Help! Is This TT Worth It?

[rmlamp]

So I have the opportunity to buy a 1993 TT for $1200, I'd have to go out of state to get it though. It also doesn't run. The clear coat is fading and it has a small patch of rust on the driver side fender. Take a look at the description below and tell me what you guys think. Anybody have an idea what might be wrong with it? Thanks!

Owners Description:
I have a 1993 tt, its currently not running..not to sure why, i did a lil pull one day and noticed smoke, pulled over car wouldn't start back up. noticed a spark plug had broke and the radiator cracked but got those replaced, still nothing, recently had the heads machine shop worked and the engine slighty rebuilt, been sitting for atleast 3 months, just tryna get rid of it. will take offers

list of mods:
z1 test pipes
z1 tuned ecu
aftermarket catback (cant think of brand)
aftermarket downpipes
coilovers (can't think of brand)
rear camber arms
jwt pop charger
varrstoen 19' wheels
jspec front bumper.

[AZhitman]

Looks like a recipe for drama to refurbish.

However, you could part it out for WAY more than $1200.

I'd buy it, strip off the good parts, sell the shell for scrap, part out the stuff you won't need, then buy a good, running TT and put the aftermarket goodies on it... then sell off the stock parts.

You'll make your $1200 back and then some, and have a sweet Z in the end.

[rmlamp]

Looks like a recipe for drama to refurbish.

However, you could part it out for WAY more than $1200.

I'd buy it, strip off the good parts, sell the shell for scrap, part out the stuff you won't need, then buy a good, running TT and put the aftermarket goodies on it... then sell off the stock parts.

You'll make your $1200 back and then some, and have a sweet Z in the end.

That's what I was thinking. I currently have a 1991 2+2 that I would swap this engine into. Pull the JSpec bumper off and all the goodies and have a sweet TT 2+2. Just wanted to see what every one else's opinion was. What would cause a spark plug to break, with a radiator? You think the engine is trashed?

[AZhitman]

Plug could have been faulty... detonation... a foreign object in the cylinder, a timing belt failure... I'd guess that engine is hosed, but you won't know for sure until you open it up.

I'd at least drain the oil and look for evidence of metal, water, or other nastiness.

[rmlamp]

I got the guy down to $1000. It's too good to pass up at this point. I talked to the guy that did all the work for him and it has fresh heads and a new timing kit. He said the guy gave him crappy off brand head gaskets to use. I'm hoping for a blown head gasket but I'll find out what the deal is once I get it home. Thanks for the input.

[DCaff300ZX]

If you are intending to do the work and have experience with the VG and it's intracacies (90+% chance this is the problem) or know someone who does, go for it, otherwise this is a recipe for a repeat of the seller's experience.
Cheaping out on anything for the Z32 is a recipe for disaster, especially engine components, and parts swapping without knowledge of the true problem also is problematic as you will soon be totally lost.
Hopefully you have a better plan.

Good Luck!

[rmlamp]

If you are intending to do the work and have experience with the VG and it's intracacies (90+% chance this is the problem) or know someone who does, go for it, otherwise this is a recipe for a repeat of the seller's experience.
Cheaping out on anything for the Z32 is a recipe for disaster, especially engine components, and parts swapping without knowledge of the true problem also is problematic as you will soon be totally lost.
Hopefully you have a better plan.

Good Luck!

The plan is to pull the engine and do a complete rebuild before doing a swap into my 2+2. So any current engine problems will be taken care of at that time. It was a hell of a lot cheaper than a front clip and has everything I need to do the swap. A $700 set of coilovers, camber arms, brand new z1 radiator, couple interior pieces I need, jspec front bumper, $1200 set of wheels and tires, cat back, test pipes, drilled and slotted rotors, I needed a brake booster and a couple misc pieces here and there. So over all it's a smokin deal. Then after I get what I need it'll be parted out and will sell the shell. Couldn't go wrong haha.