S30Z Vehicle Identification Tags, Plates, Locations And Tips

[gav240z]

In order to help you find the right parts and part no's for your car, but also help me collection information on these cars etc.. I've put together this resource to help you find identification tags on any S30Z.

 

1) Manufacturer ID tag.

 

Typically located on the engine bay strut tower (240z) but may be located slightly off the strut tower on a 260z (2 seater or 2+2). This plate gives you the chassis no. (VIN) and engine no. information. 

 

2) VIN / Chassis ID.

 

On the firewall (drivers side) just below the windscreen cowl panel and above the brake booster you should see the chassis ID no. engraved into the firewall. It's always a good idea to check the ID tag above has the same ID as your Firewall (to ensure the plate belongs on this car and vice-versa).

 

3) Engine No. 

 

To check which type of engine you have fitted (L20, L24, L26, L28) and it's number. Look for the plate cast area just below the spark plugs and above the starter motor on the drivers side ( of a RHD) car. Often covered in oil or grease after man years you should be able to clean it up and read the engraved number here.

 

4) Compliance Plate (Australian)

 

Now we get to the Australian specific of the bunch, the compliance plate as fitted upon arrival into the country. This plate wasn't required until 1974. Up until then, some vehicles got them, but not all did. Early 240z's in particular may be missing these, however I've seen and heard of 73 240z's missing them also. However 74-78 260z's should all have them. If yours is missing have a read of this.

 

If your car had 1 fitted, you can cross-check the chassis no against the other areas mentioned above, confirm the seating capacity, compliance date and what transmission type the car had originally (auto is often noted where as manual isn't). This plate is often fixed inside the engine bay either side of the strut towers but there is no real consistency to their fitment location so could be anywhere in the engine bay.

 

FYI: The compliance date was often a month or 2 after vehicle manufacture date (roughly speaking) so you can use it as a rough guide for the year month build of your car. But of course be careful when ordering parts especially for change over dates and months as this isn't an exact science. You've been warned!

 

Addendum

 

Factory manual references to manufacturer ID plate, chassis ID and engine ID. Which illustrates movement of these plates between 240z/260z and 2+2's over different years.

[KatoKid]

Always the sleuth Gav!

 

Good stuff as always.

[gav240z]

Worth noting late 260z's (77) ID plates do not always state the original engine no. much like the Japanese Market Cars didn't have the engine no. only type specified on their ID plates.

Example plate.

AU market RS30 shows L26 engine type only, not number.

North American market 280z (HLS30) show L28 engine type only. No number.