Hello NICO community, my name is Tony from Rhode Island.
I recently purchased a '94 2-seat 5-spd NA 300ZX. It needs certain easy things like brakes, a wheel bearing and a steering knuckle. I am an automotive technician so these things will be easily taken care of.
Anyways, I am content with my NA and have no plans to convert to Turbo.
Can someone please answer a few noobie questions for me?
1.) Which spark plugs are best for this set-up? NGK? Denso?
2.) As a new owner, what should I do to ensure my motor is running up to its stock potential?
3.) Please list in logical order which modifications I should perform to squeeze some more ponies from my motor?
I am primarily a Toyota man, but am willing to experiment with a Nissan for a while. Thanks a lot.
- Tony
- '94 300ZX- '86 MR2- '85 MR2- '95 Celica- '93 S10 Blazer- '92 S10 Blazer
My First Post: New To Nissans/300ZXs
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EnvyMyDrifts
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:59 pm
- Car: '94 300ZX 2-seat 5-Spd NA
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Welcome to Nico!we won't hold the toy thing against you I adtually had an 85 mr2, and was the best handling car i've ever driven, midengine really shanges the handling dynamic, but slow as snot!
now to your questions1, NGK seem to be the top pick, me I like denso's as they are made in japan, NGK are made here2. biggest most important thing, make sure the timing belt and related hardware gets changed at the suggested intrevals, if it goes so does the motor, other than that, a lot of people see to get their timing off, I guess when doing the belt, once it's set you're good to go3. typical order is, cone air filter, ecu chip and catback exhaust, if you want more then you can add headers, and underdrive pullies, lightweight flywheel, 1 piece aluminum driveshaft, ignition booster, ported manifolds, high flow cats, cams, high compression pistons, etc, of course by that point the turbo swap is cheaper, the basic intake exhuast and ecu is a popular stopping point you just can't expect huge gains from bolt ons, if you do everything you'll be close to the stock output of the TT motor, if your not looking for large gains the basic bolt ons should add a litte pep to your n/a
now to your questions1, NGK seem to be the top pick, me I like denso's as they are made in japan, NGK are made here2. biggest most important thing, make sure the timing belt and related hardware gets changed at the suggested intrevals, if it goes so does the motor, other than that, a lot of people see to get their timing off, I guess when doing the belt, once it's set you're good to go3. typical order is, cone air filter, ecu chip and catback exhaust, if you want more then you can add headers, and underdrive pullies, lightweight flywheel, 1 piece aluminum driveshaft, ignition booster, ported manifolds, high flow cats, cams, high compression pistons, etc, of course by that point the turbo swap is cheaper, the basic intake exhuast and ecu is a popular stopping point you just can't expect huge gains from bolt ons, if you do everything you'll be close to the stock output of the TT motor, if your not looking for large gains the basic bolt ons should add a litte pep to your n/a
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hannibal
- Posts: 9680
- Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2002 2:38 am
- Car: Red Line to Glenmont
- Location: Washington DC
Re: (evildky)
Welcome aboard Tony!
We'll make a Nissan fan in no time...
We'll make a Nissan fan in no time...
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EnvyMyDrifts
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:59 pm
- Car: '94 300ZX 2-seat 5-Spd NA
Re: (evildky)
Thank you very much for your input!
As far as the AW11 MR2 (85-89) is concerned, no car will ever take it's place for me. I've had 9 of them and they are just a phenominal car. I am sort of a self proclaimed master of those.
About the timing belt, the previous service records were not available for my car. Could I pull the timing cover and check its condition, or should I just go right ahead and change it? When I change the timing belt, are there other components I should change at the same time?
Which brand of aftermarket intake is generally considered the best? Stillen? Does K&N make an aftermarket system for the Z?
Can you please expand regarding the ECU chip? Who makes this and what is a good choice for my '94 NA. Do you guys use S-AFC or something like that? Do you get your ECUs re-tuned or re-flashed? Could considerable gains be made from more effective air/fuel maps and timing changes on a otherwise stock NA motor?
Who makes a nice exhaust for the Z? I would probably consider a custom set-up if nothing pre-made tickles my fancy.
I have heard and read that aftermarket headers are one of the most effective mods for a NA Z. Is this true? I have also heard that installing them requires the motor to be pulled. Is this true or is there a less involved way to install these?
Also, do you guys often trade parts on here? I need certain things like a taillight and a shift knob.
What are good alignment specs for a street car? As I understand it, only rear camber, rear toe, and front toe are adjustable.
Lastly, what is a logical progression for suspension/handling mods? For my MR2, you pretty much go with springs/struts, urethane bushing, wheels and tires, possibly sway bars and maybe a rear strut bar.
Sorry about all the noob questions. I am very proficient with cars in general, but it's just the Nissan specifics that I need to learn.
Thanks so much for your help,
- Tony
As far as the AW11 MR2 (85-89) is concerned, no car will ever take it's place for me. I've had 9 of them and they are just a phenominal car. I am sort of a self proclaimed master of those.
About the timing belt, the previous service records were not available for my car. Could I pull the timing cover and check its condition, or should I just go right ahead and change it? When I change the timing belt, are there other components I should change at the same time?
Which brand of aftermarket intake is generally considered the best? Stillen? Does K&N make an aftermarket system for the Z?
Can you please expand regarding the ECU chip? Who makes this and what is a good choice for my '94 NA. Do you guys use S-AFC or something like that? Do you get your ECUs re-tuned or re-flashed? Could considerable gains be made from more effective air/fuel maps and timing changes on a otherwise stock NA motor?
Who makes a nice exhaust for the Z? I would probably consider a custom set-up if nothing pre-made tickles my fancy.
I have heard and read that aftermarket headers are one of the most effective mods for a NA Z. Is this true? I have also heard that installing them requires the motor to be pulled. Is this true or is there a less involved way to install these?
Also, do you guys often trade parts on here? I need certain things like a taillight and a shift knob.
What are good alignment specs for a street car? As I understand it, only rear camber, rear toe, and front toe are adjustable.
Lastly, what is a logical progression for suspension/handling mods? For my MR2, you pretty much go with springs/struts, urethane bushing, wheels and tires, possibly sway bars and maybe a rear strut bar.
Sorry about all the noob questions. I am very proficient with cars in general, but it's just the Nissan specifics that I need to learn.
Thanks so much for your help,
- Tony
Re: (EnvyMyDrifts)
Welcome, Your thread is a good thread for people like you and me still trying to learn about this car.
I can answer a few of your question though. Timing belt should just be changed, even if it does look good that means nothing. I forget what website I was on but it said that at the regular intervals the timing belt still looks fine even if it's not, so looks alone won't cut it. Also the timing belt isn't the only thing changed if I'm not mistaken the water pump needs to be changed.
I have heard that NGK spark plugs aren't neccesarily the ones to go with. I use Denso's myself.
I can answer a few of your question though. Timing belt should just be changed, even if it does look good that means nothing. I forget what website I was on but it said that at the regular intervals the timing belt still looks fine even if it's not, so looks alone won't cut it. Also the timing belt isn't the only thing changed if I'm not mistaken the water pump needs to be changed.
I have heard that NGK spark plugs aren't neccesarily the ones to go with. I use Denso's myself.
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: (EnvyMyDrifts)
for the timing belt, once you pull the cover, you might as well replace it, and the other hardware appropriate to your milage as well, its just cheap insurance, there are interferance motors, if a stub snaps (which I have seen) or a belt breaks, the engine gets rebuilt!
as for the intake there was a whole thred on that a while ago, with the z32 it's really just the filter and adapter you'r buying, as it replaces the whole twin inlet box with a simple cone, k&n I think is the best bagn for the buck, some might flow better but at a significant price
as for ecu chips, ashpec and JWT are the big ones, there are other available as significantly less money but the reviews seem to be heavuily split, so it's a gamble, the safy can be used but the ecu chip also corrects ignition curves
exhaust, I think the hks is the most popular, I'm going full custom mandrel bent on my Z32 as it costs less
headers, I couldn't say I think freakonaleash has done them on his z32
keep an eye on the classified section, we also have sponsors and sometimes deals are worked out here in the tech section
alignment specs, I don't know the stock specs but depending on what you want to do with it, on my mr2 I maxed camber all the way around with a little toe out in the rear and toe in in the front, the Z32 is less adjustable, I just left it stock as it more of a street car for me
as for suspension, depends on what your goals are, most people keep them on the street but like them lower, so they get coil overs, the sway bars are a great mod if you enjoy spirited driving or have any intention of racing
as for the intake there was a whole thred on that a while ago, with the z32 it's really just the filter and adapter you'r buying, as it replaces the whole twin inlet box with a simple cone, k&n I think is the best bagn for the buck, some might flow better but at a significant price
as for ecu chips, ashpec and JWT are the big ones, there are other available as significantly less money but the reviews seem to be heavuily split, so it's a gamble, the safy can be used but the ecu chip also corrects ignition curves
exhaust, I think the hks is the most popular, I'm going full custom mandrel bent on my Z32 as it costs less
headers, I couldn't say I think freakonaleash has done them on his z32
keep an eye on the classified section, we also have sponsors and sometimes deals are worked out here in the tech section
alignment specs, I don't know the stock specs but depending on what you want to do with it, on my mr2 I maxed camber all the way around with a little toe out in the rear and toe in in the front, the Z32 is less adjustable, I just left it stock as it more of a street car for me
as for suspension, depends on what your goals are, most people keep them on the street but like them lower, so they get coil overs, the sway bars are a great mod if you enjoy spirited driving or have any intention of racing
Re: (evildky)
This is a thread I like cause I am in the same boat as this guy. I have a 90 N/A with 40k on it and I dont want to change engines. I want to keep the original motor in the car. But I would like to have a few more ponies out of this engine so if you could list any and every possible modification you can do that would be great, I am going to start the 2 year project. And if you could tell me who the best in each mod category that would be great.