advice for a new guy?

[BH300zx]

Hello I recently bought myself a beautiful 1990 300zx tt and I love it however I am a bit lost, I am some what familiar with cars but non like this it currently has mods and it and will be taking it to the shop soon and just wanted to know what should they check for? Any advice?

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO!

So is something wrong with it or do you just want them to give it a look over?

[BH300zx]

Well the car does have some problems for 1 when you start it it makes a very loud screech the guy I bought the car from said it was just a belt lose. 2 it does not have cats... which is why I got it for much lower then the asking price and 3 I think it has some sort of leak whetehr its oil or something else I dont know. Those are my primary reasons to take it in. I just figured a inspection would be best as well.

[BH300zx]

I forgot to add this in from what the guy said the cars mods are
Dual pop charger, straight pipe race exhaust, 555cc injectors, sr20 turbos, koyo radiator, boost controller, roll bar, lightweight clutch, flywheel, coilovers, upgraded intercoolers. Engine was rebuilt 10k ago current milage 72k and to better answer your question the only problems I noticed are the one mentioned and that I just want some adivce so the z shop doesnt take advantage of my lack of knowledge

[Z-owned]

Where are you located and what "Z" shop are you taking it to? As for your issue's they dont sound like anything major I would say the start up noise is the belt like said and the leak is probably oil from a rear main seal. Car sounds like it's got some decent upgrades and work done to it.

[BH300zx]

I live in whittier and its called mikes z shop. And yeah I just wish I knew more about the upgrades.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Whittier...California? Help us out some. If you're in Cali, there's 0 chance you'll be passing inspection without cats. If you are in California, most people on here would highly recommend taking it to Specialty Z. Two of the best in the business.

These cars have lots of sources for leaks. You need to describe it or get pics. For your benefit, getting up under there with some brake cleaner and shop rags, and cleaning up all the existing oil mess is going to be the best way to find your leaks.

Oh, and hope you're ready to learn how to work on your car, or you have deep pockets, it sounds like its going to be fun. Welcome to the club.

[BH300zx]

Sorry about that yes in whittier California I was told that the local z shop here was top notch but still would love to learn how to do some stuff on my own and ill definitely try to get some pictures up as far as the leak goes it seems to puddle up on the passenger side behind the from tire

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Behind the front tire on the passenger side? Common leaks are the hoses to the power steering resevoir, and the high pressure power steering hose: http://conceptzperformance.com/search.p ... ering+hose

It can be hard to tell leaky PS fluid (which is ATF fluid btw, DO NOT PUT PS Fluid in there, it will leak and trash the system). Another common leak that I've dealt with on mine and a friend's car is the VTC Intake gear. It will leak, and escape out the sides of the timing belt covers.

[fabbio25]

What ^ he said. The high pressure hose leak is very common on our cars. If I were you I would take your Z to a reputable Z Shop (Specialty Z) and have them do the full 120k service and an overall inspection.

[BH300zx]

so i think i might have found the leak...

[ThisIsSparTTa]

That's either the insulator that goes around the HS PS Steering Line or around the AC line. Either way, you're in the vicinity we're talking about where the common leaks are: PS Resevoir Return Hose, PS High Pressure Hose, VTC gears leaking, and coming out the side of the timing belt cover.

[BH300zx]

Oh ok so I shouldn't be too worried?

[fabbio25]

If it's the High pressure Hose that's leaking, you might wanna take care of it as soon as possible. It may leak onto the alternator and fry it.

[ThisIsSparTTa]

Oh ok so I shouldn't be too worried?

If you're okay with your alternator randomly going out on you.

[BH300zx]

ok thanks guys! another question would the 555cc injectors cause my car to fail the smog here in california? i was told it would due to it running rich.

[z32loverboy]

If you don't have a ECU tune for them then probably yes it would.

[BH300zx]

How would I get the ECU tuned?

[ThisIsSparTTa]

You can't change injector size without the ECU knowing the new size. There are bigger issues than you failing smog. You're near SpecialtyZ, and they are basically the premier 300ZX tuners in the country...so, I'd take it to them. If you don't want to pay for a full dyno tune, for $100 they will give you a base tune for your setup. Your ECU will already need to be socketed. I would pull it out and check if there are any stickers, etc on it. If someone else put the injectors in, they should have already gotten it chipped.

[BH300zx]

Yeah alot of people having been encouraging me to go to them. Thanks for feedback!

[BH300zx]

How much is a dyno tune? And what is it exactly? Sorry for my lack of knowledge ha ha

[BH300zx]

just an update the hose was actually just the insulator for the A/C line but I had a questions what is a simple upgrade I can use to improve my brakes and or braking power? I was told I could convert my old rotors to 350Z brembo brake rotors. any advice?

[StockTurbosFTW]

http://specialtyz.com/shop/default/300z ... e-kit.html

[nexus08]

Regarding the lack of catalytic converters, as others have said, you need them to have any hope of passing emissions in Cali. I wrote about replacing my catalytic converters my blog, but the long story short is you can either 1) buy generic cats and have them welded in by a muffler shop, or 2) buy OEM style bolt on cats. I found my bolt on cats at RockAuto for a good price. With a moded exhaust system, I'm not sure if bolt ons would work for you.

[BH300zx]

hey guys i was wondering would any of you know a good place in California to get my z wrapped in matte black? preferably within LA or OC?

[BH300zx]

another question how would you guys recommend for an upgrade to the fans? in example i was looking at the SPAL twin turbo electric fan and/or the mishimoto fan any adivce on what they are and how they work?

[StockTurbosFTW]

Do not do electric fans. They will never be as good as the stock system, especially in hot climates.

[NolimitZ32]

^agree 100%, I am getting rid of my E-fan and going back to stock, either the e-fan wont cool as well or it will be a massive fan and the amp drain will be ridiculous

[BH300zx]

hey guys i'm in need of a new short throw shifter what would you guys recommend? i have heard that i should go with the one by Z1 or to go with the one by stillen? any suggestions or recommendations?

[zswap0429]

I had the z1 sifter in my old z. Loved it