Hello everyone my name is Ryan, and I am new to the forums.
I recently bought a 1994 Nissan 300zx N/A, 5-speed. I love this car, the only problem I have with it is the short throw shifter. First off it grinds 2nd and 4th, and falls out of neutral and 3rd. If I hold the shifter up in 3rd, 2nd and 4th it doesn't fall or grind, but it grinds when I shift into 2nd and 4th. Other than that problem its a solid car, and I plan on having it for a long time and doing a paint job because the paint is fading, also getting new wheels, and doing some performance upgrades as I can. I bought the car for $3000, and am paying it off for 3 years but I plan on having it way longer than that.
Also if anyone has any suggestions for the grinding and falling, let me know!
My first Z car, I love it!
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DCaff300ZX
- Posts: 4202
- Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:18 am
- Car: .
1993 CRP TT- Modified - Location: Tacoma, Washington
Re: My first Z car, I love it!
Welcome!
The Z32 is a pretty solid car when in top maintenance condition, but suffers when there's a lack of service and also incorrect parts used.
Bad news is the short shifter most likely needs replaced unless you find something worked loose, as the "bad" ones such as Megan and other cheap knockoffs are not made correctly hence your problem- one that cannot be fixed other than junking the junk. In the Z32 world you usually pay more to get what works, and have to modify or deal with the rest.
In the future you will want to carefully research any parts you buy for both effectiveness and reliability, because the Z32 market is VERY thin and the quality vendors harder to find...and even then Buyer Beware is always a factor.
Since you shared, I will also wish you luck with your VERY risky plan to buy a $3K Z32 on long term credit, and as your only apparent transportation.
The Z32 is a pretty old car now and as such requires a LOT of expensive maintenance, and/or repairs that make it a not-so-reliable car as a daily driver. They are best as a 2nd car to spend your time and money on if and when you have it, and which WILL be a requirement, rather than trying to make that work in a daily life service plan.
Buy a Honda/economy car first, then the project car...I, same as others all learned this the hard way!
Good Luck and post up any other questions you may have along the way.
The Z32 is a pretty solid car when in top maintenance condition, but suffers when there's a lack of service and also incorrect parts used.
Bad news is the short shifter most likely needs replaced unless you find something worked loose, as the "bad" ones such as Megan and other cheap knockoffs are not made correctly hence your problem- one that cannot be fixed other than junking the junk. In the Z32 world you usually pay more to get what works, and have to modify or deal with the rest.
In the future you will want to carefully research any parts you buy for both effectiveness and reliability, because the Z32 market is VERY thin and the quality vendors harder to find...and even then Buyer Beware is always a factor.
Since you shared, I will also wish you luck with your VERY risky plan to buy a $3K Z32 on long term credit, and as your only apparent transportation.
The Z32 is a pretty old car now and as such requires a LOT of expensive maintenance, and/or repairs that make it a not-so-reliable car as a daily driver. They are best as a 2nd car to spend your time and money on if and when you have it, and which WILL be a requirement, rather than trying to make that work in a daily life service plan.
Buy a Honda/economy car first, then the project car...I, same as others all learned this the hard way!
Good Luck and post up any other questions you may have along the way.
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nissanfreak12
- Posts: 1709
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:07 pm
- Car: 92 300zx 2+2 TT
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: My first Z car, I love it!
Actually, what it sounds a lot like is this...
https://conceptzperformance.com/Cart/de ... hp?II=1877
When the rubber breaks or deteriorates, it will cause the shifter to fall. Yes, Dcaaff is right, cheap short shifters cause a grind, and random other issues. Another thing for sloppy shifting is the bushings in the shifter.
If you plan on DD'ing it, get all the maintenance up to par, we all know the way these cars are. They can get expensive. I personally have had great luck with little maintenance, but I did everythig right the first time. Don't go cheap on parts, trust me, these cars do not like cheap parts. If you do the timing, do the 120k kit. Get everything and do it all at once.
https://conceptzperformance.com/Cart/de ... hp?II=1877
When the rubber breaks or deteriorates, it will cause the shifter to fall. Yes, Dcaaff is right, cheap short shifters cause a grind, and random other issues. Another thing for sloppy shifting is the bushings in the shifter.
If you plan on DD'ing it, get all the maintenance up to par, we all know the way these cars are. They can get expensive. I personally have had great luck with little maintenance, but I did everythig right the first time. Don't go cheap on parts, trust me, these cars do not like cheap parts. If you do the timing, do the 120k kit. Get everything and do it all at once.
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Ziggy1621
- Posts: 1137
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:57 pm
- Car: '90 Z32 TT (Shibui)
'90 Z32 2+0 NA
'68 311 Roadster
2004 Rx330
2011 BMW 550i (TT) - Location: Cocoa, Florida
- Contact:
Re: My first Z car, I love it!
Welcome to Nico!! Post up some pics!!