Sibling Rivalry

"-Amateur" (amateur) 10/03/2013 at 13:51 • Filed to: RIVALS

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Nissan was a tour de force back in the late 80's and early 90's. They say the best offense is a the best defense...what if we clash two unyielding offenses together? Enter the Nissan R32 Vs. Z32 300ZX showdown.

The focus is on the R32 GT-R. It appeared in 1989 and it was shortly nicknamed Godzilla. The Skyline was a monster on the track and in keeping with its Godzilla name, fought aliens and freaks of nature in order to protect the city. It came in coupe form only and was crammed full of electronic know how that transcends everything you know about performance.

Badass sedan version need not apply

The ATTESA-ETS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All- Electronic Torque Split) was the brains behind the AWD system. The bulk of the power goes to the rears, but 50% of the torque can be thrown to the front as needed. That's why drifting this AWD puppy is as natural as Jello Pudding! As if that wasn't enough, Nissan threw in a Super-HICAS all wheel steering to make it a damn fine handler.

The R32 was armed with the legendary RB26DETT twin-turbo, 2.6L Inline-6. This engine was a cold blooded racing spec engine derived from Group A detuned for road use at 280 HP. The engine may or may have not understated numbers because of the whole gentleman's agreement caps. 0-60 came in at 4.8 seconds which was on par with Ferrari's finest. Throw in the fact that it completely dominated in Group A racing and I think we have a solid contender on our hands. But will it be enough?

The Nissan 300ZX was the same as the Skyline...continuing on their birthright names. The Skyline and Z cars have a legacy that has been immortalized among car enthusiast. The Z32 that steps up to the plate is the twin-turbo spec weighing in at 300 HP. Equipped with the venerable 3.0L DOHC VG30DETT V-6 VVT.

This car was the first production car in the world to be designed using CAD software on Nissan's cray cray super computers. It also was a real looker (remember, we're talking about 1989 here!). It was praised by everyone and anyone, Car and Driver has it on their 10 Best List for 7 consecutive years (which is every year it existed in the U.S, FTW!). Motor Trend also saw pure awesomeness, giving it the 1990 Import Car of the Year award.

Just like the Skyline, The Z32 had the crazy Super-HICAS (Super High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension) all-wheel steering that could turn the rear wheels a full 2 degrees at speed. It was a champion, besting the Rx-7, Corvette, and Porsche 968s from the heyday regularly in comparison tests.

It wasn't just a show boater either, It's even deadlier than its looks.It crushed the competition in the IMSA GTP classes and was crazy successful in the GTS-1 classes too, winning the 24 hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year. The 300ZX was just too awesome for its own sake; IMSA had to lower the allowable horsepower restrictions to even the playing field, effectively barring the Z32 from competition in its current form.

So what's it going to be? You've seen both sides to the same coin, now what are you going to call... heads or tails?

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William Byrd > -Amateur 10/03/2013 at 13:55

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Awesome writeup.

Skyline for me. I think it's one part forbidden fruit, one part styling. I always liked that generation of Z, but didn't love that generation of Z.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > -Amateur 10/03/2013 at 14:24

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They kind of aren't competitors, as much as they are complimentary.

In the US, the Z32 was offered as a 2+0 or 2+2... but turbo was 2+0 only.

I thought I read somewhere that 2+2 Z32s are much rarer in other parts of the world, outside the US.

On the other hand, Nissan's R32 Skyline was always a 2+2 coupe, or sedan, whether 2WD, 4WD, turbocharged, or not. And it is not offered in the US, and is still difficult to federalize, if imported.

Z32 is the 2-seat sports car. R32 is the 2+2 coupe or sedan, a more practical format, and more versatile with options for RWD or AWD, where Z32 was RWD only.

S13, was their baby sister... RWD and 4-cylinder, and less well equipped, and more affordable.

It was actually a LINEUP, where that seems not to happen with coupes anymore, when some brands are lucky to have one coupe, let alone multiples.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > -Amateur 10/03/2013 at 14:25

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Skyline, mostly because of how far there is to go with modifications.

feather-throttle-not-hair > -Amateur 10/03/2013 at 14:58

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2nd pic isn't a GT-R....

-Amateur > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/03/2013 at 15:01

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...or is it? hahaha, I just put random pictures of each car when I do these things. Kind of like to grasp the essence. In the text is where I distinguish what exact model I'm comparing so it's not apples and oranges.

Geezusundmarychain > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 18:44

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It's a shame seeing the Z-car get so few votes because I love both these cars (much more than the Miata.) I'd love to own either of them.

The Sparkytooth Ring Lapper > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 19:33

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Dammit. This is the hardest decision since Batman vs Superman.

Mikeado > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 19:36

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If I ever meet a girl with a '90s GT-R, I'm going to be all like "so you like Skylines, eh? Wanna see my straight-six?"

I will enjoy that rejection as she floors the throttle in indignation.

CPT Speedbump > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 19:37

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I'd take a R32 over the Z33 sitting in my driveway, lol

bariki > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 20:21

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You're joking, right?

The Z32 is an underpowered, overweight, floppy luxury touring car.

The GT-R is a fire-breathing racing machine.

In terms of lap times, there is no comparison.

(the Z32 has 300 HP but there is far less room for increases compared to the race-bred RB26. The R32 is heavy but it carries its weight)

Roger Iu > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 10/06/2013 at 20:53

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You're wrong, the Z32 is more common as a 2+2 in all other parts of the world.

Z32 Twin Turbo's were available only in 2+0 T Tops in the US but were available in all body styles around the world (2+0 Slicktop, 2+0 T Top, 2+2 T Top, Convertible)

Stock for stock, the Z32 has a better torque characteristics than the R32 and is the more dedicated GT car. Remember, the Z has always been a Coupe, the Skyline has always been a Sedan with a Coupe option, and a performance trim on top of that.

Nissan threw all they had into the development of the Mid-4 Concept car, which was the technological pre-cursor to both the R32 and the Z32, the results was drivetrain development to the R32 and the powertrain and styling developments into the Z32. The Z had a more in depth development with being the first fully CAD designed vehicle. The only advantage to the R32 in the technology end is the ATTESSA AWD system, something a GT car that the Z would never have.

They were certainly both flagship cars. It's hard to say which is truly the halo car. The Skyline line is not on the same playing field as the Z line as a whole, comparing the GT-R and the Z is a fair assessment. The GT-R having a phenomenal racing heritage in Japan, the Z having a great racing heritage every where in the world.

I would have to argue that the Z was ultimately their true halo car of that time. It had more dedicated development, unlike the GT-R, it didn't share a platform with a family sedan. It has far better styling. It was sold around the world. It was what Nissan wanted to be the face of the brand.

If I were to compare to something recent in the US. I'd say it's like comparing a Pontiac G8 to a Corvette. Build a bonkers version of our best sedan that's only been available overseas and make it comparable to our halo sports car. Now if the cult following for Holdens were the same as the cult following for the GT-R, you would have seen more excitement from the public when the G8 came out. Unfortunately, Pontiac's fate killed that bit of automotive awesomeness.

Roger Iu > PanchoVilleneuve ST 10/06/2013 at 21:02

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The VG30DETT can go pretty far with modifications. It just sucks to work on that engine in that engine bay.

The Z32 still holds the record for it's class (which includes Skyline and Supra) at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Stock for Stock. The VG30DETT is better than the RB26DETT. It's got way better torque, it makes more power.

Bolt on Mods. It's roughly the same. The VG30DETT has much better torque, but the Skyline makes better peak power with less work.

Fully built motors. It's again, roughly the same. The VG30DETT has WAY better torque. Peak power is roughly the same.

You're going to find more parts for the VG30DETT but it's a pain in the ass to work on it.

You're going to have an easier time working on the RB26DETT but parts are harder find and more expensive.

carguylance > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 21:05

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The straight six is what tips me over.

Spasoje > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 21:09

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The Z, since Skylines have become common around these parts now... That, and I remember how cool the 300ZX was back in the day when they were new hehe

///M Type R > -Amateur 10/06/2013 at 23:19

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It's kinda hard to choose between the two, but having owned 2 twin turbo Z32's, I guess I've made my choice already. And don't be fooled by the journalists or magazines, the Z to get is definitely the 2+2 targa top, twin turbo (bad luck USA).

They're different animals though, the numbers are where the resemblance ends. The Z is a high powered grand tourer, perfect for long road trips, eating up motorway miles, carving country roads and sunny days at the beach. The targa top helps keep the car rigid whilst still having wind in your hair, and the VG30DETT has enough to torque to make effortless uphill passes, you can even stay out of boost for most situations.

The GTR is a track monster is road car disguise. Don't be mistaken by the 280bhp rating, it was designed for much much more, hence it's very easy to unlock more power. The Z on the other hand can also easily handle 400hp on stock components, but feels most comfortable at around 350hp. The GTR will beat the Z32 hands down at any track/touge every time, any time.

I think Tsuchiya put it the best in one of his videos, the Z is for cruising at night in Tokyo picking up chicks.

Personally, I prefer the 300zx because it's such a good road car. And it's sexy as hell, the GTR to me looks aggressive, but sexy/beautiful? No.

Jfelty19 > Spasoje 10/07/2013 at 00:41

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where in the world do you live that a Skyline is a common sighting for you?!

sadfasdf > -Amateur 10/07/2013 at 01:58

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Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki, Mazda, and Honda all had multiple concurrent GTs and/or sports cars during that period. And Nissan was still on the tail end of their "let's build all our crazy concepts" period from the 80s, that gave us the contemporary NX and Figaro, and the earlier Pao, Be-1, and S-cargo. It's also the time period that Japanese cars started getting their rust problems under some semblance of control, when even as US automakers started making competent FWD cars the Japanese ones were getting genuinely good, and the Japanese were generally (apart from a few of the sports cars and GTs) getting their reliability up to the levels that established their dominance.
Hell, even the base model bread-and-butter Japanese cars were at their best, relative to the rest of the market, during the early-mid 90s.

It was a fucking golden age for the Japanese automakers (right at the start of the dark age of their economy).

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > -Amateur 10/07/2013 at 05:25

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This comparo is ridiculous. As someone who has owned both, there is no comparison.

The BNR32 is a winner, hands down.

Also, you don't sound very informed on either. No offense of course.

Rotary-Fanatic > -Amateur 10/07/2013 at 07:58

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The R32 has always been a favourite of mine. Turbo'd I6 and AWD. In the right hands, that layout has massive potential. In this case, it does.

I almost voted for the Z32 simply because it shares headlights with the '99 - '01 Diablo. Because Diablo. Don't judge me...

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > -Amateur 10/07/2013 at 09:27

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Should be super obvious who I voted for

TheBigTDogg > -Amateur 10/07/2013 at 13:00

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The Z32 for me, mostly because I've owned a few. Being Stateside, I never had an opportunity to own a R32. I agree they're not really competitors, as much as they compliment each other very well.

The interior of the Z32 is also second to none. A benchmark for ergonomics for years to come, and by far the best of the big 4 from Japan during the early 90s (Z, Supra, RX-7 and VR-4)

Spasoje > Jfelty19 10/07/2013 at 17:44

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Western Canada. TONS of JDM imports here, with the Skyline in the lede pic being one of them. :)

ouikikazz > -Amateur 10/08/2013 at 00:19

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the z32 is still praised as one of the best looking cars of all time, my 22yr old Z people still ask when did you get a new car not knowing it's a 1991 model.

Mark Lipsinic > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo 10/08/2013 at 04:31

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Z32?

kalieaire > -Amateur 01/16/2015 at 06:22

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Thanks for featuring my photo in your blog post.