My 1990 300zx N/A

[300zjames1013]

*Kind of Long*

I have a N/A 1990 A/T driveshaft if anybody needs it I will gladly be cheap on price.






Well, I'm new here and I introduced myself in the General Section yesterday. Being 19 and rarely having any car experience before I started attending UTI I still don't know a lot. I bought this 300zx N/A Automatic like 2-3 months ago for 1k. The only problem was that it had a bad transmission and would not go into gear. The fluid was black so I know the previous owner burned it up by not servicing it very well. He gave me a Twin Turbo transmission. I had no idea how hard these cars are to work on. We had the car on jacks and we didn't have very much room at all. My dad and I only have time on weekends to work on it between my school and his work. . Well, we dropped the transmission and put the other transmission in, it took us one day. I was more of a helper which kind of frustrated me because I want to learn. Everything was going good until my dad decided to use the flexplate from the N/A on the TT and the bolt holes would not match up. After that everything went downhill. We had to drop it AGAIN! and switch the flexplate which took another day and at this time all we had was Sundays. So after a month of jacking around with just the transmission we got it up. I'm home alone and decide to put the driveshaft back in. Well, I got rejected by the 5/8' longer transmission and the output shaft was much bigger than my driveshaft.. I had to order a custom made driveshaft off of ebay. The guy I got it from was a real good guy, if asked for I will give you his name. It was 300$ with free shipping. Took a week to get it. Got it in, put Transmission fluid in. Tried to drive and great! The Z won't shift. The pan was dented like some special person jacked the car up from it.. It was actually blocking something allowing the car not to shift. This was around 2 weeks ago I got the car running. It has a misfire, driving it feels like it has no power at all. I'd get smoked by anyone who challenged me. . I'm not a racer or anything I'm just saying. I decide to pull each cylinder and see which one is misfiring, turns out the whole driver side is dead. I need to test the fuel injectors which is a likely chance those could be bad. I'm also wondering if the coil is bad because the boots are worn and I'm not sure if it would cause a dead cylinder especially all on the same side. My starter also decided to go bad, I have a huge drain somewhere and it's most likely the alternator. This is sort of my learning experience car before I bump up to the TT as soon as I get hired. Well this is where I'm at now, basically work on it for like an hr when I get home and then take a nap because it's around 100 degrees in the CA. Here is a few pictures I snapped today, remember you get what you paid for . Thanks everybody.

My antennas snapped off half way..



As you can see the previous owner thought he was cool.. No TURBO!



This is where to douchd!cK I live with backed into my car.. Little midget.(I hate stupid people.)



Thrash trunk but who cares right?



Huge Crack...



Another Crack



My seat can't even lock unless it's all the way down (help please?)



This holds me up while I drive around the block..



Does anybody know how the springs and little black things inside of this controller go? I Have a new controller but idk how to put springs in.



A lovely dead spider in my Air box.. I hate those ugly things.



Thanks guys..

[Ziggy1621]

Welcome to nico! It seems you have your work cutout! I've owned two z32s and never had the luxury of the antenna either ha!

[300zjames1013]

Welcome to nico! It seems you have your work cutout! I've owned two z32s and never had the luxury of the antenna either ha!

I use my iPod anyway but yeah this thing is a lot of work, I guess it could be good experience.

[H1tman]

Wudd up!

That's cali style for ya, a board holding you up while driving.
I've seen worse, yours is rough but you'll git er done.

[300zjames1013]

Wudd up!

That's cali style for ya, a board holding you up while driving.
I've seen worse, yours is rough but you'll git er done.

Gotta do what you gotta do to survive lol, baller on a budget =P
i dont mind the board, im sure the passenger will though haha

does anybody know how to fix the electronic seat controller ?!?!?!? drives me nuts

edit: nice Z btw ! <--- that's interesting..

[t.mcginley.jr]

Welcome!! And it's not half bad for only paying $1k, but then again thats why all that stuff is broken lol I picked up my 90 NA for $1600 and it's in pretty good condition.

For the transmission, you should've done your homework first... would have saved some headaches with the flexplate and different length driveshafts. Make sure to clean out the filter too, sometimes they get full of gunk and can block passages from getting enough fluid causing it to burn up.

You should read the sticky in the Z32 Tech section called "Everything you need to know about Z32's"... it will explain all about your fuel injectors, idling problems, etc. Basically yours probably has old style injectors which are prone to failure because they weren't made to handle the ethanol in today's gas. Also, ALL electrical connections on these cars are prone to corrosion so you'll have to check all of them for green buildup... there's also a tech article on how to remedy this. The misfire could also be a bad PTU or CAS... more reading.

No idea on how to fix your seat issues, I would just take it out and get another one. You can check the Z32 classifieds section on this site and on twinturbo.net for some good used (and sometimes new) parts. Usually they're much cheaper than buying new ones.

[Ziggy1621]

You should read the sticky in the Z32 Tech section called "Everything you need to know about Z32's"...

[300zjames1013]

Welcome!! And it's not half bad for only paying $1k, but then again thats why all that stuff is broken lol I picked up my 90 NA for $1600 and it's in pretty good condition.

For the transmission, you should've done your homework first... would have saved some headaches with the flexplate and different length driveshafts. Make sure to clean out the filter too, sometimes they get full of gunk and can block passages from getting enough fluid causing it to burn up.

You should read the sticky in the Z32 Tech section called "Everything you need to know about Z32's"... it will explain all about your fuel injectors, idling problems, etc. Basically yours probably has old style injectors which are prone to failure because they weren't made to handle the ethanol in today's gas. Also, ALL electrical connections on these cars are prone to corrosion so you'll have to check all of them for green buildup... there's also a tech article on how to remedy this. The misfire could also be a bad PTU or CAS... more reading.

No idea on how to fix your seat issues, I would just take it out and get another one. You can check the Z32 classifieds section on this site and on twinturbo.net for some good used (and sometimes new) parts. Usually they're much cheaper than buying new ones.

Yeah I actually did some research before we dropped dropped the trans. Believe it or not, everybody had something else to say. I saw you'll need a new starter(false, mines just bad), the transmission won't fit(false), the driveshaft wont fit(true)<-- The Manual N/A driveshaft will actually fit the TT automatic you just have to get it cut to the right length. I seen a lot of false crap, and the only true thing I saw was the driveshaft. I pretty much had to go off luck and my dads knowledge.

Before I posted this while I was uploading my images to photobucket I actually took a stroll through the "everything you need to know about z32" thread. I found it really interesting and I actually said in my head that this is going to be very useful going forward with my car.

I'm just going to try different methods, maybe i'll drill a metal hook similar to what holds the seat up in the low position except I will make it longer and changeable but linkage to the handle would be the only problem with that, almost ghetto rigging it. You have to do what you have to do. I don't want to buy seats unless I have to, it doesn't bother me. I just want a way to move it up and down, the passenger is actually the same way, like how did somebody manage to go and mess those up. It really bugs me when people can't take care of there crap.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Well one thing everyone agrees on is that Nissan really over-engineered these cars (i.e. AIV, HICAS, TB coolant lines, etc.). I actually got my first Z in June and I've been doing straight research ever since. I still learn new stuff about it every day. Besides this forum, there's also there's also places like http://www.twinturbo.net and http://s95014253.onlinehome.us/63104/in ... on*id*val* and http://www.z32photoguide.com/

Good luck with the seat project, sounds like a PITA. Whoever the PO was obviously trashed the interior

[RubyRed300ZX]

An entire bank of cylinders not firing correctly? Check codes for a bad O2 sensor for that bank, vacuum leak through an intake-manifold leak on that side, or perhaps the timing belt installed improperly (e.g., if it's off a few teeth on the drivers side, yet it was correctly set on the passengers side, the timing is set from cylinder #1, therefore the passengers side bank would be timed correctly, and the drivers side would be advanced or retarded too far).

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to NICO!

[300zjames1013]

Welcome to NICO!

thank you!

@ruby yeah i thought it was weird that all 3 on driver side were down, that's why i was kinda skeptical about the fuel injectors, but who knows these days. thank you tho, I'll check all the vacuum hoses and stuff, haven't had much time between school and helping my uncle build his 69' Vega.

I got 1 ignition coil, I get discounts at Autozone, still like 50$ though.
Also got a starter and new terminals for my power and ground cable. I should have just bought the cables but oh well.
The previous terminals were completely worn and corroded which could be why the battery isn't holding the charge while the car is on. It's a little cheaper to try this before I assume the alternator, even though it takes like 10 minutes to remove and get tested..

I was actually taught how to take an alternator apart at school, i thought that was pretty cool cause I figured when it went bad you just get a new one but I think I might try to fix this one if it's bad just for fun. Of course I would be another one anyway.


[rant](not important, had to get off chest.)
Everyone here's friendly, I'm on a music forum called studioleaks and everyone over there is angry and they have there forum "high powers" and they think they're all hot s*** behind a computer screen.. Unbelievable lol but this place already seems much much better than any other forum I have been to.. Mods don't seem to molest there powers and everyone seems to know each other, coo, thanks guys and goodnight! (favorite smiley cause I have a big one of these in my room!) >:D
[/rant]

[300zjames1013]

*UPDATE*

Well I told my dad about my seat idea and he said he wanted to see it..
He solved that s*** with a hammer and a ziptie, and I the black thing electric seat mover has to be draining the battery, it's getting really hot while I was driving today. We can move the seat without the knobs attached which is good..

The MAF could be bad because the silver lining of the tube is broken and bent.. I was wrong about the cylinders, only the driver side Middle and farthest away from firewall don't seem to be firing, but for some reason my dads saying it could be the MAF that's causing it to run rough and he's also saying those 2 are firing but the MAF is having an effect on them which doesn't sound right, I need to check those to injectors..

The radiator looked like someone put some kind of adhesive on there to avoid having the crack fixed, well, the radiator is leaking and I noticed it today.. It has a crack so I'm gonna be ordering one of those shortly, where is the best place for that??

[t.mcginley.jr]

There's a procedure for checking if the injectors are firing, it will tell you if any of the injectors are shot. A busted MAF sensor can cause rough idle/running issues in general, but not to specific cylinders. If it isn't the injectors themselves, it could be the PTU or CAS sensors not operating correctly. Check the injectors first though, it's not uncommon for them to go.

New OEM NA radiators are about $150 from Z1 or CZP. I got this one for ~$54 on ebay and didn't have any problems with it, plus it comes with a warranty and free shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Row-NEW-Warra ... a1&vxp=mtr

[300zjames1013]

Car ran smoother with the new MAF sensor. I also cleaned throttle body, and then I decided I was done avoiding the injectors..
I used my ohmmeter and tested the driver side cylinders misfiring, sure enough I got 0 ohms.
I tested the passenger side to make sure I was doing it right and sure enough, I got 14 ohms.. This is the good side..
Bad injectors and I pulled the connecters and everything and they're wrecked.. I'm sure there not the reason it's not working because the other ones are just as bad..
This is prolly the last thing I'll be doing for awhile.

[t.mcginley.jr]

The connectors being wrecked is pretty common... both from corrosion and from the actual plastic breaking easily. You can order just the connector ends and solder them in If you wanted to

[Nismovs]

If you want a driver seat and a new dash, or other interior stuff send me a pm

[300zjames1013]

^ prices? I PM you.

[300zjames1013]

Wudd up!

That's cali style for ya, a board holding you up while driving.
I've seen worse, yours is rough but you'll git er done.

Bumping my old thread..

*UPDATE*

I got my Z running. I went through sort of a pissed off spell, was at rock bottom. I replaced the 3 driver side fuel injectors and the car ran way better, but I was still missing. So... I almost sold my Z for 1k. Good thing I didn't because the other day I got bored and decided to spend some money. I bought 2 connectors for the fuel injector, I'm a rookie at this car stuff(I'm going to school to be a mercedes tech.) so when i soldered it on there it wasn't perfect but it wasn't bad and didn't pull apart. Shrink wrap, Tape. Job done. Get in to crank the bish, and CLICK!!!!. I'm like wow this s*** again. My battery is dead, so I put it on charger. Start it at like 8:30 and VROOM VROOM! shes back to life. I've never seen this car run like it did when I fired it up, I was sooo excited. Shut it off, pump up tires. Fire it up take it around block and pitched it sideways to my suprise woooohoo!

*side story*

bought a new battery, drove to work, drove home, tried starting.. CLICK! (like seriously cmon !)

Well a rookie mistake, I was so excited I put the battery in and threw the terminals on. I went to get the 1/2' wrench came back and shut the hood and drove off. I forgot to tighten them.. LOL!

So i searched around on craigslist and found a sick dash and down talked the guy to 40$ for the dash, all it's missing is the piece above the steering wheel(which i'm looking to buy if anyones selling).

*QUESTIONS!*

I have a kenwood head unit. It blinks protect. I read that the ground wire is tied to chassis, and i need to re-route it. Any ideas if this is true?

My headlights are really dim, and my left pod is dim as well, where would i begin to look for high resistance?

There is a tube on each side of the engine with 2 bolts for each one, I put 1 bolt in each side, my car idles at 500, and shakes a little bit, but nowhere like the misfire i was having, and when i drive I can't feel a lack of power.

I installed a K&N cold air intake system on it, not much difference but I get discounts on the K&N products so I'm not worried about it. I just want the better MPG.

If you didn't read it idc, i just wanted to vent out my past few months. I just ask can you please answer some of the questions, and if your looking to sell some pieces I'll always have my eye for parts.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Congrats man! I can't help in with your questions but I can offer you this:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/wiring ... m-z32.html

Maybe it will help, maybe it won't. Good luck though man.

[300zjames1013]

Congrats man! I can't help in with your questions but I can offer you this:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/wiring ... m-z32.html

Maybe it will help, maybe it won't. Good luck though man.

i fixed my radio =P, Tightened ground wire and then unplugged the back of the head unit, blew it out then plugged it back in, works like a charm. =P

Today I also removed that hideous turbo sticker under the 300zx.

[H1tman]

Have you joined any FB groups? TONS of help there from local Z guys and a bunch of parts too

[300zjames1013]

Have you joined any FB groups? TONS of help there from local Z guys and a bunch of parts too

No I have not, I think I might sell my Z and keep saving for the TT. I can stack money pretty easily considering I live with my dad and pretty much use my money to buy what I like, I can sell my car for like 1500 or so(hoping for 2k..) lol. Dominoes doesn't pay well.