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Old 06-13-2013, 07:11 PM   #1
Seven
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A slow build of a fun cheap car... v.300ZX - 9/3 Aligned and ready to street drive.

I still have my F150 (FX4 Ecoboost Supercrew 6.5 bed - huge and loaded lol), gf still has her Focus ST (which has a few mods - CAI, tune, BPV, RMM, etc).

I was planning on using the F150 to tow a race car and had struck a deal to buy a PRO44 (spec944) car that a friend co-owned one (and each co-owner had another 944 they solely owned). The other co-owner and my friend both blew the motors in their personal 944s and thus are using the car I wanted to buy from them to finish out their season. I will be buying it, but likely not until over the winter/after the season is over.

So I wanted a street car for some fun as opposed to racking up miles on a truck that is super nice, but admittedly not "sporty".

I scoured craigslist for a few weeks, looking for a mint E36 M3, or an E30 with a swap, or even would have considered a Miata... But sadly, I couldn't find anything that didn't need significant work to drive right away. Or something that didn't have working a/c, or need interior repair, etc.

Eventually I stumbled upon a 1992 300ZX... After reading a bit I found out the following...

-It's a slick top
-It was originally NA (all slick tops were)
-It had been converted to Twin turbo with a '95 motor (includes newer fuel rails, injectors, manifolds, etc)
-The '95 motor was a fresh rebuild when the swap was done and now it has 16k miles on it.
-It has ported stock size turbos (T25/28), along with an FMIC and intake - stock boost levels (10psi), with stock exhaust
-Chassis has 165k on it
-New leather seats, headliner, and visors
-JDM front bumper

It drove nicely enough, and I've always liked 300ZXTTs so we struck a deal for me to buy it...

I then found out it's kinda rare...
-Only 2500ish (of the almost 90k 300ZXs sold) slick tops were brought to the US, all were NA Manuals.
-Only 90 of those were in Oxford Gray. Making this car 1 of 90, kinda cool.
-This is the only one I know of with a TT swap (maybe more but I haven't found them... yet)

So it's a rare car, doesn't add much value, but it's cool to know I have something hardly anyone else does.

Pics and more info to come when I get back to my home desk.
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Last edited by Seven; 09-04-2013 at 02:08 AM.
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Old 06-13-2013, 08:57 PM   #2
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A couple quick pics...




So I replaced the shifter mount already (pic below) - The rubber connector wore out and came apart from the mount so the shifter would fall into the console like 1-2 inches if I didn't hold it up. You can see the rubber sitting on the side. The two small pieces of rubber on each side of the oval hole are where its supposed to connect to.
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Old 06-13-2013, 09:10 PM   #3
Seven
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The suspension is about 20+ years old now... and it rides like it. Supposedly the springs are stock but the thing sits low because the suspension is so old.
The rear brake pads are on their last legs, and the pedal feel is "iffy" at best. Some other little odds and ends need to be done too.
Keep in mind this is a street car only so big race money will not be spent.

So the current plans are as follows... Over the next 2 weeks I'd like to do the following...
-Adjust idle (sits a little too high)
-Swap in a new boost gauge (old one doesn't match the gauges at all - and its buzzy)
-Swap rotors with centric solid blanks
-Swap pads with Hawk HPS all around
-Swap in stainless lines, and flush the fluid some new stuff

About another 2 weeks after that I'd like to...
-Swap out all the suspension bushings
-Swap out all the suspension hard parts for adjustable ones (Top Speed kit, RUCAs, FUCAs, Tension rods, Traction Arms, Toe Arms)
-Swap out springs and shocks for either Koni and Eibachs or a lower end set of coilovers - Powertrix would probably be who I'd go with
-Swap out the headunit and speakers

At this point I'll drive it for a while and probably pay off other debt (un-related to cars), and then eventually get to the stuff below...

Future plans...
-Wheels/tires - 17x9s all around probably. Thinking XXR 531s in platinum finish with Bridgestone RE760s
-Tint
-Full turboback
-550 injectors
-Boost controller
-Tune at 15-18psi for 400-425whp
-Some interior dress up (shift/e-brake boots are worn, new floor mats, steering wheel is really worn, etc)
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Old 06-13-2013, 09:10 PM   #4
240vert
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Nice purchase. I've always wanted a TT.
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Old 06-13-2013, 09:16 PM   #5
jesse096
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Love 300zx's! Looks good man!

-Jesse
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Old 06-13-2013, 09:21 PM   #6
97TurboDSM
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I had a '92 300zx. Car was a piece of dog **** but I loved it for some reason. It was dirt cheap when I needed a car so I went for it. Had a dead cylinder I never fixed and it was auto but I'd buy it again in a heart beat, ha. This build looks awesome. I'm in.
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Old 06-21-2013, 12:55 PM   #7
Seven
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Looks like I'll be driving about 45 mins away to pick up stupid cheap downpipes/test pipes. They're Megan racing but they're in great shape and $130. So even tho I didn't intend to buy exhaust any time soon, The price is simply too good to pass up.
Probably will be buying some brake parts this weekend too.
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Old 06-21-2013, 08:14 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seven View Post
Looks like I'll be driving about 45 mins away to pick up stupid cheap downpipes/test pipes. They're Megan racing but they're in great shape and $130. So even tho I didn't intend to buy exhaust any time soon, The price is simply too good to pass up.
Probably will be buying some brake parts this weekend too.
I put down better numbers with my Megan DP/TP than I did with my Specialty Z set up.
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Old 06-22-2013, 07:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ericnjttz View Post
I put down better numbers with my Megan DP/TP than I did with my Specialty Z set up.
Good to know

I'll be picking them up tomorrow.

Today I picked up 6 - Yes... SIX... 350Z Track wheels (V1 six spoke RAYS). 4 Rears and 2 fronts. I'll be selling the fronts on the forums and taking off the Kumho V710s that were on them and selling them to someone who needs cheap slicks. Then cleaning them up and buying some tires for them. $650 for all of it, not bad.

Also will be picking up some low mile KYB AGXs for $175 shipped. And probably will be pairing them with Tein S-Techs, which lower a good bit but aren't crazy stiff.

Also probably going to just get my rotors cut as opposed to buying new. The fronts are ever-so-slightly cupped, rears are fine. So this way I can save some money, buy pads/lines only, and have all new brakes. Will probably order in 1-2 weeks.

Lastly, I'll be ordering the adjustable hard suspension parts and bushings in 1-2 weeks as well.
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Old 06-23-2013, 05:09 PM   #10
bluedragon436
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That is a clean looking 300 you found... and even nicer to have found one that someone had already done the TT swap into.... Seems like some very nice plans you got for it..
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Old 06-24-2013, 01:01 PM   #11
Seven
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluedragon436 View Post
That is a clean looking 300 you found... and even nicer to have found one that someone had already done the TT swap into.... Seems like some very nice plans you got for it..
Thanks sir.

Picked up the Megan downpipes and test pipes. Will be on the lookout for a nice cat-back, considering just buying resonators/mufflers and having Midas weld it up tho too.

Going to spend some time on the wheels this week as they need clean up BAD.
Will be looking into getting the rotors cut also, then buying brake parts soon.
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Old 06-24-2013, 01:25 PM   #12
nismo300zxjdm
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Very nice slicky sir! Looks very clean with that Jspec front bumper! Glad to see it's not one of those cheap knockoffs too.
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Old 06-26-2013, 06:42 PM   #13
Seven
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nismo300zxjdm View Post
Very nice slicky sir! Looks very clean with that Jspec front bumper! Glad to see it's not one of those cheap knockoffs too.
Honestly it might be a knockoff, I have no idea how to tell. Fits like OEM tho



Update - Sunday it will be going to a local Z specialist to have the suspension looked at (I don't have a lift so I'm letting him look), based on what we find, I'll decide if I want to do more than springs/shocks (ie adjustable hard parts and/or bushings).

It's going to cost about the same to get the front rotors cut as it will to buy them, so I'll buy new front rotors. Rear rotors are fine, which makes things easier.
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Last edited by Seven; 06-28-2013 at 02:05 PM.
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Old 06-27-2013, 02:14 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seven View Post
Honestly it might be a knockoff, I have no idea how to tell. Fits like OEM tho



Update - Friday it will be going to a local Z specialist to have the suspension looked at (I don't have a lift so I'm letting him look), based on what we find, I'll decide if I want to do more than springs/shocks (ie adjustable hard parts and/or bushings).

It's going to cost about the same to get the front rotors cut as it will to buy them, so I'll buy new front rotors. Rear rotors are fine, which makes things easier.

Its an OEM...the knock-off jspec uses oem turn signals.

For suspension check out Powertrix
http://www.powertrix.com/
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Old 06-27-2013, 01:33 PM   #15
Seven
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ericnjttz View Post
Its an OEM...the knock-off jspec uses oem turn signals.

For suspension check out Powertrix
http://www.powertrix.com/
Found a deal on 300zxclub for brand new KYBs and S-techs for $475 shipped. Gonna grab them, by dumb luck (paypal site had problems when I tried to pay) I didn't buy the used KYBs yet.
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Old 06-30-2013, 11:05 PM   #16
Seven
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KYBs/S-techs should be here Wed.

Got the tires dismounted from the wheels and cleaned them up. They'll look good from 5ft but aren't perfect. However after being able to sell the tires for $225, I'm not gonna complain much. I'll probably sell the front 18x8s (as I plan to use all 4 18x8.5s I have on my car) for like $175 (or $100/ea if separated) as they're not curbed but the centers are scuffed a bit. They'll be good from 10ft, and would make great light track wheels.

Car is at a local specialist having the suspension checked out to see what needs to be replaced besides the shocks/springs.
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Old 07-01-2013, 05:39 PM   #17
Seven
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So I haven't picked up the car yet but after a phone call, here's what we found that needs addressing...

Front Suspension/Steering will need...
-Bushings
-Steering rack boot (pass side) and bearing (as the boot is letting dirt in) - Will probably just do both sides
-Ball Joints
-Tension Rods
-Front Control Arms
-Shocks (and springs cuz, why not?)

Rear suspension needs...
-Rear Control Arms
-Bushings
-Shocks (springs too)

None of the stuff is "you must do it NOW! Don't drive your car until it's done!" type stuff, it's just what's worn out and needs replacement. I have the KYBs and springs on the way. So I believe the game plan will be to do all the front suspension/steering needs first, then do the rear. I might change my mind as I'll need to do the rear shocks anyway, so I might just do it all at once. We'll see.

After all that stuff, I'll put some tires on those 350Z wheels and drive the thing... a LOT.
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Last edited by Seven; 07-02-2013 at 03:35 PM.
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Old 07-02-2013, 03:36 PM   #18
Seven
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After picking up the car, the last mechanic to work on the motor left some exhaust manifold bolts untightened, so those were fixed. Suspension had some loose stuff as well.
Car already drives better now with just those items addressed.
Going to start shopping for some other parts shortly.
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Old 07-02-2013, 11:46 PM   #19
Seven
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So here's some pics of the goodies that came in the mail today...

Springs and Shocks....




And a pic of the downpipes/test pipes and one of the cleaned up wheels

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Old 07-08-2013, 08:12 PM   #20
Seven
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Front 2 18x8 rays wheels are sold. So I spent about $200 net on the wheels (wheels were 650, sold the fronts for 225, sold the slicks for 225) - Not bad.
Will be ordering brake parts and suspension parts over the next 2 weeks. Hoping to have everything installed by the end of the month of July

Also, bought a full LED kit for the interior, so the dull gauge cluster and HVAC lights should look better soon
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