New!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
From: Seattle, WA
New!
Hey guys,
Just got my hands on a BEAT UP 50th AE 300zx last week.
By beat up i mean rusted trunk, poorly primered, awaiting paint, body-sonic gone, cloth seats in, and generally in need of work.
However, the engine is in good shape, the kid before me put on an intake and an exhaust. going to take it in for a tune up soon.
Gonna be asking a lottttt of questions!!
Just got my hands on a BEAT UP 50th AE 300zx last week.
By beat up i mean rusted trunk, poorly primered, awaiting paint, body-sonic gone, cloth seats in, and generally in need of work.
However, the engine is in good shape, the kid before me put on an intake and an exhaust. going to take it in for a tune up soon.
Gonna be asking a lottttt of questions!!
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 63
From: YUMA, AZ
Welcome. This is a great site some of the guys here are z gods with all the info. Use the search function!! One question for you tho. You said "take it in for a tune up"?? If you dnt turn wrenches then u wont have ur z long, that is unless u start learning quick 
if you have the money to let the shops do everything then more power to ya. I say this not to be mean or rude but neglected z cars require a lot of attention. Once u start u wont stop. Congrats on the buy and have fun!! Upload pics we are all picture ****** haha
if you have the money to let the shops do everything then more power to ya. I say this not to be mean or rude but neglected z cars require a lot of attention. Once u start u wont stop. Congrats on the buy and have fun!! Upload pics we are all picture ****** haha
Last edited by silverzxbullet; Nov 20, 2013 at 03:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
From: Seattle, WA
I will try to get a picture or two up soon. It needs a new transmission, so when i get it swapped in, I will have the mechanic take a look at it and see what needs to be done. One thing I know for sure, the damn shocks are worn as hell. Definitely need to replace suspension soon. Any advice?
Grumpy & Helpful
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,415
From: Mill Creek WA
check out our z club. zccw.org (z car club of wa). You can get plenty of advice/help talking to our members. Our website calendar of events is getting filled in soon. You are welcome to come to our holiday party at Griots in Tacoma. we have drives during the warmer months and a monthly meeting. welcome at any event we have listed to come and meet us.
Here listed below is some advice to address issues you may run into. Your shocks etc are definitely shot.
Get your battery load tested. Be sure you have clean, tight corrosion free terminals on both ends of your battery cables. Be sure the ground (negative) cable goes to a bolt into the frame before going to the starter. grounding through the starter is not a reliable connection. Z's don't like low voltage. causes the electronics to act funny. it is possible to have enough amps to crank but not enough voltage to run the electronics. If you have one size fit all cheapo clamp on terminals they are a problem waiting to happen.
Clean the connectors for the maf or afm, ecu and tps. Deoxit by CAIG is probably the best connector cleaner on the market. spray with CorrosionX after cleaning and before putting together this will help prevent any further corrosion.
Replace outer tie rod ends, and ball joints. replace the bushings with poly (don't forget to lube them as directed unless you like squeaky things). New shocks. all those things will make you think you are driving a different car. doing them piece meal is a waste you won't see a great improvement until you do the complete job. Rear bushings nice too but more work and you won't notice as great an improvement. Rear shocks also because if the fronts are gone so are the rears. if car squats when you jump on the gas the rears are gone. If you have the electro adjustable shocks they are DEFINITELY GONE.
If you are doing a turbo car shocks (electro adjust I think may be only on the turbos) then you need the adapter plates to fit modern shocks to the car. Easiest way is find an n/a at the junkyard and take the mounting plates. They may be available thru NAPA (listed) but I had the n/a plates.
Here listed below is some advice to address issues you may run into. Your shocks etc are definitely shot.
Get your battery load tested. Be sure you have clean, tight corrosion free terminals on both ends of your battery cables. Be sure the ground (negative) cable goes to a bolt into the frame before going to the starter. grounding through the starter is not a reliable connection. Z's don't like low voltage. causes the electronics to act funny. it is possible to have enough amps to crank but not enough voltage to run the electronics. If you have one size fit all cheapo clamp on terminals they are a problem waiting to happen.
Clean the connectors for the maf or afm, ecu and tps. Deoxit by CAIG is probably the best connector cleaner on the market. spray with CorrosionX after cleaning and before putting together this will help prevent any further corrosion.
Replace outer tie rod ends, and ball joints. replace the bushings with poly (don't forget to lube them as directed unless you like squeaky things). New shocks. all those things will make you think you are driving a different car. doing them piece meal is a waste you won't see a great improvement until you do the complete job. Rear bushings nice too but more work and you won't notice as great an improvement. Rear shocks also because if the fronts are gone so are the rears. if car squats when you jump on the gas the rears are gone. If you have the electro adjustable shocks they are DEFINITELY GONE.
If you are doing a turbo car shocks (electro adjust I think may be only on the turbos) then you need the adapter plates to fit modern shocks to the car. Easiest way is find an n/a at the junkyard and take the mounting plates. They may be available thru NAPA (listed) but I had the n/a plates.
