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The
US market only 280Z was fitted with enourmous 'federal' bumpers, making
it visually distinct from other Zs.
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The 260Z
lasted only one year in the US before being replaced with the 280Z.
US emissions controls had sapped the L26 of all it's power so a new
model was required. Carburettion was abandoned as it had caused so much
trouble with the 260Z. The new Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system
was fitted instead to a 2.8 liter L28 engine. Although performance was
not as good as the original 240, it was still far better than the 260Z
and the later 240Zs. The 280Z was also heavier, thanks to a larger engine,
the fuel injection, and a more fully equipped interior, and longer thanks
to it's massive 'federal' bumpers required by US law. The 280Z also
featured air-conditioning, and larger tyres. By now, the Z cost $9000
in the US, and no longer seemed quite the bargain it had originally
been. However, it had also become accepted, and no longer needed to
use Bargain Basement pricing as a draw card. The 280Z was actually the
most popular of the first generation Z cars, with 230,128 being built,
compared to 156,076 240Zs.
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The
Injected L28 inline six.
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| Engine: |
In
line six |
| Construction: |
Cast-iron
block, alloy head |
| Crankshaft: |
Seven-bearing |
| Bore
X Stroke: |
86.1mm
X 79.0mm |
| Capacity: |
2753cc |
| Valves: |
Single
over head camshaft |
| Compression
ratio: |
8.3:1 |
| Fuel
system: |
Electric
fuel pump, Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection |
| Maximum
power: |
149bhp
at 5600rpm |
| Maximum
Torque |
163lb
ft at 4400rmp |
| Transmission: |
Five
speed manual or optional 3 speed auto |
| Final
Drive ratio: |
3.55:1 |
| Top
gear 1000rpm |
203.mph (4spd), 24.7mph (5spd) |
| Brakes: |
10.7in
discs front, 9 X 1.6in drums rear, servo assisted. |
| Front
suspension: |
Independent
with MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic
dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear
suspension: |
Independent
with MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic
dampers |
| Steering: |
Rack
and Pinion, 2.7 turns lock to lock |
| Wheels/tyres: |
5J-14
pressed steel wheels with 195/70 HR 14 radial tyres |
| Wheelbase: |
90.7in(2str)/102.6in
(2+2) |
| Length: |
173.2in
(2str), 180.9in (2+2) |
| Width: |
64.1in
(2str)/65.5in (2+2) |
| Dry
weight: |
2800lb |
| 0-60mph |
9.4sec |
| Top
speed: |
121mph |
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| Max
speed in gears: |
4spd
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5spd
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| 1st: |
41mph
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38mph
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| 2nd: |
67mph
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61mph
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| 3rd: |
104mph
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98mph
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| 4th: |
119mph
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121mph
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| 5th: |
-
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121mph
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| Typical
fuel consumption: |
19.5mpg
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The
specifications given here are for US delivered 280Zs. The 280Z was sold
only in the US and Canada, all other markets still received the 260Z.
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Bosch L-Jetronic
fuel injection:
The 280Z was fitted with the then brand new Bosche L-Jetronic fuel injection
system rather than Carburetors. The electronic system used sensors to
monitor airflow temperature, throttle position and engine speed. A computer
then calculated the required amount of fuel and sent out instructions
to electronically controlled valves in the injectors. A 36lb sq ft fuel
supply system was employed. Datsun of course made much of this advanced
feature in their advertising. (Remember this was less than 20 years
after Chevrolet introduced fuel injection to the masses in their 1957
Corvette and Bel Air - although that was a mechanical system, and production
was low.)
Federal bumpers:
The US government introduced legislation during the 1970s which changed
a lot of things about cars. They had to be more efficient (one piece
of legislation called for cars capable of 100mpg by 2000!), produce
less pollution, and be safer. One piece of legislation called for bumpers
to be fitted to all cars which could survive an impact at 5mph with
no damage. Of necessity, these bumpers where very large, very heavy,
and exceedingly ugly. The 280ZX suffered from an enormous set, which
increased the length of the car by over ten inches over the original
240Z! Fortunately, such massive bumpers where not fitted to non-US Zs,
and with the introduction of the 280ZX, Nissan's designers managed to
integrate them smoothly into the body.
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