Car Model History

Fourth generation · Z32 (300ZX) · 1990–1996

1990Nissan Z

A landmark redesign: a sleek, multi-link chassis with the available twin-turbo VG30DETT V6 rated at 300 hp — one of the definitive Japanese performance cars of the 1990s. US sales ended after 1996.

Fourth generation · Z32 (300ZX)

1990 Nissan 300ZX (Z32) — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0L silver, front NYIAS 2019” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
2offered3.0L VG30DE V6 (naturally aspirated) → 3.0L VG30DETT twin-turbo V6
Top output
300hp3.0L VG30DETT twin-turbo V6

Body stylesCoupe · 2+2 coupe

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1990 Nissan Z model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1990 Z

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

6versions shown
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX Manual

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DE DOHC naturally aspirated V6
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX Automatic

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DE DOHC naturally aspirated V6
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX 2+2 Manual

Body
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DE DOHC naturally aspirated V6
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX 2+2 Automatic

Body
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DE DOHC naturally aspirated V6
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX Turbo Manual

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DETT twin-turbocharged DOHC V6
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

300ZX Turbo Automatic

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
3.0-liter VG30DETT twin-turbocharged DOHC V6
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1990 model year

Overview

The fourth-generation Z32 300ZX arrived for 1990 as a dramatic technical leap: a sleek multi-link chassis and an available twin-turbocharged VG30DETT V6 rated at 300 hp. It was one of the defining Japanese performance cars of its era and a benchmark grand tourer of the early 1990s.

Specifications

Engines
  • 3.0L VG30DE V6 (naturally aspirated)222 hp
  • 3.0L VG30DETT twin-turbo V6300 hp
Body styles
Coupe, 2+2 coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • All-new Z32 generation with a multi-link suspension.
  • Available twin-turbo VG30DETT V6 rated at 300 hp.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • 300 hp from the twin-turbo made it a 1990s performance benchmark.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • The twin-turbo's tightly packed engine bay makes some service jobs labor-intensive; well-maintained examples are durable.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1990 Z on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1990 Nissan Z. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
6
Factory intervals
5
Fitment-scoped
6
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · 3.0L VG30DE V6 · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated engine; turbocharged models and other configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi · Normal service.

    Source: Nissan/Datsun — 1990 300ZX V6-2960cc DOHC (VG30DE) factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Normal Service — recurring 7,500-mile rows · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · 3.0L VG30DE V6 · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated engine; turbocharged models and other configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Nissan/Datsun — 1990 300ZX V6-2960cc DOHC (VG30DE) factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Normal Service — 30,000-mile replacement row and repeating rows · checked

  • Engine air-filter element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · 3.0L VG30DE V6 · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated engine; turbocharged models and other configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Nissan/Datsun — 1990 300ZX V6-2960cc DOHC (VG30DE) factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Normal Service — 30,000-mile recurring replacement cadence · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · 3.0L VG30DE V6 · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated engine; turbocharged models and other configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Nissan/Datsun — 1990 300ZX V6-2960cc DOHC (VG30DE) factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Normal Service — 30,000-mile initial replacement and repeating rows · checked

  • Camshaft timing belt

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · 3.0L VG30DE V6 · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated engine; turbocharged models and other configuration-specific requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 60,000 mi · Normal-service replacement interval for the cited engine.

    Source: Nissan/Datsun — 1990 300ZX V6-2960cc DOHC (VG30DE) factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Normal Service — 60,000-mile timing-belt replacement row · checked

  • Engine oil, air, and fuel filters — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin B113 / 2 × PA4018 / BF1105

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish service intervals or a complete maintenance schedule.

    Applies to: 1990 · naturally aspirated, twin-turbocharged · United States · Baldwin publishes identical filter numbers on the naturally aspirated and twin-turbo 300ZX rows. Confirm the engine and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 457, Nissan 1990 300ZX VG30DE/VG30DETT rows · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Nissan 300ZX" (Z31/Z32)
  2. Wikipedia — "Nissan Z-car"

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