Hi all. I'm looking at buying another zed it's a 1990 5 speed Na. It has a problem, I took it for a test drive and there is absolutely no power. Have to rev it right up just to take off. And with my foot flat in first it goes no where. It has a 3" single exhaust. Does anyone know what could be the problem? I think the person said it had ran right out of fuel. So maybe clogged up fuel filter? Or I was thinking dirty airflow sensor. And ideas would be great. Also I think it might have been a turbo at one stage. It got a TT sticker under the bonnet I think I saw. Climate control. Electric seats etc etc. Cheers Justin.
Ok , a dirty MAF would usually give hesitation or limit the revs not rob the power. The fuel filter is a possibility but IF it used to be a twin turbo, it will be gutless as less powerful than a 4cyl 2006lancer. The sticker means nothing but, if it was a twin turbo at some stage it would have hicas mounts in the bay and at the rear of the car , look for a lock out bar at the rear if removed.
From what l have noticed, 1990? There would be vents in the original front bar. Thicker front rotors Bigger radiator Cluster, bottom of speedo. But if they did a parts swap, then they would shift all the good stuff. From what l have read, As stated above, about the hicas, the extra weight and complexity of the rear subframe and diff ratio would be the unwanted bits.
I've got a Manual NA, they are not that bad.. I find it kind of zippy as long as its been maintained well. Clutch not slipping ? Might be good to get a conzult interface , at least you will have more information at your disposal when shopping around.
Yeah this one wasn't zippy at all. Was even hard to take off. And clutch seems to be alright. But she did say she has been riding the clutch to take off. Which isn't good! Going to get it tonight if it isn't sold. Will let you know how I go if I get it l. Cheers
Could be There are lots of things that could cause these symptoms. Do a compression test and possibly see if anyone from the forum that lives near you, could come with you to help diagnose problems. Lack of power could be an easy fix or a whole new motor, don't get caught with something that you might regret buying. Hopr this helps, Andy
Almost definitely sounds like a slipping clutch especially with the take off problems and its previous abuse. It might still feel good under your left foot and still be flogged out. 300zxs need good clutches N/A or not beccause i have a n/a and i regret not going heavy duty after my manual conversion because it just doesn't handle my spirited driving.
A restricted fuel filter is a cheap & easy fix, that's why a seller would suggest it as a possible cause of poor performance. Running the fuel tank dry should not cause the fuel filter to become restricted. It has probably got more serious issues & the price should reflect this. If you think it may have been converted, the VIN will determine whether this is the case.
The seller didn't suggest it. That's what I was just thinking. The seller is a lady and she doesn't know a great deal about the engine. And what it's doing. She just says that it's sluggish. Which is right. To me I don't think it seems a real big problem. But I'm not to sure either. How can I tell if it is turbo by the Vin number mate? Cheers
Hmm. It doesn't run all that smooth on idle either. And has a flat spot when you go to rev it up. If it is still for sale when I go back tonight. I will defiantly look more closely at the clutch. Maybe put the brake on a bit whilst I'm driving just to see if the revs go up an not moving.
Yeah I was thinking could have low compression. If it did happen to be turbo at one stage would this affect the compression. Also when this lady bought the car it was runnong and driving as it should. Then the car sat for a little while. And that's when it started to loose the power, after it sat :/
Cheers! That's a great page to see what the Vin is about. If it does happen to be TT is there a way I can tell if the engine is a original NA and not just have had the turbos taken off?
it could be nothing, and yet it could be a replacement engine. unless your getting it for a REALLY god price, or you are 100% on what the issue is and how much it'll be to fix, id be inclined to steer clear of this particular zed. is there a local member nearby that could come with you to check t out again, preferably with consult. help the guy out if you can zedders......
VIN You haven't specified whether it's an import or an auspec 2+2. If it's a 2 seater import N/A, the VIN will start with Z32 ######. If it was a 2 seater Twin Turbo the VIN will start with CZ32 ######. If it was a 2+2 Twin Turbo the VIN will start with GCZ32 ######. An auspec Z32 has an entirely different VIN code configuration. The VIN can be located on an aluminium plate attached to the top of the radiator support panel & also stamped into the firewall. Ask the seller for the VIN, & ask a forum member to decode it. It will tell you the month & year it came off the production line, colour, transmission etc.
It's $1500 mate. So I don't think that's a bad price for what it is. I have a zed my self at the moment, in pretty good condition. So I could even grab the exhaust, mags, manual etc to put in my good one.
$1500 is a good price i geuss. NA diff, afm, mags, exhaust and a few other bits will give you back your purchase price if worst comes to worst and you have to part it out. the reality is though with the z32, is that most are between 24 years old (1989) and slightly newer......20 odd years old. this doesnt bode well for getting a good quality motor, some of them are "passed the used by date" and will need expensive repairs. thats just general advice and is not true for 100% of them, but for a fair chunk it is.
Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking. I'll know if it's still for sale in about twenty mins. She has someone looking at it now :/
