Hi guys, I'm sorry to say I have been the victim of a con job and found my dreams of being a 300ZX owner tarnished by the fact that half the car had rattled loose on the way home and there was a trail of oil showing the route I took to get there. I'm looking to buy a half cut but can't seem to find too many importers, I have only been able to find 2. I'm sure there are many more out there. Can anyone recommend an importer who is well priced?
Unless you've blown your motor, buying a half cut will only double your issues. Most front cuts will also need the major services done (which will most likely rectify the leaks on your existing motor). A bit more clarification with your issues, or getting it inspected by a 300zx specialist (karl/90ttz in the Brisbane area) will put you in a lot better stance for options. Hope you didn't buy a black slicktop TT with a red interior from boostcruising
Thanks OZX_320, no I didn't buy that one. It has a nasty oil leak from the rocker covers (not unusual or a big deal), it is also leaking oil from one of the head gaskets and the main bearing is leaking too. It is running very rough now stalling frequently and a really bad miss in one cylinder, sounds like a vacuum leak which is an absolute pain in the but! Other reasons for half cut is to convert to manual, my speedo is only working some of the time, I have tested the signal which is good so I think I need another cluster. There are a number of little niggly things that I would be able to get from a half cut as well. Do you have a number for Karl/90ttz? I think you are right about getting someone with a lot of experience in these cars to check it for me. I'm just desperate to get into my nice Z and go for a leisurely drive.
No it certainly wasn't post whoring, you can pm Karl aka 90TTZ on the forum for his details. There is a halfcut available down Logan way thru brisimports http://www.brisbanemotorimports.com.au/half-cuts-2/performance/nissan/300zx-vg30dett-manual
Thanks, I spotted that one at BMI I just want to check with other importers as well just to ensure I'm getting the best deal I can. I'm not in any urgent hurry so I can actually wait for one to be purchased for me in Jap and sent back. But I don't have the contacts to do that myself.
For $3.5k you could buy a whole zed, take the bits you need, sell the rest for parts and probably be in front...
Thats a good suggestion and I have had my eye on a car for just that purpose but I'm just not sure how good I can expect the running gear to be on a $3500 car. With the half cut it comes with a warranty and you just need to look at the speedo to see how many K's it's done.
I have found KY Automotive who has quoted $2850 for a half cut so there are better prices out there. Please if anyone knows of an importer, private or business I would be keen to chat with them.
If buying a half cut, couple things to note. There is a difference between engines for auto and manual. Try get a later model if you can, seeing you are getting the whole lot, try get a S2 engine, ECU, loom etc etc. Usually younger ones will be better condition. Shop around, as you finding now, prices go wildly vary. If you can go in and see it, ask them to start it, if you are doing this, ensure there is oil in it etc. Sometime they are shipped without oil. IMO, Stay away from paying top dollar for a car that has bits missing. IE, some sell the headlights, steering wheel, brakes etc. This is all worth money that can be sold on. No point paying 100$ less if it has no brakes. these can be sold to Silvia guys for more than 100$. If you can get a hold of a 1999 build car, you will get the nice Xenon headlight setup, and a nicer manual gearbox. If you ask for a certain year, some imports will bring you in one specially. They will usually test them in japan before getting shipped. Esp. if its a local business you can go in and look at it, if it doesn't start in the halfcut etc, you don't buy it. They have a startup warranty usually. Nothing wrong with asking them to start before handing over your hard earn money. I have bought 2 half cuts in the past and both times got good quality motors, they were both from different imports. One was a 300zx halfcut.
Try mmarschall (Martin Marschall) here on the forum, he was importing half cuts etc from Japan at one stage, hes located in Kyogal NSW just south of QLD boarder, which in not far from Brisbane. Good guy to deal with. Stuart
Thanks Stufarny, I will try to contact him. That is awesome, and exactly the sort of importer I was hoping to find. Do you happen to know his forum name, or how I may contact him?
Thanks Madcow, this is extremely useful information. 90TTz (Karl) was just telling me an hour ago that the wiring loom in the Zeds are a weakness so that will be particularly handy and if I can make some money back from parts then WooHoo! Are the blocks very different in the later models? Thanks again.
Blocks, and turbos are the same as far as I know thru the whole run of the 300zx After 1994, the heads, ecu, loom, lower plenum, injectors and their connectors, CAS connector change. Anything later than this would be the best bet. There was a few other changes after this, but they are only small in comparison, like body styling changes.
I'd also recommend Martin as probably being your best source in Australia for the parts you require. Especially given your location.
Martin hasn't been on the forum in months, best contact him via email martin336@gmail.com As for front cut importing, he was bringing container loads back when he came back from teaching in japan. Don't think he has any TT's left, with the '95 that he stripped on his last trip being the last car. He will be useful however for the small parts you are missing. From what I've seen, you'll genuinely struggle getting anything above a S1 front cut, a 2K is never going to happen.. the Japanese seem to think 2k headlights are worth more 2nd hand than brand new. Ascertain the condition of your existing engine first. A verdict of a healthy compression test, and everything else is minor in comparison. Essentially, whatever you have to spend on your engine now- plenum pull, cam cover gaskets, sealant, 200k service, you WILL have to spend on a front cut motor anyway.... you'll just be 2-odd grand better off.
Thanks guys I have contacted him and he definitely knows his stuff! I'm afraid it was a case of information overload, I had it pouring out of my ears. I have no doubt Martin will be able to help me out with whatever I need, we and Karl (90TTZ) are currently in the process of working out what that might be.
