I finally sold my car and I am looking at a few Z's to get into. I have found a few good deals on a couple 90's model Z32's But I wanted to know your thoughts. I know sometimes its not a good idea to get the first year of a new model of car but what are your thoughts on the 90's model?
Thanks for the help everyone!
Early Model Z32's
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vulcanrush
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:41 pm
- Car: 93 300zx n/a to tt
Re: Early Model Z32's
fuel injectors is the biggest issue (early-style ones don't handle ethanol gas so well, i believe).
i also believe the first-year models had an issue with "soft valves".
you can search tt.net for a lot of useful information.
i also believe the first-year models had an issue with "soft valves".
you can search tt.net for a lot of useful information.
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Ace2cool
- Posts: 11650
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
- Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat - Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Re: Early Model Z32's
If it's N/A, then don't get it. Passenger side heads had machining flaws, leading to warping and early failures on certain production months.
Brakes suck. Way smaller rotor.
No manually selectable vents on climate control.
only good thing I can think of is it *might* NOT have the Blose sound system, giving you speaker sizes that actually make sense for a GT car.
Brakes suck. Way smaller rotor.
No manually selectable vents on climate control.
only good thing I can think of is it *might* NOT have the Blose sound system, giving you speaker sizes that actually make sense for a GT car.
Re: Early Model Z32's
The very early 90's had the soft valve issue. Any build dates earlier than June 22, 1990 for NA's and December 11, 1989 for TT's had the issue.
quote from tt.net
"This is a known problem with the very early '90+ Z's, both NA and TT.
Somewhere around 350 1990 Z motors were produced with 'soft' intake valves. The chances of having one of these engines is pretty remote. There were 35,000 or so 1990 models sold in the US alone. It took Nissan until mid-1992 to get enough data together to determine what the problem was and to isolate it when it occurred. By then, cars had tens of thousands of miles on them, so it's not a problem that occured in the early stages of ownership. Although Nissan published a Technical Bulletin describing the problem and giving the engine serial numbers affected, not all of the engines in the group will experience the problem.
Other problems could cause these symptoms including a worn spring in the intake valve timing cam. This is also a known problem, which Nissan diagnosed in 1992 also and issued another Technical Bulletin about. This is much more common and could be the problem here. Three things could cause the noise: the VTC tensioner spring, the auto tensioner, or a lifter. Nissan indicates in the Technical Bulletin that the lifter is the primary suspect, followed by the VTC spring and then the tensioner.
Then, just to confuse things, Maximas, which use a different head, have a similar problem that's caused by some other things. I mention this because some folks have confused the Maxima problems with the 300ZX ones because the engines are similar.
The 'soft' valve problem *could* be in NA engines with serial numbers lower than 777599, while TT engines are lower than 619550. The engine serial number is located on the rear of the passenger's side head. Car assembly dates are earlier than June 22, 1990 for NA's and December 11, 1989 for TT's. The intake cam problems are NA ENGINES ONLY, and are for engine serial numbers lower than 475679 in cars with VIN's lower than 012836 for the coupes and 003754 for 2+2's"
quote from tt.net
"This is a known problem with the very early '90+ Z's, both NA and TT.
Somewhere around 350 1990 Z motors were produced with 'soft' intake valves. The chances of having one of these engines is pretty remote. There were 35,000 or so 1990 models sold in the US alone. It took Nissan until mid-1992 to get enough data together to determine what the problem was and to isolate it when it occurred. By then, cars had tens of thousands of miles on them, so it's not a problem that occured in the early stages of ownership. Although Nissan published a Technical Bulletin describing the problem and giving the engine serial numbers affected, not all of the engines in the group will experience the problem.
Other problems could cause these symptoms including a worn spring in the intake valve timing cam. This is also a known problem, which Nissan diagnosed in 1992 also and issued another Technical Bulletin about. This is much more common and could be the problem here. Three things could cause the noise: the VTC tensioner spring, the auto tensioner, or a lifter. Nissan indicates in the Technical Bulletin that the lifter is the primary suspect, followed by the VTC spring and then the tensioner.
Then, just to confuse things, Maximas, which use a different head, have a similar problem that's caused by some other things. I mention this because some folks have confused the Maxima problems with the 300ZX ones because the engines are similar.
The 'soft' valve problem *could* be in NA engines with serial numbers lower than 777599, while TT engines are lower than 619550. The engine serial number is located on the rear of the passenger's side head. Car assembly dates are earlier than June 22, 1990 for NA's and December 11, 1989 for TT's. The intake cam problems are NA ENGINES ONLY, and are for engine serial numbers lower than 475679 in cars with VIN's lower than 012836 for the coupes and 003754 for 2+2's"
Re: Early Model Z32's
hmmmm alright thanks for the quick response guys. Its in pretty good condition and he is asking 2k for it with 120k miles on the car I could probably talk him down to 1800. The only thing the car needs is a front bumper. But after hearing this I'm not sure if it would be worth it. hmmm I will have to think about it
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itsa300zx
- Posts: 1287
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- Car: 1990 300zx NA W/TT swap
2011 Nissan Rogue S
2008 Highlander SR5 - Location: up North
Re: Early Model Z32's
If the car already has 120K miles, then the "soft valve" is a non issue. Most likely fixed or not an issue on that engine.
Re: Early Model Z32's
So, with that said. Would that apply to the machine problems in the head? If it hasnt been a problem then it should be fine?itsa300zx wrote:If the car already has 120K miles, then the "soft valve" is a non issue. Most likely fixed or not an issue on that engine.
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A Paratroopers 300zx
- Posts: 437
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2004 Toyota MR-S - Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Contact:
Re: Early Model Z32's
Hey there,
What part of Utah are you in? If you need any help looking at any Z's... I'd be glad to come out with you and show you a few tricks.
What part of Utah are you in? If you need any help looking at any Z's... I'd be glad to come out with you and show you a few tricks.
Re: Early Model Z32's
It's really not an issue as these cars get older and older, if they had it the car is either not running now or has been repaired. My Z was made in 3/89 and never did I have a problem with this. Motor was a champ 180k miles and all. I wouldn't even worry about it when looking for a Z. I would however worry about fuel injector issues, normal condition/ compression and all that stuff.
Re: Early Model Z32's
Ok good to know! Yeah forgot to mention it is an NA. Its strange to me. most of the ones for sale are automatic? did they make alot of automatics? I will NOT buy one if it is auto and its making the pickings pretty slim haha.LIBRILZ wrote:It's really not an issue as these cars get older and older, if they had it the car is either not running now or has been repaired. My Z was made in 3/89 and never did I have a problem with this. Motor was a champ 180k miles and all. I wouldn't even worry about it when looking for a Z. I would however worry about fuel injector issues, normal condition/ compression and all that stuff.
A Paratroopers 300zx wrote:Hey there,
What part of Utah are you in? If you need any help looking at any Z's... I'd be glad to come out with you and show you a few tricks.
Hey I live in Logan, about 2 hours from SLC. I would love any help I could get, thanks!
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Phideaux
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:04 pm
- Car: 1990 Nissan 300ZX N/A
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Re: Early Model Z32's
Always good to see another guy on here from Utah. Just as paratrooper said, wouldn't mind going and looking at some local Z's with you (although i'm sure his knowledge is much greater than mine, I've got some good experience.)
Re: Early Model Z32's
Awesome! ThanksPhideaux wrote:Always good to see another guy on here from Utah. Just as paratrooper said, wouldn't mind going and looking at some local Z's with you (although i'm sure his knowledge is much greater than mine, I've got some good experience.)
