Project Museum VIP - 87 Maxima
11-24-2009, 08:12 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Project Museum VIP - 87 Maxima
Well i am not sure why i ended up buying this car...
The only thing that made me even look at it was the extremely low mileage. So i ended up looking at it and buying the car that same day. Driving it around i felt like i was in the 80s. So i started to do some reading about the motor. The VG series motor is one of nissans best. I found out you can use some parts from the 300ZX to turbo the motor. This was great because i just love turbos
So I sold my lexus sc400 and bought all new suspension parts. I figured that if i am going to drive this boxy maxima around i have to make it look good. I bought some Sentra SER 16" rims. 300ZX calipers. 1" H&R wheel spacers.
Test fited the rims with the spacers and it looks great. pushes the rims flush with the outside of the fender.
Installed the strut assembly. Ordered KYBGR2s and Intrax 2" lowering spring.
Here's a photo of the old strut take out of the car:
(and the insane lime green garage... )
Here's the New one installed:
Moog ball joints and tie rods should be installed tomorrow. I still need to pick up some new rotors before i slap the 300zx calipers on.
I'll keep you updated on the rears when i get to them. I hope i can get a bit of time this week to finish up the fronts.
I am looking to get the car repainted in black. Tint the windows and get my rims powdercoated in a dark grey or black. Going for a japanese mafia type murdered out look.
The only thing that made me even look at it was the extremely low mileage. So i ended up looking at it and buying the car that same day. Driving it around i felt like i was in the 80s. So i started to do some reading about the motor. The VG series motor is one of nissans best. I found out you can use some parts from the 300ZX to turbo the motor. This was great because i just love turbos
So I sold my lexus sc400 and bought all new suspension parts. I figured that if i am going to drive this boxy maxima around i have to make it look good. I bought some Sentra SER 16" rims. 300ZX calipers. 1" H&R wheel spacers.
Test fited the rims with the spacers and it looks great. pushes the rims flush with the outside of the fender.
Installed the strut assembly. Ordered KYBGR2s and Intrax 2" lowering spring.
Here's a photo of the old strut take out of the car:
(and the insane lime green garage... )Here's the New one installed:
Moog ball joints and tie rods should be installed tomorrow. I still need to pick up some new rotors before i slap the 300zx calipers on.
I'll keep you updated on the rears when i get to them. I hope i can get a bit of time this week to finish up the fronts.
I am looking to get the car repainted in black. Tint the windows and get my rims powdercoated in a dark grey or black. Going for a japanese mafia type murdered out look.
Last edited by BlackTopVitz; 12-03-2009 at 08:19 PM.
11-24-2009, 08:32 PM
#4
yep, the 300zx Z31 turbo doesnt take much to swap over, i'm throwing one on my 3rd gen with a intercooler to hopefully go above 300hp. since you have the Z31/2nd gen Maxima style VG30E you may be able to drop in a VG30ET engine from a Z31, something i was considering in my 3rd gen but it would be a bit of work since i have the other VG30E
11-24-2009, 08:35 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
I want to gather everything i need over the winter. I may just go with a custom manifold and a nice big turbo. I really just bought the car for highway cruising so a big turbo is a must!
Bushings all around is on the top of my list as well.
Bushings all around is on the top of my list as well.
those are boss cars!
11-25-2009, 08:05 PM
#9
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: los Angeles, Ca.
Posts: 315
.... hop to see your progress posted...
11-27-2009, 02:46 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Last night i had an hour to work on the car
started pulling the dash out to install the digital gauge cluster!
removal is fairly easy. About a dozen screws to remove and the lower and upper portions of the dash pop off. Only thing thats a bit tricky is taking off the speedo cable from the transmission. I had a ***** of a time trying to unscrew it. Left it as is because i ran out of time. hopefully i can finish the swap over tonight.
started pulling the dash out to install the digital gauge cluster!
removal is fairly easy. About a dozen screws to remove and the lower and upper portions of the dash pop off. Only thing thats a bit tricky is taking off the speedo cable from the transmission. I had a ***** of a time trying to unscrew it. Left it as is because i ran out of time. hopefully i can finish the swap over tonight.
12-01-2009, 08:37 PM
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Well had lots of win today!
Finally removed the 2 stripped ball joint bolts on the car. I have never had so much trouble taking off rust bolts. EVERY bolt was rusted right out. I guess being all original with 68,000km that these parts have never been changed in the last 22 years.
I found the best way to remove the ball joint was first to take the axle nut off (btw its a 35mm) remove the tie rod and strut assembly from the knuckle. Unbolt the calipers. remove the 3 nuts on the bottom of the balljoint. Lightly tap the axle out of the hub and the knuckle should come right off.
I had to put the knuckle in a vise to remove the ball joint nut. The wheel bearing seemed good with no in and out play or side to side and still spun free but the knuckle is badly rusted... So it looks like i'll be restoring this part back to original condition...
In taking off the knuckle i had noticed that the endlink bushings for the swaybar are bad so i added thoes parts to the list of things to get. My front calipers also were siezed to the rotors. So it looks like i'll be bolting up the 300zx calipers and pick up some new rotors tomorrow too.
I'll keep this thread updated as i get the time to work on it. only a couple of hours every day or so
Here are some photos:
I am sorry for the horrible photos. they are with my ****ty camera phone.
Finally removed the 2 stripped ball joint bolts on the car. I have never had so much trouble taking off rust bolts. EVERY bolt was rusted right out. I guess being all original with 68,000km that these parts have never been changed in the last 22 years.
I found the best way to remove the ball joint was first to take the axle nut off (btw its a 35mm) remove the tie rod and strut assembly from the knuckle. Unbolt the calipers. remove the 3 nuts on the bottom of the balljoint. Lightly tap the axle out of the hub and the knuckle should come right off.
I had to put the knuckle in a vise to remove the ball joint nut. The wheel bearing seemed good with no in and out play or side to side and still spun free but the knuckle is badly rusted... So it looks like i'll be restoring this part back to original condition...
In taking off the knuckle i had noticed that the endlink bushings for the swaybar are bad so i added thoes parts to the list of things to get. My front calipers also were siezed to the rotors. So it looks like i'll be bolting up the 300zx calipers and pick up some new rotors tomorrow too.
I'll keep this thread updated as i get the time to work on it. only a couple of hours every day or so
Here are some photos:
I am sorry for the horrible photos. they are with my ****ty camera phone.
12-02-2009, 08:48 PM
#16
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Well the front end is basically finished. had a chance to work on it for 2 hours today... Just need to pick up some rotors tomorrow. Install the 300zx calipers and the 1" spacers and the calipers just clear the rims!
I should have the front end dropped down tomorrow and i can finally start the rears.
I should have the front end dropped down tomorrow and i can finally start the rears.
12-02-2009, 11:29 PM
#17
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: los Angeles, Ca.
Posts: 315
I found the best way to remove the ball joint was first to take the axle nut off (btw its a 35mm) remove the tie rod and strut assembly from the knuckle. Unbolt the calipers. remove the 3 nuts on the bottom of the balljoint. Lightly tap the axle out of the hub and the knuckle should come right off.
12-03-2009, 08:23 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Well finished up the front end today. Everything is torqued to spec. Car is sitting nice and low. I was happy with the drop.
I won't have another chance to work on the car until mid next week. But i did jack up the rears and took the tires off. Sprayed the parts down with some PB Blaster. Should be good to go next time. I'll keep you guys updated.
I won't have another chance to work on the car until mid next week. But i did jack up the rears and took the tires off. Sprayed the parts down with some PB Blaster. Should be good to go next time. I'll keep you guys updated.
05-11-2010, 07:30 PM
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 60
Well i finally got some photos! and some updates.
Ive decided to do the stereo on the cheap. I hadsome pyle driver 4" speakers for the fronts that are installed.
Picked up some 2 gauge wire, an old 4 channel amp and a pioneer 10" sub and box.
The car is pretty dirty in the photos. It will be going for paint and tint soon. I need to roll my rear fenders aswell. After the car looks good i'll start with the motor decide what route i want to take.
Ive decided to do the stereo on the cheap. I hadsome pyle driver 4" speakers for the fronts that are installed.
Picked up some 2 gauge wire, an old 4 channel amp and a pioneer 10" sub and box.
The car is pretty dirty in the photos. It will be going for paint and tint soon. I need to roll my rear fenders aswell. After the car looks good i'll start with the motor decide what route i want to take.
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