only 140,000 miles.
14th Feb 2007, 15:23
I've had my 86 for 20 years, and yes, I've had AC problems. The guy didn't fix it properly, so sometimes instead of AC I get heat. After reading the comments someone mentioned a recall on fuel injectors. Is it too late to bring it in? I live in the bay area.
I love my Z, but one thing really bugs me. GAS mileage. Unfortunately, I don't get this automatic out on the freeway enough, and I usually drive it about 12 miles roundtrip daily. But, it seems to have a hole in the gas tank! If I put my foot into it, watch out! I'm at the gas station in a week! Anyone else have this issue?
10th May 2007, 21:45
All you have to do for the fuel injector recall is call any Nissan dealer's service dept. Give them your VIN#, and they will be able to tell if it was done or not. I am the proud owner of a very nice '86 N/A 2+2. When I got it it was running very badly. Did full tune up, still bad. My mechanic said one of the injectors was bad. Luckily for me and my wallet the recall was never done on my car. Made the appointment, 3 days later it ran like a dream and for free! They changed tons of hoses, etc along with the injectors.
Good luck and long live the Nissan Z!
12th Jun 2007, 12:48
My wife's name is z. my daughters name starts with a z. my dog's name is zay. and my nickname is freeZe.i am the proud owner of a 86'z.long live the z.
13th May 2010, 11:52
I am a 16 year old boy living with my mother and grandmother. And as long as I can remember, my grandma has had her 1986 Nissan 300ZX, and I have wanted it since I was five, and now she is offering to sell it to me for 1,000 dollars for my first car, and I really want it. But I'm kinda skeptical about buying it now, because of all the problems it has had in the past. However it has been a very solid car, and I have never seen the "check engine" light on. So I'm not quite sure what to do.
It has 189,000 miles on it, new rack and pinion, and new alternator. There is some kind of stuttering going on when you try to excel, and I have no idea what it is and I would love to get it fixed. Please if anyone can tell me anything about this car, or has any ideas as to what to do, please email me at (jkstevenson91@gmail.com) I would very much appreciate it. Thank you.
16th May 2003, 14:27
I too have a 86 300ZX Turbo. I could not ask for a better car. Real responsive in corners, really good handling.
Talk about pick up once the turbo cuts in, it makes you sink into the seat.