Just call me Harada - My 50th Anniversary Edition Z31 Build

Builds
1

Just picked up a new side project…

a 1984 300zx 50th Anniversary Edition Z31.

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Originally wanted a 240sx (who doesn’t nowadays) then looked at 240z’s. Both were more than I wanted to spend for such a project. So, I looked at the often-overlooked and underrated Z31 300zx. The VG30ET attracted me for it’s easy power gains after a few minimal mods. The only problem was finding one in good enough condition for what I wanted to pay.

Ended up picking up a local Roller with stock T5 transmission as well as some maintenance/mod work like poly bushings, lowering/sport springs, d/s brake rotors, lightweight Z wheels (not sure from what generation but they are pretty light) plus he claimed all the electronics worked, etc. and it came with tons of extras.

His plans were to drop in a 302 with T5 from an '88 Foxbody mustang…however he stopped after fabbing custom engine mounts because he probably saw that it was more than just a DIY-in the garage project at that point.
So, I bought it off his hands (originally wanted the v8 but after some input from other Z31 drivers and 302 people alike, I decided to stick with the VG30ET…plus I wanted a turbo)

My plans? Right now they are to get the car actually running and to somewhat bring it back to it’s former glory…with a “modern” touch. Yes, I plan on being able to drift it, yes I plan on trying to make a good amount of power. However, this will be no beat-up drift missile. It’ll be a classy b****. (this is subject to change, budget pending)

Let the pictures begin:

Picking her up
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getting her to the shop
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(drift soarer and yes a real E36 m3)

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first night at the shop…

LET THE STRIPPING COMMENCE
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OOPS, found some cancer
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boxed up all the parts…
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re-aligned the hood so it would actually latch closed…test fitting the poly lip kits
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same for the hatch…
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started grinding and sanding away some of the rust while I wait for the heart transplant VG30ET…beginning the prep process for a full paint job… (not 100% sure on color…was thinking of sticking to the 50th AE theme, however.)
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the heart donor:
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Motor should be in by the first week of April…trying to get it up and running by mid-april.

This is where the project stands now…

here are a few pictures that inspired me to do the build…
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and if you don’t get the Harada reference, familiarize yourself with “Wangan Midnight” - the character drives a Z31 50th AE
http://forums.nicoclub.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/jbaker1121/Z31s/snapshot200904200655411_zpsda266518.jpg

to be continued…

      • Updated - - -

I’ve just finalized the motor (100k mile VG30ET with accessories, etc. delivered to the shop), and a Clutch LSD from an 87T Z31 (came with a clutch LSD from the factory in 87-89, and are highly sought after…got a great price)

I won’t be working on the car for a week and a half since I go home friday for spring break…but when I’m back, the motor should be in within a week or so so I want to try and finish up the seats (trying to fab custom rails for the racing seats) and the bracing before that happens so that I can at least work on getting it driving/driveable before painting and finishing up the body details (don’t want to that before all the heavy mechanic work) Plus, I need to reinstall the OEM engine mounts, or get custom ones for the OEM motor fabbed and installed (the p/o put custom 302 mounts in)

I’m also trying to locate some liberty walk/rocket bunny style pieces …I may go that route too (larger over-fenders, ducktail extension, etc) prob will just order the knockoff parts for now to test-fit… I dig the vintage boso/drift look on these older cars

Also need to find a rear bumper midsection with a sunken-in license plate slot, because I have the “JDM” Kaminari center light for the rear which goes over the OEM plate relocation, however usually people just bolt the plate to the bumper… of course, that’s not clean enough for me… will prob try and find a 240 bumper to use and will graft it in…

I’ll be running a 3" full exhaust (or just down pipe to side exit for now) and luckily the car is very close to TurboCIV’s shop… so will definitely be utilizing many of his services…

stay tuned.

2

While not my favorite generation of body style, these can still be lookers of done properly. Keep on it. You know I’ll be keeping an eye on this thread.

3

Does this have the sexy female voice that reminds you to buckle your seat belt?

4

Thanks, I’m planning on keeping it nice-nice and will attempt to make it stand out from most Z31s out there. to be honest I never considered this originally but they grew on me because you don’t really see them much - I feel like they fly under the radar and are overshadowed by 240sxs and other drift-tax cars…

Yeah, this one was fully loaded as it was the 50th AE version. Apparently this function was still working, can’t wait to be annoyed by it…
Maybe us Z guys can have a mini-meet once it’s actually running…lol

5

you really should have gone with the 240sx or the Z… the amount of work you’re going to need to put into this for the amount of pay off to be had doesnt compare to the other two.

anyways… this here is the best Z31 build i’ve ver seen:

http://www.ziptied.com/forums/index.php?topic=6734.0

6

to be honest I like it because it is different.

I’ve seen the car you linked to - it’s part of the reason the Z31 grew on me tbh…

As for the “amount of work” - easy power can be made cheaply with the VG30ET, and the car itself was cheaper than an equivalent Z or 240sx (no drift tax, no classic car tax)… Yes the aftermarket is much smaller and some may consider the Z31 undesirable but the number of them you actually see around let alone ones you see modified is pretty small. In my opinion it’s an underrated car that sort of flies under the radar. They can be had cheaply, they can be found in junkyards pretty easily (the bodies…the motors/drivetrain aren’t as easy to find) and it’ll still be perfect for what I want out of it.

that being said,

I Was doing a little research of what I can use on my car, since the aftermarket is very small for Z31s…
I want to run fender flares - although the 50th AE already comes with a rear flare look, I feel that I want to do the riveted flare styling for the front and back.
Apparently the ones at JDMflares.com work on the Z31 $170 for a set of fiberglass (ugh) flares that are 2.25 front 2.5 rear

here’s a picture of the “ZG” style JDMFlares on a Z31:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/jbaker1121/Z31s/72329_397078870388815_910659747_n_zpsdeb6a88e.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/jbaker1121/Z31s/599052_397078607055508_1961439293_n_zpsa3d56ab2.jpg

Not sure if I want to go this route, just getting a feeling for it.

Still need to hunt down a usable ducktail, or keep the factory spoiler. Up in the air - but I love the look

I found some for the 240z that I can probably make work… the part where it attaches is essentially the same on the Z31
like these:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/jbaker1121/Z31s/DSC_0292_zps4f695251.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/jbaker1121/Z31s/large501607_zps7a1cc250.jpg

I think I want to do the flares/ducktail/low front splitter style, slam it, but retain the 50th AE paint scheme with a little twist… blend of older and newer styles. the car walks the line between classic datsun z and the newer 240 styling anyway.

first things first - I need to get it running…
:fu:

7

You can buy flairs from @bing that will probably work.

8

best of luck. looks like you have a shit ton of work ahead of you.

9

I think you meant “flare” Captain Poorspell. :slight_smile: Although, Bing probably does have “flairs” like scarves and such, or maybe some of those nifty sneakers and socks he wears.

http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/UV_D61D/piecesofflair.jpg

10

lol I’m sure he has those too.

11

Kinda sad the previous owner wanted to ruin an anniv one… at least it wasn’t a shiro. Will be following, I have a z31 that has been in storage many years.

12

I’ll see what he has. I just found those because they’ve worked for a Z31

That’s an understatement, haha. I just want it running by the 2nd week of april.

o0o let’s see that z!

I don’t think he knew it was a 50th AE version, I think he just saw it as a vessel to throw in a 302 v8 he already had sitting around. I still think I got a good price for it considering the 50th AE status + extras + work that was already into it. at the same time i wish he also wasn’t missing a good amount of stuff to go back to the OEM motor.

I just located a slightly used Exedy clutch to use which will be fine for now (from a local Z31 guy, too) and need to get a flywheel (motor seller prob has one) also need to located a harness or partial harness since mine was left intact besides the part that goes to the motor -___- I also need a rad fan.
Sucks I’m going home for a week but I’ll use that time to find sellers for extra parts and a place to buy parts I need from… then I have a week to change the motor mounts and a few other things to get the car ready for it’s heart transplant. (luckily the seller is including all accessories, etc “whatever else I need that he has avail”

have a few buddies at the shop with me, as well as some mechanic friends that are going to help drop the motor in and get it running. This is the first time I’ve done such a project (luckily all of them have done something like this before, numerous times) so I’m excited to get it all sorted. Just need to watch the cash flow because I’m not working while at school :-/

Another plus is TurboCIV’s shop is nearby so if there is some sort of serious issue that myself and friend cannot figure out, he’s only a quick tow away…

13

yes i keep those flares in inventory: http://www.son240sx.org/showthread.php?112922-fender-flares-mounted-on-S13-S14-SC400

14

boxy hottness. I can’t wait to see more!

15

She looked great in Office Space.

16

You find a movie or pic she didn’t look great in. That recent comedy flic where she did the streaptease was perfection. I had to excuse myself for 1 min. 15 sec.

17

We’re the Millers…yea, I suppose you’re right…

18

I wonder if that’s my old M3?

19

Just imagine a completely oem stock, black on grey stripey interior, 5spd, analog guages, factory spoiler, very clean 1986 GL is the model I think. Always wanted a Shiro, or AE, but this one was too clean to pass on. Single owner, guy had another 87, and showed up to jump mine with a 240z AE. Guess he was buying Z31 AE, so the 87 and 86 had to go lol

20

I vote for stock paint scheme on some nice wheels with the widebody look.

Some of those pics make me hate the Z31 much less.