http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1015397036.html


First of all, there is no way I am paying 3k for it. I talked him down to a little over 1k. He said his GF had helped him out with it (not a good idea, women do not understand the ways of men). I told him I was looking to spend between 500-800 depending what it came with. If I could part out some parts and make up some moneiZ then, I would pay a lil more. He said had to talk to his GF about it. It does have mega squirt system, he said cost 500 bucks and the rims are in good cond. I know these rimZ would sell for a nice buck.

My questions are:

How much do you guyZ think I could get for the rims and mega squirt (does anyone want to name a price and clam them)?

How much have you guys made parting out a car (I never have done this before)?

How much would you guys pay for the turbo drivetrain?

The car is pretty rusty it all the normal areas, I might be able to save a door, one fender and maybe the hood. The interoir is shot big time! I would just be buying it for the drivetrain, rimZ, mega squirt and some few misc. parts for turbo swap.


Thanks for the help guys,

-Alex

 

Wow... lots of 81T's popping up these days.

And that Z is in a lot better shape than others I've seen. It still has quarter panels and carpet!

Talk him down if you can... sounds like he knows what he's got though.

 

Well the guy called me back saying he is willing to sell me the car for 750, minus the T-tops, Mega squirt and Rims. I think he is getting desperate but, I think that is too much for that car. I really don't know what a car like this goes for for, I need your guys help! I see car for sale like this on other forums but, I don't what sold price was. My heart is saying buy this!!! My head is saying is this a good deal?!?! I don't want to get ripped off. I need an outside prospective, who isn't emotional invoked in the decision and who has a deep understanding of these cars.

I didn't mention in above post but, I does have a bowling ball size rust hole in the spare tire area.

I know this is kinda of a newb question and I am very thankful for your help!

-Alex

 

If he's removing the MegaSquirt, is he re-installing the stock EFI? Is it going to be drivable if you buy it?

 

I would tell him thanks, but you need it drivable. If he was asking $3k and he's already come down to $2k and he's considering $750 without the T's, MS & Wheels you can probably pick the whole thing up for $1100.

The MegaSquirt alone is worth $500 before it's even installed. If he's already got it installed with all the proper sensors, that work is worth a couple hundred too. The wheels aren't really worth that much in the "general" Z market. The swastikas have been more the more desirable 15" and the 6 spokes are ultra light 14" wheels. There are a few people that like the honey combs, but they are few and far between. Some of the 510 guys like them and I think they look best on a 510 too.

If it were me, I would offer him $1000 to $1100 for the whole thing as is. The rust is an issue, but if you only want it as a drive line donor, why do you care?

I've bought several $500 turbo ZX's, but they're all high mileage with the original EFI. With a successful Megasquirt install, I think it's worth the extra $500 or $600.

Good luck.

 

This guy is local, he told me he would drive it to my house and I would park it in the garage and he would take the MegaSquirt, Rims and T-tops. He doesn't have the original ECU so, it would just be sitting the garage on jack stands.


I don't know if it is properly installed and it is also version 1. He has switches for his fan and fuel pump just hanging underneath the driverside dash. I don't think these have to do with the megasquirt but, if it is any indication of how he installs things, it might not be set up properly.

I also did an Ebay search for megasquirt and I didn't see how much v1 was going for.
http://shop.ebay.com/items/__megasqu...idZm38Q2el1313

I was looking at his MS, is that a serial port connection??


Just trying to show you guys the cond of the car. If it had good floor pans I could cut them out and sell them to recoup some of the costs.

I have to think about 1000 bucks, my wife just bought a horse . . . . so our project money is kinda tight. I am doing my taxes today or tomorrow so i will see how much I get back.


Thanks guys for your help!

 

Oh, come on... Megasquirt pricing information is all over Google...

Try: http://www.diyautotune.com

Here's the assembled ECU ($334 w/PCB 3.57 could be as cheap as $240 if it's an old v2 PCB):

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/m...nit-p-164.html

Here's the Relay Board ($88):

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/m...unit-p-32.html

ECU to Relay board cable ($70)

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/m...able-p-47.html

Pre-built wiring harness ($65):

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/1...eady-p-43.html

Tuning cable ($5.50):

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/m...thru-p-35.html

That's $471 to $565 depending on the PCB version just for parts, not including the shipping and tax or the new TPS, MAP sensor, O2 sensor (wide band preferably) and all the time it takes to install and tune it to the point that it runs decently.

The fan switch can easily be connected to a thermostat activated relay and the fuel pump switch can easily be routed back into the ignition switch.

So, if you can get the whole car for $1k when he wants $750 w/o the wheels, T's and MS, in my opinion, that would be a pretty good deal since you'd be getting a built, running (maybe not perfectly tuned but running) Megasquirt install that you could use later when you do the swap.

If you let him take the MS out and you convert back to a stock ECU, you'll have to buy a replacement Turbo ECU, Turbo AFM and a TPS. That's going to be over $100. If you do decide to keep everything MS, you'll just have to spend several hundred to order it and who knows how many hours to learn how to tune it...

It's your call, and maybe if it's not the right time financially, you just let it go... If there's something I've learned over the years, it's that there's always another good deal just around the corner.

I almost forgot... It's only $90 to upgrade any MS1 to MS2:

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/c...oard-p-86.html

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I was trying to compare used prices for MS v1.


I am reading the manual now to learn how to work the MS system. Thanks for the links and info on the upgrade to v2! My brother-in-law is an electrion, shouldn't a problem getting him to the upgrade.

I think I am going to offer 1k and see what he says.

After reading all the turbo swap info I am now going have to read all the MegaSquirt info. I guess the learning never stops with cars.


Thanks for the input and help!!