Its come to my attention over time thats parts for our cars are hard source and expensive. Availability of quality kit is poor from within the uk and oem parts are dropping off the availability list like flys. Being an entusiast club part of our responsibility is to ensure the marque is represented and preserved. A serious prerequiset to this is availability of parts. Most other cars have many pattern parts available, and aftermarket stuff, we simply dont. I do not wish to pick on anyone but compare our z part retailers to those in the us or oz, zcentre is tiny, its not even affilated with the owners club! Not to mrntion the price. Getting onto the twinz range, that cannot be sorted.

It's a sad state that the 3rd? Biggest ownership worldwide cannot produce a sustainable and progress range of parts, that we have to make international orders to a country on the otherside of the world to get things of decent quality, and price. I applaud companies like sfs for making good parts for us, but I think its high time we started brain storming a better way that the current reliance on the us.

So how do we move forward? How do we push the z32 out of this stagnent position of poor parts, high prices and poor availability. Theres enough.of us at the end of the day. How do we move the club away from the screen and into an owners club, are we the offical uk zxclub? Is there even one? I know this sounds like a rant but I want to still own my z in 20 years time

Its high time the z comunity raised its profile.

I have had zeds for 25 years and if parts are required then the first "port" of call would be the companies affiliated to the club. Service or machanical parts Mike or Luke for performance or styling! I have used both for 25 years and found them very knowledgable on the marques of z I have owned.

 

I feel ebay has killed off the likes of danny and Smithy and will only get worse as the economic climate digs in and people hunt down cheap parts from eastern countries:crying:

Very well thought out reply, we.have a great comunity wighin this club, but too many dont get involved in the club. We need more members. Theres so many zs out there that are unaware of the club.

 

Well i think its up to the club to promote the site then ( i didn't mean for that to sound snotty, im willing to help out where i can) maybe write to the car magazines asking for a write up about the zeds or advertising our site in the mags maybe??

It may also make a difference if a few new body kit designs were created to bring the old girl back up into contention, because let's be honest a lot of what is currently available hasn't changed for 10 years+

 

Fat arse, Aggressive stance, sleak lines = more enticing for new/potential owners

 

whereas 10-15 year old Viper/Vader/Victor/Verucca bodykits are all a bit....well....pants really!

 

 

What z32 parts can't be sourced in the UK though?

As soon as I get mine. I will be every bit as involved and the next guy, as I always have been with every car I have and community I join. I also love the media and embrace it, so will be having the car shot regularly and video'd as I do always. One of the shots of my last car got over 35k likes on SuperStreet blog. So that level of exposure should hopefully help the brand.

 

I really do not want to see it die and as me ruined above, people are obviously unaware of the potential compared to the normal supra/skyline/Evo/scooby shit.

Tonight once im home im going to write up a 10 step action plan.

 

What z32 parts can't be sourced in the UK though?

 

As i have just recently found out, handbrake shoes. Nissan discontinued them last year.

Other Jap cars have done well in the UK with a good source of aftermarket parts and the Z32 does very well in the US so the issue is UK based i believe

 

Correct the question is why, and how do we fix this.

 

Everyone sees the Z32 is an unreliable untunable beast. Tuners I know will not work on them. That filters down, and people aren't interested, hence they change hands for minimal amounts and are looked upon with fear :laugh:

 

In the US/Oz, people understand what the cars are capable of, and realise the engines are comparable with the RB & 2JZ, hence worth proper money. I've said it before and I'll say it again (whilst risking sounding like a biased record), the lack of proper tuning in the UK has been very damaging for the Z32 here. Can still count on one hand the number of Zeds with aftermarket ECUs (that I know of). Even back in the day, how many people fitted a Power FC or just went with a generic chip & boost jets / welding tips

Everyone sees the Z32 is an unreliable untunable beast. Tuners I know will not work on them. That filters down, and people aren't interested, hence they change hands for minimal amounts and are looked upon with fear :laugh:

 

In the US/Oz, people understand what the cars are capable of, and realise the engines are comparable with the RB & 2JZ, hence worth proper money. I've said it before and I'll say it again (whilst risking sounding like a biased record), the lack of proper tuning in the UK has been very damaging for the Z32 here. Can still count on one hand the number of Zeds with aftermarket ECUs (that I know of). Even back in the day, how many people fitted a Power FC or just went with a generic chip & boost jets / welding tips

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is mine on your hand ;)

As soon as I get mine. I will be every bit as involved and the next guy, as I always have been with every car I have and community I join. I also love the media and embrace it, so will be having the car shot regularly and video'd as I do always. One of the shots of my last car got over 35k likes on SuperStreet blog. So that level of exposure should hopefully help the brand.

 

I really do not want to see it die and as me ruined above, people are obviously unaware of the potential compared to the normal supra/skyline/Evo/scooby shit.

 

Hurry up and buy one please :D

 

Tonight once im home im going to write up a 10 step action plan.

 

That is actually what is required. As a club/clubs/whatever, those inclined should get together and devise a plan of action to follow. Media, motorsport, services, advertising etc etc. Would probably pay off in a year or so. Every time I speak to certain people, it's exactly what we talk about.

 

Something is required, I still can't believe how these cars are viewed in the UK amongst those that buy & modify/tune cars. The general public (ie those that will never actually buy a Z32/Supra/Skyline/FD) adore the damn things as they would a Ferrari. It's the aftermarket crowd, the ones that count, that need convincing :laugh:

 

They need to know what can be achieved by the car, and they need to know they can get it fixed if it breaks. Sort that out, and the job is pretty much done. The businesses will come.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

is mine on your hand ;)

 

Of course, fellow Link brother.

Re: "what cant you get"

What can you get thats aftermarket decent and zed spefic eithout importing it or paying silly prices. Case in point, 2.5£ intake iping, makes a massiv ws difference over stock, 3 different manufactures in the us.here manydont even know what its for, it certainly isnt available off the shelf.

Re: "what cant you get"

What can you get thats aftermarket decent and zed spefic eithout importing it or paying silly prices. Case in point, 2.5£ intake iping, makes a massiv ws difference over stock, 3 different manufactures in the us.here manydont even know what its for, it certainly isnt available off the shelf.

 

Once you sorted the aformentioned problems out Andy ......sort you bloody spell check out, nightmare trying to deciphor your posts:yes::lol::whistling::wink:

Well mine gets a good showing off 10,000 miles in under a year and it proudly drove to and from the track day, where I must say it did very well even if it is a LWB Targa. More track time to follow.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

And I must say I don't think I've ever seen a scooby drive home from a track day!

I think the parts are availble it just takes a long time to source them for the right money,what would be good is a spares list available to view rather than keep posting up wanted or for sale,this would attract more breakers to post there spares that are available

To be honest this forum is only serving the members of one particular car the 300zx so the membership is going to be less and profile lower, most of the other forums have more than model

Im looking forward to this 10 step action plan, i think you may be surprised what has been done not only behind the scenes, but more recent media promotion regarding the z32. I wait with anticipation.......

 

Any suggestions that we as a club can do to lift the profile is only a good thing and welcomed, but lets make this a positive and proactive thread.

 

We have very good relations with the zclub and in partnership promote all events and meets, but also not to forget that we have had one of the longest winters on record, so im sure as soon as that bright light in the sky decides to show itself a bit more often, then members are also more likely inclined to attend meets and events.

Re: "what cant you get"

What can you get thats aftermarket decent and zed spefic eithout importing it or paying silly prices. Case in point, 2.5£ intake iping, makes a massiv ws difference over stock, 3 different manufactures in the us.here manydont even know what its for, it certainly isnt available off the shelf.

 

 

To be fair

 

Adjustable suspension - DW/Japspeed

Uprated rad (cheap-expansive) - Japspeed/Koyo

I/C (cheap-expensive) - Japspeed/Autobahn/Greddy/HKS

Intakes - readily available

Wheels - readily available

exhausts/downpipes - readily available

Gucci seats/steering wheels/gearknobs etc - readily available

Hoses - Samoco/SFS

ECU - Noel etc etc etc

 

 

It's only really when you start to go beyond the usual bolt on upgrades that importing from the US really comes into it (ie. engine bits/turbos etc)

 

For the vast majority of zed owners who maybe want minor bolt on upgrades and modifications, the parts are readily available in the UK and in all honesty I can't see that any UK based company would see the stocking of expensive parts such as turbo kits etc, as a financially viable option.

 

Z1 and CZP can usually turn the kit around pretty quickly and it's on your doorstep within 48hrs, it's the import duty and shipping that's the ******* but is just a fact of life! The UK price (if stocked by a UK company) would have to incorporate the additional taxes associated with shipping the parts in the first place.

Well i use mine as a daily driver and also attend a lot of the car meets around the northamptonshire / MK area, im also only 6 miles from pod and i make a regular appearance and talk to a lot of people about it

 

(noz am i also on that list? lol)

Well i use mine as a daily driver and also attend a lot of the car meets around the northamptonshire / MK area, im also only 6 miles from pod and i make a regular appearance and talk to a lot of people about it

 

(noz am i also on that list? lol)

 

 

 

I sit in mine....does that count? :biggrin:

Well i use mine as a daily driver and also attend a lot of the car meets around the northamptonshire / MK area, im also only 6 miles from pod and i make a regular appearance and talk to a lot of people about it

 

(noz am i also on that list? lol)

 

Oh really, I had no idea! What ECU have you got then? Emerald?

 

Bobgenie

Slickpete

Jaffa

Silverline

Will300zxtt

John Dixon

 

Ah. I have a special hand with an extra digit....

id love a emerald, i got a JWT ecu, one of my last zeds had a Impul one.

To be fair

 

Adjustable suspension - DW/Japspeed

Uprated rad (cheap-expansive) - Japspeed/Koyo

I/C (cheap-expensive) - Japspeed/Autobahn/Greddy/HKS

Intakes - readily available

Wheels - readily available

exhausts/downpipes - readily available

Gucci seats/steering wheels/gearknobs etc - readily available

Hoses - Samoco/SFS

ECU - Noel etc etc etc

 

 

It's only really when you start to go beyond the usual bolt on upgrades that importing from the US really comes into it (ie. engine bits/turbos etc)

 

For the vast majority of zed owners who maybe want minor bolt on upgrades and modifications, the parts are readily available in the UK and in all honesty I can't see that any UK based company would see the stocking of expensive parts such as turbo kits etc, as a financially viable option.

 

Z1 and CZP can usually turn the kit around pretty quickly and it's on your doorstep within 48hrs, it's the import duty and shipping that's the ******* but is just a fact of life! The UK price (if stocked by a UK company) would have to incorporate the additional taxes associated with shipping the parts in the first place.

 

I do see your point, however im not really even talking about advanced stuff im talking about bolt on mods that make big differences to the stock systems, you say exhaust systems, well I seem to remember that people struggle to buy anything but 2.5" systems for lwb's. A 3" system has great gains over 2.5" but does anyone sell them? and yeah im talking big gains on stock equipment. Intakes, well if you can find 2.5" intake systems for our cars available here in the uk please point me in the direction. As far as intercoolers go, the only smic available here off the shelf are the japspeeds, which are out of stock since the first run. the front mounts are generally cheap, and of not the greatest quality, I know someone once made a dump load of power on an autobahn one, but ive also read write ups, where some of those front mounts because of the quality are worse than stock....

I know we wont ever have the turn over to be able make is financially viable to stock big turbo kits, but there's no reason why kits like the gt525 tubs aren't the go to when the stock t22 die a death. Im not talking big things here im talking the little things, a few month ago I looked at coil pack pigtails, stupid money!

Im looking forward to this 10 step action plan, i think you may be surprised what has been done not only behind the scenes, but more recent media promotion regarding the z32. I wait with anticipation.......

 

Any suggestions that we as a club can do to lift the profile is only a good thing and welcomed, but lets make this a positive and proactive thread.

 

We have very good relations with the zclub and in partnership promote all events and meets, but also not to forget that we have had one of the longest winters on record, so im sure as soon as that bright light in the sky decides to show itself a bit more often, then members are also more likely inclined to attend meets and events.

 

I really hope you realise that I'm not trying to stir the pot or put down the previous work done, I'm aware considerable effort has occurred with the media. what im trying to do is take things forward as a club, the whole club, improve the scene and improve the image of the z32, whilst ensuring the present is catered for as well it can be and preserve the future.

I do see your point, however im not really even talking about advanced stuff im talking about bolt on mods that make big differences to the stock systems, you say exhaust systems, well I seem to remember that people struggle to buy anything but 2.5" systems for lwb's. A 3" system has great gains over 2.5" but does anyone sell them? and yeah im talking big gains on stock equipment. Intakes, well if you can find 2.5" intake systems for our cars available here in the uk please point me in the direction. As far as intercoolers go, the only smic available here off the shelf are the japspeeds, which are out of stock since the first run. the front mounts are generally cheap, and of not the greatest quality, I know someone once made a dump load of power on an autobahn one, but ive also read write ups, where some of those front mounts because of the quality are worse than stock....

I know we wont ever have the turn over to be able make is financially viable to stock big turbo kits, but there's no reason why kits like the gt525 tubs aren't the go to when the stock t22 die a death. Im not talking big things here im talking the little things, a few month ago I looked at coil pack pigtails, stupid money!

 

i can supply any turbos you want within 3 working days normally if its garrett tbf

 

and im workin on a 3 "intake at min :) i was keepin it quiet though lol

Pace make good quality smic's for the z32

 

http://www.paceproducts.co.uk/public_html/php/products_info.php?parent=4&productID=car/nissan300zx

 

 

3" pipework and I'm sure if you asked them they'd make up the 3" piping as long as you supplied a template for them to work from or just speak to someone like JP

 

 

http://www.jpexhausts.co.uk/

 

 

Coil pack pigtails, never had to look to be honest but all parts that I've needed I've picked up secondhand on this forum.

 

 

Out of interest would you guys be interested in CNC'd VG parts? Literally everything from custom plenum designs, pulleys and manifolds to 5 axis CNC'd engine blocks. It's a conversation that I've had a few times with my mate Brad. He owns a company called Mikina and supplies a lot of machined parts to the F1 teams.

 

If anybody wanted to check out what he can produce and the quality of it, feel free to stop by my place and I'll show you some of the parts that he's made for me over the last 12 months.

Right this is my 10 suggestions, feel free to amend, delete, add to, modify, comment on any or all. I will also try and explain why I think these are good ideas, I've only come up with these in the last few hours and I'm not the second coming so forgive me if there not what you would think or are unworkable, they are in no order of importance or process.

 

1. Make it free and open for non members to sell z32s with the forum. Just cars, not parts or breakers, cars can be sold as spares or repairs but not broken by non subscribed members. The reason I suggest this is, many people buy z32s without actually knowing much about them, it breaks they don't know what's wrong they sell it for buttons, if they were able to sell on here instead of ebay two things would happen. Firstly we as a club would have better opportunity to buy these cars, and get them back to health. Secondly they may hang around find out its a boost leak fix it and keep it, which would mean new members. Think how many end up on ebay that never end up visiting here.

 

2.Speak to companies like stillen, ams, twinz etc etc and see if we can form some sort of co-operation that would allow us to buy directly from them at retail price, this would reduce shipping, taxation, third party profit etc etc. It would also extend their market as they currently have no uk distributors.

 

3.Embrace the evolvement of club members par taking in racing, a kind of sponsorship if you like, if the car is publicly raced for example totb, time attack, professional competitive drifting, if they display a 300zx owners club sticker(obviously it would need to be of a reasonable size), they're membership is free for that 12 month period, or something similar.

 

4.Movement away from being known simply as http://www.300zx.co.uk, that's not a club name its a website. proper affiliation should be sought from Nissan to become the official uk 300zx owners club and be renamed THE 300ZX OWNERS CLUB or similar, z32 whatever would be decided as best. This is an owners club not just a chat room, I think some have forgotten that and don't participate in meets. I know its not hard these days but to make it to one show a year really isn't that big a commitment, I know money is an issue but if you can afford a fuel tank of fuel to drive around and play in your car you can afford it to drive to a show or meet, prioritise and think ahead.

 

5.Coverage in top Uk Japanese magazines such as banzai and Japanese performance, covering a rolling road day or the like showing a range of z32's this would necessitate some of the big hitters turning up to it, recent coverage has shown the car as a money pig, thinking back to madmaxe's car, it quite clearly explained the car cost 70k to build, that puts people off, and there are many many many cars on here that didn't cost a 10th of that. Internationally there are 100's of cars that are running 500+ bhp on less than 10ks expenditure.

 

6.Investment by the club into pattern parts, these cars arn't the best in terms of rust, and it makes fantasic sense that the club owns the rights or at least has a historical record of panel patterns for them to created or fabricated by a third party if the need arises. Hell we should be investing money into the production of panels now, how many struggle to get the bits for there rusty inner sills, or spend a fortune on the bits they can get.

 

7.Sticky thread, listing a comprehensive and guff free list of parts available from other models than can be used. For example you can use an xtrail reverse light switch, from euro car parts for £18 instead of the z32 specific one from Nissan which is £70. many of our chassis components are use don other cars, 200sx parts are cheap and plentiful, knowing which fit and are of use would be a great help to all of us.

 

8.The implementation of a z32 census, obviously not mandatory, but it would be good to at least have a list of how many there are and where they are, Many do not want to be part of an internet forum, but many would attach themselves to a register saying they own one.

 

dinner is ready so points 9/10 will be after that please be patient before you reply. :)

The key to all this is volume. And, compared to other JDM and Car Clubs (two non-Z I have direct experience of are MMOC and MGOC), the number of Z32s is very small. That's why some top suppliers (DTA, Smithy and others) just couldn't make the numbers stack up for such a niche market.

 

Plus you need to be very sure that the tech expertise and parts knowledge is there. MGOC and MMOC ended up running parts as their own business. Not sure there's anyone here (other than already established traders) who would want to do that. Undercutting existing traders is a sure way to encourage them to lose interest. We could appoint an existing trader (no names but there are only two that I personally would trust to have the business expertise to do it) but that might cause more issues with other traders than it solves.

 

What we need is a trusted club member with the parts expertise who can start with what members want and then build it up over time so that it is worth running as a business on it's own. Oh, hang on, isn't what happened with the ZClub and MJP?

 

I can't see there being enough volume in Z32s on their own to justify a new full-time business. It's pie-in-the-sky to think that Nissan would talk about giving such a small club access to patents and part patterns.

 

The routes are: 1) support the traders we already have; 2) get as much volume as possible by co-operating with all other clubs. Yes, even if it means swallowing pride on both sides (a hobby I have always found conducive to a good evening particularly round Chiswick). Personally that's why I pay subs to both 300ZX and ZClub.