Newbie - 60K -120k Maintenance questions

[khanair33]

Hello Everyone,

First time joining a forum of any kind. I have a few questions/concerns regarding the timing belt since I think I should change it soon. Before I begin, here's a little background on my Z: 1995 NA that I purchased on 09/2015 with 14,500 miles and fully stock except for an aftermarket exhaust and intake. As of 04/01/2018 it has about 34,900 miles on it and the only thing I've done is regular oil changes every 3000-5000 miles using synthetic mobile 1 oil and mobile 1 extended performance oil filter. Reasoning for committing to a 60k or 120k maintenance is because I am worried about the age of the timing belt since it still has the original one it.

Questions:

1. I was planning to buy the OEM parts from either z1motorsports, concept z performance or courtesyparts.com. Can anyone recommend one over the other?

2. Regarding the timing belt- If I purchase an OEM belt, do I have to worry about the integrity of a belt. I mean I know I would be getting new parts from the vendors listed above but my concern is that the OEM belts have been sitting in inventory for an extended period of time would that affect the strength/integrity of the belt. Is that a valid concern? Should I opt for the alternative "Gates racing Kevlar timing belt" offered on Z1mtrsports or Czp since its stronger with newer design and tech?

3. 60K VS 120K - From what I've read on this forum the main difference between 60k and 120k kit is the idler pulleys.

Quoted from a different post timing-belt-change-difficulty-t484012.html on Idler Pulleys - " That is, the pulleys that the timing belt wraps around They are expensive, but it's something you do once and your done (unless your car is still going at 240k.) The extra money for the pulleys is definitely CHEAP insurance to prevent engine failure. If a pulley fails, your timing could go off, and most likely your engine would be toast."

Based on the info above, I prefer to do 120K for peace of mind and thoroughness. Is this good enough reason to do 120k now ? or should I purchase 60k and do 120k after another 60k miles?

4. I think I will have the work/labor done locally. I have been quoted $1800 for 60k along with tune up by one shop - this includes parts and labor. Is this a competitive price for the bay area (California)? My preferred plan, however, is to buy the parts myself and then have the labor done by the shop. I'm worried that if I buy parts through the shop, they'll up charge me. Let me know what you guys would do or prefer to do in this case.

Another concern I have is that I've read of bad mechanics out there as well - look up Dr. Z tuning Los Angels, Ca. Would it be OK to ask the mechanic to give me the parts he's replacing when doing the 120k ? Is that an offensive thing to ask because it possibly implies that I don't trust the mechanic to use all the parts i purchased ? I know I'm being super paranoid here but I just don't want to be a victim of work not being done or parts being taken away and generic parts being placed instead.

5. Lastly, one Z specialist of heard about is "Exact Motorsports" owned by John in Miliptas, California. Yelp reviews look pretty good but has anyone here heard of him or had work done by him?
Also if anyone can recommend a good Z mechanic in the bay area, please let me know as well.

Sorry for the long post guys but please let me know what you guys think. Also I want to apologize in advance if the questions/concerns in this post are elementary and/or paranoid. I'm new to the whole mechanical part of cars so forgive me for being naive in my questions, thoughts and concerns. Thank You for reading this post and helping in any way possible.

[Ace2cool]

Hello Everyone,

First time joining a forum of any kind. I have a few questions/concerns regarding the timing belt since I think I should change it soon. Before I begin, here's a little background on my Z: 1995 NA that I purchased on 09/2015 with 14,500 miles and fully stock except for an aftermarket exhaust and intake. As of 04/01/2018 it has about 34,900 miles on it and the only thing I've done is regular oil changes every 3000-5000 miles using synthetic mobile 1 oil and mobile 1 extended performance oil filter. Reasoning for committing to a 60k or 120k maintenance is because I am worried about the age of the timing belt since it still has the original one it.

Questions:

1. I was planning to buy the OEM parts from either z1motorsports, concept z performance or courtesyparts.com. Can anyone recommend one over the other?

Wherever you can get the best deal, really. They're all OEM parts and the only recommendation I have is to go with the RameyZ upgraded idler studs.

2. Regarding the timing belt- If I purchase an OEM belt, do I have to worry about the integrity of a belt. I mean I know I would be getting new parts from the vendors listed above but my concern is that the OEM belts have been sitting in inventory for an extended period of time would that affect the strength/integrity of the belt. Is that a valid concern? Should I opt for the alternative "Gates racing Kevlar timing belt" offered on Z1mtrsports or Czp since its stronger with newer design and tech?

OEM is the way to go. 600+ hp builds use the OEM belt. Yours will be fine with it. Z1 sells enough that there is a fresh rotation of stock.

3. 60K VS 120K - From what I've read on this forum the main difference between 60k and 120k kit is the idler pulleys.

Quoted from a different post timing-belt-change-difficulty-t484012.html on Idler Pulleys - " That is, the pulleys that the timing belt wraps around They are expensive, but it's something you do once and your done (unless your car is still going at 240k.) The extra money for the pulleys is definitely CHEAP insurance to prevent engine failure. If a pulley fails, your timing could go off, and most likely your engine would be toast."

Based on the info above, I prefer to do 120K for peace of mind and thoroughness. Is this good enough reason to do 120k now ? or should I purchase 60k and do 120k after another 60k miles?

Honestly the pulleys aren't that much more in the grand scheme of things. I agree with the statement that it's cheap insurance. I only reused mine because they only had 3k miles on them.

4. I think I will have the work/labor done locally. I have been quoted $1800 for 60k along with tune up by one shop - this includes parts and labor. Is this a competitive price for the bay area (California)? My preferred plan, however, is to buy the parts myself and then have the labor done by the shop. I'm worried that if I buy parts through the shop, they'll up charge me. Let me know what you guys would do or prefer to do in this case.

That's not an obscene amount, given how much work actually goes into it. See if the shop would be willing to delete the under plenum coolant lines as well, for ease of maintenance in the future. It's not impossible to do with basic hand tools in a driveway though.

Another concern I have is that I've read of bad mechanics out there as well - look up Dr. Z tuning Los Angels, Ca. Would it be OK to ask the mechanic to give me the parts he's replacing when doing the 120k ? Is that an offensive thing to ask because it possibly implies that I don't trust the mechanic to use all the parts i purchased ? I know I'm being super paranoid here but I just don't want to be a victim of work not being done or parts being taken away and generic parts being placed instead.

Not paranoid at all. Z32 is a finicky car. Gotta really have experience with them to work on them well. Not all shops are gonna be able to do everything to a "T".

5. Lastly, one Z specialist of heard about is "Exact Motorsports" owned by John in Miliptas, California. Yelp reviews look pretty good but has anyone here heard of him or had work done by him?
Also if anyone can recommend a good Z mechanic in the bay area, please let me know as well.

Z Car garage in San Jose. You won't be disappointed. They do fantastic work out there.

Sorry for the long post guys but please let me know what you guys think. Also I want to apologize in advance if the questions/concerns in this post are elementary and/or paranoid. I'm new to the whole mechanical part of cars so forgive me for being naive in my questions, thoughts and concerns. Thank You for reading this post and helping in any way possible.

[itsa300zx]

May I add Specialty Z in Chatsworth CA, highly recommended too.

[itsa300zx]

Also a little info/reading on the RameyZ idler studs:

http://twinturbo.net/net/viewmsg.aspx?f ... id=2622062

in addition, he no longer makes the AFAIK.

[brian300zx]

I just did my timing belt myself and let me tell you it’s not a job for just anyone. Takes lots of time and patience. But, if you’re willing to do it yourself it’s not as hard as it seems. I went with the Gates Oem belt and luckily the previous owner changed all the idler pulleys. I have also heard about specialty Z in Chatsworth and all my Z friends go there. As for asking for things, you’re paying for a service asking for all the old parts offensive or not is your right. If it was me I’d probably even ask if they could take videos. The 120k service also includes the water pump, thermostat, as well as the cam seals.

[DCaff300ZX]

As for asking for things, you’re paying for a service asking for all the old parts offensive or not is your right. .

When I had my work done, my guy automatically kept EVERYTHING without me even asking and it all came back with me for reference, or parts.

[khanair33]

May I add Specialty Z in Chatsworth CA, highly recommended too.

Sweet! Thanks for the recommendation!

[khanair33]

Also a little info/reading on the RameyZ idler studs:

http://twinturbo.net/net/viewmsg.aspx?f ... id=2622062

in addition, he no longer makes the AFAIK.

Appreciate the suggestion and link info for RameyZ Idler studs. Ill def look into getting these with my kit. Thank You!

[khanair33]

Hello Everyone,

First time joining a forum of any kind. I have a few questions/concerns regarding the timing belt since I think I should change it soon. Before I begin, here's a little background on my Z: 1995 NA that I purchased on 09/2015 with 14,500 miles and fully stock except for an aftermarket exhaust and intake. As of 04/01/2018 it has about 34,900 miles on it and the only thing I've done is regular oil changes every 3000-5000 miles using synthetic mobile 1 oil and mobile 1 extended performance oil filter. Reasoning for committing to a 60k or 120k maintenance is because I am worried about the age of the timing belt since it still has the original one it.

Questions:

1. I was planning to buy the OEM parts from either z1motorsports, concept z performance or courtesyparts.com. Can anyone recommend one over the other?

Wherever you can get the best deal, really. They're all OEM parts and the only recommendation I have is to go with the RameyZ upgraded idler studs.

2. Regarding the timing belt- If I purchase an OEM belt, do I have to worry about the integrity of a belt. I mean I know I would be getting new parts from the vendors listed above but my concern is that the OEM belts have been sitting in inventory for an extended period of time would that affect the strength/integrity of the belt. Is that a valid concern? Should I opt for the alternative "Gates racing Kevlar timing belt" offered on Z1mtrsports or Czp since its stronger with newer design and tech?

OEM is the way to go. 600+ hp builds use the OEM belt. Yours will be fine with it. Z1 sells enough that there is a fresh rotation of stock.

3. 60K VS 120K - From what I've read on this forum the main difference between 60k and 120k kit is the idler pulleys.

Quoted from a different post timing-belt-change-difficulty-t484012.html on Idler Pulleys - " That is, the pulleys that the timing belt wraps around They are expensive, but it's something you do once and your done (unless your car is still going at 240k.) The extra money for the pulleys is definitely CHEAP insurance to prevent engine failure. If a pulley fails, your timing could go off, and most likely your engine would be toast."

Based on the info above, I prefer to do 120K for peace of mind and thoroughness. Is this good enough reason to do 120k now ? or should I purchase 60k and do 120k after another 60k miles?

Honestly the pulleys aren't that much more in the grand scheme of things. I agree with the statement that it's cheap insurance. I only reused mine because they only had 3k miles on them.

4. I think I will have the work/labor done locally. I have been quoted $1800 for 60k along with tune up by one shop - this includes parts and labor. Is this a competitive price for the bay area (California)? My preferred plan, however, is to buy the parts myself and then have the labor done by the shop. I'm worried that if I buy parts through the shop, they'll up charge me. Let me know what you guys would do or prefer to do in this case.

That's not an obscene amount, given how much work actually goes into it. See if the shop would be willing to delete the under plenum coolant lines as well, for ease of maintenance in the future. It's not impossible to do with basic hand tools in a driveway though.

Another concern I have is that I've read of bad mechanics out there as well - look up Dr. Z tuning Los Angels, Ca. Would it be OK to ask the mechanic to give me the parts he's replacing when doing the 120k ? Is that an offensive thing to ask because it possibly implies that I don't trust the mechanic to use all the parts i purchased ? I know I'm being super paranoid here but I just don't want to be a victim of work not being done or parts being taken away and generic parts being placed instead.

Not paranoid at all. Z32 is a finicky car. Gotta really have experience with them to work on them well. Not all shops are gonna be able to do everything to a "T".

5. Lastly, one Z specialist of heard about is "Exact Motorsports" owned by John in Miliptas, California. Yelp reviews look pretty good but has anyone here heard of him or had work done by him?
Also if anyone can recommend a good Z mechanic in the bay area, please let me know as well.

Z Car garage in San Jose. You won't be disappointed. They do fantastic work out there.

Sorry for the long post guys but please let me know what you guys think. Also I want to apologize in advance if the questions/concerns in this post are elementary and/or paranoid. I'm new to the whole mechanical part of cars so forgive me for being naive in my questions, thoughts and concerns. Thank You for reading this post and helping in any way possible.

Ace2cool, Thank you for answering my questions! Appreciate your input and suggestions. I'm definitely leaning towards going with the 120k kit along with RameyZ Idler Studs. Ill report back with what I get and how things turn out.

[khanair33]

I just did my timing belt myself and let me tell you it’s not a job for just anyone. Takes lots of time and patience. But, if you’re willing to do it yourself it’s not as hard as it seems. I went with the Gates Oem belt and luckily the previous owner changed all the idler pulleys. I have also heard about specialty Z in Chatsworth and all my Z friends go there. As for asking for things, you’re paying for a service asking for all the old parts offensive or not is your right. If it was me I’d probably even ask if they could take videos. The 120k service also includes the water pump, thermostat, as well as the cam seals.

Thanks for reading my post and sharing your experience in doing the Timing belt. And I agree, definitely not for everyone to try on their own, especially me loll. I'm new to the mechanical side of things with the Z so it would definitely be too overwhelming of a task.

You make a good point about the consumers' right. I'll definitely ask for old parts back to have as record and reference.

Thank You!

[khanair33]

As for asking for things, you’re paying for a service asking for all the old parts offensive or not is your right. .

When I had my work done, my guy automatically kept EVERYTHING without me even asking and it all came back with me for reference, or parts.

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. I definitely feel more comfortable asking for my old parts back now. Thanks guys!