Variable Cam Timing

[BobOB]

I'm narrowing down the year 300ZX I'm looking for. Specifically years 2004-2006. In reading up on these years, I've noted that in 2006 Nissan eliminated VCT. Is this a good thing, bad, or doesn't matter? Can anyone explain what this is?

[Ace2cool]

I'm sure you meant 1994-1996. The reason they dropped VTC in 96 was for emissions purposes. 96 was when the OBDII requirement went into effect, and the only way they could get it to pass federal emissions was to drop VTC. At least, that's what the rumors are. There was a 20 hp drop in 96, so take that into consideration. I've heard people say that they've driven both and couldn't feel a difference, though.

[BobOB]

My mistake, 1994-1996.

My wife has a couple of questions that you might be able to answer. She has found a car out of state that looks pretty good and we have talked to the previous owner. We are planning on driving the 750 miles to view the car and have a Nissan service technician perform a used car inspection and also will be taking it to a reputable body shop for inspection.

Here is what she is looking at: 1996, N/A, 92,000 miles, 5 speed, timing belt/work completed 68,000 miles in 2010, new tires, new front brakes, no major modifications except the addition of a MagnaFlow muffler. Last tune up at 90,000 miles. The car has been garaged and covered. Per the previous owner, the rubber gaskets and trim are faded a little bit, but not cracked. Dash cover, rear cover, all original parts and no accidents. Clean car fax report and per the previous owner that traded it in, the car was a weekend vehicle and not driven hard. From the pictures, the red paint looks good. It appears that the service records are intact going back to 2009, and we have talked to the dealership that did the work.

My wife wasn't looking for a stick or a turbo. This is going to be a "go for a Sunday drive" car. She is ok with the stick. Before we drive all the way down to look at the car, here are some questions she is hoping to get feedback from the forum members for her to consider before committing to the purchase:

1. MagnaFlow muffler: If its too loud, is it an issue to have it replaced with an OEM part? Can any muffler shop do the work? Is this going to be an issue having a modified muffler?

2. Did this model have wind deflectors in the T-Top well? This vehicle and a 94 we looked at didn't have them, but a Z mechanic that owns one stated they should have wind deflectors. True/False

3. Are there any considerations we need to think about prior to committing to this vehicle?

Basically, she wants to know is going with a clean 96 better than waiting for a clean 94-95? She has no intention of racing or modifying the ZX. This is a third vehicle, and will fulfill her desire to own a Z once more. She had an 85 and 86 Z years ago and has been driving me crazy trying to find a clean one. Both her Z's had close to 300,000 miles on them. The first one was destroyed in an accident, and the second was destroyed by a careless mechanic who fried the entire electrical system.

Thanks for any feedback you may provide.

I'm sure you meant 1994-1996. The reason they dropped VTC in 96 was for emissions purposes. 96 was when the OBDII requirement went into effect, and the only way they could get it to pass federal emissions was to drop VTC. At least, that's what the rumors are. There was a 20 hp drop in 96, so take that into consideration. I've heard people say that they've driven both and couldn't feel a difference, though.

[NolimitZ32]

1. most like the sound, the volume will depend on whether it is a cat back with factory cats, a full header back exhaust with straight pipes, resonated or not, etc. If you end up getting it and want to get rid of the maganflow setup I have a factory cat-back sitting in my shed that I would trade you straight up (shipping would be a B though).
2. AFAIK all models had the wind deflectors
3. There are lots of thisngs to consider being that its a 19 year old vehicle. The main things that Zs suffer from are numerous leaks from the PS pump, the cam seals, the main seals, the high pressure ps line, etc. Also if this is a northern car you would do well to check for rust. A suggestion which I am sure EVERY single person here will agree with is to not take it to a dealer to have it checked over, 99% of dealer techs have no clue what they are looking at when you bring them a normal everyday car, and even less are actually competent with a Z32. I suggest you find a reputable Z specialized shop in the city where the car is and take it there instead.
4. (aka my 2 cents). If you are looking for just a Sunday cruise with the ttops off car I think the 96 is exactly what you want as diagnosing any future issues gets quite a bit easier and more accessible with OBD2. the lack of VTC will make the car that bit more reliable as in there is less to break. I would definitely go for a 5 speed over an auto though, just for the sheer pleasure of rowing the gears on spirited drives.

[itsa300zx]

1. most like the sound, the volume will depend on whether it is a cat back with factory cats, a full header back exhaust with straight pipes, resonated or not, etc. If you end up getting it and want to get rid of the maganflow setup I have a factory cat-back sitting in my shed that I would trade you straight up (shipping would be a B though).
2. AFAIK all models had the wind deflectors
3. There are lots of thisngs to consider being that its a 19 year old vehicle. The main things that Zs suffer from are numerous leaks from the PS pump, the cam seals, the main seals, the high pressure ps line, etc. Also if this is a northern car you would do well to check for rust. A suggestion which I am sure EVERY single person here will agree with is to not take it to a dealer to have it checked over, 99% of dealer techs have no clue what they are looking at when you bring them a normal everyday car, and even less are actually competent with a Z32. I suggest you find a reputable Z specialized shop in the city where the car is and take it there instead.
4. (aka my 2 cents). If you are looking for just a Sunday cruise with the ttops off car I think the 96 is exactly what you want as diagnosing any future issues gets quite a bit easier and more accessible with OBD2. the lack of VTC will make the car that bit more reliable as in there is less to break. I would definitely go for a 5 speed over an auto though, just for the sheer pleasure of rowing the gears on spirited drives.

^^^ This,

From what I can remember, only 1990-93 had wind deflectors and were discontinued in 1994. Also, early 90 models(manufacture dates of 1989) did not have them.

[BobOB]

1. most like the sound, the volume will depend on whether it is a cat back with factory cats, a full header back exhaust with straight pipes, resonated or not, etc. If you end up getting it and want to get rid of the maganflow setup I have a factory cat-back sitting in my shed that I would trade you straight up (shipping would be a B though).
2. AFAIK all models had the wind deflectors
3. There are lots of thisngs to consider being that its a 19 year old vehicle. The main things that Zs suffer from are numerous leaks from the PS pump, the cam seals, the main seals, the high pressure ps line, etc. Also if this is a northern car you would do well to check for rust. A suggestion which I am sure EVERY single person here will agree with is to not take it to a dealer to have it checked over, 99% of dealer techs have no clue what they are looking at when you bring them a normal everyday car, and even less are actually competent with a Z32. I suggest you find a reputable Z specialized shop in the city where the car is and take it there instead.
4. (aka my 2 cents). If you are looking for just a Sunday cruise with the ttops off car I think the 96 is exactly what you want as diagnosing any future issues gets quite a bit easier and more accessible with OBD2. the lack of VTC will make the car that bit more reliable as in there is less to break. I would definitely go for a 5 speed over an auto though, just for the sheer pleasure of rowing the gears on spirited drives.

I appreciate your feedback and will take the notes to the mechanic when we take the car in for an inspection. Lots to think about. The problem that the previous owner had was the lack of anyone in the area familiar with the Z32. We will be going to the same dealership that has worked on this vehicle over the years, which is not the selling dealership. Their mechanic is very familiar with this car and has been with them for about 30 years. If we purchase the car, Doug Smith in University Place will be our mechanic. He is incredibly dialed. If we end up swapping out the MagnaFlow, I'll contact you. Good offer! This car is from California and has been garaged most of its life. I'm not worried about rust. I've been brow beating my wife about the cars she's looking at in the mid-west and east. I've been that route before and never again. Rust is cancer and you really can't get rid of it.

[Ace2cool]

From what I can remember, only 1990-93 had wind deflectors and were discontinued in 1994. Also, early 90 models(manufacture dates of 1989) did not have them.

This is absolutely correct. My 94 did not have them, nor did my friend's. I've never seen a 94+ with them. My 91 does, though, and I believe the 89.5's didn't even have the mounting points.

Anton (Nolimit) nailed it pretty well, but this car actually sounds like a diamond in the rough to me. It all depends on the price. And I'm kinda confused by the wording, but we are talking about an N/A, right? Maintenance records like that are rare. Very rare.

Magnaflows are generally a pretty conservative setup, though. If it's just a catback, it shouldn't be too loud. No issues with modified exhaust. It actually frees up power and loses a bit of weight (the stock system is HEAVY.)

[BobOB]

Just waiting to here from the people selling this vehicle and hoping it hasn't sold yet. It is a naturally aspirated model. The pictures we've seen a lot of pictures and it does sound nice. I'll keep the forum posted.

We were seriously considering a 94 vehicle at our Infiniti dealership but listening to the advice on this forum, that car is very over priced and we've identified about $5K worth of work needing to be done. I think the dealership paid way too much on trade-in and aren't willing to budge very much. I think a high end dealership putting a car on the lot in this shape is risking their reputation if they sell it to someone that doesn't know what they are looking at.

[DCaff300ZX]

I like your choice of a Cali car, I went the same route after studying Z cars for nearly 2 years before purchasing mine in SF. I flew down and drove back, making it possible in one day which you could consider, unless of course you make a vacation cruise trip back with it.
BTW, I went with Magnaflows in my NA and I was extremely happy with the sound (I'm 50) for not much louder than stock sound, but it was deeper and as Ace suggests frees up a few ponies in the NA although mine also had hi-flow cats and resonators so yours may be actually a tad quieter.
Bottom line is Magnaflow should not be an issue for you, and I believe that may be what Doug put in my TT as well.
As for the VVC system it should also not be an issue for your wife from what you have said, the car will run as nicely as any other just in a different way slightly and as suggested is easier to diagnose with the OBD2 system.
Too bad your wife isn't OK with a TT, there are two pretty good looking local cars that came up recently that I would look at myself. I honestly think that if she drove one she might REALLY like it in the AT form, it really isn't over the top fast unless you really mean to and in normal driving is a very fun car, and at "only" 280HP (TT w/AT is 20 HP less) is about the same as an Infiniti G35, but handles WAY better. The TT has stiffer sway bars and suspension however, possibly a negative for her even on the normal driving setting. There is a white with red interior AT Twin Turbo for a very good price and mileage that I would buy in a heartbeat if I wanted another Z (and I almost went to try and trade my Accord for it!) that at $5K, leaves a LOT of room for repairs or maintenance/restoration. I also began my Z journey with an '85 Z31 back in 2002, and as zippy as those cars are is the reason I think your wife should try an AT Twin Turbo, not to mention they hold their value a little better than the NA.

Good Luck with your purchase!

[BobOB]

Can you tell me where you saw the TT's?

[NolimitZ32]

Lets start with: Where are you located? I am sure there is someone on this forum that is nearby that could help you out.

[DCaff300ZX]

Can you tell me where you saw the TT's?

Anton, Bob's in the Seattle-Tacoma area near me.
Wow, BOTH cars have sold...they were on craigslist, not too surprising they went considering they were both good looking cars and reasonably priced compared to some.
This one has been around since that time, and isn't what she might want (5-speed) but is more like a $12.5K value Z32, and is the pearl white color like the original car we looked at.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4896720340.html
I bet you could get it for $12-12.5K, and most likely would be a good car given the low mileage and 120K service done.
There also was a new CRP TT, but had a modified motor and more so not your interest.

[BobOB]

My wife actually saw those vehicles. Very nice. We are in Gig Harbor, WA. We will be looking at the Cali car this week, and if its trashed, we have another prospect, a TT in southern CA. I'll keep you guys posted. If we don't find anything that looks good, I'll have to pick your brains some more.

[NolimitZ32]

Let us know how we can help. It seems that you plan on finding a good example of a clean Z and preserving it which very few do, which is admirable and we will do our best to help with your endeavor.