Rebuilding a 300ZX Turbo From A Bare Shell. BACK FROM THE DEAD! Starting it for the first time!

In this video we combine two 1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo's that have both been in storage and stripped down. With all the parts on the cars and in boxes, in this episode we manage to get the car running after years of sitting and neglect.
0:00 intro
0:30 Background of our 300ZX Turbo
2:21 Our New Shell
3:49 Day One Accomplishments
5:25 Wiring Harness Installation
6:24 Stripping the Old Shell Bare
8:24 Brake and Clutch Assemblies
9:26 Dash Components
9:56 Prepping Engine for Install
12:23 Engine Installed
13:56 Installing Accessories
14:30 Getting Fuel
16:10 Fuel Tank Removal
17:45 Fuel Tank Install
18:12 Wiring Debacle
21:00 Testing for Spark
23:02 Diagnosis why it runs like trash
24:14 IT RUNS!!
24:43 Outtro

[@KyoshoViper]

Im with you! My 88 na is coming along nicely. Thanks for the vid

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Just put out another 300ZX video, be sure to check it out!

[@blue6gun]

Z31 is a good thing to get into right now. I feel like they're gonna come up in value in a few years so while they're still worthless is the best time. I got my 86 n/a and an 87 turbo parts car for free in November cuz nobody else wanted them haha

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Z31s are pretty slept I think because of the truck engines stuck in them. If these VG30ETs had more tuning potential from stock it would be a no brainer. No factory intercooler means you are fabricating one yourself and that's a pretty big hurdle for most. Aftermarket kits are long gone which makes it really tempting to copy the HKS kit I have and produce my own version. Injectors are tiny and need immediate upgrade along with the turbo which is tiny and archaic by today's standard as well. Making any amount of power means a whole lot of parts and even more money. Kind of understandable if you can just buy something newer with more power and better parts. Even 350Zs stock have more HP than base upgraded Z31s. In the end, upgrading a z31 you still end up with a lot less money and an 80s shitbox. So I will enjoy mine for what it is (an 80s shitbox), and continue to have fun with its pop up head lights

[@therealryoshi1214]

glad I found you. I used to own a 84 slicktop and man do I miss that car. Getting to watch someone actually dig into these cars and care for them is really awesome to see.

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks a lot! I would always have guys stop and talk to me about the Z cars they used to have. Unfortunately, the stories are mostly the same; they either wrapped it around a telephone pole or sold it. I don't plan on doing either of those things just yet.

[@sockahcock]

Love this channel! helps me understand my dream car a little bit more and gives me the confidence of owning one in hopes i can do work on it myself

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Working on these is easy. You just have follow one easy rule that will save you plenty of headaches and time. Buy the best one you can. Trying to go cheap you will end up hating it and spending more time wrenching than driving. This project made sense for us, sort of, because we already had a ton of parts + donor car + decade of knowledge working on them. Parts are getting harder to find and more expensive. I would really suggest splurging on a turbo model with the 5spd as well.

[@sockahcock]

@@Dan_And_Daves_Garageappreciate the advice so much thank you really!

[@stewcrane3441]

Grand work guys. All that tearing apart and putting together over the years in the family garage (thanks MOM and DAD) is paying off. This also shows why both of you are also successful professional Engineers. You think. You try. You don't give up. You get results. Pleasure to watch.

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

We definitely learned a lot trying to build the original 300ZX turbo over the years. I've actually mentioned this project during job interviews and got a lot of surprised and interesting feedback. It really was a gut punch of finding out the rust was worse than we thought when we dug into it. I know for some it doesn't look too bad, but not mentioned is that the chassis was definitely involved in some front end collision because with the whole fascia off, you could see it was tweaked and there was non-matching seam sealer in the front clip. The frame rails were also crushed and caved in from being improperly lifted (partly our fault). So on top of all the rust, it just snowballed out of control until we could source a rust free shell.

[@ZekeGraal]

I used to own two 1984 300ZXs. One Slicktop 2+2 and one T-Top with the digital dash. I tried to make one good car out of both, but both ended up too rusty for me to save. Due to moving all over Virginia early in my career I could not dedicate time to saving them before the rust go too bad. I moved out of Virginia last year for work, and it makes me so happy to see someone back home have such a passion for these wonderfully 80s silly machines. They are great machines, the VG30 is bulletproof, it is just such a shame that the metal Nissan used back then was so bad. I watched all the way to the end and I am curious about your previous videos since you mentioned and had some footage of the white car. Absolute sub, lots of memories with those rust buckets!

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks a lot and I'm glad I'm not the only one with the Z bug. The other Z is an 86 NA in pure 80's spec, cocaine white with the red interior and digital dash. I have a part one out of the white Z fixing a bunch of issues after it sat for a couple years and getting it ready for the summer. However, the views didn't do too well initially and there wasn't a ton of interest in it so I didn't bother filming part 2. But now that video got a little more traction and I'm getting a ton of positive feedback on both so I'm going to film a part two of the white car, and I'm actively working on getting this 86 Turbo on the road again. Again, thanks a lot for the feedback and comment as it helps keep us motivated to get these done.

[@robertcarson5184]

I just picked up a 1987 base model 300ZX from the original owner and am facing some challenges with the engine but overall the body and interior is pristine. My buddy says to flip it but I am leaning more toward holding on to it and rebuilding the motor and replace what is needed. Your video inspired me, and now my vision is clear. Thanks guys! Love your dogs btw!

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks a lot! Sorry I didn't mean to be such a bad influence haha. Good luck with the project and don't forget to have fun!

[@XevilangleX]

How much did you pay? I've been researching what the beat value to get this car for.

[@mtnbiker4evr13]

Good stuff. Bringing my 87 to life after sitting in the woods 12+ years had similar issues with fuel, ignition and 86/87 parts interchange weirdness. Will be following the progress.

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks a lot!

[@drewsprague88]

AWESOME!Ever need any help just reach out! I'm working on Z number 6 right now. 1987 with a totally rotted floor. You kick ass!

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks a lot! This is definitely keeping me busy. Next video is going to get this to "run and drive", focusing on brakes, suspension, and cooling. If things get tough I may reach out

[@howardkwellerm.d.510]

Would love you to work on my original1985 300zx turbo. Garaged. Restored paint and body…. Engine is amazing!!! Great torque/ compression

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Unfortunately I don't work on other people's cars, all the work and none of the reward of getting to enjoy driving it haha.

[@DARKELLAKEL]

Nice!!! I’m restoring a Supra

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Nice. What year? Turbo?

[@iiXtcy]

Glad you’re getting another Z31 on the road! Can I ask for some assistance?… 1) I want to connect the coolant lines of the turbo and the back on the engine but idk how to cancel or route them. 2) I notice my oil pan has another hole next to the drain plug . It seems as it has threads do I need a plug for it ?

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

For your first question, go ahead and download the FSM which is available on xenonzcar website or on nicoclub. Then go to the "lubrication and cooling" section, and on page LC-14 it will have a diagram of the turbo and where the lines route. Inlet: outside of turbo, between turbo and engine bay Outlet: inside of turbo between engine and turbo Air regulator -> Inlet Outlet -> throttle chamber Hopefully this helps. For your second question. If you have a hole in your oil pan you're going to have a bad time. I believe there is an oil temp sensor that you may be referring to and if you cannot find a replacement sensor, just seal it off with a plug that's the correct thread size and pitch. The wire to mine is broken, so it's not a big deal to me if it doesn't work

[@Randy-sr2es]

I have 1986 300zx nontubo for sale engine runs need clutch

[@Trap_manuel]

hey there is there anywhere that I can message you, I have some trouble with my 300zx and it sounds very off when it cranks I was wondering if I could get an opinion of yours on what the problem may be.

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Send us an email at [e-mail] and we'll see if we can help

[@kennypool]

What kind of motor is that, I must have missed that part?

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

It's the original VG30ET from the green 300ZX. That is the stock engine the Z31 300ZX Turbo's came with.

[@kennypool]

@@Dan_And_Daves_Garage Ok thanks. I'm subscribed

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Thanks! Good to hear!

[@anthonystrother1191]

Are you guys in VA new to the channel

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

We were both located in VA, but David is currently up in NH. We are working on best coordinating projects and when we can be on screen together vs just working on our own individual projects

[@philmatthews3227]

hi do you still have the old hatch? i need a corner cut from one and some other bits if you still have the shall. do you have Facebook ?

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

I have the old hatch. Which corner did you need? There is some rust on the old one so just want to make sure it works for you.

[@philmatthews3227]

i need the left side@@Dan_And_Daves_Garage

[@philmatthews3227]

anything is better in the left corner than what i have there is no inner on mine

[@Dan_And_Daves_Garage]

Send me an email at [e-mail] because I dont get notifications on replies. I still have the shell and the lower corners are solid on hatch if that is what you need.

[@Randy-sr2es]

Timber wolves ver nugeo