Decision Time...Help?

[UofTCadet]

My 94 TT was sputtering at idle, starting a couple of days ago. Injectors 1, 5, and 6 are not spraying properly and the connectors are corroded. The Z shop I trust recommends replacing all 6 and is quoting $1100 for labor and $1500 for parts, plus tax to make a total of $2800. That's clearly doing things the right way, but here are some options I've looked into. By the way, I'm not much of a mechanic; replacing a window is my claim to fame.

Also, big part of the decision of what to do is I'll be selling the car in a couple of months anyway because my wife is almost 6 months pregnant. We need a more family friendly car, my choice, so the Z's the one to go. Sad I know, but I'm trying to look out for myself, the next owner, AND the car when looking at the options.

1. $2800 like they say and go all out before selling.
2. Replace injectors 1, 5, 6 only, pulling plenum or using the DIY Dremel method. Do you think someone with little mechanical knowledge could do this, following the guidelines online?
3. Replace all 6 with 615cc Nismo injectors (late style with the adapters). Lowers repair price to $2250. Will this work for a ~400HP TT?
4. Replace all 6 with OEM 370cc injectors (early style). Lowers cost to $2000. Will this work for a ~400HP?
5. Sell the car before repair with a lowered ticket price. I'd be up front and honest with the buyer and hopefully split some cost on the repair.

So, 1-5? Hopefully I made this clear and quick to read. Thank you so much for any advice on this. I'm stuck in the middle because I want to take care of the car and also be efficient and smart with how much money I put into it before selling.

[Zero to 300]

As far as paying someone else to do it, i say no, there are plenty of step by step instructions online and plenty of pictures to help you out. replaced an injector last November and everything went really well, took a couple days and felt like shooting myself but turned out well.

Pulling the plenum alone is a huge deal, might replace some gaskets while your in there.

Not really sure what to do about injectors, unless your wanting to upgrade in the future stock injectors are all that bad on the TT.

I would buy three new stock injectors and do it myself, probably cost around 150 for all three injectors (remaned from z1motorsports) and gaskets around maybe another 60 to 100 and do it yourself, you saved at least 2500 dollars. that's another car or bigger turbos.

[vulcanrush]

no way should the parts cost 1,500 bucks+....nismo740cc's and 300degree fuel rails are about 1k bucks+ in parts, about.

i would get nismo740cc's, no downside, and they don't cost more than 615cc's.

as far as 400hp, do you mean rwhp? in that case, you're pushing the stock oem 370cc's to their limit, and i wouldn't do it.

[UofTCadet]

Sweet...thanks a LOT for the help. So now it's just deciding between the 740's and the OEM. If the 370cc OEMs work, then I'll do that.

As far as 400HP, I'm not sure if that would be engine or rear wheel. I met a Z owner at a rehearsal that spent a lot of time and money getting his TT up to 600+ and he felt like mine was around 400. Here's the mods on the car. Any guess what the HP might be, either engine or RWHP?

JWT Pop Charger
Chrome Hardpipes/Silicone Couplers
SpecialtyZ Catback Exhaust
SpecialtyZ 4bolt Split Downpipes and High Flow Cats
ASHspec ECU

Again, thanks for the help. You guys are awesome! This makes me feel a LOT better and now I just have to wait for next weekend.

[UofTCadet]

Oh...and is it fine to have mixed injectors? 3 OEM and 3 Nismo?

[robomatic12]

No, you need a tuned ECU for the specific cc of injector. Or else it will run horrible/not run at all.

[es.biggs]

I don't think it'd be a good idea to run different injectors...they all flow differently. I would replace all 6 as well - if you have 3 bad here, you may have 1 more bad in two months, and the others go bad three months after that. It's better to take care of all of them at once. I understand what you mean, about doing right even if you are getting rid of the car soon, and I respect that a lot. Kudos.

If you don't feel comfortable doing the job, I wouldn't recommend you do it. If they aren't installed right, they can cause lots of problems, leaks, etc. There are a lot of guides and information on here and the rest of the internet, so that does help if you decide to DIY. You might also be able to find a another Z32-inclined mechanic or enthusiast locally to help you do the injectors at a much mroe affordable cost. Where are you from?

$1,100 seems a little high. A fair labor rate now-adays is what, $110/hr? That means 10 hours...pulling the intake plenum and changing injectors is no walk in the park, but I think 10 hours is stretching it, on the more expensive side.

For the injectors, I would order the parts from ImportPartsPro.com

You can get the upgraded old style injectors for under $1,000 (Nismo 555cc) (you would need to buy the fuel rail to plenum seals separately)
http://www.importpartspro.com/ni55inni30.html

Or go with the upgraded new style injectors, with the fuel rail conversion kit and all the seals you would need for $1,200(Nismo 740cc)
http://www.importpartspro.com/ni74inand300.html

If you go with the second option, (I am not 100% on this, somebody chime in here please) you might need to get the 300degree fuel line kit for $110 to complete the conversion to newer style injectors and upgraded fuel rail.
http://www.importpartspro.com/sz300deinkit.html

The second option is a better option all around - longer lasting injectors with more potential to support additional performance modifications the future owner might decide to install. It's also cheaper than the prices you were originally quoted anyways. Whatever you want to do, I would definitely get your parts yourself. Shops don't usually buy smart for you, if you want a good deal you probably have to find it yourself!

Hope that helps a little

[UofTCadet]

Awesome, thanks!

Thanks for confirming that all 6 should be replaced, all 6 it is. I live in Houston, so any ideas on mechanics would be great. I have a hard time trusting the Nissan dealerships, but maybe I'm just a little naive from the experiences I've been through with dealerships.

After skimming a couple of guides online I feel like I could follow the DIY. I've never done anything like this before, but what the guides are describing makes sense and give me pictures to parts that I don't know what they look like. I'm certainly not 100% about it, but there's at least a good feeling.

[UofTCadet]

Quick research certainly helps; found a couple of Z specialists.

SGP Racing and Dane Miller. If anyone else has other possibilities I'll take them too.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

DO NOT GO TO SGP!!!

There are horror stories on TT.net. Kyle Puckett (one of the premier VG builders in the country, now owner of Import Parts Pro) left there for many reasons.

There are also many Z32 owners in Houston who could help you with the plenum pull/injector replacement. Gather your parts and make a post asking for local members to help. I'm sure there are some owners in the Houston area here, and TT.net is another good resource. If it's your first plenum pull, budget a full Saturday. Do some research on water line bypass and other things to do with the plenum off. It's not a terribly difficult job, and it's rewarding as you get to learn your car as you work on it.

2nd evertything Biggs said. You'll do best with the 300° rails, new style 740s, the SZ adapter kit and an ECU reflash. You'll have enough fuel for 700ish RWHP, and a clean idle. Best of all, you'll be less likely to have ethanol related injector failure. Also, you'll want to do the +12V switched power injector mod, to save the life of the injectors (regardles if new or old).

Link here: http://twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/forum ... 1-2-3.html

[es.biggs]

Awesome Z - also in Houston.

I searched around and found nothing but GREAT reviews on that shop. I would feel comfortable taking my car there, after reading on forums about their reputation.

http://www.awesomez.org/

[dane_houston]

160 dw swap kit
765 nismo 615 (cant trust DW high flows)
20 plenum gaskets
300 installation
50 ecu update

1300$ and your back on the road.

Dane Miller, Houston Z is a private 1 man op. you are not paying for a shop over head/bills. I subcontract to several other Z shops in houston. From parts to diagnostics to tuning to repair, If you Z was worked on in houston i probably something to do with it one way or another. I have serviced easily over 100 Z32 in houston. The only Z shop im not associated with in houston is Awesome Z.

[singdam]

Hey cadet,

If you live in Houston I will help you do your injectors. If I am right isn't Alexander your new Sgt Maj. If so ask him about me. He will tell you I'm legit. My name is SSgt South. hit me up by leaving me your number or ask Alexander he can find me. I think I can make that price go down alot and free labor.

[es.biggs]

Youdaman SSgt South

[NolimitZ32]

If you want to pay someone then take it to Dane, hands down only person in the world I would ever let near my Z. I'm very anal about who works on my cars. If you want to save money and do it yourself we have a few very knowledgeable Z owners that could help, including myself. PM me if you need any more help.