1990 300zx TT

What direction should I go for a reliable driveable 600+ or- HP

  • LS swap is the only way....

    Votes: 8 53.3%
  • Fix up the ole TT and get it to be JDM AF....

    Votes: 7 46.7%

  • Total voters
    15

Tug McClutchin

Mentally and vertically challenged!
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Well a buddy of mine owned this car and passed away 6 years ago. One of my other friends picked it up but ended up in a divorce and with a job that takes all his time so now I am the owner of this ride. The good is that the car chassis is sound with some nice Tein coil overs on it. The bad is that the motor ran but ran poorly and either needs a refresh with the goal of having 5-600hp or its destined for an LS swap. The wiring harness is also crumbling in the engine bay. The interior is a 8.5 out of 10. The paint looks decent. No rust. I am torn on if I should slap a sweet heart nicely tuned LS in it or if I should step up to the bar and spend the $$ it will take to properly repair the factory engine. I know I will never get the cash out of the car but this was a passion project for my friend when he was alive and he wanted it to be a nice car that had good street manners and could be driven to work every day if it was needed and I want to make where he wanted the car to be reality. Any of you guys have Z32 experience or know of a good local tuner that has the scoop on what direction I should head. I am leaning towards an LS swap as it seems to be the most reliable way to the HP I want and straight forward since this is a common mod for Z32 cars. Most important to me is the car retains close to stock aesthetics and does not draw attention from every ricky ricer racer who thinks their civic is the "Skr8t up shizzle dawg"..... I just want a car that looks stock and is fun to drive with out screaming arrest me....
 
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What's the cost of repairing the original motor to function reliably? I would keep it as original as possible.

also what a sweet ride and way to remember your friend.
 
I LOVE the body on the Z32 and it was always a dream car of mine growing up.
Hell, when I bought the MR2 it was between it (turbo MR2) and a NA 300. I went turbo because, well, woooooosh!

Anyway, love the body, hate the interior.

VG30DETT can handle some power, but that's a cramped bay!

I love turbos, but if I was in your shoes, LSX might be what I was thinking of. Get some room in the bay and easy power with less to go wrong. Probably shave quite a bit of weight too!
 
What's the cost of repairing the original motor to function reliably? I would keep it as original as possible.

also what a sweet ride and way to remember your friend.
This would require me to find some one who is an expert on these cars to price. From what I understand to get a "reliable 550hp done right is $7-8k" now this is just a guy I know and not direct from a reputable tuner who said this. The factory motor has 100K on it so it is in need of a refresh at best and a complete work over at worst. I drove this car alot before my friend passed 6 years ago and it was a strong motor that did not smoke. 6 months after he moved he stated he thought a turbo seal was blown due to how it was driving and was going to send it to a tuner in Georgia for some work until he found out he had cancer and was not long for this world. I would really like to find the tuner he wanted to do the work and have the work done. He also mentioned several times doing an LSX for cost savings. I want to finish the car right and it really does not matter to me if it has a nice clean LS or a nice clean TT as any collector value is gone with the coil over set up installed. The HICAS rear wheel steering goofy set up is as good as gone too!
 
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I dont know where you are, and I havent been over there in a while, but there was a Z speciality shop in Greebsoro near/in downtown.
May have been called Z specialties or something
 
I dont know where you are, and I havent been over there in a while, but there was a Z speciality shop in Greebsoro near/in downtown.
May have been called Z specialties or something
I am in Belmont but will be moving to the hickory/taylorsville area in the next few months. Got a new job about 6 months ago and no longer have to stay in the cesspool that is Charlotte. I am going to have to look up these guys. I am just not familiar enough with these cars at this point in ownership that I am educated enough to make a sound decision.
 
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This would require me to find some one who is an expert on these cars to price. From what I understand to get a "reliable 550hp done right is $7-8k" now this is just a guy I know and not direct from a reputable tuner who said this. The factory motor has 100K on it so it is in need of a refresh at best and a complete work over at worst. I drove this car alot before my friend passed 6 years ago and it was a strong motor that did not smoke. 6 months after he moved he stated he thought a turbo seal was blown due to how it was driving and was going to send it to a tuner in Georgia for some work until he found out he had cancer and was not long for this world. I would really like to find the tuner he wanted to do the work and have the work done. He also mentioned several times doing an LSX for cost savings. I want to finish the car right and it really does not matter to me if it has a nice clean LS or a nice clean TT as any collector value is gone with the coil over set up installed. The HICAS rear wheel steering goofy set up is as good as gone too!

It all depends on how much your willing to spend. Is it just for a fun driver or daily driver? If just a fun car make it fun.
 
Your buddy was probably talking about Z1 motorsports, I believe they are in Georgia.
 
It all depends on how much your willing to spend. Is it just for a fun driver or daily driver? If just a fun car make it fun.
Its to make it a fun car I can comfortably drive 200+ miles in. I guess my definition of a "FUN" car is roll cages, no a/c, and taught suspension.... This car may see an auto cross course or even a rare track day but I want A/C, cruise control, a compliant street ride that has controllable power. So it will be a fun car but not a "FUN CAR" Budget will be about $10k and am already $1500 in to that $10k with buying the car.
 
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LS that beast. I am all for the original but that car mated to an LS will be worth it.
 
#LsSwapthebworld!

I LS/6spd swapped my old FD Rx7. You’ll love the process as much as the result.
 
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#LsSwapthebworld!

I LS/6spd swapped my old FD Rx7. You’ll love the process as much as the result.
Man I would love one of these that wouldn’t eat tires for breakfast.
 
#LsSwapthebworld!

I LS/6spd swapped my old FD Rx7. You’ll love the process as much as the result.
I love the look of FD RX's! Not so keen on the rotary engine after seeing a buddy spend 10k on fixing one up to go fast and have it grenade way to soon...
 
Normally I would say ls swap it. But you can build the engine in it, and have the same amount of fun. Then you wouldn't have to worry about all the stuff involved with swapping in a v8.
 
Mine was an auto tt car when I got it. Horrible paint. Motor smoked, was hell to start. Told my buddy if he thought we could make it home from hickory nc I’d buy it. That’s the only trip I made with that drivetrain lol.

not to thread jack but here’s my old build album if you want to see the swap process:

https://app.photobucket.com/u/gspechybrids/a/b796bedc-7623-4d23-930a-896914044a32
link isnt opening brother

By the way, I bought a turbo II FC - at 80k the motor was shot and it didnt want to start.
I ended up paying 300 for it from a friend, when I realized how bad it was I parted out the aftermarket BOV and stuff, then sold the car to some RX7 junkie out in Raleigh for a great price (for him, and it got me some cash - bought my buddy a meal with the profits)
 
I am an LS guy. I have owned many built specifically as hot rods to show my arse in. That being said I would go JDM. I say this because I have a respect for JDM muscle I found about 16 years ago when a buddy of mine, bought this.
802EAE20-3CA4-41F4-BA06-E78AA6647583.jpeg
AEC5B1EB-2BAD-49E8-9D30-6BF742C73E45.jpeg

This Supra is the meanest car I have ever been in. I have been in drag cars that couldn’t touch it. It is just over 1000rwhp (originally a Twin Turbo but converted to a large single turbo)and is as tame as a kitten when driving it normally.

Another friend has a 550rwhp 6-speed 6.0LS GTO. It is cammed, AFR heads, exhaust, intake, throttle body, mass air meter, Injectors, etc. When the GTO(which is no slouch) hit 120 the Supra had already gapped the GTO by 200 yards and was in excess of 170mph and pulling hard. This is not secondhand knowledge, I was in the GTO. The Supra had 4 people in it. All that wanted to see how it ran.

He usually has the Supra out at West Jefferson’s car cruise-ins. The next one is August 22nd at 5pm. He loves to take people for rides. Everyone is welcome and it doesn’t matter if you drive a Camaro or a Kia, We just like to have people who like cars to come up and cruise downtown West Jefferson. ( I know this turned into an advertisement /invite but it is good clean fun for car/truck lovers).
 
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LS swaps are for queers.
thank you for adding so much to the conversation. Do you have any more well thought out scholarly statements you care to add? What do you have next? My mom is fat if I install an LS? Or the classic my dad will beat up your dad if you LS swap.
 
I am an LS guy. I have owned many built specifically as hot rods to show my arse in. That being said I would go JDM. I say this because I have a respect for JDM muscle I found about 16 years ago when a buddy of mine, bought this.
View attachment 238315
View attachment 238316

This Supra is the meanest car I have ever been in. I have been in drag cars that couldn’t touch it. It is just over 1000rwhp (originally a Twin Turbo but converted to a large single turbo)and is as tame as a kitten when driving it normally.

Another friend has a 550rwhp 6-speed 6.0LS GTO. It is cammed, AFR heads, exhaust, intake, throttle body, mass air meter, Injectors, etc. When the GTO(which is no slouch) hit 120 the Supra had already gapped the GTO by 200 yards and was in excess of 170mph and pulling hard. This is not secondhand knowledge, I was in the GTO. The Supra had 4 people in it. All that wanted to see how it ran.

He usually has the Supra out at West Jefferson’s car cruise-ins. The next one is August 22nd at 5pm. He loves to take people for rides. Everyone is welcome and it doesn’t matter if you drive a Camaro or a Kia, We just like to have people who like cars to come up and cruise downtown West Jefferson. ( I know this turned into an advertisement /invite but it is good clean fun for car/truck lovers).
That is a bad ass supra! Thank you for sharing! The good thing about the LS swap is that no permanent mods are required and I can still tinker with the 3.0tt motor and be able to drive the Z.
 
That is a bad ass supra! Thank you for sharing! The good thing about the LS swap is that no permanent mods are required and I can still tinker with the 3.0tt motor and be able to drive the Z.


Oh, I agree. I love the JDMs. That 300ZX is wicked. I have always loved them. I envy you, I want a JDM but my wife/wallet won’t allow it.. My nephew has a Mitsubishi 3000GT(Non vr4). It is a clean fun car.
70689E71-9DC3-4FB9-8B8D-CF641018F37B.jpeg
 
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That is a bad ass supra! Thank you for sharing! The good thing about the LS swap is that no permanent mods are required and I can still tinker with the 3.0tt motor and be able to drive the Z.
Nice Supra indeed. My BIL had a supra back in the day. That thing would fly. Thought better and sold it when he got married and had my niece.
 
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Both are very cool and love a ls engine but also love a good turbo car that would be a really tough call it would probably come down to what would be most reliable at similar power/ performance levels. How about a turboed ls swap best of both?
 
thank you for adding so much to the conversation. Do you have any more well thought out scholarly statements you care to add? What do you have next? My mom is fat if I install an LS? Or the classic my dad will beat up your dad if you LS swap.

Simmer down sport, it was a joke. I don't know how fat your mom is and my dad is too old to beat up anybody.
 
What wheels are on the Z?
remind me of SSR integrals
 
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thank you for adding so much to the conversation. Do you have any more well thought out scholarly statements you care to add? What do you have next? My mom is fat if I install an LS? Or the classic my dad will beat up your dad if you LS swap.

My honest opinion is that you would be doing that car a disservice by putting an LS in it. I've been in the automotive restoration/modification business for a long time and there is nothing more played than an LS swap. Yes they run pretty good and can be made to make decent power but no more so than anything else. If you're only looking for 5-600HP that shouldn't be hard with the twin turbo unit you've already got. It will also stay true to the car and be way cooler.
 
Simmer down sport, it was a joke. I don't know how fat your mom is and my dad is too old to beat up anybody.
I got the joke and hope you got the joke about my 70+ year old dad beating up your dad! No hurt feelings here just cutting up! Sarcasm may be hard to read on the interwebs!
 
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My honest opinion is that you would be doing that car a disservice by putting an LS in it. I've been in the automotive restoration/modification business for a long time and there is nothing more played than an LS swap. Yes they run pretty good and can be made to make decent power but no more so than anything else. If you're only looking for 5-600HP that shouldn't be hard with the twin turbo unit you've already got. It will also stay true to the car and be way cooler.
This response is the sort of info my ignorant midget self was looking for!
 
for the age, seats look great
 
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