Greetings fellow z32ers

[97 fairlady z]

Hi I bought my first z32 a month ago. These forums have been very beneficial in working out a couple small kinks with my car. I decided to join so let me introduce myself. I am from Canada and just bought a '97 NA 300zx Version R 2+2. It has 90,000km, and I use it as my daily driver. For the moment I am just fixing up some relatively small stuff so that it looks super clean, and drives super smooth, and sounds really nice (I mean audio and engine, I love the sound of that vg30de)

Mechanical: I need to replace the fuel hoses and oil pressure gauge, to get it running in perfect condition. oh, and also it needs a new antenna because I uh... didn't realize it had an automatic antenna and it got knocked off in a car wash the first day I had it...

Body: there are no dents or scratches or rust, but it was crappily repainted from yellow to midnight purple at some point in Japan, and the yellow is starting to fade through in parts (ew!), so I need to get it repainted, I plan on driving over to the USA to hit up a maaco for a cheap paintjob. The rims have a little curb rash that I want to get refinished off. Also the mouldings are worn to the bare metal in parts and hence look like crap, so I plan on buying the KurumaZ moulding kit to replace them all. I have just purchased a new stereo deck with 4 speakers, 12" sub with custom box, and amp, that I will install soon also.

Anyway, I look forward to working on this beautiful car and getting more information from this forum, maybe I will be able to share and help others some day back.

[captordo]

Congrats! Funny story about the antenna!

[z.Leinbach]

i don't want to dis on maaco. but i could reccomend plasti dipping the car till a quality paint job is attainable. because like all things Z. parts and paint fall under the pay for what you get.. and you can dip a car and have quality work for the fraction of the price. an they can do gloss clear coats as well

[DCaff300ZX]

^^^Agreed, avoid Maaco at all costs as it will not result in a paintjob that looks good, or especially that lasts long.

Welcome to Nico though, nice Z and worth saving for a good paint job which will not only look good, but keep the cars' value up...same as your other plans with the trim and maintenance.
Good Luck!

[Dino V]

Welcome! I will echo what everyone else has said. Save up and do it right once and not have to repeat again.

[97 fairlady z]

well, 2 months later..... I spent about 2 grand on various engine/cooling repairs, but recently the timing belt (which was SUPPOSEDLY replaced) snapped and f*** up my engine. So instead of dumping more money into this NA motor, I am swapping a well maintained TT 2JZ into it. I did get my stereo system installed, have not done anything with the paint job yet, but still plan to have it repainted purple after my swap. I will have more information about the 2JZ swap and how it is going in the coming weeks.

On the bright side, the day before the timing belt blew, was the first warm sunny day since I bought it 3 months ago, so I was able to drop the t-tops for a cruise

[MulleMeck]

Welcome, says I that joined later than you ! Sad to hear about the timing belt. Well s*** happens, but maybe it pushed you into the direction you secretly wanted anyway? (Love both engines ) Good luck on the swap anyways!

[DCaff300ZX]

Well s*** happens, but maybe it pushed you into the direction you secretly wanted anyway?

Maintenance is ALWAYS a priority with the Z32, even (and especially!) when you don't plan on/for it...
Glad to hear you want to stay DPM, my favorite color I haven't had yet. 2JZ swap, eh? Now that's a pretty big leap there...hope you have someone with experience with that swap as it is not easy, nor many/any swap parts made for it I know of. Lots of fab and interesting choices to get that engine in right, a lot like the RB but with the manufacturer change thrown in.
Here's hoping you get it done right, the other few I've seen looked like very fun and unique cars.
Good Luck!

[97 fairlady z]

Ok, cancelled my 2JZ plans because of cost issues, i bought a rear end wrecked TT 300zx for 2300, am going to use it as my donor for the vg30dett swap instead. Will be much cheaper. My mechanic is very experienced with every kind of jdm engine swap imaginable. I don't have the time or garage to work on it myself, though I would love to. So I will shell out the extra cash to get him to do it properly and quickly. I am upgrading the exhaust and replacing some suspension parts while I am at it, am expecting the final bill to be 7000-8000 once all is said and done.

[DCaff300ZX]

Wow, only 7-8K? I'd be very concerned as my own work was well over that, and did not include a swap.

[97 fairlady z]

i have faith in my mechanics, they have built a lot of sweet rides in their little shop, last time I was there they had a 600hp evo IV, 1000whp supra, sr20 swapped 280z, an rb20 swapped M6. The TT swap on my 300zx should be butter for them. I haven't received any exact numbers yet though, just rough a guesstimate.