Some Pix

[BigTDogg (MA)]

However, I have always had the itch to take the VG30DETT engine to the X-treme (read: Z-1 motorsports 900hp monster) and if/when I get
serious I'll simply have to find a sold bodied '95 to use as a baseline to keep the garage queen company.

I'd look into SpecialtyZ.com for some real Z building expertise. Importpartspro.com is also a great resource for parts, both OEM and aftermarket.

As for the tires, that's a good choice I suppose. It's getting harder and harder to find non-race tires in OEM sizes.

The Toyo T1-R is still available in OEM sizes. My T1-S were a good tire, with softish sidewalls. They attempted to cure that in the T1-R.

[David_VG30DETT]

Thanx for the tips BD ---

[Q451990]

I have no idea how far one would go for a collector's car, but would it be worthwhile to get another set of wheels for your new tires, and leave the OEM tires untouched on the originals?

I know people go to great lengths to on the original Z cars to get the same brand of non-halogen headlamps, so it may not be that crazy of an idea.

As a side note, my dad had one of those early Z's and had wire wheels installed at the dealership before delivery. They put the factory hub caps in the trunk separated by newspaper, and they sat in various corners of a couple of garages until about 2004 when my mom put them in the back of her van for a run to the dump. She told me "I thought they were for the old Dodge van we had since they have a 'D' on them"

For fun I saved them and tossed them up on eBay, no reserve - starting bid $1. We had a blast watching the snipers bid them up to over $1,000! Apparently the spacing of the tabs that hold them into the wheel was significant on those hub caps vs. the later version. The guy had his son drive from about 4 hours away to pick them up rather than risk shipping them.

The downside is that my Mom is afraid to throw out anything much beyond spoiled fruit without asking first...

Heath

[David_VG30DETT]

I had the same thought (and still undecided) --- but if I did get new wheels + tires, they would probably be 18" instead of the OEM 16" ---- then deflate the original
tires on the '96 wheels to 1/2 pressure, dress and store them packed with moisture absorbing silica packets.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Hmm this is very tricky.

Honestly if it was me I would go to great extremes to keep things as orginal as possible. IMHO tires are something that it doesn't really matter because no matter how much you clean them they wear down and dry rot and thats that. What you could do which any body should appreciate is buy another set of mint OEM TT wheels and run your car with the non original set of TT wheels get some tires that are as close to the factory size as possible.

As for the original set of wheels and tires this sounds like a good idea:

then deflate the original
tires on the '96 wheels to 1/2 pressure, dress and store them packed with moisture absorbing silica packets.

___________________________

I think you should never consider putting anything other than factory wheels on this particular car.

[canadian booster]

frick this post just made my day thanks David

[300ZXttZMAN]

Booster, I know his Z is minty fresh!

David, If none of the wheel gurus respond to your question i'll split the topic and make your own thread.

[David_VG30DETT]

Yes,

Maybe it is time I get into the mainstream.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Done.

[David_VG30DETT]

Where did you send it ZMAN ?

I just finished reading up on dave's technical and enlightening "wheel sizes and offsets" post in the tech section.

http://www.twinturbo.net/net/viewmsg.as ... dtSearch=0

I believe that will tell me most everything (and a lot more) I need to know.

great Post dave ! Thank you for taking the time / effort to put that together in one place.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Where did you send it ZMAN ?

wheel-question-t560012.html

Here.

[David_VG30DETT]

BTW, you're going to keep her bone stock, right? I'd check the tires for dry rot, but other than that I'd keep it 100% stock. That's a collectors item right there!

Replaced the Tires (kept the originals) w/ Kumho ECSTA ASC's last week --- basically the same size and profile.

... and then took it up to the Dragon / Hwy 129 to try them out, got my first speeding ticket in over 25 years that day .

Will be thinking about some 18" alloys soon, any suggestions ?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Will be thinking about some 18" alloys soon, any suggestions ?

Plenty, what's your budget, including rubber?

[300ZXttZMAN]

+1 post a budget so we have an idea of where you need to be. Glad to see you back on the forums.

[David_VG30DETT]

2K

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I'd plan on 1100 on wheels, 900 on tires.

I think some Yokohama AVS VS-5 wheels would look amazing on your car. They're very hard to find though. IMHO, I'd look for a quality used set of wheels, with a 2K total budget, you won't find too many quality wheels available new. Maybe some Enkeis, but that's probably it

[David_VG30DETT]

Used / good condition is fine for me

[Gold Digger]

OP...that is one BEAUTIFUL Z!!! Love the color.

I've always had a soft spot for the Z32. One of the most striking cars to come out of the 90's. It's a car I will one day own when I'm old and retired and not living in Japan (cost of owning cars here is beyond ridiculous).

If you have any particular idea on what types of wheels and offsets you'd be looking for (AVS VS-5's would be hot in bronze on your car), I can keep any eye open here. I see lots of AVS wheels for sale in decent condition here in Japan. Lots of places to buy used wheels in good condition.

Shipping may be an issue, but I think I have that covered.

My GT-R had a set of white VS-5's on it when I bought it 4 years ago.
Here's a pic from 2008 with Fuji as a background.

[300ZXttZMAN]

So sexy... <3

[dangeris]

Beautiful Z!

[David_VG30DETT]

Thank you --- I'm trying my best to keep it that way.

[addicted4life]

Just beautiful

[300ZXttZMAN]

Just beautiful

[daxnizmo]

Super clean Z!

[Oh Em Zee]

Mother of god....
Please keep it original!!!

[David_VG30DETT]

Yes, I am...

Even though I had to change the tires to more current rubber compound
I cleaned/dressed/wrapped the Original Goodyear Tires (8K Miles on them)
and put them in storage.

I also found another "original" Clarion CV 919 6-CD Player to send to http://www.carstereohelp.com/nissan.htm
for total refurbishment as a back up unit. This guy does excellent work for all Z Car Stereo / Bose speaker Amp systems.


Yutaka would be proud of this one...

[300ZXttZMAN]

Yes he would be very proud.

[marty1mc]

I'm a little surprised with all of the talk of wheels and tires, there doesn't seem to be any mention of the timing belt.

David, if you haven't changed the timing belt, then you should look into doing so. That belt may have under 10k miles, but it's 16 yrs old. It is one of the most critical components and needs to be taken care of. Personally, I would do a complete 120k kit w/ Ramey studs for the idler pulleys as soon as possible.

[David_VG30DETT]

All belts were recently replaced---

[David_VG30DETT]

Could anyone list some links to companies which make fitted car Covers for the Z32 ---

I need to replace my old one which came from Nissan which is getting thin.

Dealer did a N.A. search and no one has the same type as NOS on the shelf -

This would be for indoors only so rainproof coatings aren't necessary -

What I am especially looking for is that it has a very soft inside lining and cut to include the protruding mirrors.

All I've seen so far are a very stiff multi-layer material for weather and UV protection but without that soft lining.

Thanks for your help in preserving the finish on my assembly-line stock "antique" --- just turned over 17,000 original miles -