Dear All

 

I have seen some (what look like) good import Z32s for sale, but am wondering a few things.

 

The auto box will require an external oil cooler to be fitted, and I know they do not have a diff. cooler.

 

Can a diff. cooler be fitted?

 

Are there any major differences to be aware of, like parts for example and what is their reliability like compared to UK spec ones?

 

I would like one that is stock and would like to keep it stock as I have heard that they are not built as well as european models.

 

Please can you email me at mj1100@hotmail.com.

 

Any information will be greatly received.

 

Regards

 

MJ

 

[This message has been edited by MJ (edited 18-04-2002).]

Originally posted by MJ:

The auto box will require an external oil cooler to be fitted, and I know they do not have a diff. cooler.

 

Can a diff. cooler be fitted?

 

As far as I can remember the diff cooler is not an essential item and only works above about 90mph so unless you're cruising at 120mph for a long time its probably not needed. Not heard of many people with diff problems, unlike jap auto boxes which do need the cooling

 

I would like one that is stock and would like to keep it stock as I have heard that they are not built as well as european models.

 

Who told you that? ROFL

 

They tend to have aged less (ie less rust) due to the better climate in Japan

 

 

Look at previous posts regarding parts availability and insurance costs to get the full picture (imports are cheaper to buy but more expensive to insure and get parts for usually)

 

 

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I would like one that is stock and would like to keep it stock as I have heard that they are not built as well as european models.

 

Who told you that? ROFL

 

Please do not be offended. I heard that due to the Germans having the Autobahns and the congestion that is suffered in Japan , our models were a bit more 'bullet proof'. Although I find it a bit strange that one manufaturer would make two standards of car.

 

I have always wanted a Z32, but am being a bit cautious with the costs involed should anything go wrong, not the easiest of cars to work on.

Yes, and a bigger oil cooler.

I think it has more to do with the safty factor than anything else.

MJ be cautious of not wrong but misleading advise on things like auto box coolers.

 

It is myth that the UK model has a cooler and the Jap not. They both do, they both utilise the radiator end caps to run the fluid through to reduce fluid temp by tranfering it to the radiator (not the best idea).Now the only difference between UK and Jap is that the Jap uses only one side of the rad and the UK both.By adding a UK raditor (if you wanted) the cooler situation would be the same.However much more damage is done by leaving the gearbox service for too long,a flush and fluid change is required every 12 months and at about £120 it`s no big deal.

It is correct to say the cooler the fluid can be kept the box is less likely to have a failure but hey UK auto`s seem to have about the same failure rate as Japs (which is about the same as the manuals too) so it is definately more likely to be down to poor servicing (like the manuals) rather than the cooler issue.

Remember these cars are not exactly in their first flush of youth now and some degree of TLC is required to maintain them, peronally I think when well maintained (changing service parts BEFORE they fail) they are as reliable as any other car in their league.

Hope that clears it up for you.

Jeff TT

I am glad Jeff that some one else say these cars are reliable. I have had 1 or 2 niggly bits on my car, but nothing more than any other.

Its true about TLC. Change it when you notice it going, dont wait till its broken to replace parts.

 

Stuart

I had my import autobox recon'd 2 months ago and a new UK rad put in. Next week the piping to connect the second end cap circuit to the auto oil cooling will be connected. Might as well do it as you say its cheaper to service it than have to recon again later in its life.

 

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Z first and anything else is secondary!

John Newcomb (NukeEm)

www.geocities.com/jn300zxtt

The problem with the standard setup, whether it be Jap or UK is that the auto oil cooler is part of the main rad, consequently this actually helps keep the oil hot ! Maybe, just maybe that is a benefit on cold mornings so that the gearbox oil warms up faster, but most of the time it can't help. A separate autobox oil cooler will reduce the oil temp significantly and extend the life of the gearbox. Obviously changing the oil occasionally helps too !

Originally posted by AndyP:

The problem with the standard setup, whether it be Jap or UK is that the auto oil cooler is part of the main rad, consequently this actually helps keep the oil hot ! Maybe, just maybe that is a benefit on cold mornings so that the gearbox oil warms up faster, but most of the time it can't help. A separate autobox oil cooler will reduce the oil temp significantly and extend the life of the gearbox. Obviously changing the oil occasionally helps too !

 

And that possibly explains why my gearbox seems very "stiff/slow" for about the first 10 minutes each morning now I have the external cooler fitted. Can't remember if it was like that before.

 

 

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