Hi, I thought i'd start a build thread as a log of the journey with my import Z.

Afetr a horrible accident in my previous car i borrowed a budget amount for a run around, but as i was missing my previous pride and joy i was browsing piston heads to see what i could save for. As many people will understand the feeling when you click on to a site and see the car you've always dreamed of owning going for the same price you would puut done on a shitter. I was very sceptical but took the gamble. The car only had 43990 on the clock when i bought it with a few niggles. I got a history of previous mot's (some japanese so have no idea what they say lol) and was told the previous owner had it sitting for three years and decided to move so sold the car (last taxed 2011). At this point my brain was juggling do i go for it or not knowing that if it has been sitting that long theres gonna be a few teething problems. I made the jump enjoyed it for a little and decided to park it up enjoy my holiday and then slowly work on her once i recovered from the financial shock of the crash and the need for a new toy.

The engine bay is clean as a wistle and the rest can be improved lol. I got it on a set of lifts and checked out the underside. The underside has a lot of rust but also looks solid. Whilst i was underneath i buffed down the majority of the underside and undersealed what i could just to protect her a little.

As my luck usually goes when i put money into a car ... another thing breaks.

My list of work to start includes:

fixing the drivers door as it now doesn't want to open

check vibration at n/r

check rear brakes (rust has not worn off from the disc where it has the fronts)

all service and maintenance items

treat rust on skirt to prevent it spreading

then... all the fun bits, changing and repairing bits for new/improved parts and keeping on top of the maintenance.

My smart phone broke in the crash so waiting for the pennys to repair it (not in any rush as using a temp phone) so pictures will be scarce at the beginning of the thread

Ok thanks. You seem to know your models

 

Thanks Ben, I have done a ton of research into the later models and I like to think of myself as a guru with what I have found and documented. I built a 2000spec replica model Z32 which includes options from the JDM, USDM, EURO and ADM models and also the Stillen 25th anniversary model to make a one of a kind special edition Z32.

 

Now with the interior shots you have posted gives a unusual idea of what year your Z might be. So fro what i can see old seats you had were both grey tweed material which is 89-92 only. your interior panels tho look like they are the series 5 (97-98) model black tweed material and you have b pillar seat belts.

 

So its a good chance it may be a 1998 model but an early one built before October of 1998 as that's when the series 6 model was released and the new exterior and interior improvements were added.

 

If you can get a photo of your VIN number (top of the firewall in the middle behind all the wiring loom) or VIN plate located on the chassis supper rail next to the RH side headlight in the engine bay I could check the number with Nissan FAST and tell you exactly what year your Z was built.

Nope. The whole seat. Just gave it a good clean and fitted it. Practically got the whole interior for £125

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Nope. The whole seat. Just gave it a good clean and fitted it. Practically got the whole interior for £175

 

Good to see you got it at the right price when I viewed the car the guy wanted £750 for it there and then so I told him he would have it in stock for a long time at that and to be realistic. There were a few bits on that car I wanted but he was just being an arse over the prices so I walked.

I'll have to remember do that dj party favor.

you did right to walk away at that price Iangreenfield. Its not in the best vondition and for me it was a temporary fix and the old ones were horrid.

 

Just to update though I have changed both the targa weather strips since my last post.

I also have two bonnet grommets on order.

My next job however is to adjust the alternator belt tension as its squealing.

Looks like I won't be adjusting the alternator belt tension after all...... it snapped. Got a new belt on order so I can get the car back on the road. In the near future however I am hoping to do/get some one to do (not sure yet) the timing belt. Was considering upgrading whilst it's all out. Not sure where to go though, dampened underdrive pulleys etc?

What can I do? Any suggestions and links? All I have seen are from america or australia.

Adjusting alt belts until they snap due to squealing is a symptom of a leaking power steering high pressure hose....got mine to do before I'm back on the road..

Adjusting alt belts until they snap due to squealing is a symptom of a leaking power steering high pressure hose....got mine to do before I'm back on the road..

 

Snapped on the road before I could adjust it. Ordered a belt. And looking about for timing belt kits

I got a photo of tbe chassis number. Forgot you said vin. Will have to get it soon.

I fitted new bonnet grommets the other day.

 

To day my car is away having its gi.timi g belt done

Had my timing belt changed today. The guy who owns the garage said how much of a clean example it was and that if I ever want to sell it he wants to add it to his collection of imports. He has a civic, a lucida, skyli e and a supra

I'this car is starting to try my patience. A major leak developed on the power steering pump and now tbe pump is knackered.

I'vI've gotta try to source one from somewhere

The z is finally back on the road. Fitted a remanufactured powersteering pump and filled her up. The Intermittent heavy steering has now gone.

I left tbe car so long it was flat so tested out my nice bit of kit And it startex tbe car brilliantly. I strongly recommend it

its a ventura powerbank

last night I changed the front droplinks on the z.

Your doing a great job Ben, these cars are a fantastic drive and beautiful to look at but sadly if used as a daily driver you will be using your toolbox quite a bit and of buying loads of spares. Well done you !

Haha I was always led to beleive jap cars are reliable. Tben I got the z haha

Haha I was always led to beleive jap cars are reliable. Tben I got the z haha

The big problem with Zeds is that they are over engineered meaning more complex than most cars of their era and also more to wear out and need to be replaced. It sounds as though your car has been laid up off the road for a while which contributes to parts perishing or drying out and then causing leaks or just breaking as with your belt. Once these things are replaced you will get to enjoy the qualities of these superb cars which were very advanced when first introduced. They can be very trying at times but also put a great big smile on your face when going well. As l said before, your doing a great job.

Thanks. It was sitting around for atpeast three years before I bought it

I have finally become a subscribed member :tank:

Sorry fpr the long wait for an update. I have been very busy.

firstly I gave the z a good run a few weeks ago. A 110 mile round trip because we wanted a drive lol. [/url[/url.

I also have done a little bit of work too. I upgraded the front anti roll bar bushes [/url

I have also se ured some wiring in the engine bay and adjusted the alternator belt.

Last week I received my order of exhaust mounts aand bolts and am saving for a japspeed catback exhaust.

And finally I have just received this

The door mechanism failed again. This time I had to replace it. This time though te door just wouldn't open nomatter what I did. Luckily the door card was already off so after 2 1/2 hours of fighting the door and getting help from my colleges we called it a day and put a lever bar in the door and put so much pressure on the mechanism and he lock disintegrated. ....voila dor open. To repair it though I had to obviously change the mechanism and three linkages because if the damage to bar did.

 

Remember at the beginning of the thread I was having central locking problems? The electrician at work helped me find the problem. The alarm unit failed and the people thT fitted the Larm had totally disconnected the original system. The electrician wired the original system back in and disconnected the alarm unit whilst keeping the alarm units mobiliser active......confusin I know thats why I had him look at it.

 

And finally I have removed the scratched faded tints from the quarterglasses

Today I fitted a new japspeed cat back exhaust to replace my rusted broken one.

Drove all over new forest area over the weekend. Its so beautiful and a few people told me how great my car now sounds. Haha I don't need telling lol. Bit louder under load than expected but every note is perfect

Still loving the exhaust lol

 

Insurance is due soon so I spoke to my insurer elephant.co..uk and they said we're gonna up your premium to £2800 and I golfld them no your not lol. The next call I made was to adriun flux and they amazed me with they're quote. I accepted obviously because they offered it to me for £1200.

I had the clutch done last week. Feels so good to have a biting point lol

Brake fluid has been delivered today and my permit holder yesterday. So as soon as i have time both them jobs will be done ☺

A long time since i updated this. I changed the brake fluid but the master cylinder decided to fail. I had that rekitted and bled the system further until it behaved. In the process we noticed some idiot had fitted the rear callipers on the wrong sides so they were upside down.:headvswal. After that my friend adjusted the handbrake cable and tightened the new alternator belt as it started to squeeal. I changed the haeadligbt bulbs as one blew. Had a few tidy up jobs. And then i polybushed the steering rack. I finally put it up for MOT and all my hard work and money paid off. It passed.