Considering the 80's wedge

[frapjap]

Hey guys, hows it going? I've never stopped in here before, but I'd like to ask your experienced opinions.

Basically, I need a new toy/project. I came across a Z31 for what I feel is an excellent price of $1600 as-is. Here's the info on it:

Quote »1986 300zx turbo z31 best reasonable offer with stock rims (2 sets of stock wheels) stock wheels are on the g35 in the pic(those come on car)

have the wheels in picture for extra (I want $500 with tires stagered 18x9's and 18x10's motegi togue or I black with polished lip 18x9 cobra r style rims with tires if they sell with the car if not with the car then $600 with tires)

Modifications-Turbo back exhaust (carbon fiber muffler),ac delete, lowered, ported t3 turbo, 3000k hid light kit (very bright), as well as projector headlights with h4 conversion, etc

(alot of other modifications but not included at the asking price.. we could work something out( SMC watermeth with veriable controller(digital), NEW boost / oil pressure / water temp / oil temp gauges, Turbonetics Manual boost controller, momo hub, bride steering wheel,(with these mods(not installed) will make 270-280whp(325+crank hp) at 14psi or with just mbc at 10psi will make 240+whp).

recent tuneup-belts, fluids(all), sparkpluggs, wires, alternator, brakes, It runs perfectly.

the bad-cracked windshield, dent in passenger side fender(new fender is 140 shipped(in matching color) but the dent is not that bad), some small cracks in seats and minor interior cosmetic blemishes nothing major.

will trade for a car of similar value (not my asking price but actual value its worth alot more then what I am askin, I just need cash for another project)

is an auto but comes with a 5speed swap (parts car with everything needed! Lots of spare parts. ONLY SELLING AT LOW PRICE BECAUSE I NEED THE CASH. DONT OFFER ME JUNK IN TRADE I WONT TAKE IT>

I drive it daily it gets good gasmileage and runs perfect. [/quote]Normally I don't buy a modded car from anyone, but it appears to be well kept, is in a nice neighborhood, and the owner also has a G (which they put the Z31 wheels on- pretty cool! It seems like a decent person to buy from off the bat.

Pictures:





I'm curious to know what kind of (if any) trouble I might have with this model and what to expect if I get myself into this car. I will be swapping it to a manual transmission- is this not suggested with the turbo model? Is it a decently reliable car to modify and fun to drive? I rode and worked on an n/a model back when I was a teenager and it wasn't anything to write home about, but never got to ride in a turbo Z.

Any info that you guys can conjure up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Ray

[Gregmatic]

This is a great platform to start on. The turbo model will really come to life with some minor bolt-on modifications. 5 speed swap is fine, just take the time to do it right and if funds allow install a lightweight flywheel and performance clutch to cope with the higher output. Check for rust : tool tray, wheelwells & rear crossmember mounting points. Maintenence parts are easy to find, performance parts not so much. They are out there, just study up on what parts interchange with more popular models (S13, Z32, ETc.) Scour the Z31specific websites for info: Z31.com , Z31performance.com, 88Hybrid.com ...These have their personality issues as any 20+ yr old sports car will but if it has been well maintained it should all be easy fixes.

BTW, sweet looking Z. I'd jump on it

[Gregmatic]

Oh, and by the looks of the ad the car has had all the basic mods already done, bonus!

[frapjap]

Thanks for all of the rust (and other) info- I wasn't familiar with what was most susceptible to cancer on those since I lived in Florida when I was last around one!

I'll definitely be doing the auto-manual swap come winter time and it'd be done properly. Do it once, do it right is my motto. If I were to continue modding it, I wouldn't go much further than a fuel pump, injectors, boost controller (and thats a biiiiig maybe), and an FMIC.

Some more questions I pondered while making dinner:

Is it an LSD equipped car? If not, can I purchase one somewhere?

Does that car look like it has T Tops? It looks like it does to me. The deal is off w/out some sort of glass in the roof. Stupid quirky thing I need...

[Perrenial Badass]

I'd jump on it, it does look like a good deal. Yes it had t-tops. No, it doesn't have an LSD. You can get the LSD out of any 4/87+ Z31 turbo, or the VLSD out of the 88 Shiro.

They are pretty reliable cars that can run a long time as long as they are maintained. They handle pretty well, but the rear suspension isn't a very good design so be prepared for the squat it is bound to have. They aren't hard to modify... but there isn't too much aftermarket for them. So for a lot of stuff, you will have to make it yourself.

[frapjap]

Thanks for the tips. And again, pardon my lack of knowledge, but whats "any 4/87 mean?" A 4 seater from years '87 and on?

Also- when you say that the car squats, do you mean the way a typical rwd sports car transfers weight and gains traction, or are you referring to poor handling characteristics around tight corners and turns?

I don't mind making things on my own, I have been practicing with little body related projects here and there with my spare time. Having a reason beyond "for the hell of it" would be nice.

[evildky]

4/87 refers to build date, they came with the clsd, and the rear squat is partialy due to the trailing arm suspenions and the springs get weak with age

look up az zbums website for lots of info on the Z31's

[Gregmatic]

A good pair of replacement shocks/springs eliminate almost any perceivable squat. Your car does not have an LSD, but I have one for sale if you are interested. I can also install it for a reasonable fee. This is assuming, of course, that you buy it. I would jump on it personally, all the hard work is done.

[Logan76]

Ray, that car screams your name, it goes right along with the nostalgic 80's sports car collection you can start.

[frapjap]

A good pair of replacement shocks/springs eliminate almost any perceivable squat. Your car does not have an LSD, but I have one for sale if you are interested. I can also install it for a reasonable fee. This is assuming, of course, that you buy it. I would jump on it personally, all the hard work is done.

Great to know about the springs/shocks. He said its lowered already, but with what, I don't know.

If I buy the car (pending if its a T Top car- it kinda looks like it is, but the picture angle is wrong to be certain) I'll likely be speaking to you about the limited slip in your possession. I'm able to install it, I've done it on 240's and solid axle cars, but if you have air tools and a lift- the projet is all yours since I'd have to drive down to CT to get it anyway. Does the gearing change at all from open to limited slip diff?

Ray, that car screams your name, it goes right along with the nostalgic 80's sports car collection you can start.

I tend to buy cars from that era for some reason. I had an '85 Eldorado Commerative Edition(should have never sold!), an '88 Iroc (totaled), a parts car Shelby Daytona, an early 90's turbo Grand Am (for a short period of time), and a few t/a and Camaro parts cars. I should start a collection of RUNNING 80's cars.

You guys have been quite helpful. I'm going to see if I can't check out the car on Saturday. I normally hate red, but that shade looks quite pretty.

[evildky]

all turbo's had T tops, that goes for all gerneratiosn of Z's

[frapjap]

Crap. I'm in trouble now!!

Modify-itis is going to re infect me....

Thanks for the info to seal the deal for a weekend trip and (now) very possible purchase. I hope this Z is rust free. I'm getting excited now!

[Perrenial Badass]

Does the gearing change at all from open to limited slip diff?

http://az-zbum.com/information.differential.shtml

If you get that Z, you will want to bookmark this page:http://az-zbum.com

[frapjap]

Bad news (sorta)- the owner is in FL at the moment but will be back on Tuesday. Even before I go up to see it (a 3 hour ride- yes I'm that devoted) he volunteered to take a walk around video if it an disclose more to me so I'd know what I was getting. The paint is decent enough, but has clear coat peel. He's repaired some rust the right way and it was repainted. It seems an n/a parts car also comes with this.... I'll know more next week. thanks again everyone!