Jeffblue's '94 300zx Twin Turbo Journal
 

After wanting a 300zx twin turbo for a while, i finally was able to rationalize getting one. With some good advice from Lou Fusz and Mt Tam I am (thanks guys), i knew what to look out for going into it. I found exactly what i was looking for sale in a classified on TwinTurbo.net. 1994 Black 300zx Twin Turbo 5spd with (143k on the odometer).
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1299997064

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1299997064

I headed out to PA to test drive the car, and i was really happy with it. The owner agreed to head out to Performance Motorsport in Smithtown to have the car inspected for any potential issues it might have. They determined that the engine is in great shape, no leaks or compression issues. The only issues they found were that the drivers side turbo needs to be replaced soon, needs a new power steering pump, and it has a torn steering rack boot (28 rubber part), and one other thing (that i can't remember right now). Other than that the car is great, and despite the few issues it has, i'm really happy with the performance as is.

Alex at performance motorsport gave me the rundown of what the car needed and the cost associated with installing/replacing parts. Based on what he said and the cost of the parts me and the owner negotiated on the price and agreed on 8k for the car.

The mods it currently as are:

Motor:
JWT Pop Charger
Specialty-Z 2.5" Super Split Downpipes
Specialty-Z 2.5" Test Pipes
Specialty-Z 2.5" Catback

Brakes:
Brembo Cross Drilled/Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Pads
ATE blue brake Fluid
Stainless Steal Brake Lines
300 Degree Brake Master Cylinder Stop Brace

Suspension:
KYB AGX Shocks
Tein S.Tech Springs
300 Degree Front Camber Correction Kit
Bernie's Custom Camber Kit Spacers
Stillen Front Sway Bar (Outside link setting)
Stillen Rear Sway Bar (Middle link setting)
Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings
SPL pro Tension Rods

Drivetrain & Trans:
Jim Wolf Tech Stage III Clutch
Fidenza Light Weight Flywheel
Stillen Short-Throw Shifter

Electronic:
Ostrich(Emulator)
Greddy Profec B Spec 1 Boost Controller
Greddy Turbo Timer
Greddy Boost Gauge

Exterior:
Street:
'99 JDM Tail Lights
'99 JDM Front Fascia
ADR M-Sports 18x8.5(F) & 18x9.5 (R)


the car last dyno'd at 350whp/360wtq at 13psi.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1299997746

1/4 mile was a 12.29 at 113

Considering the parts that the car needs, and the labor cost involved in installing them, i have decided to upgrade the turbos and injectors. my goal is a safe 400-450whp. i will likely be ordering all the parts in the next week or so and just get everything done at once, since apparently a lot of the work on these cars involves dropping the engine, it's going to be much simpler and less expensive to have everything done at once. This thread will have all the results as well as all updates with the car, which there will be a lot of :tup::driving:

Cold start exhaust clip

First thing done to the car, was today. i did a full exterior detail/paint correction. Here are before and after pics. I used a porter cable 7424, wolfgang total swirl remover, finishing glaze, and deep gloss paint sealant.... and a lot of microfiber towels.
i didn't do anything to the front bumper since it needs to be repainted.
Full car (before):
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299995980

Hood:
before:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299995674

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998714
after:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299995845

Door:
before:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998714

after:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998806

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998806

Hatch:
before:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998714

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998714

after:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998806

wing:
after:
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1299998806

nice jeff! where is your z?

still have it. its not going anywhere :tup:

Nice! What are you planning to do to it? Larger turbos since you have to replace the left one?

One of my favorite all-time cars.

Best of luck and congrats!

The more I hang around the guys at SpecialtyZ, the more I am falling for the 300zx. Tons of power, fairly reliable, and unique styling. I can't wait to see how this car will turn out, nice catch Jeff!

So awesome.

Very cool Jeff! Good luck with it. One of these days I'll have to head up to NY to check it out.

needs some big TT's on there :D Also base 18's instead of those heavy wheels or gtfi.

can i come over when Steve comes to visit?

Wow, that's in great condition and really not that bad for $8k. Congrats on the new ride.

Mmmm... Z32TT :leghump:

yes definitely larger turbos. the previous owner really knows his stuff and has been helping me out. He informed me that most of the upgraded turbos require a 5 bolt downpipe, where as the sport 500 turbos, which are basically the stock turbos with a larger turbine retain the 4 bolt design, so i may go with those. one of the guys from specialtyz ran in the 10's with these turbos. I know that part of the reason this car has lasted so long without issues is because none of the previous owners got very power hungry, so i am going to keep that in mind. i'd rather have a reliable lower hp car then a higher hp car that will give me issues.

A day at the drags | Specialty-Z

Thanks, Those guys have some incredible builds. its amazing how much progress there still is being made on the aftermarket for this car.

Thanks Steve.
yea i may just do that. right now i'm only focusing on performance mods. once that is all well and good, i will start thinking about asthetics and the crappy *** stereo

I dunno if you can come when steve is here. i dont think nassau county can handle all the ghey. :p

Thanks. Yea i figured 8k was fair. we started off at 9,500 before the car was inspected and then worked from there. My initial plan was to spent 10k on the car in order to get it running and fix all that needed to be fixed. If i stick with stock turbos i can come in around 10-11. However, if i upgrade i'll wind up around 12, but i'd rather spend a bit more and upgrade then still be spending a fair amount for the same. plus the labor cost is pretty similar no matter what. I view the fact that the turbo needs to be replaced as an opportunity/excuse to modify. i doubt i'd wind up upgrading them if i didn't have any issue with the exhisting ones. so the question really is whether i want to spend more on turbos and injectors or not. and i think i do :driving:

That's amazing how much these cars will still fetch after all this time. Good find, Jeff. I'm jealous.

Congrats man :tup: