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:

looks great man! makes me jealous!

doublepost!

thanks guys :tup:

heres some more pictures of the full in daylight after being detailed.

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1300047114

Congrats on the new Z.

nice. looks good!

great buy! If you need stuff for it, this is the car that started Z1, they are real experts, as I'm sure you know.

Now that the new car clean and tidy, maybe a new camera can be in the cards. :)

jeff lives on Z1 ever since he got the 300

Nice 300, jeff!

http://www.chrysler300site.info/imag...er-300M-11.jpg

you man, come up here and help me with this black auto TT :( i feel so lost lol

Sweet!

How's it compare to the Z34 in overall driving feel?

Nice! Love the Z32. 350whp on stock turbos? Wow. Mine is doing ~300 with stock turbos at 14psi (Mustang Dyno)

I'm comin over to check it out. kbye

yea i've been spending a lot of time on there. i've already got my shopping cart full and i'm waiting to go over everything with the guys at performance motorsport to finalize my order.

:icon18:
haha , i could help you detail it, but that's where my knowledge ends.:p

its much more raw. I never thought the 370z would feel like a 'refined' car but it is much more refined. the 300zx is way louder, quite stiff, and it pulls hard. This one is definitely quicker than my 370z (But my 370z is totally stock engine/performance wise)

with the mods above that's what it dyno'd on a dynapack. Not really sure of the other details. once all the work is done i'm i'll have updated numbers for the car with the new modifications.

:tup: when performance is done with it i'll be driving it a lot and i will definitely bring it to the first meet that i can. i would bring it this wednesday but i'm trying to take it easy on the car until i get the timing belt service done (which is going to be done along with everything else)

CONGRATS, I am happy you did it man. I didnt believe you lol, but it looks soooo good. Lol put the Forged SPecialties on, lol you know you want to though I am not sure the fronts will fit, maybe the rears.

haha, thanks. The offsets on the 370z are way too low for the 300zx. they'd stick out by like a few inches. once i'm done with all the performance mods and fixing some body work/paint issues, maybe i might need another set further down the road :p

jeff come out here and detail my car kthxbai :tup:

If you ever decide to sell this car you LMK ok ?

haha, congrats man, VERY nice find.. Classic car, still will turn just as car enthusiasts heads as the 370z will too after 17 years...

I'll try to make it to a Wednesday meet to check it out.. I play softball wednesdays but I will hit you up tuesday to see if you are bringing it... Good luck with the build !

Thanks man. I'm probably going to have at the meet in 2 weeks, once i get the timing belt service done. i'm trying not to drive it too much until them

Looks very nice! Great job on the detail!
Oh....and welcome to the club.

Welcome to the club! :) Outstanding job on the detail!!! My TT needs exactly that. Someday...

How much does that cost roughly? I'm checking out some Z32s and am not too sure about what I might get myself into.

thanks Lou
Yours looks great. then again, those pictures don't get any dirt on them :)

the parts alone are about 5-700, depending on what kind of options you go with. the labor (if you pay someone) is about 5-600 for just the 120k. if you have other stuff done at the same time then obviously its additional. apparently its a real pain in the ***.

Polished exhaust tips with baking soda and vinegar. works well

http://www.the370z.com/detailing-was...ml#post1020878

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1301496449

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1301496449

^
Nice! Gotta do this on my tips!