Right, thought I'd start this. As some of you may know my cars a bit broken at present and I have a pile of parts ready to fit that gets bigger without it making its way to the car.

 

So lets start with what's up with the engine. Myself and gaz pulled the engine about two winters ago now, as one of the turbo's had failed. Compression was tested at this time with a very even 170psi across the board. Pulling it all apart we found a multitude of issues, egr hanging off causing an exhaust leak old sockets rolling about etc etc. We took that time to replace every damn crusty water and vac pipe and delete just about anything I considered a waste of space.

Water plenum bypass,

EGR,

AIV,

PRV,

Cruise control,

Aircon,

Think that's all. The turbos were rebuild by myself and for the first 50-100 miles things were bob on and I didn't give it too much stick. The first couple of pulls it detonated, new plugs, reduced the issue but it still did it a bit. Changed to a smaller gap and great the det was gone. The car was pulling very well at this point with virtually no lag and was dyno'd at 289hp bone stock, no extra boost no chip. Not bad for an old auto engine. Sadly it had started to smoke on over run, I assumed id cocked up one of the turbos during the rebuild. So I had been putting it off for months, well actually years now to pay out for brand new turbos. Anyways as the tax ran out I thought id do some more inspecting as the symptoms just didn't fit the pattern of failed turbos. The first thing I found was that lovely even compression was no more, cyl had a rather lame 115psi. Cue further inspection to work out exactly what block I had, manual/auto etc I assumed it was auto. That's when I found this...

That head casting reads R-10Y, wtf is that I thought. It's supposed to read 40P this was one of those penny drop moments. The piston crown sealed that moment of realisation and many dots connected.

That's right its an NA, 30p pistons are NA and 30p1 are TT defiantly no 1 on that code. Turns out r-10y is the later spec NA head aswell, so yeas 100% an NA block. Now this engine was fitted by a garage 4 years ago a few months into my ownership and we wont go into that too much but it wasn't a great experience and it transpires it was worse than I first thought. Anyway whilst they refused to reimburse me for that error, a good will gesture was sent out to me in the post of a few quid.

So a replacement engine is going to be sourced and fitted this winter. More of that and what's happening to the current late spec NA block.

 

So now more about that shelf of parts. I purchased last winter a full rear subframe assembly off Jaffa, the one off his time attack car. Loads of goodies already polybushed to death etc. So I stripped it down to bare metal and started painting it all with a few coats of lovely hammerite. This is how it stands at present;

So this winters aims are.

Remove front and rear bumpers, re underseal all of that and rip out and guff.

Delete HICAS system

Reloacte PS reservoir and fusebox

Switch over all suspension to new units from the shelf

Fit 354mm diameter brembos

Change engine out and preform various mods

It sounds like a lot, but hey winter is along time. Don't expect it to be coming through thick and fast. Im lazy haha

The Zed, still has what it takes then Stephen?

 

I’m giving myself a year. I don’t want to get rid of it on a whim and regret it. I also don’t want to sell it to try and sit on the money till I find something I want because I know realistically il spend the money on the house and I won’t get it back as a liquid asset. I’ve driven the zed and the beemer back to back today, which is a first and each has thier merits.

I’d like a re-run of that tale, but with the ride height raised to a point where it doesn’t scrape on your driveway and all the rose jointed suspension malarkeys removed and replaced with compliant rubber alternatives (with the coilover settings softened). I think the ride will be more useable and enjoyable on the street, I’d go as far to say it will feel more planted because of the less skippy and crashy ride. It will feel more refined for the most part of the average usage and maybe not make you cringe at the initial usability.

 

I would suggest having a system fabricated which operated a couple of bypass valves to feed your exhaust through a silencer each side that can be operated by a switch in the cabin. That way you can be less obnoxious through town but still enjoy the drama and noise on the country lanes. These systems are quite common now so a reliable system shouldn’t cost the earth to install.

 

Regarding the seating position, have you fully experimented with the 8 way adjustable drivers seat to lower it all the way?

 

I appreciate you use this car on the track and can see the merits of a track weapon when utilised, but that does bring heavy compromises, especially when starting to critique a compare the ride quality to your daily drive, but I still believe that a well sorted GT car can be every bit as fun on the twisty country lanes.

I reduced the spring rate to 6kg front 4kg rear which as you say did make the car far less skippy, gave more traction off the line and really made the car much more real world friendly. Compared to before it’s incredibly planted.

I’d knock it up a bit but it’s not as simple as that, as you know every action has a reaction and adjustment of the ride height will effect the geometry, again...it’s low but it’s not mental, it can take an average speed bump and doesn’t scrub with just me in the car.

 

I’ve considered cutting out the X section and fitting a resonator. Take some drone away and drop a few dB. Where I live is very quiet and I do feel like I’m going to wake the dead when I start it up. It’s actually not LOUD it’s just loud compared to normal cars.

 

I’ve got the series 2 full electric seats, I think it’s just newer cars the door is higher. But I do feel I’m sat about 2” too high up.

 

Sadly it’s not hit an official track yet, something has wrong before each opportunity. I think this is part of the issue, it’s got to be used to be enjoyed. That’s a viscous circle of not using and subsequently loosing enthusiasm, I don’t really enjoy turning spanners it’s a bus mans holiday. What I enjoy is driving.

After lots of thought, backwards and forwards on the idea I’ve made a decision on the cars future. It’s not essentially the choice I would of liked to have made in the ideal world and I’ll explain that as I go, the important part is I’m keeping it.

The other cars I would of liked or that may of been a happy compromise just have to many negatives or too larger financial implications, for example I’ve looked a Z4 coupe, beautiful car but due to being newer the monthly cost of insurance and tax is significantly higher, I’ve looked at a few chunks of classic American metal, whilst the running cost and maintenance is lower they aren’t a cheap intial outlay these days and realistically to make one into what I want we’re talking about a full rebuild and move to a hot rod really. So whilst my Z32 isn’t everything I’d like it to be and lacks that 8 cylinder sound track it’s a good compromise all round for a list of things that aren’t together unless I go and spend £30k, about what you’d pay for a nice Corvette, which is the cost of the extension planned to the house...

 

So what’s the plan then, around this ramble.

Full exterior refresh, this will include some subject mods that will upset some but the end package will be what I want. The refresh will include a colour change, I never wanted a red one, colour change will be kept quiet.

 

Thoughts? Maybe you’ve an idea to facilitate a cheap respray?

Thoughts? Maybe you’ve an idea to facilitate a cheap respray?

 

There are alays people in the motortrade who will do cheap resprays. A quick mask up. DA sand over and blow some paint on.

A good respray is another matter altogether.

To do a good colour change is a long tedious process if you want it done properly ie engine bay, inside returns on all panels etc.

And long tedious process end up expensive.

 

this will include some subject mods that will upset some but the end package will be what I want.

 

In the real world nobody gives a toss what you do. Its your car to modify however you want.

JFDI.

The z32 300zx has a unique position in the classic car/performance car ownership in that you have a car that in my opinion has the best smiles per mile than any other in its price bracket. You will not find anything better unless you spend a lot of money so yes keep the Z Stephen.

Glad to read that you haven't lost your Zed Mojo Stephen! I do give a toss about what you do to your car and

look forward to reading about your plans for your Z32.

I will reiterate what Andrew said. It’s your car and your time to spend with that car, we have precious little time, enjoy it! And I too am really looking forward to the build. :cool3:

There are alays people in the motortrade who will do cheap resprays. A quick mask up. DA sand over and blow some paint on.

A good respray is another matter altogether.

To do a good colour change is a long tedious process if you want it done properly ie engine bay, inside returns on all panels etc.

And long tedious process end up expensive.

In the real world nobody gives a toss what you do. Its your car to modify however you want.

JFDI.

The objective is to get something presentable, it’s no show pony and I’ve no interest in creating a show car. I’m looking a solid non metallic with the shuts done. Engine bay can be done at a later date then the engines out for one reason or another. So realistically it’s exterior panels tailgate and door shuts.

The JFDI is quite apt, il remind you of that at one point.

The objective is to get something presentable, it’s no show pony and I’ve no interest in creating a show car. I’m looking a solid non metallic with the shuts done. Engine bay can be done at a later date then the engines out for one reason or another. So realistically it’s exterior panels tailgate and door shuts.

The JFDI is quite apt, il remind you of that at one point.

 

I like that plan.:thumbup1:

Solid colour is a cheaper route paintwise. It allows the use of 2K gloss straight outta the gun. No need for lacquer.

So after a very long, dry, safe and cosy sleep since the beginning of this global pandemic she’s waiting for an MOT. 

After a bit of faff about with the battery which was a Covid victim we got to the MOT station.

Happy to report a pass. The guy was pretty intense on it and I picked up some minors. He was fair though and I will get those little bits ticked off. 

 

Having not driven it for over a year, not hitting full boost as it is wasn’t warmed up it felt rocketship fast. 

On 13/05/2021 at 18:56, Stephen said:

After a bit of faff about with the battery which was a Covid victim we got to the MOT station.

Happy to report a pass. The guy was pretty intense on it and I picked up some minors. He was fair though and I will get those little bits ticked off. 

 

Having not driven it for over a year, not hitting full boost as it is wasn’t warmed up it felt rocketship fast. 

Nice one Steve!

I thought here would be the best place to put this. The journey has to end. I’ve officially decided to sell my car. I haven’t quite decided on when or what exactly il do but it’s time, as a few know I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I’m now decided. 

Noooooo! Go and wash your mouth out with algaecide and sodium hypochlorite! 

On 23/09/2023 at 13:12, Stephen said:

I thought here would be the best place to put this. The journey has to end. I’ve officially decided to sell my car. I haven’t quite decided on when or what exactly il do but it’s time, as a few know I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I’m now decided. 

Sorry to hear that Steve - but concur that sometimes we just have to move on.....

.....Hopefully the end of your Zed journey will be the beginning of a new adventure - or maybe it's just a hiatus and you will once again return to the fold.

Whatever you decide, good luck mate; and don't be a stranger on here.... You've made many friends in the club so please do stay in touch!

On 28/09/2023 at 21:13, RichardS said:

Sorry to hear that Steve - but concur that sometimes we just have to move on.....

.....Hopefully the end of your Zed journey will be the beginning of a new adventure - or maybe it's just a hiatus and you will once again return to the fold.

Whatever you decide, good luck mate; and don't be a stranger on here.... You've made many friends in the club so please do stay in touch!

Thanks Richard. I’ve had the car nearly 15 years now and it’s an awfully long time to own one toy. And in total honestly whilst I still love the car and will doubtless be gutted to see it go I’d like some other cars. In an ideal world I’d keep it and buy another but I don’t have the space and resources for a Jay Leno style collection 😄 

I have short listed a few a may even go through a few of them quite quickly. Who knows. Time for something different. 

If I may ask - what would your virtual "Jay Leno style collection" be Steve?

15 years Z ownership is a good stretch! The  main thing is the joy of owning and driving cars that make you feel good. Good luck with your journey and watch out for the "Hotel California" phenomenon!

Edited October 3, 20232 yr by AndrewG

Honestly that would be a serious list! 
The short runners for what I’d like to realistically own at the moment.

C6 Corvette ZO6, Z4M Coupe, 370z Nismo. That’s the three that I’m mulling between really. 

1 hour ago, Stephen said:

Honestly that would be a serious list! 
The short runners for what I’d like to realistically own at the moment.

C6 Corvette ZO6, Z4M Coupe, 370z Nismo. That’s the three that I’m mulling between really. 

Have you thought about adding a 300zx to that list?

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You know you will

7 hours ago, Stephen said:

Honestly that would be a serious list! 
The short runners for what I’d like to realistically own at the moment.

C6 Corvette ZO6, Z4M Coupe, 370z Nismo. That’s the three that I’m mulling between really. 

Z4m with a carbon CSL intake 😍. German TVR people call them - S54 a fantastic engine. If E46 M3’s were still £10k like they used to be, I’d have one as a daily but sadly now around £18k for an equivalent example. Really like the C6 corvette, LHD would be a PITA, although should be ok as a weekend car in reality. 

On 08/10/2023 at 11:33, A 2X OK said:

Have you thought about adding a 300zx to that list?

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.

You know you will

If I had the space I’d just keep it but I’ve only got a smallish single garage, (5m long) and I don’t want to leave cars outside that are not in regular use. I have/had thought about getting a lock up which I could utilise for work and cars but the availability of anything like that in my area is both low and cost prohibitive. 

On 08/10/2023 at 17:37, Raja93 said:

Z4m with a carbon CSL intake 😍. German TVR people call them - S54 a fantastic engine. If E46 M3’s were still £10k like they used to be, I’d have one as a daily but sadly now around £18k for an equivalent example. Really like the C6 corvette, LHD would be a PITA, although should be ok as a weekend car in reality. 

Yeah the Z4M is a cracking car and a future classic. 
The LHD thing does bother me but it’s a serious car, a super car in all but badge. 
 

I have considered things like TVRs and Caterhams as well but I don’t think it’s what I’m after. 

Just to update this. Ive now mot’d the 32.
 

I’ve been and looked at a couple of Z34s and driven one this week which had a remap and an exhaust. About 30k on the clocks and clean. I was quite surprised to find that essentially it just felt like my Z32, to the point that I felt confident very quickly. The driving position is slightly better. It did feel slower but maybe this was a lack of drama if you get me, being NA the power delivery is very different and linear where as my 32 the power comes in hard and fast. So basically yes I like it a lot, because it just feels like home, an updated and more forgiving home. 

I haven’t managed to drive a Corvette yet but did sit in one and the the LHD thing is a concern, changing gear with the wrong hand I can see being a problem when I use the car so rarely. The thought of trying the grab the door handle in a panic gives me fear. 

I have the car booked in on the 2nd for some tweaks to the map. Last time it was dynoed it was making 312whp from 4.5k onwards but running AFRs of 10:1. So there’s fuel left of the table. Hopefully get some cold engine drivability and get that boost up to 18psi or so. Once that’s complete I will I put it up and see if I can get what I’m after for it. 

I looked at the Z350 but insurance and road tax were very expensive, got a XK8 instead. A 2014 Z370 is £710 a year road tax.