NemesizX

Hi, does anyone know the best way to remove the plastic trims from the roof, targa, screen sections? I'm thinking of stripping the coating off them and having then powder coated. Is it possible to remove them without breaking the clips? And how do they fit? I've been told they just clip on but I'm sure I'll manage to break something if advice isn't sourced from the knowledgeable first.. Any help much appreciated.

Yup, had to have the gold Richard. The cars going to be themed red and gold throughout. I've just put the plenum in for powder coating and should have it ready by next weekend. The gold turbo hard pipes are in the process of being hard anodised too. Rocker covers are being shot blasted ready for the candy red powder coating. Once everything is done, they'll be packed away whilst I save for getting it all put together up at automodz.. Still trying to find out the cost of having the rear crank seal done. It's weeping so I'd rather have it done sooner than later. Anyone have any idea of the cost? I know it's a gearbox out job so not expecting it to be pennies.. I'm also getting very stressed with a wet backside lately. The targa are leaking and Im having trouble working out where the leak is. The water seems to be coming in from the gap in the trim that screws on to the windscreen pillar. But it's coming from in front of it not where the targa seals to the pillar? I'm thinking the water is going below the rubber seal and seeping down in to the trim. In need of some impact adhesive me thinks, or a pair of waterproof trousers..

I totally agree with you Richard. I put my wife's brand new car in for service and they did the same. I was there near the end of their cleaning service and watched with horror as the guy leaned over the roof to shammy it off and slid his beltbuckle right down the side of the door.. Needless to say they ended up repainting the door and as it was new the colour match was identical, but all that hassle just for a clean car just isn't worth it.. Theres something very pheraputic about cleaning and polishing and waxing a car.. Half kills me when I do it but definitely gives me a good feeling when I look at the results..

Wouldn't spacers make the staggered set up pointless?

Well, spent the afternoon fitting the new wheels and have to say that I'm glad I waited for them, she looks beautiful and they really make the car stand out again. Got stopped on the way to work by a guy who just wanted to tell me how great she looked and ask the usual " what car is that?" lol.. Everyone at work is saying how much nicer she looks now too so it's big cheesey grins all round today.. :biggrin:

Ah, I never knew that Gaz.. Although I'd have to say that those look kind of blue to me lol.. I just made the selection of gold because I knew they'd look great against the candy red and because I am a genius.. Lol. Seriously, I was looking for a set of wheels and must've searched hundreds of designs and colours etc, saw these and just instantly loved them. I'd have cancelled the order after waiting 3 months for them, but i just couldn't let them go. Can't wait to get them on tomorrow and take her for a spin to show them off.. :drool:

Very nice Gaz, they look a little deeper in the rim than I could afford mate but yes I totally agree, the red with the gold wheels is a gorgeous look. I changed the pinstripe to gold too as I'm having the plenum powder coated in gold at the moment and continuing the red and gold theme throughout the car. Engine bay is in progress and I'm waiting for all the odds and sods to be ready for fitting before I take it to automodz to have everything done at once. Red and gold turbo pipes, gold plenum, red breather bar, new coilpacks, fitting the series 2 ptu and a few other bits. The only thing I've added to the list recently is the rear crank seal, I've found its seeping oil and that's where the slight slip on the clutch is coming from. It's nothing major as yet but I'm sure it could prove terminal if not addressed before the seal fails.. Any idea of a cost for doing the seal? Anyone had one done recently?

I'll post up a photo when they're on. Planning on doing that as soon as I wake up tomorrow afternoon.. Fingers crossed for an early night home from work.. Also planning to fit the new LED light strips on the interior roof lining to brighten things up in there, got a set for the boot too so should be nice and easy to find things now the winters setting in. I meant to ask if anyone knows a good cure for a leak in the rear windscreen? I found a small puddle that had seaped in from the corner of the screen where it lays.. Maybe it's just my boot but is it a design flaw that the corners of the rear screen sit below the bodywork?

Thanks osty, I knew when I saw them how they were going to look and that's why I had to have them. Couldn't really afford them but I'm happy to buy less Christmas presents in order to have them on the Z. Just hope the wife doesn't read this! Lol.. They have nankang tyres fitted which I've read aren't that efficient on fuel but hey what's new? I'm just hoping I dont lose to much ride quality with the loss of that inch of rubber..

Finally, I thought the day would never come but a man from UK mail knocked on my door and gave me my wheels! Hoo blooming raaa! I probably could've fashioned them myself out of old scrap by now but they're finally here.. He disappointingly arrived about ten minutes before I left for work but I managed to unwrap them and put one against the side of the car for a sneaky preview of how they'll look on her.. so do you think they'll take the attention away from the nostrils? Lol..

Oil change done and new k&n filter installed. Washed the dirt away again and a spot of wax.. Now clean on the inside of the engine and on the bodywork.. Still waiting for the wheels!

Well, I planned on the task of removing the front bumper today to remove the original sidelight/indicator units that are hidden beneath the abflug bumper. I've made some LED replacements to fit inside the actual bumper and will not have the arduous task of bumper removal to change a bulb! But, ended up replacing the bumper on my aunts fiesta instead after she failed to spot a tow bar whilst out shopping.. So, the easier task was achieved and I'm still dreading trying to remove the bolts from inside the Z's bumper as after looking at where the bolts are located, it looks like an absolute nightmare to get to.. Anyone ever had to remove a type four abflug bumper? Any tips for making it easier than it looks?

Zcentre has them in stock dave, have a look on the site mate..

I didn't realise that there was a main day Gaz, I shouldve known really but it was only last minute I found my tent was locked away and couldn't afford the hotel rates last minute.. I was quoted over 300 for a double room for a night!? Nearly fell out the Z and that's not easy to do is it! If I'd have thought about it, I could have come down on the Saturday instead but hey its all pie now huh.. I'll be there for the weekend next year for sure.. Shame I can't bring the dog, but he'd be like putting a bull in a China shop as he's mad as a box of frogs.. Anyway, thanks for posting out the bits Gaz, maybe I'll get a chance to meet you at the next event..

Thanks tulip, that's the sort of welcome I've come to expect from the Irish cell as I've never met anyone from Ireland that hasn't given me a warm welcome.. Even at the jae you welcomed me with a katana in one hand and a guided tour of the food and drink facilities :chinese: I'm sure I'll make the trip over some day in the not so distant future and I shall look you all up.. Ive a couple of friends over in Dublin that I mean to visit before I die lol.. Thanks again..

He missed mine too, but i had to leave Friday night so he's forgiven lol.. Great pics Gaz, I didn't get to see most of those cars as most people turned up on Saturday.. But i guess there's always next year and I'm sure we can sort a big meeting out somewhere central for everyone. I just had an idea, maybe we can all group buy a small town somewhere and rename it new Zedland. Only zed owners allowed to move in lol.. The local Roads would sound fantastic huh!

Trish, to be honest when Stephen said you have to be different, I tend to agree, but ive found that with my own z. Several people have commented on the bonnet vents on my car, most of them don't like them, but it's an opportunity to start a conversation even if it puts your back up! Lol.. I thought your car was a nice example and I was the same, trying to talk about the cars as I haven't owned a Z for very long and would have liked to have chatted about the cars more but it did seem like most that were there on Friday were more interested in drinking and chilling out. I can't say I blame them as work and general life can get on top by the weekend. I had the most conversation about the cars with that northerner phutumsch lol.. The L.E.D lighting he'd added to his car was really cool. I was only there on Friday so can't comment on the whole weekend but I'd tend to agree that for a car show and a gathering of owners there wasn't a major interest being discussed. I seem to remember Friday though that you may not have remembered much of the conversation lol.. I just enjoyed meeting a few of you and it was a shame I didn't find out about the room becoming available at the premiere Inn until after I'd got home! I'd have stayed if I'd known earlier..

Ah yes, London Luton airport.. Thanks for that Richard, I should have remembered that as I my transport office is just next to it! Lol.. I see your in Bucks so youre in the triangle too then.. Are there many of us in the Herts beds and bucks region? I'll have to see if I can get a chance to drop in and meet you. Gt Missenden isn't far from Luton..

That's very nice of you to say phutumsch.. Looks like I'll have to create a new cell of my own. Although I seem to spend most of my life in burton on trent nowdays, sitting waiting for a load to go back down the m1. By the looks of it then I'm the only one that's in the Bermuda triangle of the club then..

Yes I believe luton is described as greater London.. I get London weighting in my wages as I apparently travel in to greater London.. Whatever the location is in geographical terms, I'll just find the closest venues and come along..

Yes it looks different, why would I want one the same as everyone else's?

Bloody Hell, Really?? :huh: My sentiments exactly mick1 lol.. If you live on the south coast I guess everything is north but i still wouldn't class anything south of Leeds as "north" I'm not great with geography but I'm fairly certain that luton is not anywhere near the northern half of England, let alone of Britain.. I would think I'm actually south of the Midlands too..

Oh I was in the asylum before I owned a Z.. I thought once I'd escaped I might be able to hide amongst the normals, but i find myself in with the nutters again.. Feels like home I guess lol.. Anyways, by The sounds of it I've got my own little branch then? As an old Essex lad, I thought the London guys might accommodate but it looks like ive been shunned by the motherland.. Lmao.. Up north? Really? I'm 19 miles from Brent cross and only 9 miles from the m25.. I only class it as north when people call me duck.. Lol.. Well I guess I'm a floater then.. I shall drift between events within reach.. Well when I say drift, I don't mean I'll turn up sideways.. So are there any regular meetings for the surrounding areas?

Hi zedders... Just been looking around the forum to burn a little time and found myself confused and lost... Ive noticed the separate little branches of the club eg, London, south East, south West. Midlands etc.. Now I'm not sure which local branch of the club I fall in to? I live in luton, Bedfordshire so can anyone tell me which area catchment I would fall in to? It'd be nice to meet some local members and maybe plan some meetings etc.. So, where do I belong?

Just a thought on this one but I had an issue years back with the reflectors on a mk2 escort. Same problem, plastic reflectors with worn coating. I bought a can of plasticoat chrome spray and put a few coats on and they were like new again.. Total cost was £8.99 from my local car accessory shop. Got to say that when I sold the car 2 years later, the headlights were the best thing about it lol.. Might be an idea for future projects to give it a try? Worked for me..