The 300ZX came home yesterday!

"Dsscats" (dsscats) 02/04/2014 at 23:11 • Filed to: None

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I have now taken a 41 mile trip (Monday night) and won't get to drive it again until at least Friday. I took it down to my mechanic today...long story short, it needs $1300 in repairs. Well, fuck me. The timing belt is way worn and it needs some seal to fix an oil leak along with new brake pads. In a VG30, that involves pulling the engine. To be fair, I wouldn't really trust a 22 year old belt either. While i hit myself, have some pictures. Its still fucking gorgeous. The end.

Current mod list:
Wheels (PO)

Nice stereo (PO)

Removed ashtray

Explanation: The 300ZX has no cup holders. Not one. So, thats where my drinks are going for now

Removed terrible air "fresheners"

Also, looking through the receipts, the PO spent $1300 (!) on tires (Continental Extreme Contacts). So I guess I sort of am paying for new tires repair wise....I guess. Fuck.

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:15

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We want to be able to pop up and pop down. We want to. We just can't. Don't hate us.

I could never hate you.

But we don't pop.

Yes, yes you do. You pop for me, and that's all that counts.

Aw, we love you dad.

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:16

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They are HIDs as well. The JDM (Bro) 98 model lights.

Justino6969 > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:16

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She's a beaut. Bravo.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:16

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I like the 300zx and everything before it (don't really like the 350z)..how does the 300zx go?

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:18

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Wow.

I think you just broke the barrier - we can now replace JDM with Bro without any fear of rice burner haters.

I'm busting balls. It looks super clean.

Axial > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:18

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Hahahaha, timing belts! Reinforced chain, FTW. :)

I'd be a little concerned about the leak; I'd want to know why it's leaking. Is it just something that happens at the joint? Is there a crack somewhere? Is a part worn? Is something misaligned? For example, everybody says that a Gen II LT-series motor is going to be leaky. Mine isn't, so I have to wonder.

Those be some fancy tires dressing your wheels, and it's still a lovely vehicle. To the used car sites!

Dsscats > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 02/04/2014 at 23:19

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Honestly, this is an NA auto. Its hardly a Lambo, but it will do 0-60 in a way solid 7 sec or less. Its a blast to drive. The steering is light and precise, it never lacks for power in traffic and doesn't complain when you overcook a corner. Of course, I've only driven it for 41 miles, so I don't really know it, but thats what I've observed so far.

Dsscats > Justino6969 02/04/2014 at 23:19

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Thanks. I just wish I didn't need to dump this much money into it right away. The good news is the 120,000 mile service will be much cheaper and I'm basically taking care of the 60,000 right now.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:20

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wow...is the engine hard to work on? A mechanic told me that once... And do you have the twin turbo or single turbo or not turbo version?

Dsscats > Axial 02/04/2014 at 23:20

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My lovely lady belts! I need to head down to the mechanic's and talk it over, especially about the leak.

Desu-San-Desu > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:21

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Those wheels are knee-bucklingly amazing.

Also, don't feel bad. My car has 4 ashtrays and no cup holders. My bottled or canned drinks go in the little lever that slides the seat forward and back, haha.

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:22

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Thanks. It really is. The only damage is on the back left corner (a little scrape (you can sort of just barely see it on the bumper in the picture)) and the front spoiler has a little scrape in front of the right wheel. I'm pretty damn happy. And come at me, JDM HATERZZZZZZ!!!1!1!!11!!

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:22

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Gonna do a RHD swap? Haha.

Dsscats > Desu-San-Desu 02/04/2014 at 23:23

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Seriously, Nissan decided to let people smoke in their sports car but not have some coke?! WTF? And what do you drive with 4 ashtrays?

Dsscats > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 02/04/2014 at 23:25

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Mine is an NA (Non turbo), but its a 2+2, so cheaper on insurance. And the engine is basically impossible to work on in the car. Google VG30 and look at the third picture. It is just so wide that there is no room in the bay.

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:26

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Haha, you act like I have money after buying a car and doing a $1300 repair :p

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:27

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Oh brother, I know that feel.

I bought a car and then had a daughter. You think you've got it tough?

Shiftright > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:27

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One of the most beautiful, timeless and underappreciated automotive designs of all time. Congrats!

Dsscats > Shiftright 02/04/2014 at 23:29

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Thanks. I just wish I could look out my window and see it now :(. TBH I did yesterday before I went to bed just to make sure...

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:31

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Nope! I'll shut up! How old is she?

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:33

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Three months, give or take. She's just decided that she wants to sleep in two hour stints and then be awake. My wife and I are exhausted, but it's still awesome - kind of like scraping your knuckles when wrenching on your car; it hurts but it's for a good reason.

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:35

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Congratulations! I hope you might get some sleep soon. And by soon I mean in 2 years.

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:36

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Thanks. Sounds about right, too.

You got kids?

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:42

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Nope. I'd like to keep it like that for a bit, especially considering I'm not married and I just bought a 2+2 without cup holders...

Lets Just Drive > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:43

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I should have guessed. Hahaha!

Dsscats > Lets Just Drive 02/04/2014 at 23:44

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Although the red Forester in front is already a part of the family.

Desu-San-Desu > Dsscats 02/04/2014 at 23:50

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Dsscats > Desu-San-Desu 02/04/2014 at 23:50

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Ah, ze Germans wees zeir ingeeniuteety!

6cyl > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:00

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Are they really??? Those cost like $1,800/set!!

Nice car BTW!

Dsscats > 6cyl 02/05/2014 at 00:17

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! DAMN!!! Yeah, they didn't go to HID's until 1998 which was after the 300zx became Japan only, where it stayed in production until 2000. There were no other changes from 1996-2000.

Dsscats > 6cyl 02/05/2014 at 00:18

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It also has the JDM tails with clear turn signals rather than amber. Same with the front signals. I'm so glad I wasn't the one to drop the cash on it b/c they are sooooo expensive but make such an awesome difference in terms of looks. Same goes for the wheels.

IJustWantMyZBack > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:35

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Nice Z, if you ever want info on auto to manual swap or anything else Z related I accumulated a decent amount back when I had mine.

Dsscats > IJustWantMyZBack 02/05/2014 at 00:37

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Yes! What did you do for a cup holder? Also, I'm keeping it auto.

IJustWantMyZBack > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:44

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Well you can always get one of those cup holders that's hangs off of the center console but they are usually cheap and break. Honestly, I always used drinks with lids/caps or had the passenger hold them.
If you haven't searched the service manual is available to view online or download. The electronic part catalog that Nissan uses is also accessible online which I found extremely useful. With the exception of the trans plates, I didn't have any problems locating parts used or new.

Dsscats > IJustWantMyZBack 02/05/2014 at 00:45

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Yep, already found the service manual.

IJustWantMyZBack > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:48

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Reason I suggested the auto to manual swap was the autos were notorious for going out around 100k and the swap is fairly straight forward.

IJustWantMyZBack > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:50

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I will try to look on my computer tomorrow to see if I have any crucial files or links that might be beneficial to you and report back.

Manuél Ferrari > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 00:51

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Beauty : check

No cup holders : check

Needs engine out for timing belt replacement : check

Congrats! You purchased a 90s Ferrari!!

6cyl > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 01:27

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Hope I am not bursting a bubble I may have helped create but I think you might just have the regular early style headlights with HID bulbs/ballasts. I pulled up your photos in full size and they don't look like the OEM xenon '98-'00. The JDM xenon ones have an inner bezel that looks like this

. Cool either way though. It is silly to think those bezels and the OEM xenon ballasts are worth ~$1,000 premium.

Also love those clear tail lights and the turn signals. You are making my miss my z32.

samssun > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 07:12

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What kind of leak? Post the details on TwinTurbo.net and they'll give you better info, but if it's a rear main seal leak it's not a big deal if it's minimal. It can wait for a clutch change, and shouldn't need an engine pull.

Also, your car already has HID projectors (with regular bulbs), so you can buy a ballast/bulb kit (ballasts fit great under the nose panel), use a smooth building to align them, and have a nice sharp cutoff.

Moxy > Dsscats 02/05/2014 at 07:54

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VG30DE, or DETT? Either way, I'm super jealous. I looked for one of these forever and finally just gave up. To me, it's worth the money and the work. Your car is fucking sweet

Dsscats > Moxy 02/05/2014 at 09:02

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Vg30de

Dsscats > 6cyl 02/05/2014 at 09:04

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Aha, my bad

Just4GP > Dsscats 02/06/2014 at 15:36

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Congratulations. I've always loved the Z32 but never owned one. I have gone through a 280 and a couple of Z31s.

When I was in the market for a Z32, I couldn't find anything that hadn't been abused and molested.

boobytrapsandtreasure > Dsscats 02/11/2014 at 10:32

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I've always loved this car. To my eyes it is a classic. Keep it and enjoy it as long as you can. I am sorry about the $1,300 worth of repairs that need to be done. I guess that is part of the fun of this type of car.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Dsscats 02/13/2014 at 10:48

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Had one of these as my first car. Awesome choice! They actually drive very neutrally in the winter time.

IJustWantMyZBack > IJustWantMyZBack 02/24/2014 at 19:19

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Sorry had some technical issues, the only things I found included a copy of the sales brochure, product bulletin, and some links on how to convert pods and gauge cluster over to LEDs without it looking like crap. Enjoy your Z.