Here's the quote I got for my '91 300zx, please check it out. .

[tofuzee]

All of this.... . . .needs air filter and fuel filter - $82.00drive belts and timing belts.transmission service and flush (for $85.00, i got this done today because it was dirty, but wasn't last week).. found out why my heater doesn't work, I need a heater core (the heat core plus labor comes out to about $1000.000 at this place but another guy said he could get it done for about $350.00)cam and crank seals - coolant... $981.92transmission mount - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -$187.00, center (?) support bag - - - - - - - - - --- - - - --- - - - - $312.70pcv valves and hoses - $334.22front pads, hw kit (?) and rotors - - - - - - - - - - $429.17right and left low side pls hoses - - - - - - - - - $347.80front tension rods -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $355.20Does this look pretty fair? Ayone know where I can get the (original) parts at a better price so I'm not buying them at the shops mark up price?Thanks.

[navysnail]

depending on your mechanical know how, you could cut a big chunk out of that price, especially with things like the air and fuel filter, pcv valves, hoses, and if your up to it, brakes

[Altiman94]

sounds like all of it is easy fixes. I would definitely do most of it yourself.

[tofuzee]

That's what I was thinking. . Where can I go for parts though?jimwolftechnology.com has the cams for about $1000.00 I think, but their price including labor was 982.00.. Still searching for the other parts....So where can I start learning about this stuff? I've already enrolled at a local community college for their auto. program.. Maybe a factory service manual? Thanks. .

[tofuzee]

cam and crank seals - $982.00

...Found a place online selling them together for about $22.00 + SH. Labor must be expensive

[DAEDALUS]

Yeah. You're basically doing a timing belt job just to get to the seals, and then you do a little more work on top of that (surprised they didn't sell you a timing belt--labor's already done). The first (and only) time I did a belt on a Z it took me about 20 hours. I could do it in 12 now probably, maybe 8-10 each time after that. I assume you have a front engine oil leak? Is that why they said you need new seals?

Damn, I oughta open up a shop.

Get your parts from http://www.everythingnissan.com. They will blow the doors off any dealer in SoCal.

Uh...why are considering the JWT cams? You don't need new cams do you?

You going to El Camino? Or Cerritos?

[tofuzee]

Hey Daedalus,The second guy tried to sell me the timing belt along with the labor for about $220. . hehe. I don't have an oil leak and it drives fine with the exception of it jerking from 1st to 2nd gear.. Other than that I make sure it has all the fluids it needs and things go well. That's why I sort of questioned this quote. But then again, I do want my Z to last forever and be reliable- but it shouldn't cost this much I don't think should it?. . Thanks for the link. . I dunno if I need new cams, the shop said I did and they're Z specialists.. hehe..The auto class is @ El Camino. . I've heard twice now that it's pretty good, first was on this forum (thanks again!)..

[DAEDALUS]

I don't have an oil leak and it drives fine with the exception of it jerking from 1st to 2nd gear.. I dunno if I need new cams, the shop said I did and they're Z specialists.. hehe..

Are you serious? What shop was that? Not "Z Expert" I hope. He has a great reputation around here. Why would they recommend opening up the engine to replace seals that aren't leaking? Plus I just don't see how anyone could tell you that you needed new cams without actually measuring/diagnosing them. I mean, if you really needed new cams, the odds are you'd need some other things and lots of labor too.

BTW Z Expert quoted around $700 to do the timing belt on my buddy's '95. I'd ask to see if he'd cut a decent deal to do the seals on top of that (if you choose), plus the water pump if it's original. If you're serious about keeping it for a while then go ahead and be proactive about things. But that doesn't mean someone should step up and tell you to fix something that isn't broken (unless to told them you wanted to be so proactive). Z Expert is in Marina Del Rey. Owner's name is Richard.

I'm signed up for 2 night classes next semester. If you're in there Mon/Wed nights maybe I'll see you around the shop. Taking Construction Tech Tues/Thurs too. What class/instructor you signing up with?

[tofuzee]

.....This place was in Redondo Beach.. I've heard of the one in Marina Del Rey a few times, sounds like they have a good reputation.. Maybe I'll try them.I did say I want it to be reliable but tried my best not to indicate that I had a ton of money to blow on stuff that was working fine (I really don't lol) but the way the quote was explained seemed like the car should be repaired asap or else.. .. I forget the instructor's name but I can do Mon/Wed nights, it's the auto 1 class (the basic one lol).. Thanks for the replies, I think I'll get a second quote and maybe pick up some of the more important parts on my own to save some money. Hey maybe by next semester I'll know how to do it! lol. .

[s13sr20chris]

do it yourself(anyone with fsm)brakesair and fuel filterstrans mountcenter support bearingfront tension rods

i would not mess with the center support bearing unless its noisy

do it yourself(good tools and know how, like at the community college)t-beltcam and crank sealspcv valves and hoses(this is a tricky job, be sure you are ready for it)

things i have never done on a zheater core(sorry you are on your own)

[DAEDALUS]

I forget the instructor's name but I can do Mon/Wed nights, it's the auto 1 class (the basic one lol)..

The tech 1 class is REALLY basic. It's recommended before taking anything else, but not absolutely required. AT43 gives you free time 3 hours a week. AT 1 won't have much shop time at all, and all shop time is spent following the instructor around as he pokes around under the hood of someone's car. The tires/wheels/brakes/suspension class has shop time and those guys do anything they want with their suspension stuff. Balance/rotate tires, replace struts, do alignments, etc. All the equipment is there. Wish I knew more, but I've only taken 3 classes myself. Your call, but if you're willing to spend a bit more time studying, you might want to consider skipping the AT 1 class.

[tofuzee]

Basics is what I need,. I think. . I'm afraid of missing the basics and needing them later on... I'll need that foundation. But the wheel/suspension class sounds fun, there must be a lot of equipment to go around? Thanks for the suggestions I look forward to starting soon.