DTA (UK)

Hey James, I've seen a Zed with BMW E36 clear repeaters. Haven't got a pic of it but they do look a lot better than the stock clear ones. The triangle ones are ok looking but I'd relocate them to nearer the wheelarch - somehow I think it would look better if they're closer to a rounded edge - if that makes any sense... Cheers mate! Danny

Hi, Just a little query ... I've just noticed the markings on the space-saver tyre in the boot. It reads: 4.2kg/cm^2. I've just put that figure into a convertor on the internet and it came back with roughly 60psi! Does that not sound a bit on the high side? That would be like driving around with a bomb in the back. Imagine what would happen if it went pop! Dan

Bugger ... I think I may have misinterpreted the original posting. In my haste (and tiredness - it was after all nearly bed time ... ;)) I assumed he meant the clear side repeaters on the front wing. Guess he meant the rear indicator clusters instead ... I am actually waiting on some feedback from a supplier in Japan on price and delivery time so keep checking back once in a while. Sorry for the confusion and what now seems a rather arrogant posting ... my apologies. Dan

** Disregards this post - I made the wrong assumption and thought he meant the clear side repeaters on the front wing. Sorry! However, we will have the rear 99-spec lights and crystal front indicators for sale soon so keep checking the website for further details! ** Should have bought the clear indicators from us [DTA-Motorsport]. Include full fitting instructions and I even sort the connector issue for you! ;) Easiest way to get around the connector issue is to cut off both connectors and join the wires using a terminal block. Five minute job and you're sorted! All the best! Danny

I have it on good authority that NisTek have made mirror backplates for these type of mirrors in the past. Try phoning them (Pete Rosenberg) and they might be able to help you. Good luck, Dan

Right - I've been preoccupied with other things since my last posting (probably a good thing to take some distance from the friggin' PC ...) and have decided to give it another go this afternoon - still no joy :( Have used the key to get into the SATA configuration screen but no matter what I do (incl. changing the BIOS setup from RAID to IDE and vice versa) the bloody thing will only want to configure the two HDDs in a RAID array! There is no option to keep them as separate, non-linked HDDs and it's really starting to piss me off now. So, MTL, could you pm me your number and an idea of when would be a good time to speak with you regarding this. Thanks. In the meantime - if anyone else has any other ideas as to how to tame this beast I would be much obliged. Many thanks! Danny

Thanks for that guys! I'm downloading the ASUS SATA drivers now (although I believe the ones that came with the setup CD are the same) and will have another go. Further question(s): (1) Do the HDDs need to be formatted prior to installing WinXP or can this be done as part of the WinXP install process? (2) When installing SP2 do I install XP (SP1) first and then SP2? Also, will SP2 "see" beyond the 137GB HDD limit? (3) Has anyone have any experience running MaxBlast 4 and can you tell me if what I described before (ie RAM disk, etc) sounds right? Thank you! Dan

Hi guys! I'm building a new rig with the following components: AMD 64 3500+ CPU (socket 939 Rev D) ASUS A8V Deluxe WiFi (Rev 2) mobo 2x Maxtor 160GB S-ATA HDD's DVD RW/CD RW combo unit 2GB Geil RAM HIS Excalibur ICEQ-II X800XT VIVO 256Mb Grafix card Nebula DigiTV card with PVR & EPG 550W PSU (Once it's up and running it should be flying like a banshee with it's arse on fire!) ;) The components have all been assembled into the case and everything works nicely. I've updated the BIOS to the latest version (v.1009) and everything seems to be in order. I've set the BIOS RAID setting to "internal IDE operation" as I do not intend to use a RAID setup (one HDD will be used for applications, the other for video editing and recorded tv programmes). So far so good. The POST happily reports 2 identical HDDs but when the SATA test appears it states it can't find any devices and that the BIOS is not installed (:confused:). That's problem number 1. I've used MAXBLAST 4 (from the Maxtor site) to try and initiate & format the two drives but the program doesn't seem to be doing what it is supposed to do according to the instructions on the Maxtor site. It should give me the opportunity to format the drives in either FAT or NTFS. Instead all it does is create a RAM Drive (which it calls C:\) and then returns to the DOS prompt. I then reboot the system (because I can't navigate to the CD drive to start the Win XP install procedure) and, using the Windows XP pro CD, it asks me to press F6 to install third party SCSI drivers. I do so and when prompted insert the floppy containing the Promise S-ATA device drivers. Windows picks this up, displays that it is installing said driver but when the installation is about to begin Windows reports that it can't find any HDDs! This would of course be because Maxblast hasn't formatted the drives (or at least I think so). Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong - this is doing my head in! I've been at this stage of the build for over two days now and have had my fill of reading conflicting information on the internet. Short of taking the lot to a PC repair shop I don't know what else I can do. Also, will I still need to install the so called Maxtor Big Size application (or whatever they call it) to get past the 137GB limit of Win XP SP1? (I'll be installing SP2). Awaiting your responses with anticipation and gratitude. All the best, Dan

I need one as well. Tried fixing it but it peeled back up again after about 3 months ... All I know is he got them from the US - if I come across the supplier I'll let you know. Dan

You're welcome Clarkey - it's always good to see a healthy Zed! Glad we did it yesterday as it's even colder today and it's pissing down with rain ... Typical Blighty weather ... All the best, Danny

Hi Leigh, My 2p worth: Keep the front indicator, colour code (ie smoke) the plastic between it and the fog light and smoke the fog glass to match the indicator lens ... et voila! wrap-round lighting! Why would anything be simple ... ;) Speak soon mate. Danny

The AVCR is an electronic boost controller which takes the place of boost jets. DO NOT run the two together as this can cause serious damage to the car's internals due to extreme boost levels. The AVCR will operate the actuators directly whereas the principle of boost jets is that the actuators are operated indirectly by varying the level of airflow (if that makes any sense ... it does in my head ;)) HTH Dan

FIY re: Samco - Although their name is well known in the aftermarket place, their trade reputation is questionable (this comes from my own experience and isn't a generalisation or viewpoint of this forum). They are bloody awful to get hold of (to place your order) and then don't have any hoses in stock for ages ... Plus they're very expensive. I currently deal with a company who does the same colour silicone hoses as Samco but who makes them to order, ie no exorbitant waiting list. At the moment we can deliver the four Boost Pipes incl. stainless steel clips for around £160/£170 plus postage. Blue ones are in stock, Red, Black and Yellow available to order. We are also looking into developing other Z-specific hoses in silicone, such as PVC hoses, water bypass hoses, idle valve hose, etc. These will be available shortly. These items are new to DTA and have not (as yet) been added to our website. You heard it hear first! ;) Danny

Right back at ya mate!

Kadoink! This may be a daft question, but what are the benifits of removing the AIV's? Are there any negative repercussions of removing them? If not then why did Nissan feel they had to be there? Just wondering ... Dan

OK Karl - like I said, plenty of stock at the moment. Cheers, Danny

Hi Karl, If noone provides measurements by this evening I'll do it for you. Car is at home at the moment and I'm in the office so a bit difficult to get organised. BTW - can we make an arrangement for you to collect the Stillen Anti-sway bars please. Also, are you still interested in the two A'PEXi's? I've got two left but they tend to go rather quickly these days. All the best mate, Danny

You can try to do that although relocating anything in an engine as packed as the Zed's is going to be a futile experiment ... Best to install IC vents - like MAC1 and AndyP have - this will cause a low pressure area to form behind the IC and draw the warm air through it and out the side of the bumper. Think SE/Nistek sell/install these. Cheers, Dan

Thanks Chris! ;) Indeed, I do sell these. £32 + £1.50 p/p and they're in stock. Let me know if you want a set. All the best, Dan

Agreed ;)

Yes and no - flexible ducting will prevent the offending item from hitting the IC or Rad at full speed and in all likelyhood it wouldn't even make it as far as the rad or IC. The ducting would need to make a loop or at the least bend more than 45 degrees for this to work. What the residual effect of these bends are on air flow and speed remains to be seen but as far as I'm aware this technique has been successfully used in the race industry. Hope this clears up a few things, Danny

Correct, but you can wire in bulb into the corner repeaters to act as running lights. I did this on mine about three years ago - looks pretty good too!

It's once again all about compromise ... Mesh will protect your IC's & Rads from getting stone chip damaged and it looks good BUT it also severely restricts the airflow. The reason mesh restricts airflow is that it acts as a solid object when air passes through it at high speed - basic aerodynamics which I'm not really good at explaining ... I've been thinking that it should be possible to keep the mesh in place but feed cold air from elsewhere (via intakes and tubing, etc) to the IC's and Rads. To that effect, DTA will soon be able to supply carbon fibre ducts which take the place of the front fog lights and can be combined with flexible ducting to "guide" air to specific places in the car. Whether these c/f ducts will be sold through DTA or GetGreddy (as they are the main c/f suppliers to this forum) remains to be seen but they will be on the website within the next month or so. HTH Dan

Hi Stuart - I'm still working on sorting out a big brake conversion kit with a supplier. They are being particularly slow in their feedback and have now gone on holiday until the end of the week but ... This is what I'm looking at getting organised: Brembo 4-pot calipers Brembo grooved or drilled rotors (sizes upto 355mm) Stainless steel brake hoses Carbon-Kevlar brake pads (from Smithy) These will be brand new and available in different sizes to fit behind 16", 17" and 18"+ rims. Can't say anything about prices other than it will make you think twice about buying a used Skyline setup. I'll keep you and the forum informed on the (slow) progress in the next couple of weeks. I'd like to get this sorted ASAP but want to get it right the first time round (seeing as how brakes are probably the single most important part on the car ...) All the best, Danny PS - can you send me payment for your crystal 300ZX paperweight please ... it's ready to be dispatched

Matt - was the car "stuttering" when just cruising? Mine did that last Tuesday night (2am, deserted country road in Warwickshire, pitch black and drizzling ... oh joy!) Hooked the car up the my ConZult and found the left O2 circuit to have been fooked ... Car seems to run ok now but judging from the ConZult feedback both my O2 sensors are lazy if not dead. I've got a pair of new ones but can't get the old ones off the car as (a) I haven't got the right tool and (b) they're rusted (as in fused) to the manifold ... Need someone with the right tool and heaps of strenght (plus a fair dose of courage) to get them out ... Danny