What would you do to improve the performance/long term reliability of this car?

[tofuzee]

1991 Nissan 300zx 2+2 auto trans. n/t. .

[s13sr20chris]

that car is built TOUGH man they are great. i have seen a million with a premature death due to lack of maintanance. those things are very sensitive to failure of certain electrical components. coolant temp sensor and harnessign coil connectorswrong spark plugswrong grade of gasfuel injectors and connectorsinsufficient changing of fluidsknock sensor

its a darn good design but some aspects are demanding on that design. things likehigh underhood tempstight engine compartment

if you are handy as a mechanic(and i mean really handy) and can afford the down time you could just fix all the cars known problems now and know that you have a darn fine automobile. let me warn you that this will cost around $1000 if you do it yourself and none of the more expensive components are actually broken.

still interested? let me know i will tell you all about it.

[tofuzee]

"if you are handy as a mechanic(and i mean really handy) and can afford the down time you could just fix all the cars known problems now and know that you have a darn fine automobile. let me warn you that this will cost around $1000"

Arrggghhh things were looking good until I read that part. I'll save the $1000 if it will mean I'll have a reliable car, and I'd love to be able to do it on my own but sadly I'd probably be way in over my head. Tell ya what, I'm definitely interested so please share the knowledge but could you point me in the direction of a good book or school in or around Los Angeles I could go to so I can learn this stuff really well? I don't even know where to start. . Thanks for the reply. . -Kris

[s13sr20chris]

if you asked that in relation to a sentra i would say get the fsm and go to work. being a z32 i would say, "if you have to ask, dont". they are complicated cars. anywho, heres a list of what i would do to it if it were mine.(a/t version of list)timing beltt-belt tensionercam sealscrank sealvtc springswater pumpdrive beltsradiator hoses+clampsthermostat hoses+clampsthermostatcoolant temp sensor and harnesscheck for other broke stuff(this is all in the front of the motor)

pull plenum/lower intake(must have t-belt off for this)reseal valve coversclean egr(or remove/helps to have transmission out)replace ALL coolant hoses(check courtesy nissan)pcv valves and hosesknock sensor02 sensorsclean/inspect injecors and connectors+replace as necessaryclean/inspect coil pack connectorsnew plugs(so cheap, just do it)check combustion chambersmaybe replace valve stem seals(if required)replace all under plenum hoses(including fuel hoses)check for more broken stuff(this is all on top of motor)

run 6 or more tanks of gas(you are using premium right?) with a good fuel additive like chevron techron. run some seafoam through the intake manifold(plus you should clean it while its off)check/set ign timingcheck maf

there is prob some other stuff. thats just off the top of my head.

[DAEDALUS]

Good point about the timing belt. The car has 119k on it, when was it changed?

Both Cerritos and El Camino colleges offer good automotive repair/diagnosis classes. They're cheap and the best part is you can use the 3-4 hour lab time to work on your car using their lift and their tools, with knowledgeable instructors right there to help out. Highly recommended.

[tofuzee]

Thaks a lot you 2.. I'm going to get a quote on all that stuff Chris listed and will be at Elco first thing Monday! I had no idea their auto. program was that good. . I didn't even know they had one! THANKS!-Kris