Hello guys, sorry for the noobish post, I'm new to the Z forums, but I used to be a Supra guy for about 4 years (I owned an 89 N/A). Anyways, the Supra is totalled so I'm looking for other cars. I stumbled upon a VERY clean 88 300ZX turbo, looked at it yesterday and drove it, drove awesome. According to the owner, the engine was rebuilt by the previous owner, and it has an aftermarket t3/t4 turbo (he believes it's a Garrett, he never looked though). The car drove really nice, and everything is well. Only thing I'm concerned with is that the one gauge that shows oil pressure and engine temperature isn't working, is this a common problem?

Overall though I'm very interested in the car, and was wondering what the best first mods would be to open her up. I looked around on Google and couldn't find any Z31 related performance parts, seems to be all for Z32's.

But I was thinking some good first mods would be:

- Cat-back exhaust
- Manual boost controller
- Front mount intercooler, as well as a new BOV

Where can these be obtained? I know where to get a manual boost controller, I'm just wondering about Z31 specific exhausts and intercoolers/kits.

-Matt

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Always be a lil weary about rebuilt engines... did he say WHY he rebuilt the engine? High miles? Broke something? If the engine was driven hard... the rest of the car was too.

Oil pressure & water temp gauges... could be wiring. Is it a digital dash?

T3/T4 hybrid.... Look for yourself don't just take his word.

Mods & Z parts... check out:

www.thezstore.com
www.blackdragonauto.com

Take the car to a local well known exhaust shop... no need to buy a kit.

Intercooler... PLEASE DON'T BUY A $2000 IC KIT. You can get madrel tubes, silicone connectors, and a massive IC on ebay for $200 - $500. Just do some research on the IC before buying it.

And before you do ANY modifying... READ THE BOOK MAXIMUM BOOST.

 

Hey Nismo, the car has 150k miles on the motor, so I don't know why it was rebuilt, to tell you the truth.

The car does have the digital dash.

I'll take a look at the turbo when I look at the car again or when I have it in my hands.

As far as the exhaust, I know the local exhaust shop would be the best bet, but most shops (at least around here) make crush bent piping, which is bad for a turbo system, which is why I was looking for an aftermarket option (many performance part companies make their exhaust with mandrel bends).

And for the intercooler, I know not to buy a kit, they're rip-offs. I'm just wondering which intercooler will fit in the front bumper, and what will be needed (I'm sure new piping will be needed since it's a SMIC).

And I know a thing or two about boost already from the Supra game, so I don't need any reading.

Also, what kind of fuel do these cars have stock? I mean size of injectors, and what is the fuel cut level for the stock ECU?

-Matt

 

post pics of the car...that should be a new rule before posting.

 

Sorry, all I have are pics from the Craigslist ad, which are very small, so they'll do no good.

-Matt

 

what color is it and does it have the lsd?

 

White, and yes it does have the LSD.









-Matt

 

ohhh its not the ss is it?

 

I don't believe so. What is the SS?

 

the rare shiro eddition

 

Gotcha. As far as I know, it isn't. I put up pictures a few posts up.

 

hi new kid.....have fun with z31 turbo--theyre fun.....

 

Anyone know why that temp/oil pressure gauge wouldn't be working?

-Matt

 

relay, sending unit, sensor, ..................if it is a digital dash, the lite died and needs replaced...............depends...............

 

Gotcha. On the Supras there was a diagnosis deal where you could check codes, and it would tell you what's wrong. If this car had something like that, could it tell me the problem with the gauge?

-Matt

 

http://az-zbum.com/faqs.shtml#basic16

No. I don't think any new cars have anything to tell you WHY a gauge doesn't work. Just check the sensor wires.

 

I'd be surprised that a car with a hybrid turbo wouldn't already have a boost controller and exhaust. It'd be rather stupid to upgrade the turbo like that and not take advantage of it. And no, it's not an SS.

 

Well, it's owned by a college student and he bought the car like that, so he obviously didn't have the money to buy the upgrades.

What would be a safe and reliable # to turn the boost to? I was thinking around 10psi?

Also, since these cars aren't intercooled, what would be the most reliable and efficient way to add an intercooler to the system?

-Matt

 

Read this recent thread ( https://www.zdriver.com/forums/300zx-z31-performance-technical-227/wheres-best-place-route-boost-hose-engine-bay-ebc-21818/ ) about safe boost level.

I don't get what you're asking... if you want to add an IC... add an IC.

Reliable... Use non-plastic tubing & intercooler parts.

Efficient... Meaning size? Temp drop? Boost drop? It all depends on what you want.

 

Sorry I was specific, I'm looking for something that will be the most efficient for the stock turbo system, probably meaning not so much boost drop, and temp drop would be very useful as well.

-Matt

 

but.... its not the stock turbo system if your adding your own IC and has a hybrid turbo... just go with 2.5 inch IC metal piping and maybe an EVO stock FMIC... you can get em cheap in good shape and are a pretty decent size

 

thats not a shiro, but a nice looking z31 anyways. guages not working could be the digi dash, very common. as far as ICs, i have heard of people using supra, SAAB, starion, etc... basically whatever you can find in the junkyard that will fit.

 

I'll most likely just use an Ebay intercooler.

-Matt

 

Some ebay ICs come standard with boost leaks. Just be careful.

 

It's pretty rare to get one that leaks though, from what I've heard.

-Matt