Lumina Z34

Hey, I have been looking into maybe getting a Z34 in the next few months for my first car. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on them and if their a pretty fast car and so on. So if anyone could give me some info that would be great.

Hey, I have been looking into maybe getting a Z34 in the next few months for my first car. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on them and if their a pretty fast car and so on. So if anyone could give me some info that would be great.

Well, I have one. 93, the only thing that I would tell you to do is replace the alternator diodes with aftermarket stronger ones.
THis cars have really OEM alternators, but besides that my car has 185000 miles on the odo.
The cars handles good, is really steady on the road.
Out of the box they are good, I would make 2 mods tought. 1 is lower the gear ratio to 2.82 or something close to that and install a high performance chip since the car is PCM speed limited.
Besides that has been a great car.
Is not the car to take on 350Z or other V6 sport cars outhere because of the faults I just told you.
If you make those little modifications then you will get a respectable fast car.

Hey, I have been looking into maybe getting a Z34 in the next few months for my first car. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on them and if their a pretty fast car and so on. So if anyone could give me some info that would be great.

Well, I have one. 93, the only thing that I would tell you to do is replace the alternator diodes with aftermarket stronger ones.
THis cars have really OEM alternators problems, but besides that my car has 185000 miles on the odo and the only repair that I have to do is replace the o rings on the cranckshaft
The cars handles good, is really steady on the road.
Out of the box they are good, I would make 2 mods tought. 1 is lower the gear ratio to 2.82 or something close to that and install a high performance chip since the car is PCM speed limited.
Besides that mine has been a great car.
Is not the car to take on 350Z or other V6 sport cars outhere until you make the mods I just told you.
If you make those little modifications then you will get a respectable fast car.

Hey thanks alot kilroypr ill take your opinion into consideration

I have a 1992 Lumina Z34 that I'm looking to sell. I'm located in Rochester, NY. I'm looking to get $3,000 o.b.o.

you can see pics here...

http://www.cs.rit.edu/~glr7495/z34/z34.html

Now for the bad parts...the things I know, or think I know might need some kind of work... :)

You'll see the pic of the slight dent in the hood, it is barely noticeable except from certain angles. It was caused by a fould ball at a baseball game. The black part of the cowl could use a slight touch up with some black paint, and the right rear brake rattles a bit. I have replaced the pads and rotors, and it still does it. I'm looking to change the caliper here soon, but they only cost $45 for a new one, so I'd just give ya like $100 off the price if I don't have that fixed by then. The "brake" light has been on for a while. It is quite possible that it has to do with the bad caliper in the back. Not sure though, it could just be a bad sensor. There is a slight stain on the passenger front seat that you will see in the pics also. Other than that, she runs really strong, and the tranny shifts perfectly. The car has 8X,000 miles on it. Alternator was changes about 4 months ago. Timing belt has already been changed about 15,000 miles ago. As I said, there are new pads and rotors on the back. I also have a new fuel filter that I haven't installed yet. I was just going to throw it in there as preventative maintenance. It's an easy swap, I just haven't gotten to it yet.

Let me know if you are interested...

glr7495@cs.rit.edu

Hey, I have been looking into maybe getting a Z34 in the next few months for my first car. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on them and if their a pretty fast car and so on. So if anyone could give me some info that would be great.

The Z34 is a great car- probably my all time favorite. It is fast but not able to out drag newer -more expensive cars. The engine has a cogged belt which drives the cams and must be changed at about 60,000 miles. It is expensive- approx 450.00 plus parts. The idler pulleys should be replaced and the alternator should be replaced at the same time the alternator belt is a separate belt from the cam drive belt.
This is not an interference engine So if the belt breaks or wears out, the engine will run rough and may die completely.
There are speed chips available for the computer and all kinds of bolt on speed uquipment as well.
The Lumina Z34 engine was originally designed to produce 280 horsepower but there was no GM transmission available at the time to hook it to. They detuned it ot 205 HP and it is awesome.
My Lumina 3.8 LTZ will outdrag it to about 50 mph but it soon passes me when my transmission shifts too soon.
The only other demerit is the poor brakes it has

Bob

Z34's are good cars, if you keep on top of them. I have two, a 91 and a 92, both 5 speeds. The 91 started out as an auto, but I put a 5 speed out of a wrecked 92 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (same car, also same as a Cutlass Supreme, Buick Regal, all W-bodies). Like mentioned above, the alternator is a big issue. There are also 4 other big issues. The timing belt, the automatic tranny (the tranny has a redline lower then the engine. When the 91 was an auto, it shifted at about 6700 rpms IIRC, and I now shift it at 7150), the lower intake gaskets (between the lower intake and the heads), and the distributor o ring (there is no distributor (these cars have a DIS ignition system), but there is a hole for one from the old pushrod design that carried over that has a plug with a gear to drive the oil pump, because oil pumps are good, lol). If you don't know anyone that knows there way around with a wrench, then don't get this car, unless you have nice deep pockets, because it can cost alot of money to fix (timing belt $600 is par, as is the alternator). Oh, another issue occasionally, pressure line for the power steering. Like I said, they can be good cars, if you stay on top of them. I love driving mine all the time, and I do my own wrenching, plus I have had both cars for a while (the 91 since 99, and the for about a year and a half). If you do get it, go with a FFP chip, the others just don't compare, and FFP has dyno proven results. I know the owner and he stands behind his products.

http://www.fastfwdperformance.com/

EDIT: a link to a pic of my 92: http://www.strike9.com/file.ashx?path=/pocketrocket/fullsize/Pic4_r2_c2.jpg , 18" TSW rims, 13"front brakes, 12" rears both from a 91 ZR1 Corvette, custom tuned chip from the guy that does the FFP chips, rear adjustable coil overs that FFP sells, 1.8" front lowering springs, RSM full poly bushing kit, RSM poly dogbone, Optima redtop battery, and here is the bump in the trunk : http://www.strike9.com/file.ashx?path=/pocketrocket/fullsize/92speakers.JPG

Don't buy one thats wore out. Have a mechanic check it over and enjoy your beast.