Recommendations for mechanics near Washington DC/ NoVa?

[Rickjames8]

Hello!

As a former 300ZX owner, I really missed that car and finally decided to get back in to one.

So I just bought a 1990 300ZX NA. I bought it from the original owner with 150k miles on it. He replaced the timing belt on it about 5 years ago and hadn't driven it much in the past couple of years. Felt the price was pretty fair at $2800 considering the body was straight and the interior was perfect.

Unfortunately, the water pump died on my way to work the next day. I don't think the seller had any inkling. I've had water pumps go, and I've never seen warning, so I assume he didn't know. Looking at the procedure for changing it out, it looks like as long as the water pump is coming out, it's best to do the 120k service. Normally, this is the kind of thing I'd like to do myself, as I love getting to 'know' a new car. However, the weather here in DC is getting colder and I have no garage and too many other projects at the moment, so either I wait until the spring, or get some help.

That said,
1. What is the most reliable 120k kit? I've seen a few for about $500. Given the choices in that price range, which one is best?
2. Does anyone know a good mechanic in the DC area? I'm looking for someone who'll do this on the side. This is not a DD, so I can be without it for a while. In fact, I'm away until the holidays, so I could wait a month or two while it was done in spare time if it kept costs down.

Thanks!

[NolimitZ32]

1. Welcome to NICO, glad to have ya.
2. Unless you are building for rediculous power and ludicrous speed, your best choice (bang for your buck & quality) with these cars will always be OEM on things like, belts, gaskets, water pumps, alternators, etc.
3. I don't think we have anyone in the DC area in the Z32 forums although I could be mistaken. You may try asking the question in one of the regional forums. GL.

[z.Leinbach]

Here in the other Washington lol. The only thing a Nissan tech well former (business wasn't very good with keeping their techs happy) his only advice to me was get a Nissan genuine belt, but other then that they have good kits on stuccu and amazon for half that 500$ tag

[NolimitZ32]

The water pumps in the cheap kits are known to fail prematurely (have had one drop the bearings), the ebay/chinese gaskets are trash and will leak, the belts, well they are belts and will last long enough. I'm saying this not because I heard but because I know. Don't buy cheap maintenance kits, you can't afford it. And most importantly as z.Leinbach pointed out the timing belt is key.

As a side note, I am curious as to how much experience the Nissan tech you are quoting had with the Z32 because it is a different car from most anything Nissan has sold in the US in the last 3 decades and I have actually never met a Nissan dealer tech that knew anything about the Z32.

[z.Leinbach]

I think he has had his hands on a couple back in his Nissan working days but who actually knows. I'm gonna get all genuine parts atleast on my first doing of the service. Nice chunk of change from my Nissan dealer here. 650ish for parts alone then there's tax

[Rickjames8]

Thanks for the tips.

Despite the fact that I'm a perpetual bargain hunter, this is one area I'd prefer to spend a bit more for piece of mind. I saw some of the kits you mentioned on Amazon for $130, but it's a company called Evergreen and I can't find a single person who has a good thing to say about them. However, there is a partial kit from Gates for $55. ?! Gates is a name I know and their belts seem to be well reviewed. I know I've used them for drive belts countless times. Anyone ever used them for a timing belt on a Z with good results? I also see OEM belts for $40 and water pumps for ~60. Seems it might be better to buy pieces separately?

To answer your earlier question, I do plan to keep the car stock-ish, maybe a cat-back down the road, but that's it. I intend for the car to be a fun reliable daily driver, with no plans to tune it.

-Rick

[Rickjames8]

There are so many amazing resources out there on doing this job, that I go back and forth trying to decide if I want to try it myself. The one thing I can't find in the tutorials is how long the average job lasts. I removed, rebuilt, and reinstalled a 302 in my classic Mustang ages ago and since then I've always done about 80% of my own maintenance. So I'm pretty sure this is within my skill range, but time and warmth are what I lack. If it could be done by a reasonable mechanic in a weekends' time, I may attempt it.

[NolimitZ32]

Your first timing job on this car will likely take all day mixed in with busted knuckles and a bit of cursing, make sure you follow the procedure in the FSM and count the cogs when you are done don't use the lines on the rear covers. Gates is a good brand and I have trusted them on many of my cars however seeing as how the OEM belt is tested true and I have a lot of $$$ in my engine I wont go anything less.

[z.Leinbach]

My first T belt was on a 6G72 (3000gts' ugly sister) it took me 2 days but that was s*** tools and it was interesting to fast the least but I'm hopeful for doing my 300. Anyone have luck with dayco??