New Z31 Owner Introduction!

[teqnick]

Hey all,


Just recently acquired this 86 Z31 N/A 5 speed with just under 160k on the odometer. So far, I love this car. It has just enough get-up for the time being, but as we all know, the speed bug always gets the better side of us. I'm truly debating on whether or not I scour the web/junkyards for the parts to convert to turbo, or if I should go big and look at a swap in the near future. I know that I probably won't be able to squeeze out more than 15-20 whp if I stay the N/A route, but part of me is okay with that. The woes of being a college student with an apartment I suppose.

Anyhow, here are my immediate plans, all to take effect after the upcoming Chicago winter

- S13 rear suspension swap
- Works XD9's, or Rays Volk te37's (bronze)
- British Racing Green paint job
- Bride Zeta's
- Kaminari full body kit.


Opinions, forewarnings, etc , are welcome. I've searched board after board for the answers/insight to my questions, but I still expect some flaming.

And of course, we all came for at least one picture.




Cheers!

[AZ-ZBum]

Z31 owners with an apartment do NOT look for S13 swaps, coilovers, or even much more than an oil change.

[evildky]

AZ ZBum has a valid point if you are in an apartment you might want to stick with simple bolt on projects that don't require special equipment, or extended down time.

[G-E]

To point out the obvious, he won't be painting in his parking spot, so maybe he's having a shop or buddy do it?

[evildky]

A turbo swap and S13 IRS swap aren't exactly parking lot projects.

[teqnick]

Yes, yes. While reading more, perhaps the s13 rear suspension swap isn't something that will be happening in the near future. I have read up and down, and changed the path to something a bit more affordable.

Also, to clarify , the housing market in Chicago isn't particularly cheap. It's safe to say that for what I pay for an apartment, could get me a house in another state.

Anyhow, on a car related note, since that's what we're here for.

I want to stick with a fun N/A car for this next year (post-grueling winter) .

Custom 2.5" exhaust back to an HKS muffler
K&N FIPK
Reground cams + new lifters
Nistune
along with the aforementioned modifications. With the s13 swap not being plausible at this moment, I will go with Tokico blues to hold me over for the time being.

One question that I have, which i have been unable to find the answer for; Is anyone still selling gutted plenums, or am I better off finding a shop on my own to work on mine?

Honestly, with this car, I'd be happy with reliable 170whp and a clean looking z31. I truly never see any z31's around in Chicago.

[G-E]

There's a number of z31's in chicago actually...

Now before you go crazy with mods, why not explain why you're so keen on them? Like the subframe swap, it's a good mod, but if you just want less camber, there's other options (for example)

[teqnick]

Indeed. I don't actually plan on lowering the car too much, or going over 16-17" wheel wise, so I doubt camber will be enough of an issue where a subframe swap will even be necessary.

I want a solid N/A car, which is why I feel the I/H/E, and cams combo will suffice. Hell, it should hold me over a year until a swap is more in the budget. Also, it never hurts for a car to breathe more, which is my reasoning for looking for the gutted plenum. I want to enjoy this car the most I can, and make the most out of my project for now. Nothing too extreme.

[Desert Rat]

Keep it off the road in the winter, else we'll be able to hear it rust from here.

[AZ-ZBum]

Yes, yes. While reading more, perhaps the s13 rear suspension swap isn't something that will be happening in the near future. I have read up and down, and changed the path to something a bit more affordable.

Also, to clarify , the housing market in Chicago isn't particularly cheap. It's safe to say that for what I pay for an apartment, could get me a house in another state.

Anyhow, on a car related note, since that's what we're here for.

I want to stick with a fun N/A car for this next year (post-grueling winter) .

Custom 2.5" exhaust back to an HKS muffler
K&N FIPK
Reground cams + new lifters
Nistune
along with the aforementioned modifications. With the s13 swap not being plausible at this moment, I will go with Tokico blues to hold me over for the time being.

One question that I have, which i have been unable to find the answer for; Is anyone still selling gutted plenums, or am I better off finding a shop on my own to work on mine?

Honestly, with this car, I'd be happy with reliable 170whp and a clean looking z31. I truly never see any z31's around in Chicago.

Chicago isn't cheap? I didn't think anyone actually wanted to live there any more... Or is that Detroit I'm thinking of?

Regardless... Find yourself a garage if you actually want to work on your car.

ASCO sells gutted plenums.

With an NA, almost any NISTUNE you do is wasted money.

[BadQ45t]

With the amount of miles on the NA I would get the car tuned up completely, new plugs, plug wires, distributor, and freshen up all the fluids. Then see where you're at. Now you can advance the timing alitlte bit, use 89 or 91 gas, put in a K&N cone or insert, and replace the cat back exhaust with something more free flowing. That will get you a few more ponies.

Then for the suspension there are still reasonable choices out there. Bilstein started to make shocks/struts for the car awhile ago, if you want to go a little lower see if you can find some Eichbachs lying around somewhere. You can also add a bigger front Addco sway bar and Cusco makes a great strut brace bar for both front and rear. My 84' is setup with Addco bars front and rear, Cusco brace, KYB shocks/struts, and K&N and nice cat back...but it is tuned to run like new. I don't know what the horse really is, but with the suspension setup the car is still very fun to drive 31 years later.