Hello, A very sudden change of circumstance for me. Lost my Mum to Cancer in August and then a few weeks ago got an unexpected life insurance pay out as a result. I'm a huge car nut anyway and already had a few toys so rather than put money into them I decided to clear out and start again! Within a week I had sold my two cars and replaced them with three new toys! One of which being a 300zx. I know absolutely nothing about the cars, just saw one on Ebay for a good price and have always liked them so just went for it!

 

Its a 1991 N/A manual, Jap Import. Seems to be original and I plan to keep it that way- I like the look of it as it is so dont want to modify anything. I've used it a fair bit in the week that I have had it and very pleased with it. Got a few niggles as you would expect for a car of its age but Bodywork is in good order and seems reliable enough so far.

 

Always like to support owners clubs so thought I would log on and no doubt I will be asking some questions as I already have a few small queries come up. I'm unfortunately unlikely to be a candidate for club meets and events as I run Silverstone Social Classic Car Meet- we are basically a car club that runs local meets and events for any cars 20 years old and over or anything rare and interesting. We tend to run 16-20 meets per year and so I am always flat out organising things for that and dont have much time to get involved with anything else. Obviously if the opportunity comes up to get in involved with a local event I will certainly try my best.

 

Here is my new purchase-

 

Hi Scott,

 

Looks very clean, has a TT front bumper and spoiler removed, looks like a respray but doesn't matter it looks good!

 

What questions do you have?

So the front bumper is not original? Did they all have rear spoiler originally? Is it a stock colour?

 

Got quite a few questions! Where to start! Firstly the gearbox has quite a long throw which I am surprised at- going forward through the gate the gear knob ends up right up against the dasboard and the gear leaver shaft is touching the plastic gater surround. Is that normal?

 

The has a warning bleep when you go over 70mph- is that easy to disconnect?

 

Starter motor is sometimes not catching and spinning out- is this a common problem?

 

I wont fire every question up now so will make this the last one and it probably is a bit personal opinion- I bought the car to use as a daily commute. Is that sensible!! Its only done 70,000 miles and is in good order so I saw no reason why not but any reason why not- are they reliable enough for every day use? I'm not sure what MPG I should expect.

Welcome back Scott and sorry to hear about your Mum. Any questions just ask.

So the front bumper is not original? Did they all have rear spoiler originally? Is it a stock colour?

 

Got quite a few questions! Where to start! Firstly the gearbox has quite a long throw which I am surprised at- going forward through the gate the gear knob ends up right up against the dasboard and the gear leaver shaft is touching the plastic gater surround. Is that normal?

 

The has a warning bleep when you go over 70mph- is that easy to disconnect?

 

Starter motor is sometimes not catching and spinning out- is this a common problem?

 

I wont fire every question up now so will make this the last one and it probably is a bit personal opinion- I bought the car to use as a daily commute. Is that sensible!! Its only done 70,000 miles and is in good order so I saw no reason why not but any reason why not- are they reliable enough for every day use? I'm not sure what MPG I should expect.

 

Right so the front bumper is for the twin turbo model, original but not for that car. Hmm I did think being a 91 it would have a 89 style spoiler but maybe I'm wrong. The grey could be the original grey colour, check the colour code under the bonnet

 

The throw is not normal to that extreme, I can think they may have not installed the shifter bushings. The gearsticks can be modified to reduce through, or the short throw shifters aren't mega expensive.

 

The warning beep is probably not stock, where does it come from, behind the cluster?

 

Probably easiest to slap a new starter in there (though if it has the heatshield it will be a pain)

 

Not the greatest idea to buy a 26 year old sports car as a daily, but as an na if you get it running good and keep good maintenance I can't see why not. MPG is not brilliant, but what did you expect... With a tune though you can get to around 30mpg carefully.

Edited November 15, 20178 yr by Alic

Thanks very much for your help. Yes I have joined 2007 on my profile but I have never used the forum before. Must have been a stage in my life I was looking at buying I would think.

 

The bleep warning I thought would be fairly normal for an import? Surly a silly Japanese speed warning of some sort? Its very quiet so doesnt really bother me but if it was an easy disconnect it would be worth doing.

 

I've dropped the car off today to have a good check over- I'm no mechanic myself and obviously not sensible buying a car of that age and putting it into every day use without having a good look round it. I am getting all the fluids done.

 

That brings me onto my next question- what oil would you recommend using?

 

Haha I have had a fair few friends and family members saying I am a nutter buying a car like this for every day use. I didnt expect good fuel economy but thought if I could get around 26-27 it would be good enough. It seems to actually be doing about 22 at the moment but the car was sat around for a bit prior to my ownership. I dont really want to get to that stage of it not being suitable for every day usage as it then gets made a bit redundant as I already have weekend use cars and due to the shows we go to with the club the weekend cars really need to be a bit older than this one to qualify for some of the Classic events.

 

As my Mum theoretically bought me the car (although will be looking down with her head in her hands!!) I've names the car after her- Debs!!

Speed alarm dismantle

http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_images/Disabling_Speed_Alarm.pdf

welcome Scott and Debs, who i am sure is looking down and happy that you are doing something that makes you happy :thumbup:

 

there will be plenty of help offered from the members here, many of whom are long term owners and have a wealth of knowledge.

 

if there are any of your shows that are suitable for our cars, then i am sure some of us would be more than happy to come along.

do you have a link for details?

Welcome to the club Scott, sorry to hear about your mum.

 

Faq section has plenty of info and links to all your questions, but dont hesitate to ask to clarify or require something thats not listed.

 

As Gary posted above, the speed chime is standard on imports and is a little black box located to the left rear of the dash binnacle, remove the two screws under the hood of the dash, lift off the top and you can unplug the box. This will also lose the lights left on bong, but better than it getting on your nerves at speed lol.

 

There are speedo convertors to get rid of the chime, convert speedo to mph, but can also affect power steering by tricking the ecu into thinking its going slower, alternative is to get hold of a UK set of clocks, which will eliminate all together and read mph.

As Gary posted above, the speed chime is standard on imports and is a little black box located to the left rear of the dash binnacle, remove the two screws under the hood of the dash, lift off the top and you can unplug the box. This will also lose the lights left on bong, but better than it getting on your nerves at speed lol.

Huh never heard of this, on the 5 imports ive been through and all other cars. I guess it's the first thing people bin when imported.

Have you driven yours though Ali? 112kph is when the speed chime on imports if still fitted comes on and if you put your sidelights on and open the door, engine off does it bong? If not then its likely to have been removed or disconnected as its the first thing to go for many owners lol

Thanks for the great welcome and all the great info. I need to do a bit of reading up on all this. I think the most manic week of my life last week as not only was work busy, I had the two cars going out, three cars coming in and also had a daughter born in the same week! I've pretty much just jumped straight into the 300 but not had time to have a good poke around it as yet!

 

Another question easily answered I would imagine- what sort of BHP is an N/A just out if interest please? I was shocked how quick it is.

 

Yes would love some 300's along to our meets. I started the organisation up mainly because I was fed up with my late 80s and early 90s cars getting excluded from Classic shows. I have designed it around not excluding people/cars really. Obviously need to try and create a display of interesting cars still at the same time so there is a point we have to draw the line but we have never had to turn anyone away so far. We only started a year ago and already covered the biggest classic events in the area, been featured in Classic Car weekly and also supported the Silverstone International Historic Trophy race where we were given an exclusive parade lap of the circuit. Our most regular meeting venue is Turweston Aerodrome where we had 250 cars turn up for at our last meet. We dont have a Forum but the website is http://www.silverstonesocial.co.uk and a big hive of activity in our Facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/588492351361610/?ref=br_rs

Have you driven yours though Ali? 112kph is when the speed chime on imports if still fitted comes on and if you put your sidelights on and open the door, engine off does it bong? If not then its likely to have been removed or disconnected as its the first thing to go for many owners lol

Well the impul Z does have the lights bong but doesn't beep at 80+mph. The fastest two of the cars have gone is 5mph lol

Starter motor is sometimes not catching and spinning out- is this a common problem?

 

Have your mechanic check the starter motor mountings. It is not unknown for the lower bolt to be overtightened and the bell housing

threads damaged and/or stripped. Over time this allows the starter motor to move away from the bell housing and the teeth on the

flywheel giving the symptoms you have described.

Firstly the gearbox has quite a long throw which I am surprised at- going forward through the gate the gear knob ends up right up

against the dasboard and the gear leaver shaft is touching the plastic gater surround. Is that normal?.

 

Assuming you have a stock leaver then it may be installed the wrong way round.

 

https://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?180763-Gear-stick-position

Thanks for the superb info. That gear leaver suggestion is a great shout. I've got the mechanic looking at that today.

 

So far looks like new starter motor, brake warning light was on and has gone off by cleaning the sensor, usual service items changed. There is play in the steering column UJ and garage tells me £140 for one of these and 10 day delivery. Does that sound about right?

 

Also I asked him to check any evidence of Cambelt change and he says it has not been stamped. Car has done 70,000 miles so probably at the point in its life where the previous owner left it and passed it on to me! What sort of expense should i expect with this?

Ah scrub that comment on the Cambelt- just checked with the previous owner and it has been done

Ah scrub that comment on the Cambelt- just checked with the previous owner and it has been done

 

When was it done?

2000 miles ago so shouldnt need to worry about that. I did think it looked like it had as there are all fresh white markings on the belts

2000 miles ago so shouldnt need to worry about that. I did think it looked like it had as there are all fresh white markings on the belts

 

Did you get a date when it was done?

Hi Scott - welcome back mate!

 

So sorry to hear about your mum.... :sad:

 

Richard