Raja93

I've never really been too fussed about the AC not working, until those baking hot days, when me and the other half cry for AC. It's lovely when you're moving with the windows down and/or roof off with the wind in your hair, but in traffic, it really does drain you! The only option nowadays since the new AC Compressors are discontinued, is to refurbish the existing. When I originally went on the hunt for a decent AC refurb company, they all had equally good and bad reviews, which put me off. I've since been awaiting a forum member to refurbish theirs and recommend a company! I recently found out there's a firm that Jim's started using called ACR (there's loads of ACR's on Google, so not sure which one is his one). I ordered a shiny new AC Drier and OEM O-rings and away we go. Jim had a refurbished compressor already at his place. He mentioned the previous owner thought it was the suction valve which may be at fault. The previous owner told me he thought the AC compressor had blown! Either way, he will get the system up and running and then diagnose. I've read the Z32 Wiki for the AC System and the suction valve - seems like a pretty serious issue if that fails and you can't buy new replacements. Not sure how that will work out if that really is the fault - fingers crossed, Jim works his magic...

Ah that doesn't sound fun at all - wish you all the best with recovery. Yep you're right there re. the spending and salted roads! Sounds like it will be super fresh ready for summer ?.

No worries at all. I thought it was mileage based as well but then read the factory service manual and also saw the Z32 Wiki page, explaining the 60k belts and all the tensioners etc should be done every 4 years. They recommend just getting the full 120k service done. Here’s the link: https://conceptzperformance.com/wiki/index.php/Timing_Belt_Service As Therealnips has said, the belt will probably be alright to go past the 4 years, as I’m sure most owners don’t change them that often, but on my car, I won’t be leaving it much past that point. I had mine done in 2020 - the last owner from memory had a 60k service done maybe around 2015 and 35-40k miles before. I remember my cam seals were rock solid and some other parts of that list were knackered also. Surprised me for only 5 years since the last service. Anyway good luck with the works [emoji1417][emoji846]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For sure and as others have said, 100% do the full 120k Service. There’s lots of important components in the service kit which you wouldn’t necessarily know are on their way to failure or already failed, until you see the condition of the parts when removed. As an owner of 20+ years, I’m sure you know where to find the kit - CZP/Z1 etc. No matter how good your car is maintained (which mine was by previous owners), Nissan designed the service schedules with the knowledge of how long each part should last, so should really carry out these works when recommended, in my opinion.

I know it’s just an empty engine bay so not much to see, but you gotta love the prep work... ?

She’s certainly had some love from all the owners hasn’t she. None of us have ran her on the cheap for sure! Hope your C63 is serving you well still, although with current fuel prices, it’s probably bankrupting you ??.

Thanks mate, really appreciate the love [emoji846]. Oh I wouldn’t be so sure about that, there’s quite a few Zeds on this owners club that have had more attention to detail than mine and years and years of development. 21 years is impressive! This is a life long car for me, hence why I’m doing all these works. Will keep updating this thread throughout the project until we’re all done and back on the road [emoji41]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep Greg is doing the tuning - wouldn't take her to anyone else. He fitted my Link G4X last year and as Jim recommends, he definitely is the man to go to. His pre-dyno checks tell you everything you need to know about his workmanship. Trying to work out timings now as you need to book in with Greg about 3 months in advance, since he's so high in demand. Wow that is a long, long time - I definitely don't have that patience! Am sacrificing plenty of other important 'life' things to get this done though.

They've been added to my 'approved' company list for working on Zed's! Absolutely fantastic finish on yours, looks as good as AndrewG's seats! Anyone who's seen his car knows what I mean.

All looks brand new! How did you manage to get the original leather to look that good? looks like it's had a retrim.

After stripping the engine bay more, they found lots of surface rust scattered around, which would have spread, and they just couldn't leave it the way it was/cover it up etc. So sod what I said earlier about not going mad on the engine bay - I guess we're already part way there...

Thanks mate and yes absolutely, a real dream come true ?. Well the bodyshop are hoping to be done by end of May, so depending on how swamped Jimmer is, and the gap between to get the car tuned, I'd hope for it to be back on the road by July. I wanted it done earlier but these things never go to plan. Although it's slightly delayed, I'm not bothered at all as I'd prefer perfection rather than a rush job!! Gives me time to give a bit of TLC to the daily driver in the mean time haha.

Jim is ploughing along with the engine too. Looking fantastic - can’t wait to have the peace of mind of a freshly built engine by the best in the business. BDE mounts being put to use. I ticked the ceramic coating option for the AMS exhaust manifolds for the heat management benefits, but the unintended consequence is that they look soooo much better than the original items. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Engine bay getting stripped down too woohoo [emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]. Not a full strip down and show car paint job though. Main aim is to repair two minor areas of rust and to freshen it all up. The bulkhead will get a repaint too. I had quoted separately for a full strip down and repaint to a high end finish but it was just too much over and above what’s already being spent. We both agreed you can’t really see much of the paintwork in the engine bay due to how cramped these engines are! Unless I do a full on engine tuck which I’d never do - couldn’t bring myself to hack up a brand new OEM wiring harness etc. Anil at the bodyshop cant bare to put back the stock old and dirt ingrained bolts when they put the engine bay back together so will put back S/S bolts everywhere. I decided to go for gloss black bolts for where the wings/arches bolt onto the frame. They advised painting them like the OEM finish can lead to the paint cracking up over time, which I want to avoid at all costs - never want to do paintwork again!! Jim will repaint the plenum in the stock silver and do the balance bar in black, as it had chipped away. I want to do a full on engine bay refresh in the next few years including a plethora of zinc coated parts - like what funkysi did to his bay before selling her and what the USA Skyline fanatic (Youtuber) tommyfyeah does to all his skyline rebuilds. For now though, the above will be x10 better than what it was like before, so more than happy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The bodyshop repeatedly said how great of a fitment every Twin Z part they’ve fitted has been, which must have jinxed my rear spoiler! As it didn’t fit perfectly. They’re getting around it though by doing some trimming, minor adjustments etc. Not a big deal, just not the perfect fitment they usually are. Looking good though regardless [emoji41]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

After the front and rear windscreens were removed, off comes the boot and front pillars/roof paint. Note the targa drain was capped off and removed when they blew all the dust off. Some rust was found hiding under one of the seals [emoji50]. I’m glad I’ll finally be able to store her indoors hopefully from this summer, to prevent that ever happening again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Of course [emoji846]. I shall message you tonight after work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought I was done with parts ordering (!!!) but naturally as you go through the rebuild process, aspects you hadn't fully considered before, become apparent. A few additions to the parts list:- - BDE transmission mount; a beautifully made part and appears to be the best product on the market. Originally I intended to keep my Nismo mount, but after going through the service history, I realised the mount was around 11-12 years old. Jim pointed out the car had only done around 30k KM's in that time so it wasn't strictly necessary, but I wanted to replace any key parts like this, whilst I have the chance now. This is a lifer car for me, so future proofing whilst parts are still available is important, which I have to remind myself sometimes, to help justify all these parts! - Walbro 450lph fuel pump. Similar to the trans mount, my car had an upgraded AEM 340lph pump fitted around 7 years ago, which I intended to keep originally. Jim asked me a few weeks ago if I had ordered a new one, to which I said I was going to re-use my old one. After saying that out loud, whilst remembering reading horror stories where peoples engines have blown from failed fuel pumps (failing without any warning), paranoia kicked in and I decided to order the replacement. The new pump, as the numbers suggest, flows at a much higher rate, which gives an added peace of mind and power capability for the tuning phase.

Thanks mate, yep so glad it was and as I mentioned, I expected it to be to be honest. The engine bay rust under the brake booster I believe was only caused as she's been sat on my driveway for the last two years, although under a car cover during winter, water still got in through these tiny air vents, to the engine bay, which caused that - water sitting there with nowhere to go. Am in the process now of sorting out access to my garage which is in the rear garden, so can prevent that ever happening again.

Exactly yeah, there's a reason these cars were so popular. When the 335d/535d's came out, they were so popular. After a remap, some crazy torque figures to be made.

Do it - life's too short! That one on Pistonheads is super clean and well worth the money. Sell the 4 series and get back into one of these ?. I've noticed these German Jap imports with super low miles over the last couple years - they're better condition than the low miler cars in the UK I've noticed. Saw an E38 740i in silver with the M twin parallel wheels with say 40k miles, not that expensive either. Was tempted but have spent too much making the E46 perfect, I couldn't justify it sadly.

That's not just your opinion, it's a worldwide opinion! All the BM's of that era, the E46, E38 are known as the best of the lot, and for good reason. That's why I've got an E46 facelift coupe rather than something newer. Love them to bits for daily driving, would have that era of BM's over anything modern. I had the later E90 before, but the E46 quality, handling, hydraulic steering etc. is x10 better. Take a look at a company called Evolve Automotive based in UK who have a beautiful red E39 M5 with BBS LM's, supercharged to 600+ hp. Dream daily driver ?. They'd never sell it though sadly, due to the sentimental value.

Don't know if anyone on here's into older BMW's, but I love that E39 M5 ?. Ultimate daily right there.

Rear quarter windows have been removed. Front and rear windscreens being removed this weekend - was due to be completed last weekend but the glass remover ran out of time! As you can see, rear quarter panels now stripped right down. Small bit of surface rust on the sills, the drivers side rear bumper support panel and two small sections in the engine bay which will all be sorted. All areas that I was aware of rust presence, so no surprises thankfully. Overall they said the shell is very clean, which I expected to be honest, due to the previous owners. As mentioned before, I'd happily clear coat it now and leave it looking like a DeLorean ?.

Oh great, just as I'm about to fit a red 99 spec badge to my front end ?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️