Found an interesting project possibility but I can't find the info I'm looking for, so I come to the source of all knowledge: this board. :-)
Do all 1986 300zx have 5-lug hubs? If not, which ones do? Looks like 1985 had both 4 and 5, and this '86 has 5. My google image search shows all '86s with 5, but I haven't found it in writing anywhere.
It's a stick, non-turbo, non-2+2, and if all goes well it will be mine tonight.
Drivetrain is robust, rear suspension is horrific. There was barely any aftermarket for them when I owned mine and that was 1998-2001.
I think the aftermarket is getting a little better, but a few years ago the thing to do was still to swap in an S13 subframe.
They're supposed to be cruisers more than handling cars by design, but I would still rock one.
Drivetrain is basically un-breakable. Early cars could be had in 4 or 5 lug (think turbos were 5 lug only). They rust in the usual old jap car places and cruise really well
I think they're cool. Rear suspension design is very bad, but there are several home-brewed DIY solutions that circulate the Z forums. The +t is very popular and even the N/A VG30ET can take a hearty amount of boost. They aren't really competitive in any class but for a quick, cool, t-top, 80s street project, I think they're up there.
Edit: I just found this; http://forums.ctzcc.com/viewtopic.php?t=4170
Edit #2: And This
From what I remember of the V6 turbo Miata Challenge build back in 2010, there's about 500 lbs of wiring.
Ah, the Z31. A friend of mine had one, his was a turbo. I did not enjoy wrenching on that car, but it was definitely 80s cool, digi-dash and all.
These guys may be able to help:
My neighbor had one when I was a kid....maybe an 85. It was gold, and had all the side-skirts and turbo bodykit add-ons, but was a non-turbo automatic. He was also the guy who memorized every word of Andrew Dice Clay's routine......... I'm actually surprised you haven't owned one before! 
If you need more info.....you can always turn to the clown.
Good luck man. I was on my way to pick up an '85 slicktop 5 speed, a couple months back when the transmission locked up in the truck. Hopefully your venture will be better than mine.
Was a GTP car that did really well, so the suspension pick up points can't be THAT bad! The s130 (79-83) had even worse camber squat.
Trackmouse wrote: Was a GTP car that did really well, so the suspension pick up points can't be THAT bad!
The GTP cars of that era were full space frame, so very little to do with production models. At one point literally the only production part that had to remain was the roof sheetmetal! Adam Carolla actually just bought one of the IMSA Z31s, here's a pic of the rear suspension.
Otherwise info above is correct. I think all '84-85 non-turbos were four-lug. '86 may have been the first year of five-lug on everything. Stock suspension is very soft, especially on early cars, they were more GT than sports car. Interiors got much sportier in later years as well. Rust is a concern like anything else of the era. Slicktops are the holy grail for performance builds though they are almost impossible to find.
pointofdeparture wrote:Trackmouse wrote: Was a GTP car that did really well, so the suspension pick up points can't be THAT bad!The GTP cars of that era were full space frame, so very little to do with production models. At one point literally the only production part that had to remain was the roof sheetmetal! Otherwise info above is correct. I think all '84-85 non-turbos were four-lug. Stock suspension is very soft, especially on early cars, they were more GT than sports car. Rust is a concern like anything else of the era. Slicktops are the holy grail for performance builds though they are almost impossible to find.
Yep, it would be like comparing the road car to a DTM car.
Ah crap, perhaps I'm thinking of a different class that campaigned that z car...
I had a 1985. White, red velour interior, auto and non-turbo. A hand-me-down car from my step mother in around 2000.
One rear shock was blown and one was seized making for "interesting" handling. I remember clearly that AutoZone had a 2 for 1 deal going on shocks and I bought them for $24.99. Thinking that these things were manufactured, shipped across the Pacific, trained across the country, trucked to this store, and sold FOR A PROFIT at $24.99 simply blew my mind. Later that day the ex and I went to Macy's for foundation powder and we spent forty berkeleying dollars for an ounce of beige berkeleying dust! One of these industries is doing it wrong......
Anyway, a bad spark plug wire had me thinking the transmission was about to go out of it..... replaced them the day before I sold it and realized my mistake. But by then kid #1 was on his way and I bought a more sensible car.
Thanks everyone for the info, but I bought a $500 E38 instead. What could possibly go wrong?
Shoulda bought the Z.
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