Raccoonman

As the title states I was looking at an 88 300ZX Turbo as a second car to take to autocross and whatever else I may find to do with it, "Always nice to have a beater at your disposal." Just wanted to ask for some input on it, it has two hundred twelve thousand miles. It runs, but is cold shouldered like a vehicle with a carburetor, "It has been sitting for nearly a year the guy told me," and it ran a whole lot better when it warmed up. It NEEDS new struts up front and while I'm at it might as well do the back. Has a little bit of rust between the driver side T-top and the windshield, but nothing to serious. Other than the kind of sputtering from drastically needing a tune up the motor sounded quiet. No weird knocks or noises. Plus the Tranny felt pretty good in all the gears, and the clutch seemed to still have some life in it. It didn't slip when I got on it after it warmed up. The guy wants $1500 for it, and the kind of rough estimate I came up with to get all the parts it needs is roughly $1000... give or take, and I would do all the work myself. I've worked on cars since I was six and am twenty-one now, so knowledge isn't a huge issue, but advice and pointers are always welcome. Is this car really worth what the dude is asking, or is this a complete steal\rip-off? I think this could be a fun project\learning experience for me because I've never really dealt with something like this entirely by myself.

BTW I am new here and hope that I'm welcomed even though I don't own a Z...yet at least

NismoPick

Welcome to ZDriver!

Would it happen to be white? Would it happen to have any Shiro logos on it?

Zetto

lol seriously. and welcome

Raccoonman

Nope it's not white it's black, and there aren't any Shiro logos on it. Man this forum has a lot of Smilies to choose from

dapper189

Its a tough one, my 87 was great, wish i hadn't sold it and kept the 80. IMO, the s130 is the last true Z, v-engines are too american. But its all in what you like, if you like it and it runs, which the z31s do run, go for it.

Bleach

if you buy it, can I borrow the car for a weekend?

260zturbo

thats a great year,i say get it

Raccoonman

I think I may shoot the guy a cash offer and see what happens Thanks for the input everybody.

Sure Bleach you can borrow it for the weekend, but you have to come to Texas

I feel so welcome already

snwbrderphat540

really? why do you say this? cause the first V engine in an automobile was basically the first automobile made by who? Gottlieb Daimler a German haha

Raccoonman

I have to say I really like the VG Series of engines. From the few I've been around they have a really good throaty sound. At least the 300 and my brother's truck do. Beware of the V ENGINE!!

Zetto

i prefer my VG over any inline. the sound is a pure mindgasm

snwbrderphat540

lol the VG motors dont sound good at all free flowing they are VERY VERY raspy with the turbo slapped on might be a little different story. i tried straight pipes on my Z32 once it sucked bawls i hated the sound. i've run many inline 6's with a straight through exhaust turbo and NA and heard many DOHC straight sixes as well straight through and are a much better sounding engine. also they are a better balanced engine when inline configuration so main bearings actually hold up better, better for tracking, other than that theres really absolutely no benefit to either style except the space you save with a V

NismoPick

My Geo 3 cyl is all American!!!!! Oh wait... it was made in Japan by Suzuki. Does that count?

Raccoonman

^^ Haha don't see why not

Niku-Sama

yes V configed engines from the 80's are too american, thats why theyre all crap and dont last at all.

acually wasnt the 80's when this sort of japanese thing really took off?

i say get it, depite how much i am not a huge fan of the VG motor, alot of little things some times can make it a ***** to work on, the cold start thing is a minor issue how ever it takes some time to get it licked.

reddzx

That cold start issue is probably the CHTS or cylinder head temperature sensor. It's on the front end of the drivers side head tucked behind the timing belt cover. It has a short wiring harness that goes across the front of the motor and plugs into the main harness near the front injector wiring on the other side of the engine. Change both at the same time. In the 1988 FSM it's in section EF & EC page 88-89

duowing

Biggest cold start issue with these Z cars is usually the cylinder head temp sensor. Other things like air regulator and stuff can cause some trouble, but it's usually never enough to make it really a pain to drive when cold.

Zetto

yeah, straight pipes on any VG sound horrible. don't know bout an inline though, never heard. (at least not in person) i know my 3" cat-back sounds amazing though lol

Raccoonman

^^ Haha, Sweet

Zetto

diggin that rockout huh? lol

Raccoonman

You know it

Zetto

lol niceso, you ever get the Z?

Raccoonman

Dragging my feet a bit because I already have a project car that I have no real ambition to finish so I'm trying to sell it first. Plus I don't have a real place to work on a car anymore since I moved out, but here's to hoping..."I do have an empty driveway though" Even though the more I think about it the more I want it

BTW, if you know somebody looking for a 71 Mustang convertible project let me know.

Zetto

lol where you live and how much you want? i'll spread the word if you're near me...which i honestly doubt...haven't met anybody on here from Troy or near Troy

Raccoonman

The car is in Kerrville Texas, and I'm asking $6000. "Kerrviulle's an hour west of San Antonio btw," and I'm in Corpus Christi Texas as of right now... A three and a half hour drive away. On another note I gave the guy an offer for the Z that I could afford right now, and he shot it down. I could afford give him what he wants, but I think I'm going to wait till I get ready for a project car before I buy one...or at least buy one that doesn't need a lot of work. Not sure if it's going to be a Z or not, but the world is still full of em . I was possibly thinking of a Subaru SVX and getting a standard transmission put in it...but who knows I'm up for anything that's easily modifiable and AWD or RWD that's cheap.