Newness

[z.Leinbach]

Hey all I'm new to the forum and owning a Z-car I got a 90 300zx N/A w/T-top and 136k on the ticker. Just wondering what I'm in for for maintenance and any all problems that could arise

[Rogue One]

Welcome to NICO!

Deleted duplicate thread, moved this to correct forum.

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome!
Here's some of the best reading possible, and I'd also suggest reading the build threads listed in the stickies and also look through the tech section at the issues others are facing for an idea of the range of possibilities for our 23+ year old ladies.
everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-z32-t508376.html
In general the engine electrical connections are a consistent area of concern as well as the injectors for the earlier ('94 and earlier) Z32's. Maintenance is at a premium due to age and engine heat/electrical issues, with the timing belt at most need due to having an interference motor where a timing belt failure ruins the engine. Braking is often an issue for those who push the car (TT versions), and parts costs and qualified repair services are the next issues to deal with.
There is plenty more but subject to usage and the actual condition of your car, but covered in the above reading suggestions and also by simply posting any specific questions you have.
Enjoy, and Good Luck!

[nexus08]

Welcome!

My number one question with your car would be, "When was the timing belt changed?" These cars have an interference engine, and as such, if the timing belt breaks it will destroy the engine (well the valves to be more exact).

Timing belts are scheduled to be replaced every 60,000 miles. So your car either just had it done (yeah right!) or is overdue.

Along with the timing belt, they also do a lot of preventative maintenance and replace parts that could lead to a timing belt failure such as the water pump and various pulleys and tensioners.

If the 120 k maintenance wasn't done, I'd have it done. It isn't cheap, and if you can do it yourself you can save a ton of cash, but it is worth it.

[z.Leinbach]

I haven't found a sticker sayin that her belt was done but it does seem sound and holds good tension. I'm familiar with the 60k services, as i used to own a stealth. But with our cars what all does the 120k service involve other then the Tbelt and water pump. I'm getting ready to do the gear box fluids this coming weekend. What gear oil is best. Am getting alil grind on a speedy up shift and on the down.

[diplomat 1]

Redline fluid are the best for the 300. I heard they do wonders for shifting and is worth to use in transmission and rear diff.

[z.Leinbach]

I honestly haven't heard good things about redline but I'll consider it. Did find out that it was low on fluid. Also got some records of the services on my car. But no carfax records of the major services but as the way the car performs and sounds it's been done

[DCaff300ZX]

If you have no documentation of 120K service, I'd consider the car in need and get it done ASAP due to the possible interference motor consequences.
Age is worse than mileage for the tbelt so going by the car's mileage is not a good way to gauge whether or not to do the 120K service, which is timing belt (not accessory belts), water pump, tensioners, idlers (upgrade is best here) and seals.

[z.Leinbach]

All to familiar with the interference engine. Stealth that I had tension retainer lost its self and wouldn't hold tension on the T-belt jumped teeth on the front and rear bank while cleaning the intake plenum. Pulled the t cover off today belt looked new.. Only thing I don't like about it.. Is the air is always blowing cold

[z.Leinbach]

Well. To bring this up to date. The heat is now working don't know what the guy that hiked off with it after an inspection. But by golly the guy fixed her. Haha noow my coolant is loosing it's boiling and freezing protection from being old. Which would be best for it. Just drain some out and add fresh to hold it over till I can get the service T-belt done?? Or just let it be till I can afford it. And what all needs to be done at the service interval. I'm at 136k

[nissanfreak12]

What do you mean by freezing protection? Where are you that is freezes in August?

If you mean that the coolant is boiling over, try and replace the radiator cap. You should change the coolant as soon as you can if you are not sure the last time it was changed. It not only keeps from freezing, but it also helps in corrosion protection for the engine, doesn't rust up the old iron block.

If your AC is not cooling like it should, that is a whole different system.

[z.Leinbach]

It has hardly any boiling or freezing protection and I replaced the cap yesterday, and I'm in Washington hah winter is going to come early this year. An I'm aware of the CC being a whole separate system it was giving me trouble a few weeks ago.

[nissanfreak12]

Again how do you know if you have freezing and boiling protection? Did you test it? Are you going off of color? Is something going on? If the coolant froze, you would have a cracked block. If it is boiling, you would have overheated.

If you don't have the money or the time to completely redo the system, best thing and cheapest thing is drain the fluid and refill with new antifreeze. 50/50.

[z.Leinbach]

Had it tested and it started to get alil warm crawling threw a construction zone. But no where near the hot zone just above where it normally sits. Tested at a 8for ph and 0f an -18 on protection

[nissanfreak12]

Ok, that makes sense. Thank you for posting that.

If the car gets hot at slow speeds that is usually a fan issue, weak fan clutch, bad electric fan, blocked flow, no fan shroud. Also could mean your pressure isnt holding properly, like a rad cap. Broken water pump and thermostat.

Car gets hot at high speeds usually means blocked air flow, clogged radiator, bad water pump, pressure isn't holding at proper pressures. Thermostat stuck open or closed.

This is in affect as long as the car is running in good shape. Antifreeze is a protectant from boil over and freezing. Like I stated before, drain the fluid and change the antifreeze to a 50/50 mixture. That will cost you about $25.00 depending how you do it.

[z.Leinbach]

Yea I replaced the cap with one of those ones that have the pull tab to release the pressure to check it. And the temp has stayed at its normal spot just below the middle.. Would it be safe to just basically do a fluid exchange on it and save the belt and water pump for a later date since the belts are more durable. And replace some other stuff along with it (power steering, and alternator, PS leaks alil bit) and what would be the best ATF for that system.

[nissanfreak12]

Basically yes. Just change the fluid until you get a little more money for the pump. I would also highly recommend just doing a 120k timing belt service if you do not know the last time it was done, this will be the time to change the pump and all the belts.

As for the ATF for the power steering fluid, just use is recommended in the FSM. There is a copy of one in "everything you need to know about the Z32" on the home page.

And another word of advice, don't use the pressure relief radiator cap, if that plastic breaks, you will lose pressure. Its just another potential failure point. Just a standard rad cap is sufficient.

[z.Leinbach]

Ok awesome thanks for the clarification. Which coolant would be best for it? Any additives.? And what oil is gonna be best for fuel economy and protection?? I'll using royal purple 10w40 with the rislone engine treatment to help clean her out but the fuel mileage is kinda crap atm. And can't figure out why. Have new plugs. Fuel filter and used sea foam intake cleaner to fog it

[z.Leinbach]

More good news to update!!! 60k service has been done. The nuts and bolts tell all well that and little bit if what WAS a front main leak sence cleaned up and dried up. Only bad part now we bit of a rear main leak but easy enough fix when i do the clutch sometimes next year.

[z.Leinbach]

What would be the best set up for exhaust on this car. I'm looking for a nice deep and clean sound not ricey or anything like that.

[DCaff300ZX]

I saw you mention being in Washington state...awesome, glad to see another Wa. guy!
I have had good luck in the past with having Bucky's do a custom 2 1/2" aluminized exhaust for my Z32's, using stock resonators and hi-flow cats and magnaflow mufflers. Not too much louder but a little better sound, stock-like driveability and passes emissions and at a lesser cost than pre-made stuff from the internet that usually doesn't fit well unless you spend a ton like Specialty Z and the like. I used the Federal Way store, great guy there who did the 3 passes it took for about $1K (header-back exhaust) to get it all right for sound, fit, and driveability after we worked out what was going to happen.
Other shops should also be able to do this work, takes a day or two overall but worth it to have things JUST as you want and for a reasonable cost.

[z.Leinbach]

Ahhha niice!! Hah i took my stealth when I had it to bonnie and clydes here in Pasco (crss the river from where I am in Kennewick) made the poor thing sound ricey.. I know for sure when I am ready to do the exhaust on this one out won't be done by them and I want to do from the block back, (headers and all) no emissions testing here. But Kennewick has a law against any form of modified exhaust so I'm gonna go for the super stock look but bring alil 2008 back an do turn up tips on it. Haha, what cats are you running and have you have it a true dual or do you have a x pipe?

[z.Leinbach]

Also what brand of fuel do you use, I've been using shell Vpower (their new stuff) car runs great no hesitation or bucking and it just burns out like no other?? Car has recent oil change (10w30 royal purple with their synerlec additive 9.99/qt lol discounts are great haha, new"cold air intake" pipes and new hoses will be here tomorrow, and I've cleaned the throttle bodies and intake plenum, and maf but. I've only gone 120miles on alil over half tank?? I know these cars don't get great fuel millage but that's almost as bad as a rotary hah

[DCaff300ZX]

The NA was true dual and on hi-flow Magnaflow cats, stock resonators, and larger Magnaflow mufflers and tips. Passed emissions no problem and sounded a bit better with no drone or rasp...but the engine spun a bearing and it's sat for two years now. It LOVED Royal Purple as well.
I do run Shell whenever possible in the TT now, but it's a stock exhaust except for downpipes and custom HKS catback that was totally modified to use Magnaflows and my SS tips and still mount to stock at axle.
As for mileage, yeah they aren't great although I usually could coax 20mpg out of the NA, while the TT used to be at 18 and now...shudder, it eats gas with the 850cc injectors and upgrades, and my lead foot.

[z.Leinbach]

Ok awesome. Was thinking about a pair of borlas, and I'm sitting around 16ish and that's with sone spirtited driving. Will a super clean intake plenum and throttle bodies do any good for that?

[z.Leinbach]

Can that these cars N/As being said be converted to a Twinsy engine at the time of rebuild with the TT rebuild kit? Or could it be to much work than its worth??

[z.Leinbach]

How would the Z world feel if there was a rising sun displayed on a car?? Looked down upon?? Or some street cred?? Just curious before I commit to a decision

[NolimitZ32]

1. The three main differences (internally) between the TT and NA are: oil squirters, pistons & wrist pins, exhaust valves. All of these can be installed on a original NA engine fairly easily if you have the experience and knowhow.

2. There is a member that either still has or at one time had the rising sun on his hood, I personally think it looks tacky, others may like it. Street cred is F***ING RETARDED, if that's what you are worried about then I worry about your decision to own an iconic vehicle like the Z. At the end of the day you shouldn't listen to me or anyone else, it's your car, do what makes you happy.

[z.Leinbach]

Lol I see. I was thinking of painting it on the timing cover off one of the sprocket bumps. Just to give it something a little different to look at, and as far as owning the a legend. I'm fairly aware of what this car is capable of being. I just want something that is more my own, I mean there's all that space on the T covers just needs alil something ya know?? Lol

[NolimitZ32]

Like I said, I personally may hate it, BUT it's your car so make it your own and don't listen to what anyone says, after all you're spending your hard-earned money on whatever you do to your car so the decision is all yours. I personally have had outrageous underhood color schemes on a few cars, including the burnt copper orange metallic, polished aluminum, and metallic blue on my previous Z, now days I go for simple and clean.