My rebuild plan albeit, still 2 years off so a very early request. There are next to NO Z specialist if any at all in Tasmania. My plan: 1- Drive/trailer my Z to Melb (Not very expensive for Ferry). 2- Engine out in Melb and engine rebuilt sightly better than stock. As yet no plans for any other than a good solid dtock engine with some mild mods. Have budgeted $10,000 to spend on engine rebuilt/slight mod hence, engine rebuilt must be in the $10,000 ball park????? 3- Trailer Z rolling chassis back to Tasmania (Not very expensive for Ferry). 4- Prep Z back in Tasmania to save on painting cost.Install body kit (Bomex front bar, side skirts and rear bar) 5- Repaint engine bay, fix body work (Car park dents ect), and repaint Zed - original Black 5a- Budgeted $10,000 max on repaint, body kit and all new trim 6- Trailer Z back to Melb, install rebuilt engine 7- Drive Z back to Tasmania after short cruise to visit old mate in New castle I've thought about getting the Z painted in Melb but the car repairer I have in mind in Tasmania is excellent. My thoughts are the Z shop in Melb for the engine work unless members can recommend a Z specialist in Victoria. Other states/Territories are just too far from Tassie to make them viable for engine rebuilt? As mentioned Elite or DeHann car repairers in Tasmania are just excellent hence, the Ferrying back and forth. Thoughts? Cheers, Pete
Have you checked car and trailer prices for the ferry? I looked into it a while ago when I was looking at getting a project car from Tasmania, the tow car was going to be $79 each way but when you add a trailer it went up to something like $700 each way! Maybe worth taking the engine out at home and taking it over on a ute or something. Edit: or even look at couriering the engine over.
I got a better idea...spend a $1000 at the absolute max for a quality jack, stands and engine hoist along with a 1/2" single hex socket set, torque wrench and whatever else you may need and remove and fit the engine yourself.
About $900 total (Day trips) Ferry and trailer hire That's old Z over and old rolling chassis back and then repainted rolling Chassis over and rebuilt Z driven back.
Wow, not as bad as I got, I got a quote on their website for a return trip for a 4wd and 6 metre trailer and it was something like $1300.
Some good thoughts there. I'm certainly a believer in saving money and learning more about my Z by doing what I can. However, I think approx $900-1000 is not bad given that I also want to drive to see my old mate Brian and his family in New castle. I'll investigate grating the engine to Melb but a return Ferry ride is $351 car over & car/trailer return + accomodation $180) $581 give or take a bit here or there. Not sure if I want to grate an engine to Melb for $600. I certainly want the engine out to freshen up the engine bay a lot.
had a look on TTline and if i can get day trips to save on cabin cost return trailer+car was $351 + day trip accomodation it ended up close to $500 Total cost but I'm thinking long term and a lot can happen between now and November 2013 Rebuild is planned for Nov 2013 The ute option is worth consideration. I just need to get engine out
What i would do if i were in that position would be to get one of the good Z mechs, rollin, etc.. To select and rebuild an engine and frieght it down... remove and refit the replacement yourself and have the bodywork done whilst its being built. It would take some trust to do this, but i think the guys on here have shown theyre more then worthy. You'd be saving money on labour as well as the cost of sending the car(and trailer) across bass straight four times too. Only other suggestion would be to have EVERYTHING done in victoria. Im sure some vic guys can point you to some good places.
I agree with the boys. Seems a lot of wasted effort and money lugging a chassis half way around the country over the ocean between our two countries . Just get mabey eric or rollin to source an rebuild an engine and freight it down.
Pete, If it were me I'd either get all the work done in Melb, or as others have said get a engine built & sent down to you. What grade do you teach again? Get them to help
Thanks for the excellent feedback guys. Hey Jono, I teach grade 5 & 6 so I'm not letting them near it I now have some options that I certainly did not consider. I guess the trust factor for a forum member to rebuild an engine will grow over the next couple of years so that is a valid option. I certainly want a Z specialist (member or business) to work on the engine or build an engine. Getting one of our well known members or businesses to source a good to excellent block, take it apart, replace what is needed and ship it to Tasmania is a good option. I'll invest in tools/equipment to remove/install my old engine, new turbos, dumps and associated items. I would like to keep my polished plenum so I really only need a nicely rebuilt block (I'll source other parts and I am sure I can install turbos and plenum on a block) I like the Z1 GT525 turbos using the stock housing, slightly larger injectors and associated 'warm' mods because I'm after increased HP but not huge HP and ease of installation so stock fittings are required. I might need to up my budget to $15,000 for the engine but that's the absolute Max so I'll work within this limit any left over money can go towards non essential things like in car DVD or sports seats. This leaves me free to trailer the shell to my local preferred body repairer/specialist and whilst the body is away to install my mod bits. All I need to do is not scratch the new paint when installing the engine or bust the engine when installing it..arrgg Is there anything I've left something out here?? I'm just thinking that a complete engine maybe easier to rebuild and test (by rebuilder) than a rebuilt block. Unless, the engine is rebuilt and then plenum & turbos removed?? Rebuilder can sell turbos and plenum as means of getting a bit more money from rebuild, give me a discount and then send block only. Cheers, Pete
Hi Pete, If you take the route of having an engine built and shipped, most engine builders will be able to source a block/heads/cams etc. What you'll be buying is a long block. Then you'll swap over all your parts from your current engine to it when it arrives, such as pulleys, water pump, plenum(s) etc. As for wanting to buy a car DVD and the likes, I'm going to be selling my entire sound system soon (if you're interested).
Cheers, Jono. The long block rebuild option sounds like the road I'll take. I really only want a good, reliable/strong and stock long block that I can add a few go fast bits to that will result in a quick but reliable weekend ride. Something that will need regular maintenance and not have bits fail every 6 or so months lol Thanks also for the offer on your future in car entertainment sale but I'm strapped for 'extra' Z bits cash as we have just finished renovating our home in Penguin. The Bloody electrician via builder quoted $8000 for electrical and the final fee came to $13000 on top of paying back the bank the reno loan and savings for my own rebuild and USA holiday. The reno builders Contract says we need to pay but we are entitled to dispute it, so we are disputing it. Jono, if I had the cash I would buy your whole Z as it is without doubt one of the best Z going. It has nice clean lines and body, well looked after and it is nice and quick. Cheers, Pete
Pete Last complete engine I shipped from Melb cost me 70 dollars. Door to depot. Add a bit extra for re-delivery in Melb. to and from your engine man unless he is feeling generous after relieveing you of a lot of money for a build. Importantly, the engine MUST be able to be handled with a forklift. It goes at a top load pallet rate. Pull your engine and remove all the unnecessary little ancilliary bits. Plenty of us here willing to help. (Tech day perhaps?) (You provide food, piss and a bed and ill bring up my engine crane as well tee hee). Just all bits not necessary to travel. Leave the majority of the engine intact tho. The more stuff your engine man attaches the happier he will be. Go grab an old skid (no-name pallet) from any factory who will be glad to be rid of it. Dump your engine onto and old tyre on the middle of the skid wrap it with plenty of shrink-wrap if your pedantic and securely tie the engine down at 4 corners. Make it secure so it WONT fall off the skid. If you want to get real funky, make up a simple steel cradle/stand to bolt your engine to which becomes a stand/pallet. A couple of meters of angle iron or square section, a welder and 2 hours at most. Bolt your engine to it andd look real snazzy! Remember, must be able to be easily picked up with a small fork or freight company will rape you a couple of new ringpieces in handling costs or just outright refuse to handle it!!! Any goodies you have removed you want to go with the engine to the builders just wrap them up securely and jam them/tie them/whatever them to the engine/skid. Clearly mark the packages (lets say you have 3 on the pallet, engine 1/3 (other bits) 2/3 and 3/3. This will be noted on the connote as something like "1 x pallet STC (said to contain) 3 x items". blah blah. Voilah! Go for a drive with the pallet on the box trailer to your nearest freight depot.. Id recommend SeaRoad for you in Devonport. At most, 150 bucks return. Ive used them regularly in the past. Spend the rest of the saved grand or so on a good rockbox or renos to your house or pay for an airfare and have a happy wifey!!!! Talk to me more if you like m8. Transport is my game see. Cya Evan
Thanks Evan I'm thinking of sourcing another block in melb and having the engine builder use that to rebuild? When the time comes I'll investiagte if a suitable engine is available in melb or if I need to send my engine over for a rebuild. I'm thinking that sourcing an engine in melb and freighting to me is still a viable option but I've still got untill early to mid 2013 until I need to start my rebuild and Late 2013 for the rebuild. Thanks for the feedback Evan and a tech day in Tassie is well overdue. Cheers, Pete
Pete All good. On another tack, I have a couple of engines down here. Both are sposed to run ok. Your more than welcome to claim one, have it tricked up and then just give me back your old one to go back into the parts "pool". That way, you can make your rebuild a engine pull, do up your paint and body and re-install with no lead time! Always plenty of options. Cheers E
