Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo - what should i do?

[bigd480]

I'm looking for a high performance car that I can get for ~10-15k and do some meaningful upgrading to (raw power)...

Because it stopped US production in '96, all I have to pick from is the last generation (1990-1996) and I'm unsure about getting something with high-mileage turbos...

Should I just look for a low-mileage TT and first upgrade the ECU/intake/exhaust, or get one with burnt-out turbos, and replace them with bigger ones?

Please add any info/opinions on this car

[AJ]

Subaru SVXs are high powered cars in that price range! http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/biggrin.gif but its more $$$ to upgrade because parts are rare...But i'll tell you...people STARE at your car and give you thumbs up all over the place.

[blxmjx]

With any used vehicle especially a used turbo vehicle you should definitely look for the lowest mileage that you could afford. Especially since you plan on modifying the vehicle for perfomance. You should definitely start with exhaust and intake and then work from there like upping the stock boost levels. Just remember you need to add more fuel when adding significant amounts of boost. There are a lot of options with the 300zx TT. You can pick up a lot of bolt on stuff from hks, greddy or apexi to make that car extremely fast. In regards to the turbos, those two turbos are pretty small but good for a reasonable amount of horsepower. How fast do you wanna go? Another sports car option in that price range would be the twin turbo rx7, which performs a lot better bone stock (handling wise).

[Apex]

Make sure you have a good merchanic check the compression of all 6 cylindars and check the head gaskets (these things go ALOT on 300ZTT's).

[bigd480]

I'm probably going to do the Jim Wolf Tech 396HP upgrade because everyone gets their ECU from them and I might as well get the intake/exhaust from them to make sure my air ratios are perfectly for the ECU...

More HP than that would be nice but I probably won't take it more than 450...
The most I would foreeably do after the 396 upgrade would be an intercooler and/or a turbo replacement depending on their condition...

Since labor is high to even get at the turbos due to their location under the engine, I figure if I have to take them out I might as well replace them...

How would you compare repair and upgrade costs on RX-7s to ZXs? I've been researching this car for quite a while and there's a TON of info on it all over the web so it seems like the most bang for the buck... It's hard to find a 400hp machine for less than $20k, but you get what you pay for as far as engine condition, that's why I'm asking you guys what to look for...

By the way, is there any way to test the condition of the turbos while driving? Listen/look for anything in particular? (if only to make sure they're not totally gone)

[blxmjx]

If you've had experience with rotary's I'd say go for the rx7. If not, go with the 300. Rotary's are a lot more sensitive to detonation. One bad detonation could pop an apex seal, and that means pulling out the ol' cherry picker and opening the motor to see what is left.

One way to check the turbos is to look for any oil leaking from the turbos or any smoking. Also when you go into boost watch the boost gauge and make sure that it is able to hold boost. If it is not able to, there might be a problem with the turbo. If you've got boost spiking you definitely have boost control problems. Another thing you could do is take off the inlet hose and jiggle the impeller to check for play. If there is too much play then your turbo might be going, also try to spin the impeller, if it doesn't spin smoothly there could be a problem. One last thing try to listen to the turbo, if there is excess bearing noise that would also be bad. Off the top of my head I think that is it. I hope this helps.

[bigd480]

Hehe... Did I mention this is going to be my first car?

I've been wanting a ZX for a while so that's probably what I'm going to get...

From a cost standpoint though, if I'm buying a car with 50,000+ miles anyway, would it be more cost effective to replace the turbos as soon as I get it and while the engine's out have them check everything out?

What about rebuilding turbos, is that viable also?

[420racer]

Have you thought of getting a nonTURBO Z and then making it TURBO?

[bigd480]

People have tried it... WAY too much time and money... Not advisable when price difference is so small...

[blxmjx]

Definitely too much hassle to do the conversion. I would stick with the twin turbo model and upgrade the heck out of it.

[420racer]

TRUE, but the insurance will sure catch up to you. TWIN TURBO +SPOTRTS CAR + under 25 yrs. of age = major $$$$$

[blxmjx]

You know what they say, "You wanna play? You gotta pay".