Just bought a NA Z32

[bones72751]

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself and post a few pics of my ride. My name is Brian, and I haven't owned my own car in a couple years due to having a company provided vehicle. Kinda felt like finding a new project so I found this 1990 300zx NA for sale a few hours away. After long road trip I got her home for $4200. I feel like maybe I overpaid for a 24 year old car, but I was already that far so whatever. Onto the pics...





She needs some work, but nothing I could call major. I think the pros far outweigh the cons. The things that, as far as I can see, it has are 10k HID headlights, 18" enkei rsv wheels on pirelli p6 tires, pop charger, stainless steel headers, and unknown mufflers. A little raspy but not bad, sounds pretty good. Has a tear/crack in one fender and the other is a little misaligned and missing a bolt at the bottom. It has been converted to dual electric fans that are run to a toggle switch. I have an adjustable fan controller, so if anyone can tell me what temp to set it to come on at that would be great? The front bumper is missing a couple brackets or something so the nose panel sinks at the front. Could one of you please explain/show me exactly how this nose panel is supposed to be supported on the front? Other than that just needs brakes.

Like I said this is gonna be a project/play toy so any thoughts or suggestions of things to do would be awesome! I don't think there's a lot else to be done for a NA car that hasn't already been done for performance (maybe a tuned ecu). Kinda thinking of an rb26 swap, but that would be a few years away. I think for now I'm going to get some coil overs, maybe a different exhaust (suggestions for deep toned, non-raspy exhaust are welcome), and get the body work done. That should keep me busy enough until I decide I need more power, lol.

Thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoy your Z as much as I already do mine!

[ZL8NING]

Welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy the car!

I don't think you listed what mileage the car has, but you need to make sure the timing belt service has been done. It is done at 60k mile intervals. The pistons wil hit the valves if the timing belt breaks.

Take some time and read through the stickied threads. Wealth of info there!

Welcome to the forums!

[bones72751]

It's got 160k on the body and the previous owner had the motor replaced with 60k motor a year ago. He had the timing belt replaced at that time. It runs great. I did notice one thing. It was idling a bit high so I read a guide to adjust it. The guide said to disconnect the IAC connector, adjust to 650, then plug the connector back in and the idle would raise to about 750. Well, when I plugged it back in it didn't raise. So I just adjusted it to 750 while plugged in. Do you think my IAC is out?

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome!
Starting with your last question, I would check each of the connectors (3) on the idle control valve assembly for green corrosion, clean and/or replace as necessary. This job will give you a clue of further jobs anywhere you see that style of connector, they corrode and break easily and all need cleaning/replacement anywhere you find them...fuel injectors, coolant temp sensor, and more. You will also want to open and clean your PTU harness connectors and CAS connector.
Also, your '90 has the old style fuel injectors which can fail due to ethanol and the fact the injectors are always powered on, this is an area to monitor and modify as time goes on, searching the subject should enlighten you further there.
Back to your body concerns, the front end has probably been hit given what you mentioned, and the complete assembly probably hasn't been fully repaired. The core support gets driven downwards in a collision and unless they straighten everything and/or shim things back to alignment you get things looking like they sag or are uneven...seems like you have some minor body tuning needed there.
$4,200 isn't too bad a price for the car, enjoy her as best you can and to keep her going and maybe even get her better the more you learn!

[bones72751]

Thanks for that info. I don't know when it was done but it does have the new style PTU, connectors might could be cleaned though. Also, forgive me but I don't know what the CAS connector is. As far as the body, I have no doubt that it's probably been in a fender bender. There's a couple of brackets/bolts missing from the front bumper assembly like it has been replaced and called good enough. I'm just trying to get everything I can back to how it's supposed to be. Then I'll start the customizing. I'm really liking a lot of the z1 body parts, like the rocker panels and rear diffuser. They're awfully expensive though.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO! You should post some pictures.

We love pictures.

[bones72751]

The only ones I've got so far are in my first post up top. It has since rained mud (swear to god) So the car is dirty as hell, lol. I'm gonna clean her up tomorrow and do a quick photo shoot. If y'all can't see the pics let me know. They show up fine on my phone.