Im a fairly new 300zx owner. Ive recently bought a 1990 jap, manual, NA, 2 seater.

Ive been interested in z's for a while and have always wanted one. I decided to go for the non turbo cos im only 19 and this is the first car ive insured in my own name.

Anyway, i dont find the car particularly fast so ive spent a lot of time trying to find the best way of improving the performance. It seems that its not really that hard to get the car to about 280 bhp, but is it worth it? The car is gorgeous and it runs very well, but should i spend this kind of time and money just to get the car up to the kind of performance of a standard TT or should i just enjoy the car for a year or so, get a bit of no claims and then move on to a TT?

"should i just enjoy the car for a year or so, get a bit of no claims and then move on to a TT?"

 

YES and unless you have a lot of money spare, leave

the TT 'til yr 25.

I was 22 when I got my TT, with only 2 years driving experience...dont listen to the old fuddy duddies :rofl: :rofl: ;)

 

It'll cost a fair whack to bring the NA up to 280BHP, and the price of a TT isnt really any different to a NA, but then I said f I'd leave mine as standard when I bought it...in fact I promised the missus I would :o :eek:

 

So I haven't helped at all really, sorry :D

 

Pete

Nope, not a lot of money to spare. Im a student, been saving for the car for ages.

So i should just hold on to this one 'til im a bit older?

I do really like the car, was just wanting a bit more power.

I do want to uprate the suspension though. It has 17s and looks a little high. Cant really afford coil-overs? Ive asked a few places and i keep getting different answers, some say get a new set of tokicos, some say KYB. I want to lower the car, but i dont want to loose the comfort. Can anyone recommend a good set up?

I got my Z when 19, it's a UK TT so it's insurance was about half that of a Jap NA. I originally thought i'd have to get a NA but when i found out the only way i could afford the insurance was if i got a UK Z (always TT) I was quite happy!

My insurance was aroun £1100, not bad in my opinion.

 

It's slowly putting me in debt (cant help buy presents for her!) and im a new uni student, but im not bringing myself to sell her, i just spend Student loans on her:p

 

If I were u id try and sell her and get my hands on a UK TT, but i'm the kinda person who doesnt mind going into debt and i do all jobs on the Z myself, saving massive labor costs.

Hi ya!

 

Tuning an NA to TT performance levels is difficult and expensive to say the least. You can start by installing a cone filter type induction kit (i.e. A'PEXi PowerFlow), fit a full stainless steel exhaust and possibly a chip to optimise fueling. You'll find that there are only one or two companies who will provide a chip upgrade for an NA because, quite frankly, there is not a lot of performance to be squeezed from the engine without going into the astronomical expense of changing the engine's internals and lightened pulleys, etc.

 

If I were you I would upgrade the induction and exhaust and leave the rest for what it is. You've got a gorgeous car, visably difficult to differentiate from a TT, and they all drive like a dream!

 

Regards,

Originally posted by Danny

Hi ya!

 

Tuning an NA to TT performance levels is difficult and expensive to say the least. You can start by installing a cone filter type induction kit (i.e. A'PEXi PowerFlow), fit a full stainless steel exhaust and possibly a chip to optimise fueling. You'll find that there are only one or two companies who will provide a chip upgrade for an NA because, quite frankly, there is not a lot of performance to be squeezed from the engine without going into the astronomical expense of changing the engine's internals and lightened pulleys, etc.

 

If I were you I would upgrade the induction and exhaust and leave the rest for what it is. You've got a gorgeous car, visably difficult to differentiate from a TT, and they all drive like a dream!

 

Regards,

 

PS - Try doing a search on AVO's and Lack300: Tony (Lack300) can do you a good deal on AVO progressive springs and shocks - lowers the car upto a max of 30mm I think ...

If I was in your shoes, I would go for Nos. There have been a few people that have had excellent results with about 100BHP NOS, but make sure you get the breathing right first as other shave mentioned about. i.e. Zorst and filter.

 

If you do go for NOS, make sure you get it done properly. Don't goi to John Wayne down the road or you will have probs big time.

 

By the way, this is just my opinion. What you decide to do is up to you.

Sounds like you better leave well alone because each mod will hike your premium seriously at your age. The charges are % based and an intake and exhaust only put £60 on my premium and mines is a low one! For a chip they wanted £275 extra.

 

Enjoy and be content with a quick enough good looking car for now!

 

Lowering springs bring other problems and camber issues. Plus its yet another mod to tell the insurer.