Hello,

 

I'm considering getting a 2 seater Z32 manual and was wondering what increase in performance a grand (just the one to start please) could get me? I guess exhaust and mapabble chip? Not looking to do anything that would need changing if I was to go further with the tuning (so no gentle cams, then harsher cams later etc).

 

Also can anyone recommend some decent bodykits please, particularly this one (whatever it is), what is it called please? Hard to tell but I don't think it's the WW one.

 

Cheers

 

Russ

 

That pic is just the stock kit on the late models - '99 year I think.

I didn't realise they still made them that late. You right it is a late car tho (15k too :( ). Any idea if Nissan sell the kit or anyone makes a replica please?

 

Thanks v much

Chris: Does your car have a website please?

Not yet but I'll be putting one together shortly.

 

We used to have a Rides section with everyones pics in but the new server software doesn't allow it at the moment :(

 

I think the last year they were sold here was about '94 because of emissions and poor sales but they were still produced in Japan until 2000 I think.

 

You can buy the '99 spec kit from Nissan but some parts are very expensive.

Hmm I can imagine they would be, what I need is a new spec ZX who's owner is fitting a bodykit and wants to sell me his/her old body parts.

 

How much has the engine changed? I guess if I did some bits under the bonnet then I could maybe take them onto a newer ZX when I can afford one.

 

Another point I'm gonna go look at one tomorrow, just curious but is there a boot and how the hell do you get into it? Never seen a 300 in real life lol, well not stood still :D

 

Cheers

Yes there is a boot. You put the key in the boot lock turn and lif up the spoiler. :D

What a crazy idea!

Russ not wanting to sound like a party pooper but please concider Timing belt/ servicing BEFORE tuning!

 

Boring I know but that 1k will look badley spent if the engine goes pop due to some preventable failure etc, also unless you are sure the that all the settings: 4 x cams timing, plugs, filters are all in spec you may not get the full benefit of any upgrading.

 

Lecture over hope it goes all ok for you good luck.

 

Jeff

performance air filter & exhaust are the first mods, induction kits are around £100+, cat back SS exhaust from about £450+.

 

next is a remapped chip & boost upgrade - tho your also gonna need an uprated clutch at this point.

 

like jeff says tho, make sure all the essential bits are done before you start buying toys!!

 

also 99 spoilers, look here.

I totally agree with Jeff.

 

I bought my 300zx about 2 months ago. The first thing I had done was 60k service new tyres and brake upgrade.

 

The car is now clean as a whistle so I started work on making it look more pleasing to the eye (interior). Next I'll get a body kit. And only then I'll start looking at upping the BHP.

 

If you have never drove a 300zx before. You won't be upset by the performance of a stock. If you are buying a twin turbo version you'll probably need to take a change of pants with you for the test drive :D .

 

Good luck and welcome to the world of the Zed.

Thanks very much for the info guys :) That website you linked to for the bumper is pretty good too, cheers.

 

Last night I actually wasn't so keen on a 300ZX, I thought about selling my 306 and buying a 240z and Mk1 Cortina as a run around hehe, but I'm a bit more enthusiastic now, just look at that engine!

 

Like with my 306 before I did anything to it I made sure everything was hunky dorey and such and I'd like to have thought I would do the same for a ZX but I'm not too sure I would have, although I certainly would now.

 

How much would you guess a "cambelt/service/get everything ok provided theres nothing too major" kind of service would cost from my local dealer?

 

There are some very nice body kits too! I was hoping just to remove any hint that the car was looking a little dated, don't think I'll have too much trouble with that :)

 

I have spotted that everything 300ZX is mucho expensive tho lol, coming from driving hatchbacks you learn to appreciate that £80 for a strut brace is really actually cheap heh.

 

Thanks for the comment about being happy with the stock performance for a while, I hadn't thought of that, makes perfect sense and would allow me to sort the looks :)

 

Cheers all

You are best using one of the specialists recommended on this site as a Nissan dealer will charge you a fortune for the 60K service - could easily end up around £1000!

You can get a specialist to do it for about £300 I think.

 

A lot of spares etc are silly money from Nissan but you can order them online from Courtesy Nissan in the US and they arrive in a couple of days (often quicker than Nissan here!) Their prices are often 50%-75% cheaper.

There are also a few people on this forum selling second hand parts at bargain prices.

 

If you are used to driving a 306 then you are probably going to have at least twice as much power on a standard Z anyway so I'd get used to the rear wheel drive handling before you up the power!

There are lots of us on this forum who have had some very lucky escapes in the first few months of ownership.

I bet there's not one person here who hasn't needed a clean pair of undies after losing the back end on a damp road!

Yeah the rwd does worry me a little to be honest. I'm quite an enthusiastic driver and my 306 is very forgiving and thankfully not that quick. Plus wide tyres, coilovers, uprated brakes etc etc all helps keep me safe. I think I'll try to keep to trundling around in the ZX until I can get a few track days in and figure out the RWD malarky. The good thing about FWD is when it goes wrong at least your facing the right way still, hence the reason I quite fancy an FTO :)

 

One question, how good/bad are these £150 alloys from Riall, 18" for that money, sounds like the alloys Lidls was flogging a while back for £17 :D

Heres another question please, excuse my n00bness but my expertise lies only in 240/260zs (oh Pug 106/306s).

 

I've been trawling autotrader and the ilk for 2 seaters (I heard they were quicker). I cannot find any tho heh, or at least not that I know of. Can anyone briefly tell me what Z32 models were available in the UK and which are definately imports please. Turbo only...

 

Thank you :)

The Short WheelBase is an import only.

 

Imports can be SWB, 2+2, Turbo or Normally Aspirated

All available with auto or manual box apart from the SWB which is manual only as far as I know?

 

All UK cars are 2+2 Turbos.

I see thank you :)

 

Thats not such good news tho as I wanted a 2 seater turbo and therefor its an import and probably gonna be too much on insurance for me :(

 

However I have fallen in love with http://www.zcentre.co.uk/gallery/gallery4.shtml car Z41 to Z52 :D whoever owned/owns that car has the exact same tastes as me.

Not sure why you want a 2 + 0. To be completely honest with you. If you got a 2 + 2, then you still counldn;t fit anyone in the back anyway.

 

Most of us on this forum have the back seat version. I personally prefer the looks of them. Also I'm not sure who told you that the 2 seaters (2 + 0) were quicker. I don't think there is much truth in this, but hey, I could be wrong.

Hi,

 

I expect the performance margin is tiny, but say on the 260Z and 260Z 2+2 the 2 seater had better cornering and the 2+2 was more stable at speed. It's surprising what a couple hundred kilos of seats and longer body can do.

 

I would love to find pics of a 2 seater and a 2+2 to compare looks. I think the car I mentioned above (the one I loved the look of) looks shorter than other 300s and I *think* it maybe the 2 seater. Who knows.

You can tell which is which by the location of the filler flap.

On 2+2's it's behind the rear wheel, on 2+0's it's in front of the wheel under the window.

 

The one in the pic you posted is a 2+2

A bit of information that my be of interest:

 

2+0:

http://www.300zx.co.uk/rides/geoff/2men1.gif

2+2

http://www.300zx.co.uk/rides/geoff/2menzu.gif

 

Max weights taken for 1999 top spec models (kgs).

2+0 - manual

NA 1550

TT 1630

2+2 – manual / auto

NA 1710 / 1740

TT 1780 / 1810

 

I have a 2 seater TT manual. Theoretically faster (lighter), while the 2+2 is more stable (long wheelbase). The rear boot is deeper on a 2+0, although not as long as the shallower 2+2 (but you can always use the rear seats). Some like the shorter "Coupe" look, while others the longer and sleeker 2+2. They are both great cars and the important thing is to find a good one.

 

Cheers, Geoff

Thanks very much guys :D

 

I looked again at that the pics of the car I like and I could see rear seats I thought so I was a bit dubious but thank you for confirming my thoughts.

 

One of the import companies said he could get me a 90-91 2str turbo for £5k with 6 months tax, good condition bla bla.

 

Sounds about the same price as a 2+2 of same year etc I guess.

 

Now what I need to do is track down pics of a 2+0 irl so I can give it some thought. I bet buying a UK 2+2 car would be cheaper than an imported 2+0 possible on insurance as well.

 

Cheers

Here is my all-time favourite pic of all time.

 

http://217.158.136.46/rides/dunk300zxtt/557.jpg

 

It is a SWB too...Filler cap in front of rear wheel...

 

Enjoy.

 

Robert.

Not that different from

 

http://www.zcentre.co.uk/gallery/photos/052l.jpg

 

The car I lurrrve :D

 

 

 

They don't look that different, and I can't personally pic a favourite between the two.

 

Argh hehe this always happens, I can't make my mind up.

Does the spec level and interior vary greatly between years? What about performance/emissions?Thankfully only one I would be able to afford would be pre catalyser so no problems there.

Also guys what's the performance difference between a manual and auto? Does anyone have any figures please?

 

Thanks again :D