Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z - Details and Specs

The first-generation Nissan Z-Car, otherwise known as the Datsun 240z, 260z, and 280z.. Here's everything you need to know.
The Datsun 240z was and continues to be a very special car. It was powered by Nissan’s L24 Engine and responsive manual transmission. While the car didn’t make ludicrous amounts of power, it sat on the lightweight S30 chassis and had a reputation as a high performance Japanese sports car.
The original Z would be released under three separate models throughout its first generation. The 240z, the 260z, and the 280z. Each Datsun would receive and larger engine than the last, and all three hold a separate list of pros and cons.
Over the next few weeks we’re going to be covering every single generation of the Nissan Z and the performance specs and technical details associated with each model! Make sure to check it out.

[@squrtcap]

In six decades of car and truck ownership, the 1976 280 Z was my favorite car to build and drive. She started out in Silver metal flake and was painted British Green by a second owner. I took it down to bare metal and repainted her red. Also a split two piece sunroof with light helped brighten the original black interior. It was well worth it to replace the dash with a brand new one and also the center tunnel cover. New wheels and many years of very happy driving. Was also a Charter member of the Z Car Club of Colorado. We had so much fun in the 80’s it was so good until we kept losing sponsorship dealers. The Club is still alive and well with a car from most Z generations.

[@user-fu9vj9ix3g]

Im 68 now and bought a '78 280 in 1979 with 12,000 miles on it. After owning over 40 cars in my life, that 280Z still ranks in my Top 5 All Time best vehicles. It never felt clunky at all. It was put together as well as any comtemporary BMW or Triumph or Porsche or Alfa Romeo. It was ultra reliable and the fuel injection produced 24 mpg on the hiway and 18 in the city - with a young cocky driver, too. never a hiccup like all theother carburated sportscars. And, it wasn't slow by any means. If I were ever to get a hard-on for another Z as a collector, it would be the every day worthy 280, hands down. Turn the key and go. I'll leave it others to fuss with those carbs.

[@rajonrondo78]

The 240z is the best sports car ever made an nothing could change my mind. Truly a wonderful car to drive.

[@TheLeftPedal]

Just about as iconic as a car can get!

[@Jeremiah_Dafty]

Check mine out on my channel!!!

[@bennyc6694]

I like it's sister the KCG10 Hakosuka Skyline, that's the bees knees too 🤘

[@ritarossweisse_]

I found your channel through searching about difference between 240Z, 260Z and 280Z. I gotta say I love your information and animations. Making it easier for me to understand the difference between the three. Keep doing what you always do bro! I love your contents!

[@oliviaparadella2187]

These animations are INCREDIBLE!!!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thank you!

[@BoltofTalons]

I like the 240Z, I had a chance to see one in person, and I'm bigger than the car. It doesn't change my love and my family's love for the nissan brand. I'm currently buying the 240Z milanese brother, which is a 1970s alfa romeo 2.0 veloce spider. Both cars are relatively small and quick, but I figured I couldn't judge one until I owned it. Great information in this video, you did an awesome job.

[@ohsnap3065]

I had a 1974 260z 2+2 for my first project car, bought it for $600 11 years ago (I was 15) my dad and I worked on it forever and it taught me almost ton of what I know today about mechanics. I ended up buying a 240 block (260 block was pitted) and put a 280 head on it! Got it almost to running, then spent whatever time I had between jobs trying to figure out why it wouldn’t run.. long story short, I ran out of money and time. I started working full time and put the project in my parents garage and tinkered on it for years till moving it out to my grandparents barn where it sat for years till they died and I had to sell the car for nothing.. it makes me sad that I couldn’t get it running or ever drive it. But I had fun working on it. Hopefully someday I can find one again and finish it.

[@tokuzumi1]

I love my S130. I like driving it more than my 1994 ZR-1. I just need to do some performance upgrades to the Datsun so the go pedal does more than make noise.

[@Jeremiah_Dafty]

I really appreciate the amount of time that was put into this video

[@darkj3di336]

I’ve owned all 3 S30/S31 models. The 75 early 260 is the best. The front suspension and steering rack changed from 240 to 260/280 models. The 240 had heavier steering feel for high speeds. Electrical harness and options updated too from 240. Most of my driving experience are from Fairladys. I owed 5 including a ‘77 2+2. I only owed one US 260Z.

[@opinionatedmilk]

Worth the wait and I'm happy you're back.

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thanks! Going to try to be a lot more consistent this go around

[@SidewaysGts]

@@TheLeftPedal Looking forward to it.

[@JanKowalski-hv4dh]

The 240z is my dream

[@trail70brent]

I just found your channel and I just subscribed!

[@rustyretired]

Lets go, the boys are back

[@TheLeftPedal]

Here to stay this time! Thanks for sticking around!

[@rustyretired]

@@TheLeftPedal lets go!

[@tonyruss4827]

Good job

[@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS]

Heyyyyyy welcome back man. I can only imagine how long it took to make this video with all these animations.

[@TheLeftPedal]

Thank you! Lol it did take quite a while to make but I wanted to come back to the channel with some high quality videos

[@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS]

@@TheLeftPedal will nic and wynter be back as well?

[@Nic5224]

@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS Yes I am back as well!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Yeah! We’ve got a lot in the works that we’ll release after this series on Z-Cars

[@josephhawkins7824]

Big Yeet the boys are back in town

[@TheLeftPedal]

Big Yeet indeed

[@MTLJack]

So, from what i understand, other than engine / maybe transmission and few cosmetic changes between 240Z 260Z and 280Z , its exactly the same car? Why is the 260 and 280 sometimes cheaper ? If i wanted a S30 Z, i wouln't mind any of the S30's but i would want the L28 with 5 speed. Nice car pulls / reviews / car videos only seems to talk about the 240Z and rarely 260Z / 280Z

[@cullenmichael34]

Did you ever get that fuel rail done? I ended up handing mine over with a Zcarsource kit and had them do it, hoping to get it back soon

[@TheLeftPedal]

Unfortunately I had to put the Datsun in storage for a little while and I haven’t done much to it since the last video. After this series I’m gonna be pulling the engine and getting to work on the turbo carb setup so I doubt my fuel rail is going to see any use for the time being. Good luck on yours though, let me know how it turns out!

[@jayrogers8255]

The fuel rail on my 260Z is done, but I’m trying to figure out where the hoses go from there.

[@DarkLinkAD]

Appearntly these 2.4s dyno stock at 130whp and 180ftlb torque. If you assume 20% drivetrain loss, thats 156Hp and 216ftlb torque Torque is solid and flat throughout. Which means it performs like a 3.1-4 liter 90s vehicle.

[@chrismc410]

Z31 is good too

[@jacobcotriss6264]

Yoooo I’ve missed y’all more than you think!

[@TheLeftPedal]

Missed you too buddy. We’ll try not to let the channel disappear again lol

[@jacobcotriss6264]

@@TheLeftPedal hey it happens, life changes and other things must take priority! Do it at y’all’s pace and don’t burn yourself out on it!

[@joseaugusto-vd9vg]

The 260z in europe have 160hp

[@fogtown3027]

Kye Kelly cousin

[@juanh9350]

I wanto to see the actual car not a bloody animation