My not so fast, 92 NA silver bullet project

[DrPattCakes]

Well I been lurking about long enough. I live in Washington and wanted a Z32 for a long long time. I finally found me a decent one. Few months back scored a 92 NA 2 seater car. Guy was asking $3,800 but I talked him down. The car is not perfect and certainly needs some love. First thing I did was remove the "push to start" button someone added..cause they were unable to correctly trouble shoot the starter relay. I fixed that along with some burnt bulbs and even located some T top covers that were missing. The car looks great, but I find it pretty slow. It is so comfortable I could easily spend 6 hours in it...super comfy.

Plans for now is just to make whats wrong ..right. It's winter time here and the weather prevents me from getting lots done..but spring is right around the corner. In the meantime here is some pics and a vid of towing it home. Ill try to get more updates soon.












The body is no perfect..witht he rear quarter being the worse..not sure how to fix that.





Clearly lots to do...

[DCaff300ZX]

Very nice Z32 for the price, definitely a few 23 year old issues but solid where it counts most (front end, rockers) from what I can see. LOW miles as well, best part of your deal IMO!
So you're a Washington guy, eh? That's awesome, lots of Z32 parts and a few gurus as well around here. ANY issues or jobs you can't handle, contact Doug at Fairlady Motors/UP Garage for the best Z32 service and help on the west side.
Congrats, and can't wait to see where you take her!

[abazz009]

welcome to the club. look forward to seeing what you do overall it looks clean,

[DrPattCakes]

Car is super solid...but slow. It needs more power asap

[NolimitZ32]

Welcome to Nico, very clean silver Z indeed, I'm jealous.

[DrPattCakes]

So I went and did a thing. I almost got another VG for it. I been super busy so been hard to find time but been busy exploring options and obtaining parts. I will upload some pics soon

[zzzZZZsth]

What's up man. Ali G's science and medical ethics video are legit. You seem like a Borat fan bro.

[DrPattCakes]

What's up man. Ali G's science and medical ethics video are legit. You seem like a Borat fan bro.

I had to google who that was....and never seen the movie either lol

[PerformanceSound]

Nice Z and great price too! Those are minor repairs in the pics, I wouldn't be too worried...what is your goal for the car (performance, aesthetics, etc...)?

[DCaff300ZX]

Car is super solid...but slow. It needs more power asap

LOVE that hat...my buddy has one JUST like it and it cracks me up EVERY time I see it

[DrPattCakes]

Nice Z and great price too! Those are minor repairs in the pics, I wouldn't be too worried...what is your goal for the car (performance, aesthetics, etc...)?

Hey thanks. As of now..I just wanna see it running haa haa. I have no set power goal. I am not sure what to do about the rear quarter cause I am worried most would just throw mud on it..and call it good. Being I am using a R154 transmission, I dont expect any crazy power levels. Maybe down the road I can do a 2J and a stronger trans. Overall it is gonna be a driver. Not trying to win any major races, as long as it makes me smile. I been on the part collection of course. GOing to need to get a timing belt kid and water pump..head studs and head gasket of course.


Oh and that goofy a** hat..well it covers my goofy a** hair...its out of control



Got it on the stand and got some goodies ordered.

[DrPattCakes]

GOt the mounts.

I need to order all the maintenance stuff. Going to toss in head studs and a head gasket as well. Once I figure out the cross member and or oil pan..I should be ready to pull the VG

[DrPattCakes]

Got a spare cross member to save me a lot of work on knowing where to cut.

[NolimitZ32]

Kind of makes me sad seeing all of these yota power-plants beings swapped into nice OG Z32s but then, makes me kind of jealous too. Great job man, keep it up.

[DCaff300ZX]

Kind of makes me sad seeing all of these yota power-plants beings swapped into nice OG Z32s but then, makes me kind of jealous too. Great job man, keep it up.

+1 to that, I love my TT with her original motor now upgraded to a nice level but also was really looking into a swap before that, so definitely keep it up!

[NolimitZ32]

I don't really understand why a 1J vs an RB25? Its essentially the same engine.

[DrPattCakes]

Well....other than being both a straight 6,,the RB and JZ are actually different engines . Simply put..there are more JZs and parts out there for them. So things tend to be a bit cheaper and more available. I am not shooting for crazy power right now. I am just trying to get it going and have something I can play with. So cost is always a factor for now.


I took the time to go ahead and tear into the cross member. Sadly, my winter beater is stuck in the garage taking up my inside space. It will be there for a while too , being most the parts I need are form out of the country. I was really surprised more didnt have to be cut out of the cross member. Once the winter beater gets back together ..I can get to removing the VG

[NolimitZ32]

Other than the fact that 2jzs were sold in the US and RBs weren't I'm not really sure what you mean by different engines. Both I6s, both approximately equivalent displacement, both cross-plane crank, both variable timing technology, both fairly potent in their stock form, both capable of running TT or big single. And from a wiring standpoint I think the RB is actually easier to put into a Z32 since a majority of the sensors, solenoids, and even the ECUs are to a degree interchangeable. Not trying to argue with you, I'm genuinely interested to know what I'm missing.

[DrPattCakes]

Other than the fact that 2jzs were sold in the US and RBs weren't I'm not really sure what you mean by different engines. Both I6s, both approximately equivalent displacement, both cross-plane crank, both variable timing technology, both fairly potent in their stock form, both capable of running TT or big single. And from a wiring standpoint I think the RB is actually easier to put into a Z32 since a majority of the sensors, solenoids, and even the ECUs are to a degree interchangeable. Not trying to argue with you, I'm genuinely interested to know what I'm missing.

Well....other than being both a straight 6,,the RB and JZ are actually different engines . Simply put..there are more JZs and parts out there for them. So things tend to be a bit cheaper and more available. I am not shooting for crazy power right now. I am just trying to get it going and have something I can play with. So cost is always a factor for now.

I chose it for knowing parts are more readily available and tend to be a bit cheaper. I cant say one or the other is any easier for a swap. That is subjective based upon circumstance and personal preference.
Everyone has their reasons and benefits for doing what they do. It is ok to not understand the reason for someone's choice...

[NolimitZ32]

Alrighty. lucky for you there are quite a few folks that have done exactly what you are doing so if you can get a hold of one or a couple of them you may be able to benefit from their busted knuckles so to speak.

[DrPattCakes]

Yeah I am hoping all goes well. I really wish I had the means to go 2J and CD009 but financially..it was not in the cards for now. I haven't been able to get too much done cause my winter beater is still in the garage. It is kinda a pain getting some parts and some have to be ordered from Australia or Japan. So it is a waiting game. But I did snap some pics from cutting the cross member.



I didnt have tot ake as much off as I thought but I still think I am gonna get it braced. Since the goal is just ti just gt it runnign reliably for now, I think I am gonna send the CT15 turbo in and get a billet wheel put on it. No sense in chancing that compressor wheel being mean to me later.


I did manage to get a propper key and keychain for it. We also took it for what could be it's last drive...and found the original window stick tucked away in the back of the car.





Hopefully I can get some more updates as soon as my winter beater is done. Thanks for al the advice and comments!