Newbie

[Nazespirit]

Hi all,
 
I bought an 1989 TII a couple of weeks ago as I was looking for a track car. I didn\'t really think about all the consequences of the act but anyway I just went for it and I love the car. I drove it back to London (where I live) without much of troubles but then in my car park the battery went dead and I couldn\'t even jump start it.
So i brought the car to Rotechniks for a diagnostic (as I don\'t know much about the car) and apparently the engine has low compression (5.2 to 5.6), on top of an almost fixed rusted floorpan and some electrical issues (front lights).
I am at this point where i am wondering whereas I should put some money in the car or just let it go. If I decide to invest in it, it will probably go with an engine rebuild, some welding and electrical fixing. Does anyone have an idea of how much each step should cost me?
Also is there some people around London with FCs? I would love to meet and learn more about the car. I\'m a complete newbie to mechanic even if I like car a lot (I own a 1971 240Z back home - France) but one of the reason why I bought a DIY car this time is that I want to learn big time.
 
Here is a few pix of the monster:


 

 
And the old lady of course:

[marco]

nice 240z! i have always loved them, my father had a samurai in the 80s, it is the one car i wish he had kept.

[Prof]

Which part of London are you in ?
 
I live just outside, but I am guessing if you\'ve gone to Rotechniks then you are the same side (west).
 
Engine rebuild could cost you anything between £1500 and £4000 depending on how much work needs doing and who does it. Best to get several quotes.
 
The welding - no idea !
 
Lights - what\'s wrong there? I\'ve had most of the problems you can have with the front lights, so I know my way around the relays, wiring and what have you at the front end :Giggle Most problems are solvable by the owner if you have patience and are handy with a soldering iron.
 
Where are my manners !  Forgot to say welcome to the club !  And nice piccy - looks like a nice house and matching car !!

[Nazespirit]

I\'m just shy of the congestion zone, close to Marylebone train station.
I already have an estimate for an engine swap, I will make a few phone calls tomorrow to see what a rebuild could cost me and will let you know. As for the lights, the previous owner(s) messed things around, trying to bypass the incriminated wires, so it\'s pretty ugly as is. I\'ll see what the pros say, MOT is still good for a couple of months so i\'m not in a hurry.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome and the compliments, I hope that after a few £ spent I\'ll be able to be more activ on the road with the car.

[dthebuk]

i live on the way to rotor technics but my car is as an EGI (non turbo) would be nice to see a tII in the flesh though

[grinder]

that car looks really really familiar ?

welding - mine cost me less than £100 to do the whole lot - bought a welder off ebay for £65 - some mig wire and some sheet metal

i had never welded before - but patched her all up and she got thru a MOT

lights - lol - hours of fun there - have a search on here and there is a thread by me and one by dave all about the lights and how to fix them

engine - ekkk the scary bit - no idea

and welcome to the world of the bottomless pit of money spending - we all enjoy it in here

Stu

[ramirez]

think that ones from Preston? IIRC.

[grinder]

i dont know if its from preston or wigan to be honest - looks really familiar though

[TiddlesRX7]

Yeah wasn\'t this on Ebay before christmas in Preston? Think its the black wheels  that make it look familier.

[Nazespirit]

Got it from Ebay indeed, and picked it up in Preston. So this should be the one. Does anyone know a bit about this car? I\'m getting price estimates for engine rebuild right now, should take a decision by the end of the week so any scary stories about it should be told before the big money is spent :Hammer
For all the west Londoners out there, hopefully I\'ll pick up the car from Rotechniks Saturday so if you want to meet somewhere just let me know.

[grinder]

im not sure if i bid on it or not ?? LOL

if you got it cheap - then just drop a recon engine in it

[Brett]

Welcome to MRC :wave

I\'m in SE18, and we have the southern pub meet every month near Dartford

[Nik da Greek]

Love the Z car, proper old school cool, and nice arty photo too! The TII looks pretty tough in a Mad Max kinda way, be a shame if she was beyond economical repair.

[pdtaylor18]

I do happen to have a rebuild TII engine thats done 30K since a Mazda rebuild.  Its cheaper than a rebuild, just email me at pdtaylor18@hotmail.com
or PM me here.  Personally I would get the rust sorted out first as this can be horrendous on the UK cars (I have scrapped 3 Gen 2 UK cars) and not one JDM one.  There are plenty of us on here that know exactly where they go, think i even took pics of the problem areas.  Better to get the car structurely safe as i would rather waste a few hundred pounds on welding than potentially several thousand on a rebuild which you would never get your money back if you wanted to move the engine on by itself.

[Nazespirit]

Thanks for the offer on the engine, I will have a few more people having a look at the car before doing any major work. Welding / rust will definitelly be the factor in deciding which direction giving to that project.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys.