Got Myself a Z Car

[pace2006]

Decided to go the mustache route on the next car and picked up this lovely 1986 Nissan 300zx Turbo. I bought it off a friend that had accumulated too many project cars and wanted to keep this one in the group. I'm the 4th owner, but a manila folder full of service records dating back to '87 came with the car. I'm planning on using it as a replacement daily driver so I can get started on the plans for the Camaro. I might add a few small mods to it in the future, but just trying to get used to it right now. This little car's so much fun to drive.

A few details...

1986 Nissan 300zx Turbo T5
3.0L V6 (VG30ET)
Leather 2 seater
T-tops
Heat-sensitive foglight blinds (these things crack me up)
Electronic adjustable suspension
Functional "Sleepy Eye" modification

I got it for $1200 with 155,xxx miles and a few spare parts, including a spare T3 that I'm sending off to be rebuilt and swapped in. The stock T3 is starting to show its age. Paint is also in need of a little polishing to get it back to a good shine.

Here it is after a quick wash yesterday. I'll post some better pics later.

[BallerMaro13]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

nice find pace! i'm not an import guy but a 300zx is one of the few i would make a project car (might help if i could fit in them a little better first haha)

i drove my friend's '95 zx garrett twin turbo, black on black with a t5 and ttops --- man that thing was fun :D

i know your new ride is in good hands, but what's your plan for the 3.8?

[ssms5411]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Looks pretty good for its age, but I wouldn't fit in one of those being 6'4"s unless they have alot of seat room being a 2 seater. Thats why I like Camaro's and Corvettes easy to fit in. I almost had me a 02' Camaro Z28 87,000 miles for $5000 but someone called and came to pick it up 30 min. before I called. Good luck with it. Are they FWD or rear?

[pace2006]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Thanks guys. I'm excited about driving it and getting some needed work done on the Camaro. Ironically, right now neither one of the cars has a functioning driver's side window, but I can still manually lift and drop the window on the Nissan. Both of those will be fixed soon.

i know your new ride is in good hands, but what's your plan for the 3.8?

I don't want to disclose the plans for the Camaro yet, as they're not set in stone. But most likely the 3.8 will be finding a new home for a future build. This Nissan is doubling as a car for me to learn a little more about turbos and FI. I'm looking at what all it would take to convert it to a blow-through MAF setup with a Bosch BOV and small intercooler. It currently doesn't have any form of air charge cooling and only has a pop-off valve in the intake in case of boost spikes or wastegate failure. But as I said, it's supposed to be a daily car, so I probably shouldn't mess with it too much.

Are they FWD or rear?

It's RWD. Unfortunately this one was a year too early to get the CLSD, so it has the one-tire-fire syndrome. There are a few discontinued OEM and aftermarket differential options available, but I'm not really concerned with trying to find one or spending the money on them.

[pace2006]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Just got back from a drive in this car and it's a blast! I swapped the rear brake pads on it, so no more grinding noise and no shudder. Pretty addicting to watch the boost gauge in this thing too. Lol. I'm going to be sad when it'll be down for a week or two to get the turbo rebuilt and replaced.

Oh yeah... and perfect day to take the t-tops down. :rock:

[BallerMaro13]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

haha pace you're pretty much one of the coolest chicks ever ;)

[ssms5411]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Nice how much boost does it run stock?

[Savorybacon]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Nice ride, I have an 87 NA2T swap, I absolutely love mine. Enjoy it

[pace2006]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Nice how much boost does it run stock?

It only runs 6.8psi (random, I know) and is non-intercooled. From what I've read so far, it can be turned up to a max of about 12psi before the fuel system and ECU need to be upgraded. The T3 also can't handle much more than that without becoming inefficient.

If I can get a small intercooler and reroute the intake a little, I'd look at bumping it up to about 10psi for a little more fun. Might look into doing that this summer.

Nice ride, I have an 87 NA2T swap, I absolutely love mine. Enjoy it

Thanks. Got any pics of your NA2T? I love the cleaner look of the kouki models.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

For 1200 that's a bargain. I used to ride in my friend's Z which looked exactly like that, same color too. That was the car to beat back then.

[ssms5411]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

You should , intercoolers are pretty cheap on ebay and they are pretty good, just make sure you get a bar/plate design and you'll be good to go.

[masonvonritchie]

Re: Got Myself a Z Car

Very nice! I had an 82 280zx before I got my Camaro. I'm a big fan of Z cars.