Jack

Dave - I've the same in my JAP 97 NA and the bulbs you talk of come on when you have headlights on and when you indicate - ie designed to light up the corner you are going around. .really neat. I wish they'd come on at every corner, at least I'd be able to see where I was going.

Front lights. Nothing like them... Japanes without any apologies... All of the remaing shapes are relatively classic, although it's a neat combination, stood the test of time. Whatever am I going to buy next?

...55 going on 24... Next please...

On mine it was a green alloy thing stuck in the filler neck. It has a smaller hole in it than the neck so that you can only use an unleaded petrol nozzle in it. I removed it. I've an MOT in June, I'll let you know if anything happens. Mines a 97 NA. It's the 2nd NA I've owned, and from my limited knowledge / experience you be looking at replacing track control arms at approx £100 each (x2), gearbox rear mount at about £60, propshaft centre support bearing at approx £150, rubber at approx £300 for all 4, and then the cambelt service as advised earlier. Watch out for the exhaust system, the original mild steel one lasts well if the car is used daily - and if the cars been lowered and there un-even tyre wear you'll need to get all of the suspension geometry re-aligned - about £70 from a crash repair specialist. If I were you I'd replace the lowered units with originals at about £25 per corner second-hand. Then you need to get rid of the crappy grey fabric interior and replace it with leather (makes the world of difference) - allow a further £400. I think that's about it (apart from general wear and tear and removing the AI valves) oh and buying new ICE if you want to listen to the raido. PS ...all of this palls into insignificance - they are wonderfull cars. Good luck Jack

Take it back - it sounds like they've had the steering rack out or similar and re-tracked it without first having the steering wheel straight. It won't do any harm as it is other than annoy you. Mind you, you can sometimes get tyres catching the inner wheel arches if it's way-out. Good luck Jack

I've a jap spec tank and filler neck both in A1 condition sitting in the garage in Ipswich doing nothing - open to cheap offers. Cheerz Jack

...at 21k miles it should look like new - inside and out. Good luck Jack

mt90's really expensive - you might want to drain the fluid first and check for debris. If you find plenty then replace the fluid with a cheap oil - just to get it to the gearbox specialist. And when he's replaced all of the internals, check what fluid he recommends. I say this as I believe MT90 stresses the syncro's... Good luck Jack

I believe the main headlighs coming on is built in as a sign of fuse failure - clever Japanese... Good luck Jack

Liquid Leather - Glyptone - do a search on Google - great stuff, tried others and this stuff's the best.

...your local Nissan dealer most likly has one in stock. They are easy to replace. Good luck Jack

...well I suppose that's something else to add to the cutting-corners list. Mind you it's also something else less to worry about. Cheerz Jack

Andy - I'll have a look and see - any pointers re what (exactly) I'm looking for? I have a workshop manual for the 91 car so I suppose I could trace it from that. I'd assumed that the different engine characteristics were due to my 91 car being an Auto therefore it did what it wanted with the revs. ...and with a manual you can play more with the revs. I can't recall reading anywhere about Nissan removing the variable valve timing, but then again, I suppose they'd keep this quiet. If they've removed it, what else have they done to replace it, after all the engine outputs are still reported as common to all model years (Japanese that is)...

...interesting - because my 97 NA car does pull right from low in the rev range right through to the red line - in fact it's a pleasure to hear it start off with a rumble and go through a 6 cylinder roar into a whail of mechanical terror - lovely.

I've owned a 91 NA Auto and currently run a 97 NA manual. The 91 had more gear in it such as the auto climate and electric everything. The 97 does away with the ABS and gets replaced by an airbag. No electric seats. Cheaper carpets, no sound proofing on carpets in boot. The gurgling valves under the front wheel arches are gone. Those wind deflectors that pop-up when you remove a targa - they've gone too. The variable valve timing - that's still there - at least I assume it is. The reason for these omissions is I can only assume because in 1990 / 91 they were making about 40 to 50 thousand Zs per year for sale globally, and in 97 they were making about 900 per year for sale globally - so obviously the profit's gone from the vehicle. So - moral of the story, buy a 1990 low milage very well looked after Japanese import and wrap it in cotton wool - and in 25 years you'll own a classic.

...and by the time you get round to a Series 4 (97), Nissan were cutting quite a few corners...

...back on Jap auto's - you get first gear then second gear then lock-up in 2nd gear (not on UK spec autos) then 3rd gear then lock-up in 3rd gear then 4th gear (overdrive) then lock-up in 4th gear. If I count them up and with a little of imagination, I get 7 forward gears... Currently driving a manual. Cheerz Jack

...nice site - great work - famous illustrations - and you own a Z. Very impressed. cheerz Jack

Simon - again, thanks for this - I wasn't sure if I'd seen the recommendation before.. short memory. Would you recommend the same for both NA and TT? many thanks Jack

Simon ...thanks for that. Always good to get specific info. What we need (as a club) is a recommended matrix of oil specs for the NA's and TT's in say 2 stages of tune? ...and in summer and winter? ...maybe usage as well. Asking too much? Cheerz Jack

...seen it run at Bentwaters - it's most strange as they can't get any wheel-spin to warm up the tyres. It just goes....

I found EBC Green Stuff pads very dirty - made a mess of the wheels in no time. They didn't last long either - although they were good. Since them I've always bought from MrF in the traders section - can't remember what they are - I think they are Canadian - but they last well and work ok. Mind you I drive an NA. Good luck Jack

try http://www.roadpilot.co.uk I use the Micro with the laser detector. Micro fits really neatly at the far right hand corner of the dask and the laser screws to the front of the rear view mirror. Really neat installation. The laser detector will soon be illegal so the latest roadpilot MicroGo comes without one. It's a great piece of kit - very well thought out. I did the website... Good luck Jack

...may be of interest - I've a Road Pilot GPS camera detection system fitted to my 97 NA and the (converted) speedo agrees exactly with the GPS speed reading right through all speeds. But wheels are standard Nissan issue... Thanks for the info re the M42. cheerz Jack

I had my 97 na suspension geometry sorted by a local accident damage repair company after I replaced the lowered suspension with standard suspension. That was 6 months ago andtyre wears great drives straight too. Cost £64.