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1990 300zx Twin Turbo Straman Convertible on 2040-cars

US $18,500.00
Year:1990 Mileage:166072
Location:

Smithfield, North Carolina, United States

Smithfield, North Carolina, United States

 

STRAMAN 300ZX CONVERTIBLE

More flash and dash per unit cash.

Nissan's new-for- 1990 300ZX rewrote the performance rules for Japanese sports cars. It isn't a cheap ride, with the twin-turbo version zinging through the $30,000 barrier like a bullet through peach fuzz. But we can't complain. That's because no previous car--at anything near the price has combined acceleration, grip, stability, lightness to the touch, and unapologetic comfort in the levels the new ZX does.

It was inevitable that retrofitters would add the pleasures of open-air motoring to that list of appealing characteristics. And equally inevitable that one of the first to do so would be Richard Straman, of the Costa Mesa, California, design-fabrication-restoration firm bearing his name. The R. Straman Company's reputation for quality metalwork has expanded its business from top-drawer restoration of collectible cars into specialty engineering and prototyping for major manufacturers. But through it all, the creation of convertible conversions has been a mainstay. The previous 300ZX was a popular candidate, so the new car went under the torch as well.

For a conversion price of $8500, Straman craftsmen turn your squat and menacing ZX coupe into a convertible that retains an aggressive look--top up or down. The roof is cut off, the rear hatch is unbolted, and the interior is completely gutted. Then begins the process of restoring most of the structural stiffness lost in the removal of all that steel overhead. A U-shaped bulkhead is welded in behind the cockpit, to close off the trunk. This provides a well for the folded top and ties together the car's right and left sides around the rear-suspension pickup points. A roll bar (the lawyers might prefer it be called a "stiffening hoop") is also part of the deal, since the ZX doors have to keep those funny stand-up ears to locate the upper seatbelt anchor points and the side windows' guide pins. Underneath, of course, is the usual bracing running the length of the rocker panels. Various other bits counter any local flexing that Straman has identified.

In addition to the power-operated folding top, Straman constructs and installs a steel trunk lid and some filler pieces at the beltline above the rear wheels (the one area of the conversion that looks a little unsettled). Then he reinstalls the interior, crafting new trim as required, and sends the car on its way.

And the car gets on its way smartly. Performance is essentially unaffected by the rework, which adds only about 25 pounds to the car s curb weight and controls chassis flex remarkably well. In fact, we were impressed with how like the standard coupe the convertible feels: the same solid stance on the road, responsive steering, pleasant ride, and blistering acceleration. (Straman engineered the conversion for the twin-turbo car, which, of course, is the worst-case scenario in terms of stress.) There is a touch of the cowl flutter that every ragtop this side of the 911 suffers--evident as a mild lateral waggle in the steering wheel over very uneven surfaces--but only a touch. If reduced rigidity has degraded the Straman 300ZX's handling, it isn't detectable--at least not on Southern California roads.

As a convertible, the Straman ZX works beautifully. The close-fitting soft top might make some drivers feel claustrophobic, but we've heard that complaint about the coupe's low roof as well. And this canvas top can be struck in a few seconds. Wind flows smoothly over the steeply raked windshield, allowing almost normal top-down conversation on the highway. A turbulent "curl" starts to blow in the driver's left ear at speeds above 70 mph.

Little about the 300ZX's performance is compromised by the Straman convertible conversion. Some ultimate rigidity may have been lost, but not enough to dissuade an enthusiast from indulging the car's ability to generate gratifyingly high dynamic loads. It's still a big, fast, high-performance heavyweight. And if the car's flash and dash per unit cash brought sweat to the brow of Porsche and Corvette loyalists before, watch out: it really turns up the heat as a racy roadster.

 

 

I want to thank you for looking at my Z. This is a 24 year old car that has great styling and performance to match. I have modified this car to be a high performance Z that is very street-able. The convertible top is original, power operated and in good condition. The paint is good as is the interior. The leather seats could use new covers. Everything on this vehicle works including the power antenna. This is not a trailer queen it is driven and enjoyed. The engine was rebuilt 2000 miles ago with upgraded internals and HKS turbos. The injectors are the new style and have been modified to flow 590cc. The automatic transmission has been replaced with a 5 speed with a OS Gieken dual disk clutch. This conversion was done correctly and factory wiring harnesses used. The driveshaft has been upgraded to a steel one piece unit from Powertrain.The rear steering has been removed (to much power)  the body has been upgraded with stillen sideskirts and rear bumper cover. A 99 JSPEC front bumper has been installed with a custom front panel. There have been many more upgrades installed to increase the performance and ease of maintenance. Please read the following list. of upgrades. 

 

1990 Z32 300ZX Mods
Straman Conversion 1 of 27 left (estimated) / 44 made
Engine
Wisco Pistons + .30
Eagle Rods
Modified Injectors 578cc
Modified PCV system
EGR delete
Carbon Canister delete
Greedy Intercoolers
HKS Air Filters
Selin Dual Intake
HKS 2530 turbos with Stainless oil feed lines & 1.2 mm restrictor
Throttle Body Coolant Bypass lines removed
Stainless Fuel Lines
Adjustable Fuel Regulator
Modified ECM Chip
PVCR delete
AIR Valves delete
Fuel Damper removed
Koyo Radiator
Arrow Fuel Filter 40 micron
Polished Upper Intake and Water Pipes
Relocated PTU
J30 Timing Covers
Z1 RFL BOVs
Larger Oil Cooler Ford Explorer Trans Cooler
5 Bolt Downpipes
2.5 in Mid Pipes with High Flow Converters
Stillen Cat-Back Exhaust
Hard Boost Pipes / T-Bolt  Clamps
UR Pully Kit
Drivetrain
OS Gieken Dual Disk clutch
5 Speed Swap
Dash Harness / Front Harness / Alt Harness changed to 5 speed harness
Modified shifter to Short Shifter
Powertrain one piece driveshaft
Suspension/wheels
KYB Struts
Slotted and drilled front rotors
Hawk Blue pads front and rear
Stillen Tension Rods
ADR M-Sport Wheels 
Continental Front Tires 245-40/18 
Michilen Rear Tires 275-35/18
Hicas Delete
Modified TT power steering pump
N/A Power Steering Res
Electronics
Blitz Dual Boost Controller
AEM Wideband O2 Gauge
Volt, Water, Fuel Pressure, Oil and Boost Gauges
Clarion Head unit
JBL Amp
Body
99 Jspec front bumper
Stillen Side skirts with fillers
Stiller rear Bumper cover
Parking light Mod
Clear rear side marker lights
Modified Rear Taillights
JDM Headlightds
12000 HID low beams
Red LED side marker bulbs
Custon Car Cover

 

 

 

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