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

It must have done, I don't think it would work without as there would be too much slack to shift. The (i think) m8 bolt that goes through the bottom of the shifter assembly goes through a sleeved hole in the base of the shifter, surrounded by some nylon bushing and enclosed by a pipe section. And the central balljoint without the plastic bushing would just knock around. Can you provide any pictures of what you mean?

I don't know if i'm making and sense :lol:

 

And sorry I can't find the rest of your plans. Radiator out for replacing belts/cambelt or what? hmm

 

They must have just disintegrated that badly. There was definitely less slack when I first got the car.

 

Yes, doing the 200,000 KM service.

Continued to strip it this week, with lots of polishing.

 

 

Belts, pump and pulleys still look fine.

 

 

As does spark plug #1.

 

 

In other news, official confirmation came today that the car is fully paid off. :)

Good work. Beautifully clean car.

Nice work there Jay:thumbup:

As she sits now:

 

131,814 KM

New OEM interior leather gaitors

New OEM timing belt

New OEM timing belt tensioner

New OEM idler pulleys, studs and nuts

New OEM upper timing belt cover seals

New OEM water pump with Z31 gasket and studs

New OEM coolant bypass hoses

New OEM thermostat

New OEM cam seals

New OEM VTC springs and seals

New OEM crank seal

New OEM crank sprocket

New OEM crank spacer plates front and rear

New OEM crank woodruff keys

 

Probably forgetting some bits there. I didn't contribute much to most of that work but I'd feel confident doing it alone in future.

 

 

Wasted about an hour today - plugs needed to come out, and I managed to drop a bracket bolt down hole #1 :( had to drive around a bit before buying a rather expensive magnetic extractor.

 

So just to fit the other belts and pulleys, then the radiator. Probably have that done tomorrow then spend about a week putting the body parts back on. In the mean time, I need to repair the intercooler air guides, rebuild the shifter and replace the coil pack connectors using the CZP kit.

Looking good, can't believe my belt is due for a change again.

The engine is now back together, including new coolant temperature sensors, radiator cap and shroud screws (several were missing). Also some fresh insulation foam for the condenser. Started it about an hour ago and warmed it up - perfect idling. Unfortunately I couldn't rev it much as the interior is still torn apart so I can't disarm the immobiliser!

 

Got about 7L of fresh coolant into it - I didn't think the block had drained that much. It started to overheat a little (not sure if the thermostat had opened, but surely It must have) and I ran out of coolant, so had to leave it there for now. Changed the oil and filter anyway, and I'll pick up more coolant tomorrow.

 

Edited March 16, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Probably air in the system, gives a false reading on the gauge. Complete the coolant bleed and fill process and it will go away.

Looking good there matey

be sure that you have treated the inner sills and cavity's, this will save you a lot of rust in years to come

I wish I did it

Looking good there matey

be sure that you have treated the inner sills and cavity's, this will save you a lot of rust in years to come

I wish I did it

 

The car was fully understand and cavity waxed from Japan, quite well too. I've had the underseal done over as it was starting to crack off but the cavity wax hasn't been touched yet. Definitely something to have done.

You can buy a 5L barrel of Dynax S50 cavity wax, which is highly regarded for about £50. Get yourself a lance off eBay for like a tenner and borrow a compressor if you don't own one and flood the cavities.

You can buy a 5L barrel of Dynax S50 cavity wax, which is highly regarded for about £50. Get yourself a lance off eBay for like a tenner and borrow a compressor if you don't own one and flood the cavities.

 

I have quite a large drum of Waxoyl ready, and we probably have all of the equipment handy too. It's more committing to the messy job that's holding me back! Something to get around to this year I suppose.

Almost back together now. Running very well - perfect idle.

 

 

Shifter turned out to be too good to be worth rebuilding, so it just got the new bushings with a collar thanks to Ali. Just picked up an upper dust boot from Nissan as the existing one had some small splits, so I'll get that on today and get the rest of the interior back together.

 

 

Since a spanner is stuck on top of the cats, we decided to finally fit the Japspeed X-Pipe to match the back boxes. Polished these up and also gave the cat undertrays a quick clean and paint. I've just picked up some new exhaust bolts (only available in packs of ten - cost me €60!) so this can be finished possibly tonight.

 

 

The stock pipes are still fine, but naturally they won't stay that way for long in this climate.

 

Barring no more delays, the car exits the garage this weekend so I can refit the RH intercooler air guide (needed a crack repaired) and front bumper then, and that's it finished!

Great thread this Jay, great looking car too!

Interior and exterior all back together. Underside of the bumper was quickly sanded and sprayed over some scratches.

 

 

Took me about five hours to fit the bumper today. It really wasn't so bad other than the screw from hell (beside expansion tank) and bloody hands - perfect alignment from the first couple of bolts. I don't see why so many Americans struggle with that.

^^ Nice!

Took the car for its third MOT equivalent since it immigrated. Apparently it needs three testers :lol:

 

 

Passed, as usual. The tester mentioned some slight play in the passenger side steering arm - thoughts? There's no movement in the wheel on either axis if I push it by hand anyway. Also, the figures from the rollers don't look quite as good for the rear axle. I assume that's just the LSD?

 

 

Not much else to report at the moment. I have some rare parts due from Japan, which I will show when they arrive. That might take a while, as one is coming by sea (there's a hint!)

Edited June 11, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Well done on the pass Jay. Mine is up in a few weeks also.

Nice 911 you have in the garage too Same as me matey, red z & a black Porsche :) :)

Zed looks awesome, please be sure to treat all the inner sills and box sections as mine rotted from the inside out even though I had treated the underside

this will then give you years of care free rust problems. I wish I had done it first Doh !!!

Nice 911 you have in the garage too Same as me matey, red z & a black Porsche :) :)

Zed looks awesome, please be sure to treat all the inner sills and box sections as mine rotted from the inside out even though I had treated the underside

this will then give you years of care free rust problems. I wish I had done it first Doh !!!

 

Will do, barely gets out in the rain anymore as it is! Regretting not sticking some cavity wax in the front frame rails while the bumper was off though...

 

The 993 hasn't moved in a few years now I'm afraid!

Will do, barely gets out in the rain anymore as it is! Regretting not sticking some cavity wax in the front frame rails while the bumper was off though...

 

The 993 hasn't moved in a few years now I'm afraid!

 

Wwww 993 even nicer still :) ive got the 997 but I would love a 993 very nice indeed, Yep my next step is to do all the cavitys

but first I need to address all the rust I have and need to cut out

Will do, barely gets out in the rain anymore as it is! Regretting not sticking some cavity wax in the front frame rails while the bumper was off though...

 

The 993 hasn't moved in a few years now I'm afraid!

 

My brother has a 94, 993 I have to keep it running while he is working abroad looks like the same colour as well.

Fitted this today: a genuine final version R radio bezel. My original one had all fixings perished and the vents were broken; apart from typical damage to the top screws holes on this one, it's perfect. It's a shame they're so brittle, as both look perfect.

 

Cost about €170 from Japan. Plain black ones are almost that much new, so not a bad deal, I think.

 

What is the thing sticking out of the top vent?

What is the thing sticking out of the top vent?

 

Alarm LED. I'm not going to drill a hole through this so I think I'll just stick it in place.