z32 with blown turbo

Hi all,

this is my first post... I've been reading around for a while and let me say this is a great forum with lots of really useful information (although not that easy to search on... or I might be missing something).

Meanwhile, I have a question that should be really easy for you guys (and I'm sure the answer is already posted but I couldn't find it! sorry).

I'm looking into buying a 300zx. I found one that I really liked at a very good price but there is a catch: it has a blown turbo. :sly:

I'm still to see if it's rebuildable or not but my question is, besides replacing the turbo (rebuilding or just buy another unit), what else could be the consequences of a blown turbo? What else could be damaged?

To make this easy, lets assume the turbo, although blown, has all the pieces still attached to it (nothing went through ending in the combustion chamber). :runaround:

From what I gathered so far, this is a very tough motor, so I'm tempted to do business even with the car in this shape. Only thing is that I'm expecting a small - kind of small, engine out so - repair (fix the turbo, oil, seals, the usual stuff in the house of the $1500-$2000 all in - labor and parts). If things get out of hand :banghead: it is not worth it... :2cents:

Thanks a lot in advanced. :smile:

Best regards,
Vítor

Provided the problem is isolated with the turbo and has nothing to do with the engine then there isn't much it will hurt provided it doesn't come apart, which is rare. To determine if it is just the turbo, look into the symptoms the car exhibits (doesn't go into boost, blows smoke out the back on one side, has an visible oil leak under the car...etc).

If it is just that one turbo then you can get a replacement CHRA (center housing) for the turbo for around $450 US, which is about $250-300 cheaper than buying a full turbo with both exhaust and intake housings that you already have. Replacement gaskets and such shouldn't cost more than $80 for all of the gaskets surrounding the turbo. However you may find other problems when the motor is out so don't plan on your budget being set in stone.

It also depends on which turbo... if its the passenger side turbo most good Z shops will cut you a deal on replacing it. Cause you dont have to remove as much stuff to get to it. Now if its the Drivers side turbo. You have to remove alot of stuff to get to it... its just easier to drop the engine and get to it while its out. I hope that helps.

That did help for sure... :) Thanks.

Anyway, I decided to wait a little longer for a cleaner example (and save a little more in the process). It just doesn't make sense into rushing into this to finish with something that isn't what I wanted to begin with (like a expensive pile of not running motor!)...

That did help for sure... :) Thanks.

Anyway, I decided to wait a little longer for a cleaner example (and save a little more in the process). It just doesn't make sense into rushing into this to finish with something that isn't what I wanted to begin with (like a expensive pile of not running motor!)...

Wait a minute....was something intelligent just posted on this forum?

Wait a minute....was something intelligent just posted on this forum?

yes, yes i think it was...but you, my friend, are a pompous jacka**.

Come on boys... play it nice now... :)


I don't know if it is intelligent or not... Someone might have done the deal of their life buying a car with a small problem for half it's price...

But it was a gamble. It might turn out to be the opposite...

And now, I'm not willing to gamble... So...

But thanks for your feedback!

Cheers,
Vítor

The funny thing is they ARE playing nice. You should see when they really go at it.

were is this car and how much? i live in atlantic city so gambling is not out of the picture.:grinyes: