Not much of a "build thread" for the foreseeable, but I'll use this to document my car's journey anyway.

 

I grew up on Gran Turismo on Playstation, so like many others I'm absolutely obsessed by Japanese sports cars, from the '90s in particular. For many years I wanted a Skyline or a GTO (or NSX if I was rich), but in the past few years I turned my attention towards the RX-7 and 300ZX. The RX-7 would be the more sensible choice in Ireland, as the tax rate is nearly €1,000 lower PA than the Z. When I entered the working world and started saving, I was pulled more towards the 300ZX. Not really sure why - I'd never really taken any notice of them, but I spotted a dealer selling a red, Irish car on CarZone.ie around that time and I just wanted it. If only I'd graduated a year earlier! Anyway, after saving for a year or so I was watching online for ads practically 24/7, but nothing decent was coming up - except maybe one white slicktop TT, but tulip got there first :( So I stuck a deposit with JDMAuctionWatch and prepared to bid on cars.

 

My aim at this point was a 2+2 TT, in white and manual, around 1996. Selection was a bit limited at the time though, save for some nice (and expensive) late models - strangely, all Version R spec cars. So I bid on those instead. First up was a black, manual 1998 GCZ32 version R, graded 3.5. Looked like it needed a bit of tidying, but overall a cool car with some minor modifications.

 

 

I placed a bid of around €9,000 I think, but oddly the car was pulled from auction. It came through again a few days later, graded 3 and noting that the mileage was unverified (probably why it was pulled). I bid about €7,500 this time, considering, but it sold for about €8,900. The following week, an identical car came up for sale. Grade 4 this time and with lower mileage. Outbid again - €13,900! Next up was a 2000 version R in white, NA auto, graded 4.5 and with only 22,000 KM. This car was so clean that I bid without even asking for a translation of the auction sheet, but it sold for over €21,000. I think this might be the one in Nissan's museum now.

 

On to the main event... Up came a 2000 version R in ultra red, manual NA with 120,000 KM. Very original and graded 3.5, though as my agent informed me (and he's absolutely right) it would make grade 4 in most auction houses. I won this car, at a cost of about €9,700 landed in Dublin.

 

 

It was then transported from Honda Nagoya to the partner's compound. Inspection was very positive.

 

Edited February 5, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Oil and filter changed today. Filter was unusually stiff, so I had to use a chain wrench. The filter crumpled very badly from it - worryingly weak!

 

No sign of steering arm play as mentioned during NCT, although I could do with ARB bushings.

Oil and filter changed today. Filter was unusually stiff, so I had to use a chain wrench. The filter crumpled very badly from it - worryingly weak!

 

No sign of steering arm play as mentioned during NCT, although I could do with ARB bushings.

 

Filters will crumple when using a chain Jay. Did you use a Nissan OEM filter?

Filters will crumple when using a chain Jay. Did you use a Nissan OEM filter?

 

I wouldn't use anything else!

Version R steering wheel finally arrived. It has a couple of marks, but is quite good. The airbag cover in particular is perfect - doesn't have the slightest indentation you often get from the airbag.

 

Looks great Jay. Have you the red stich gear knob to match?

Looks great Jay. Have you the red stich gear knob to match?

 

Yep, look up a few posts.:)

Yep, look up a few posts.:)

 

Ah yes missed that pic. :thumbup1:

It's been about a year but my mate finally came through with shipping. Great condition.

 

 

Plan is something like this:

 

 

So what profile tyre do I want? On a Z33 they take 225/45/18 and 245/45/18.

I think they really suit a Z32, Jay. Personally, I'd prefer them to all match though... :lol:

I think they really suit a Z32, Jay. Personally, I'd prefer them to all match though... :lol:

 

Part of the plan!

 

Really great polish on the fronts but I think I'll still go with paint.

235/35/18 and (255 or 265)/35/18 in my opinion :)

Don't think you will get a 265 on them.

Don't think you will get a 265 on them.

I don't know what width the wheels are, but looking at them in the pictures it looks like you could oversize them slightly.

It's been about a year but my mate finally came through with shipping. Great condition.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108586[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108585[/ATTACH]

 

Plan is something like this:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108587[/ATTACH]

 

So what profile tyre do I want? On a Z33 they take 225/45/18 and 245/45/18.

 

If you want them polished, i can see if my guy would be up for it Jay??

If you want them polished, i can see if my guy would be up for it Jay??

 

I'm leaning towards painted at the moment!

I don't know what width the wheels are, but looking at them in the pictures it looks like you could oversize them slightly.

 

8J front 8.5J rear iirc.

They should fit the rim alright, providing they dont rub.

 

 

Here are pics from an old thread of 265 on 8.5j

Sure it's oversized over the metal rim, but fits well and provides a slight bit more grip.

Edited September 10, 20178 yr by Alic

Some recent developments...

 

Changed my retrimmed steering wheel for a nicer, original version R wheel some time back in January. Needs minor work on some scuffs.

 

 

Finally got the car back out yesterday, so today I exchanged the oil and filter, then fitted my new wheels. Delighted with how they came out.

 

 

Holy shit those calipers are close. It's a slippery slope to big brake conversions...

Some recent developments...

 

Changed my retrimmed steering wheel for a nicer, original version R wheel some time back in January. Needs minor work on some scuffs.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]111215[/ATTACH]

 

Finally got the car back out yesterday, so today I exchanged the oil and filter, then fitted my new wheels. Delighted with how they came out.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]111216[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]111217[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]111218[/ATTACH]

 

Holy shit those calipers are close. It's a slippery slope to big brake conversions...

 

Looks savage Jay, nice work with the wheel centres :thumbup1:

There's another wheel that needs a red badge...

There's another wheel that needs a red badge...

 

Airbags and badges may not mix well.

That's very true. Is the rest of the airbag system still in place?

That's very true. Is the rest of the airbag system still in place?

 

Yeah. I opted to retain the airbag that came with the car and just swap the rest of the wheel.

Must be the best LWB 300zx in Ireland :thumbup1:

Holy shit those calipers are close. It's a slippery slope to big brake conversions...

 

Loads of room there pal:innocent: I might know where a chap could get his hands on a couple of sets of big brake kits:whistling::whistling: