Pre-introduction

[Wiegs]

Pre-intro here, as I don't yet own this car... But I've worked out framework of the deal to be completed when the guy that currently owns it retires. 1991, 71k miles, TT, t-top, super clean. I can't wait to put it in my hands officially.

The car is basically bone-stock, and I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet. It has audio issues, so I would like to fix that (new head unit with amp and speakers without). I'm wishing it was an ODBII car, because I'd like a nice monitoring setup, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. I'm debating on autocrossing it (knowing it's probably not the ideal car for that, but would be fun nonetheless) and barring that, I would like to drop it an inch or so. I don't love the slammed/flush wheel look, but I do like to make it look like the wheel wells are a little more full, so an inch or so would be nice.

For now I'm just reading everything I possibly can on the 300zx and getting ready for the joy (and pain) of ownership!

Otherwise, I'm always up for advice and input.

Thanks!

Wiegs

[Fearspect]

Basically Bone stock, or actually bone stock?

I ask because an actual stock 300zx, especially TT, is EXTREMELY rare. Just going in there and replacing all the rubber parts (seals, hoses, etc), maybe cleaning up the paint job and interior, can result in a very reliable and very valuable car.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Looks very clean.

Hope the deal goes through for you.

to NICO!

[t.mcginley.jr]

I was also a pre-owner earlier this year lol. I was in South Africa from March to September and I had my dad pick up a '90 NA in June. So I spent most of my free time between June and September researching, researching, and researching. Oh and ordering parts!

Good luck with the deal!

[Wiegs]

I say basically bone stock because it's got a catback exhaust that isn't stock. But I think everything else is actually stock. I know he replaced the fuel injectors just recently, but I think he replaced them with OEM injectors. It's a two owner car, the current having owned it since '92, and all but 5k miles are his. He's a friend of the family and my parent's neighbor, we just have to work out a final price. I'm amazed at how clean this car is, which is really what makes me hesitant to do much at all to it (besides the aforementioned rubber replace/cleanup). When I go over to do a final test-drive/negotiation, I'll take some more pics and post them. Even the engine bay and interior are amazingly clean.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Here's a pre-welcome to Nico

[t.mcginley.jr]

How come with all that pavement that beautiful thing is parked on the grass?? haha

[300ZXttZMAN]

How come with all that pavement that beautiful thing is parked on the grass?? haha

+1^ Is there a reason its parked on the grass???

[Wiegs]

It likes the cushy feel of grass under it's tires.

But seriously, I think to get one of his two corvettes out of the garage without having to park it in the street.

[Afi]

The car is looking good. Even though the cat-back is not stock, it is still a double tip at least. How is the interior, is it as nice as the exterior, any pics?. If so, sitting at 71k, perfectly running, I wouldn't tinker with it much, keep it stock, you might have a gem. However, for a '91, shouldn't you have the nissan logo on the hood?

[Wiegs]

The interior is absolutely as nice as the exterior. The speakers have bitten the dust, and apparently the clock doesn't run, but those were the only two problems he could think of.

And I think you may be right on the Nissan emblem. Right after I posted I actually couldn't remember if it was a '90 or a '91... I wondered if anyone would see anything that would call me a liar, whoops! So correction, it's probably a '90.

Any reason I should go find the stock speakers, or get these repaired? I can't imagine going aftermarket on those would hurt the car's value, right?

I'm definitely torn. There are a couple of things I'd like to do to the car, looks and performance-wise, but with the condition it's in, and the fact that so little has been messed with, I really want to leave it "basically" stock... are there mods that wouldn't hurt the value? And in some ways, maybe I don't care about the value, as I don't know that I'll ever give this car up... Unless I see a perfect bone-stock rx-7 in my price range

[Fearspect]

You can get a shocking amount out of good wheels and tires.

Also, you can always replace the normal bolt-ons (like exhaust) and just keep the stock stuff lying around to put it back together.

At the end of the day, it is yours to do whatever makes you happy with. All I wanted to point out was that an unmolested TT is very rare.

[Afi]

The interior is absolutely as nice as the exterior. The speakers have bitten the dust, and apparently the clock doesn't run, but those were the only two problems he could think of.

And I think you may be right on the Nissan emblem. Right after I posted I actually couldn't remember if it was a '90 or a '91... I wondered if anyone would see anything that would call me a liar, whoops! So correction, it's probably a '90.

Any reason I should go find the stock speakers, or get these repaired? I can't imagine going aftermarket on those would hurt the car's value, right?

I'm definitely torn. There are a couple of things I'd like to do to the car, looks and performance-wise, but with the condition it's in, and the fact that so little has been messed with, I really want to leave it "basically" stock... are there mods that wouldn't hurt the value? And in some ways, maybe I don't care about the value, as I don't know that I'll ever give this car up... Unless I see a perfect bone-stock rx-7 in my price range

To solve this issue, what does the steering wheel look like? I was in the same situation as you when I bought my Z last year. At first, I had couple of modifications in mind until I realized that the car ( 2+2 '90 NA 53k) was pretty mint. The car is completely OEM except for the head unit (though I have the OEM unit).I'm also having trouble with the speakers, they are all shot but 2. I don't know the Z situation in your area but in mine, Z are rare and Z in top OEM shape are even rarer and sell for a pretty penny. For example, the Z your about to purchase would easily go for at least 15k in my area if it is indeed as clean as it looks.

[Wiegs]

I'll be over there in the next few days, so I'll grab a few more pictures.

But the steering wheel looks great. I honestly can't believe how nice car has been kept.

[Afi]

I'll be over there in the next few days, so I'll grab a few more pictures.

But the steering wheel looks great. I honestly can't believe how nice car has been kept.

A three spoke steering wheel indicates that it is a '90, a 4 spoke is a '91 and up.

[300ZXttZMAN]

However, for a '91, shouldn't you have the nissan logo on the hood?

Good catch dude!

And yes your right its probably a 90 model.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I'll be over there in the next few days, so I'll grab a few more pictures.

But the steering wheel looks great. I honestly can't believe how nice car has been kept.

A three spoke steering wheel indicates that it is a '90, a 4 spoke is a '91 and up.

Airbag was optional in 91, standard on 92+

Though most 91s had driver airbag

[Afi]

However, for a '91, shouldn't you have the nissan logo on the hood?

Good catch dude!

And yes your right its probably a 90 model.

Haha, being on this forum has taught me to pay attention to the little details. When I saw the pictures, the first thing I looked at was the wheels to see if they weren't backwards

[Wiegs]

Haha, being on this forum has taught me to pay attention to the little details. When I saw the pictures, the first thing I looked at was the wheels to see if they weren't backwards

I've been reading enough that I actually looked to see if the wheels were backwards *before* I posted the pictures. I didn't want the wheel police after me. Please tell me that picture of the 300zx wheel police car is a photoshop job.

I imagine the excuse "I rotated my tires" doesn't really fly, as most people have higher performance, directional tires on the 300zx anyway. I'd be irritated if the shop that mounted my tires messed that up :P

[BigTDogg (MA)]

There is a real 300ZX police car, but it's not of the wheel police force

[300ZXttZMAN]

Haha, being on this forum has taught me to pay attention to the little details. When I saw the pictures, the first thing I looked at was the wheels to see if they weren't backwards

[Wiegs]

Alright, took me a minute, but here are some interior pics....





And a couple more exterior...






I was a little mistaken as far as the "Bone Stock" condition.

Mods:
JWT Pop Charger
B&B Cat-back exhaust
Boost Jets

And that's officially it.

I test drove the car yesterday, and this thing drives like a dream. No way I let the chance to own this car pass me up!

Obviously this car is offically a 1990 TT. I know that there is a chance that the left head is machined improperly, but there is none of the tell-tale hesitation, so unless that becomes an issue, I plan not to worry about it. The installed boost jets are either .038" or .048", I can't recall which. It looks like the boost reaches about 12-12.5 psi currently. There is not a reprogrammed ECU in the car. How worried should I be about that? The 60k service has not been completed, so I'll need to do that, but otherwise don't plan on touching it, really. At least not until things start to break. Though the rear window tint is bubbled, so I either need to remove or remove/replace. I'd probably do it all at once if I was going to do any of it.

[Fearspect]

I have read that without an ECU, you run the risk of doing damage to your engine through detonation. That's an expensive/time consuming fix if it blows.

Source: http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_in ... ts_id=3082
*Update: Better Source: http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/F ... tjets.html

I do believe you can make it a little safer using better (colder) spark plugs (Iridium NGK come to mind, ~$60).

Unless you upgrade the ECU, I would avoid red-lining it. That, or remove the boost jets.

The 60k service kit runs around $500, up to $850 if you are going to take the opportunity to put some upgrades instead of straight OEM parts. Oh, and expect about 10 hours of labour charged if you aren't doing the timing belt stuff yourself. Included in the 60k service is the flushing of various fluids, so that's another cost to think about. Just to be clear, not looking to rain on your parade, it's a beautiful car you have there, just passing on some info I have learned in the first few months of ownership that I wish I had known before.

[Wiegs]

Thanks for the info, Fearspect. I had been digging around for just that information, but couldn't find a good source. Search fail. I think a removal of the boost jets is probably the safe way to go for now, and maybe I'll put them back in after an ECU upgrade (though I think it's more likely I'd just go the EBC route).

I do not expect this to be a cheap car to drive/maintain, but I always appreciate a heads up. What upgrades should be done during the 60k service? Are you talking underdrive/overdrive pulleys? Is it better to just do a 120k service now, make sure everything is done? (Admittedly, I don't know what the differences are yet, I was just about to read through the service manual and figure it out.) I plan on doing all the work myself, I'm really not willing to pay the labor on something I should be able to do myself. Plus I think it's a good way to get to know your car!

I've heard some pretty big values thrown around regarding a clean TT, but realistically, what do you guys think this car is worth? I think I'm actually getting a pretty good deal on it, but I want to make sure I'm in the ballpark, and not going nuts.

Thanks again.

[Fearspect]

Well, can't see any engine bay shots, nor the underneath to look for rust and such. Ballparking it just off what I can see and looking at kijiji ads, maybe $5k-7k.

I used this guide (or one just like it) as a reference for my maintenance: http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Maintena ... n/300ZX/15

You can find bundled kits on importpartspro, z1 and conceptzperformance (amongst others, I'm sure).

Some upgrades I did during my 60k: UR (NOT AMS!!!) underdrive crank pulley, UR Overdrive pulley, Power Enterprise Kevlar Timing Belt, Nismo Thermostat, JWT VTC Springs. You can often find these bundled in certain kits.

[Wiegs]

I really can't find much of anything wrong with this car, other than the fact that it hasn't had it's 60k service. There isn't a paint bubble or a rust spot anywhere, and the engine bay is immaculate.

[z32loverboy]

yeah they're 12-14k in my area in condition like that. If you can jump on that for a good deal and can afford the 60k maint. Do it. that's my +2.

[t.mcginley.jr]

If it's sitting on 71k miles and hasn't had the 60k service done, that should be your number 1 priority if and when you take ownership of it. It could even be the original timing belt on there?

[Wiegs]

Is that the first time the timing belt is scheduled for a change? If so, it might be the original. I basically plan on not driving it at all until I can get that done. And while I'm dirty, I figure I'll remove the boost jets... unless I am suddenly flush with cash and just want to throw an ECU upgrade in. I'm certainly better than the 12-14k numbers, so that helps my situation.

[Fearspect]

The belts (and related parts such as water pump and various seals) should be done when you are just shy of 60k miles. Removing boost jets will probably take you all of ten minutes.

Avoiding driving until you perform the 60k maintenance is a really good idea. If/when a belt snaps, really bad things will happen to your engine.

That being said, now you have the numbers for cost of the 60k maintenance. You can possibly use the information that ~$800 in parts and ~$1.2k in labour is a cost you need to take care of to talk them down off their price a bit.