friday

Seems takemetothepub, Mike and I have something in common. 1. Smashing Pumpkins: Today (the song that got me into them in a BIG way) 2. NIN: Perfect Drug (Trent Reznor is one of my idols...and those drums...) 3. Tracy Chapman: Fast Car (Moves me everytime I hear it) Can't say that list is definitive though...there's so many tunes that mean a lot to me. As Damon said, "Music is my Radar" ;) Leigh.

Never had a problem with Newera myself when I imported my car in the Spring of 2003. Miguel is a great guy to deal with and really knows his stuff. Wasn't overly impressed with the UK side of the operation, a bit slow on the uptake and not overly helpful IMO but as the vast majority of things are sorted by Miguel in Japan I wouldn't let that put you off. A lot of the info you're looking for can be found by using the "Search" function on this site. I found it really helpful myself when I was in your position. Cheers, Leigh.

Here's a couple of close-up's of the door release button set into the wing mirror mounting plate. Apparently the bodyshop normally uses a 25lb kit but with the Zed doors being quite heavy they used a 35lb kit instead. There's a button on each side, however there's also the option to wire it to bypass this and trigger the door release from auxiliary buttons on the alarm key fob. By all accounts it was a PITA to fit because of the folding mirrors...took them 3 days to get it right so they said...;) The only thing I think I'd like to change about them is the colour of the switch. Although it's already very inobtrusive, a black switch would make it blend in even more. Leigh.

Cheers for that bud! :D Feel free to rip the p1ss about the parking sensors though, think I've heard nearly all the "can't park, won't park" jokes out there from my mates! Lol! ;) :rofl:

Yup, those are parking sensors. A Laserline system which is probably a bit outdated now as it's an audible alert only, but it really is excellent and much needed due to the severity of he rear window tints...difficult to see through in the daytime, impossible to see through at night! :D)

Yep, she's fairly low thanks to the Bilstein set-up and the rest of the kit (if I can get it on!) should emphasise this further. The most expensive part of the job was the modification of the front bumper, a lot of work involved in that. Getting it widened, de-swaged (with a different flexible fibreglass mix to what was used elsewhere to allow it to move with the polyurethane and not crack in the event of a speedbump collision) and finished to primer cost £600. The respray and refit of my back bumper was part of the insurance work so I didn't have to pay for it so can't help you there with a price comparison unfortunately Rich. QVR are a little on the pricey side but the quality of the work by the guys in the shop is outstanding. My only slight complaint would be about the guys running it. IMO I constantly got the feeling they cared more about the money they were getting than the jobs they had in (including mine). That said, it's worth going for the quality of the work (Ray and Martin who work there in particular). Apparently they normally post work in progress pics on their site but while my car was there apparently the site was playing up. The ones I posted here I asked for, but it was still good of them to take and send them in the first place! Toyed with the idea of removing the spoiler and smoothing the rear but I think it balances the look of the car somehow. As far as the engine swap goes, no it isn't plug and play but the parts needed for the conversion are out there (from guys that have already made the swap). It was while talking to John about buying a set of GT 25/30's this year that he put things into perspective for me. To get a Zed running relatively quickly ie 400 bhp+ the "tried and tested" method is to go for a bare minimum of boost controller, remapped chip, sidemount coolers and uprated turbos, preferably with uprated pistons, flywheel, pulley etc. We worked it out and the amount this little lot would cost roughly equates to the cost of buying and shipping a VH45DE, independant throttle bodies, all the parts for the swap, and Emerald management plus dyno time to set it up. And your getting a very solid, dependable engine that can be tuned to get some VERY respectable figures. Should be interesting ;) Cheers, Leigh.

Cheers bud, just sent you one back ;) Thanks so much for the telephone number mate, will be phoning today! Cheers, Leigh.

The swage line on the Z32 runs around the entire car i.e. the indent just above the lowest part of the door/wing/bumper etc. I've had this filled in to create a smoother more undisturbed area. A swage is a tool that used to be used in bending and shaping cold metal (Thank you Mr Google site man! ;))

BTW, where abouts in the West Midlands are you mate? I'm in Solihull so might not be too far away from you. Leigh.

First off, bookmark these sites! http://www.hybridz.org/ http://www.nissaninfiniticlub.com/ Plenty of useful information just a Search button away. In particular check out "lost" and "Zgringo" (Slim and Albert), the work they've done on their own Z32 V8 swaps is phenomenal. There are plenty of engines available in the States and it's easier to do business with them as there's no (well not much ;)) language barrier but they tend to be a little more pricey. I'll let you know how I get on with the guys in Japan! Leigh.

Cheers guys :) Stu: I bought the skirts off Jaffa mate. Think they originally came from the Z centre? Your idea of painting the T bars black could look pretty damn good actually! I had a very specific idea as to what "look" the car should have after all the bodywork: smooth and stylish; no mad "jap-style" bumpers and skirts, no lairy flip paint, no chrome wheels, no huge spoiler. I want to end up with something that looks almost "factory fitted" not obviously aftermarket...with just a hint of motorsport...;) :D Stevepud: Don't think it will be just yet mate but I'll keep you in mind if I do change it! Leigh

With your interest in a V8 conversion it also puts things into perspective regarding price when you can pick up a good condition, complete, low mileage, VH45 engine for £500 (excluding import) in Japan. Although this does involve a fair bit of hunting! ;) Like John says I'm waiting for both the supplier and also another import company (YALogistics) to get back to me with a price, though since I'm shipping it via "groupeage" (sharing another customers shipping container) the price should hopefully be ok. Cheers, Leigh.

Last two ;)

After nearly three months without her I finally picked up my Zed from the bodyshop today! :dance: She's not completely finished as this was just the first part of the body mods (the rest is being done elsewhere). As you can see from the thumbnail pics she's still covered in primer (which meant me praying all the way home that it wouldn't rain...which thankfully it didn't until the moment I got her locked away in a nice warm garage!:D) but has so far had the following done: De-locked. De-handled. De-swaged. "Stone protection" smoothed in all round. Solenoid "popper" button fitted in both wing mirrors to open the doors. '99 spec front bumper fitted and modified to widen the front air dam, bringing the top level with the lights. Sideskirts fitted, smoothed and blended into the bodywork. Lambo rear lights fitted. Next will be to get rid of the rear wiper, fabricate a bracket (roughly at a 45 degree angle) to sit on the bottom lip of the bumper to hold the numberplate, possibly change the rear spoiler for a more modern OEM version, fit the non-300zx specific kit (more praying involved...there's a slim chance it may not happen), possibly modify the spare bonnet I have to accomodate the custom intake manifold on the VH45DE engine conversion (not sure how much will be needed to be done as yet), and finally get a respray, back to standard silver I imagine as money's a bit tight!:rolleyes: Hope you guys like the way it's going :) Cheers, Leigh.

Mike is definately right. Kindertons were fantastic in sorting out my accident. Supposed to be one of the best in the country. So sorry to hear about this mate, hope it all gets sorted soon. Leigh.

Fantastic clip ain't it Rob? ;) Love the fact the hood has to be modified to fit! Lol! :eek: :D There's a few threads posted by slim floating around on NICO, also: http://www.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=95106&page=1 When John and I got together the other day he did the maths regarding anticipated power figures. Tuned, stock, N/A engine should be able to reach 500bhp easily and 700bhp is very much a reality without resorting to blowers. However with this engine, it's all about the torque baby...:D You probably read about Albert "Zgringo" in one of those links. He's running a highly tuned, supercharged, NOS'd VH45 that's now pushing out roughly 2000BHP. Lots of great info here: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=94628 TBH I can't wait...it's keeping me up at night just thinking about it! Lol! Sourced the engine, just waiting for a shipping quote on a "groupeage" shipment. Even got sent an E-card wishing me a Happy New Year by the nice Japanese chap selling me the engine! :rofl: Leigh.

Happy New Year to ya Matty and everyone else on the forum! :D Just Pm'd you fella...waiting for John (Dixon) to come round as we're out on the town (with our respective other halves;)) in Brum tonight, seeing the New Year in with a bevy or three! ;) :D See you Sunday fella! Leigh

Er....me...and my fellow forum compadre of course... :D ;) As soon as I've sorted the shipping with YAlogistics a nice low mileage VH45DE will be winging it's way from F-S-Autos in Japan...Interesting project he's got there...:rolleyes:;) Leigh.

Agreed. House of Kolor Candy Apple Red is amazing and something I've considered for my own Zed. Not as pricey as you'd think but you'd need to find a decent sprayer as I've heard the application is a little tricky. Leigh

That was the link I was referring to in SkylineDaves post on the other thread mate :rolleyes: ;) :D

Edonkey. Used to use a hacked version of kazaa but much prefer this now! ;) Leigh

Really glad you posted that Dave, thought I was going crazy.....;) http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=41604&page=1&pp=15 Leigh

Thank the Lord for SkylineDave! http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42801 Now I know I didn't dream it! :D ;)

Should also say that you would be wise to replace the PCV valves while the Plenums off. You can also pick up the complete 5 piece kit from Concept Z or MJP. Cheers, Leigh.

Mark, I got my O rings from Concept Z in the States. Speak to Coz over there, he's a very helpful guy! To get at the injectors you need to remove the upper intake manifold (upper Plenum). To refit the plenum you need to replace all the gaskets....and it just so happens that I'm selling a complete gasket set! Check out my post in the for sale section mate and you'll see a list of what you need all for a price cheaper then anywhere else! :D ;) Cheers, Leigh