1990 300zx full restoration

[nismodriverj28]

Two nights ago I finally decided to roll my 1990 300zx into the garage and start getting it back into driving condition. However it has set in my yard under a tarp for almost 4 years now. So I got motivated and took everything apart except for the suspension and tires and brakes just so I could still move it around. The plan is to do a full restoration including bodywork, interior, suspension, brakes, transmission, rear end and engine. I do not have a budget or time limit for this project so I want to do what all the muscle car guys do and build a car to look as good as it did when it rolled of the assembly line. So far I'm going to address the major issues like rust and body rot as well as take the entire interior out so that I could check electrical connections for dry rot. As far as what I want the finished project to look like, I'm thinking mostly stock body with a 99 style front bumper and maybe some side skirts to give it a lower profile. I want this to be a car I can drive anywhere so I'm not going with a aggressive suspension or brakes. Not planning on doing drag racing or track so I'm considering doing a slightly upgraded engine. I currently have a stripped vg30dett that needs a full rebuild since it had 198000 miles on it last time it ran. I also have a vh45de out of a 92 q45 that had only 65000 when I took it out. But that will be a decision for another time when the car is ready for an engine. I'm going to post pictures as I get these things done. What I'm hoping for is suggestions as I go along from people that might have done similar projects. I'm going to post some pictures later today of the first two days progress.

[nismodriverj28]

[emiliog2276]

Awesome. Hope to see that Z looking as if it just left the factory floor.

[nismodriverj28]

Last night I took out all the metal brackets behind the dashboard and took some soft steel wool and sand paper and took off the surface rust. Then I primed them and painted them black. I also cut out the rust that developed under the driver side seat from a leak in the t-top and I hope to be able to weld in a new piece this weekend. I was curious if anyone ever attempted to replace the 300zx's heater core and assembly with something smaller and more modern. The one I took out from behind the dash takes up the entire space back there and probably weights close to 100lbs with the a/c condenser. I wonder if something like a 350z unit would be smaller lighter and more efficient? I'm going to do some research tonight.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Last night I took out all the metal brackets behind the dashboard and took some soft steel wool and sand paper and took off the surface rust. Then I primed them and painted them black. I also cut out the rust that developed under the driver side seat from a leak in the t-top and I hope to be able to weld in a new piece this weekend. I was curious if anyone ever attempted to replace the 300zx's heater core and assembly with something smaller and more modern. The one I took out from behind the dash takes up the entire space back there and probably weights close to 100lbs with the a/c condenser. I wonder if something like a 350z unit would be smaller lighter and more efficient? I'm going to do some research tonight.

Not that I know of, but don't be discouraged! That would be an awesome improvement if it's possible. It's such a PITA to replace the stock heater core that most people just bypass it. Those that do replace it just want it done as quickly as possible, so I doubt anyone has really tried swapping in a different one.

[nismodriverj28]

So I looked into the heater core idea and found that no one makes a ready to go kit. I even looked into some off the muscle car stuff to see if there are any smaller units. The unit it self that comes with the z isn't that big but the insulator assembly is. I'm not sure if there is any way around this but while I have the dashboard out I'm going to keep looking. In the mean time I started to take out all the metal brackets under the dash, I sanded them down and repainted them black which will hopefully keep the rust from reforming. I will post some more pictures once I put them all back in place. Also does anyone have any suggestions on replacing the sound damping material? Most of it is destroyed so I would like to rip it all off and start fresh.

[300zxstanced]

I havent worked on rusted metal before, but I heard that after you prep/clean the metal and before you paint it you should some sort rust neutralizer/coating. It will help prevent the rust from coming back after you paint. I'm sure someone here knows the proper namr of the the stuff im talking about. Also good luck on you project, I whish I had the time to do such a project.

[z32loverboy]

The only sound deadener I know of is Dynamat but it's way on the expensive side, I've heard that there are other things on the market that are less expensive, but don't know the names.

[nismodriverj28]

Thanks guys I'm going to keep looking around. I have some free time today so I'm going to start wrenching and see if I can get everything prepped for welding and maybe start putting some of the interior bracing back in. Other than the hole that developed under the driver seat I have a small rust patch in the foot well of the passenger side door panel and a driver side hole in the rear fender right where the plastic splash guard was. That plastic guard traps everything and I'm not putting them back on after I paint.

[nismodriverj28]

So there was a little progress with the restoration. Front end was finally ready to be primered, now I have to keep going on the rest of the car and remove the suspension and brakes. So the restoration won't be a stock restoration any more. Im planning on modifying a couple of things after a few months of research. Suspension will be after market but not for the track. Same thing with brakes. Engine ,I'm going back and forth between a built up vg30dett but only to a level that will still be a daily driver, or same thing but with a vh45de(t). Transmission will be a manual to match the engine. Interior will be custom but inspired by a luxury sports car look, similar to infiniti. Exterior I'm still playing around with a few ideas. Updated pictures of current progress to follow some time this week when I have time.