Hi guys.

I have loved these cars for many years now and am very close to buying my first one... However. I have found one for 1750 pound. Tt manual. But it's a 1989 model. I hear these have problems... mileage is 114k. Is it worth it?

Thanks

Waiting for a decent one is key.

It's so tempting to fall in love and want to buy it then and there and overlook problems.

Another bit of info if like me you've not driven rwd before owning one, this is a BIG step up from a celica and can't be driven in the same manner, I still have my celica which is very quick in the corners and sticks to the road like glue. Try and do it in the zed and you'll probably need a new pair of trousers/car, TRC is on my shopping list next!

Waiting for a decent one is key.

It's so tempting to fall in love and want to buy it then and there and overlook problems.

Another bit of info if like me you've not driven rwd before owning one, this is a BIG step up from a celica and can't be driven in the same manner, I still have my celica which is very quick in the corners and sticks to the road like glue. Try and do it in the zed and you'll probably need a new pair of trousers/car, TRC is on my shopping list next!

 

Haha true that mate. I used to drive my dad's mgf 1.8. Not very tail happy but it's there aha.

Right then. After some research I wouldn't mind going for an auto and then getting the auto/manual swap. How long does that normally take... would have the specialists in Nottingham do it

Steer clear of ANYTING with a bodykit as they often hide rust. The Veilside kit ain't a nice kit either.

Right then. After some research I wouldn't mind going for an auto and then getting the auto/manual swap. How long does that normally take... would have the specialists in Nottingham do it

 

Should be a day work but give yourself 2 days as the gearbox can play up going in the spigot and you can do the egr delet while the gearbox is out

Haha S****horpe wow. That's awesome mate. I live in woodlands in donny. Thanks for the offer by the way. To be honest. The car I looking at is in need of a respray. Think I would change it to be honest. Nice white. Don't know yet. Want to see if it's structurally sound and mechanically sound. Anything to look for?

I'm in Sheffield too just off the M1 / M18 junction so if you wanna look over a zed you can pop to mine too..

 

Cutty

Right then. After some research I wouldn't mind going for an auto and then getting the auto/manual swap. How long does that normally take... would have the specialists in Nottingham do it

 

This is fine, but be aware there are minor differences between an auto engine and manual engine which equate to ~20bhp deficit, this is due to a difference in turbos and camshafts. In reality there is supposed to be negligible difference in performance and doesn't effect the conversion, but being a newbie thought you'd like to know.

Cost and time wise, I would aim for ~£500 for the conversion parts and ~£500 for labour costs. Add more if you want the piece of mind some choice new parts might add, like a new clutch kit for example.

Time wise, 2days, but you'd probably be better just letting someone keep it for a week, better not rushed.

For what its worth, you might like the auto once you'd driven one for a while. They have their advantages and the kick down acceleration is pretty awesome especially on a 'chipped' car.

Edited January 4, 201510 yr by lonezedder

This is fine, but be aware there are minor differences between an auto engine and manual engine which equate to ~20bhp deficit, this is due to a difference in turbos and camshafts. In reality there is supposed to be negligible difference in performance and doesn't effect the conversion, but being a newbie thought you'd like to know.

Cost and time wise, I would aim for ~£500 for the conversion parts and ~£500 for labour costs. Add more if you want the piece of mind some choice new parts might add, like a new clutch kit for example.

Time wise, 2days, but you'd probably be better just letting someone keep it for a week, better not rushed.

For what its worth, you might like the auto once you'd driven one for a while. They have their advantages and the kick down acceleration is pretty awesome especially on a 'chipped' car.

 

Interested in the explanation of how the engines are different? Coming from a Skyline, the autos had less power because the gear box is in effect a torgue convertor which gobbles up some power - the engine is the same. Are the 300zx's different then?

This is fine, but be aware there are minor differences between an auto engine and manual engine which equate to ~20bhp deficit, this is due to a difference in turbos and camshafts. In reality there is supposed to be negligible difference in performance and doesn't effect the conversion, but being a newbie thought you'd like to know.

Cost and time wise, I would aim for ~£500 for the conversion parts and ~£500 for labour costs. Add more if you want the piece of mind some choice new parts might add, like a new clutch kit for example.

Time wise, 2days, but you'd probably be better just letting someone keep it for a week, better not rushed.

For what its worth, you might like the auto once you'd driven one for a while. They have their advantages and the kick down acceleration is pretty awesome especially on a 'chipped' car.

 

thanks for the info mate, learning loads already aha

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

I'm in Sheffield too just off the M1 / M18 junction so if you wanna look over a zed you can pop to mine too..

 

Cutty

 

sweet mate, thanks for that :)

Interested in the explanation of how the engines are different? Coming from a Skyline, the autos had less power because the gear box is in effect a torgue convertor which gobbles up some power - the engine is the same. Are the 300zx's different then?

 

The turbos on the auto are smaller there is a thread somewhere I'll see if I can fined it with the figs there

Interested in the explanation of how the engines are different? Coming from a Skyline, the autos had less power because the gear box is in effect a torgue convertor which gobbles up some power - the engine is the same. Are the 300zx's different then?

Here Auto Camshafts - 240 degree intake cams & 248 degree exhaust cams

Manual Camshafts - 248 degree intake cams & 248 degree exhaust cams

 

Auto Turbos - A/R = 0.54

Manual Turbos - A/R = 0.63

 

"Official" Figures for the Jap/UK spec :

 

276 for Manual

263 for Auto

 

"Official" Figures for the Jap/UK spec :

 

276 for Manual

263 for Auto

 

That'll be roughly 300bhp then!:wink:

Super, good knowledge that!

Keep it auto, get it tuned by NOZ and fit and ALC line converter , will be mega quick, and a dream to drive a lazy style car

I wouldn't worry too much about auto and manual engine differences. Mine made 283 virtually stock and there were issues lol. If your converting auto to manual your first go at home with hobby grade tools available I'd bargain for a few days graft on it. It's not complex it's just time consuming, changing the box is the straight forward part. If you don't know off the top of your head or have the information to hand it will slow you down ALOT.

Hi welcome to the Z world!

Donny! U must have snow up there:)

 

U will need to travel to get a Z! They are not on ur door step.

 

Last thing owners need is to buy a Z then have to pay loads of dosh for work to be done!

Got mine from Japan:dance:

As for auto/ manwell ?

Good luck with your search.

Art

Welcome to the club mate - you have come to the right place for 300zx advice!!

 

Richard:clover::thumbup: