New here and need help... I got questions!

[RK300zx]

Alright so here is a quick history, just bought my first ever Z and I am in love lol. 90 300zx n/a 2+2. (automatic)

Body is really decent shape with just some minor work that needs done. Interior will need work but for a 20 year old car not bad at all. Now for the questions

1) I bought the car not running and not turning over and from the previous owner also with transmission problems. Im mechanically inclined and for 700 bucks was willing to take the risk. *not much risk I know* So I got it towed home and after finding a piece of busted glass jammed in the shifter runners. I removed it, it shifted (while not started) smoothly in all gears. Got a jump and she started right up and the motor sounds like a very happy kitten. Unfortunately a very happy kitten with broken legs... In all gears including park not much is happening while running. Knocking/slight vibrations/and a bit of grinding is happening in all gears. (also when not running i was able to push the car in park and hear the knocking sound) I am very aware that I will have to drop my transmission but im wondering what might be the problem within the transmission? also if there is a good run down on dropping a transmission? This would be MUCH appreciated.
Also how much would I be looking at to have this transmission rebuilt?

2) cosmetically I am going to be doing my interior, suggestions? how difficult on these cars is pulling the dash board out? Im thinking about pulling the carpet since its in decent shape and painting it black with fabric paint *PROS vs CONS* ??

3) Heard that the R32 brakes from the skyline is a good braking improvement.

Anyways, Im new here and really would love some help. Coming at you from Canada

=Dave=

[NolimitZ32]

For a 90 the stock 91+ brakes would be somewhat of an upgrade, they are a bit bigger. If your gonna drop the trans have you considered a manual swap, I wish I could help you with your trans question but I know absolutely nothing about auto transmissions.

[evildky]

R32 brakes are the same as the stockers, if you want to improve the brakes start with good pads and rotors, next upgrade would be the 3000gt rotor upgrade, beyond that the Z33 track brake swap then you get into the 2k stoptech's and similar

[labcoatmonkey]

As for the interior, when I got my Z a year ago, the interior looked like a warzone. Once you remove the seats the carpet shouldnt be too hard to remove, just make sure u use a heat gun to melt the old glue. The seats on the other hand are a PITA, just like most things in the engine bay. As for the whole dashboard, I havent tried yet but I can imagine it would take up quite some time.
BTW, most of the time a transmission rebuild will cost more than a working used transmission thats in good shape... just my pennies

[RK300zx]

Thanks guys much obliged. *labcoatmonkey* any suggestions for finding myself a working transmission in good shape. My options are somewhat limited where I live.

[worldisgrand]

I've got an automatic in my car also, but if you have that much trouble coming from your transmission, I'd just go ahead and swap to a manual. Way funner in these cars. I plan on doing this swap myself.

[pahaf]

Alright so here is a quick history, just bought my first ever Z and I am in love lol. 90 300zx n/a 2+2. (automatic)

Body is really decent shape with just some minor work that needs done. Interior will need work but for a 20 year old car not bad at all. Now for the questions

1) I bought the car not running and not turning over and from the previous owner also with transmission problems. Im mechanically inclined and for 700 bucks was willing to take the risk. *not much risk I know* So I got it towed home and after finding a piece of busted glass jammed in the shifter runners. I removed it, it shifted (while not started) smoothly in all gears. Got a jump and she started right up and the motor sounds like a very happy kitten. Unfortunately a very happy kitten with broken legs... In all gears including park not much is happening while running. Knocking/slight vibrations/and a bit of grinding is happening in all gears. (also when not running i was able to push the car in park and hear the knocking sound) I am very aware that I will have to drop my transmission but im wondering what might be the problem within the transmission? also if there is a good run down on dropping a transmission? This would be MUCH appreciated.
Also how much would I be looking at to have this transmission rebuilt?

2) cosmetically I am going to be doing my interior, suggestions? how difficult on these cars is pulling the dash board out? Im thinking about pulling the carpet since its in decent shape and painting it black with fabric paint *PROS vs CONS* ??

3) Heard that the R32 brakes from the skyline is a good braking improvement.

Anyways, Im new here and really would love some help. Coming at you from Canada

=Dave=

1) to drop a transmission, you need to take off your exhaust, driveshaft, (after u drained oil of course), disconnect the shifter, disconnect the wire harness, take off starter, and start unbolting the transmission. i think there are 7 bolts, but i can be wrong.

2) idk. i only swapped seats. it was pretty easy

3) R32 brakes are almost the same except the rotors are a little bigger.

[RK300zx]

Thanks for all the info guys, so I have made the decision to do the auto to standard swap, but it will be a while before I get the parts all together. Now after I drop my transmission, what can I do in the mean while to prepare the car for the swap? anything to keep my fingers from itching that is productive towards a stick shift in my Z

Thanks

=Dave=

[Omez]

1&3 I dont know about, but pulling the interior is easy including the dash.

I pulled all the fabric parts (under the dash, doors etc) in a few hours and that mostly due to some parts beeing a hassle finding out how to remove.
The dash itself I havent pullet completely out, but I have loosened it enough to where Im 5 mins from ripping it whole out. Took me another hour or so, again mostly due to not knowing so assembly is going to go faster.

Im currently redoing my interior parts myself and covering it with new fabric. Not going to do the seats myself tho.
But rest of the panels, Im using about 30-45 mins each panel with removing the old and laying the new material (Im laying two layers so takes a bit more time.)

My carpets looks good so Im not going to do anything exept reglue it where the heat hits near the feet (is stopping the airflow)