Squee

Hi all, Are any fellow zedders attening the JDM North meet at Oulton Park this Saturday (5th Dec)? https://www.facebook...42238659351876/ I'm going to be popping along - it would be rude for me not to since I only live about 5 miles from the circuit and unless you're planning on doing a track day (which Javelin are also holding there on the same day) the meet doesn't start til a sociable 11am. Hope to see some of you there S.

People have been doing pretty horrible things to each other since the beginning of time, it's just the social media aspect that gives this new bunch of thugs so much oxygen. And in no way AT ALL do I wish to liken ISIS to the apartheid freedom fighters but let's just say I bet Winnie Mandela's glad she didn't have a YouTube account back in the 1980s... And Saddam Hussein was alleged to have made prisoners guzzle petrol and then ignite them. And now the West is saying things were better back when Mr Hussein kept charge over Iraq! I'm not in favour of bombing Syria. Not because I'm a peacenik but because I think it will do nothing but cause more trouble and give Isis exactly what they want - which is (ultimley) Western allied boots in the country that those savages want to pick off. Plus what happens when the bombs are dropped? Sure a few terrorists will get killed (great, happy days, no one's going to cry over them), but the rest of them will scurry out of the country like rats in drainpipes, re-group in another dusty war-torn country and start new training camps there. Al-Queda were bombed in Afghanistan - that hardly snuffed out the problem did it? Go on Google maps and look how much of the world spans from Western Africa to Pakistan. Big mass of land all that, innit? Bit to big to bomb the hell out of all that! And pretty much any country in that mass has the potential to be the terrorists choice for re-grouping once Syria gets a bit too spicy for them. However saying all that I know that something has to be done. But alas I don't have the answers. A related yet semi-off-topic comment: Religion is blamed for a lot of this trouble but I, personally, don't think religion is the root cause. I believe that's because humans are pretty nasty creatures really and fiercely tribal. That's why people like to meet up after football games and knock 7 bells of @*!# out of each other. And why in big cities young poor kids are drawn into gangs: tribalism. And it is often the poorest who are sucked into this as they don't have any prospects or anything better to do. When you know full well your life is gonna be crap from start to finish the prospect for a young guy of being provided with 72 virgins in heaven is, I imagine, very tempting! But yea, I don't know what the answer is to this mess! S. EDIT: Don't know if many of you enjoy reading books, but if anyone's wanting to get stuck into one over the Christmas period I would really recommend 'My Life Inside al-Qaeda' by Morten Storm. He's a Danish guy (white muslim convert) who joined Al-Qaeda but was then convinced to be a secret agent by the west. Very good reading and a great insight as to how and why people get drawn into terror groups.

I purchased a Optima battery yesterday (not fitted yet so can't give a report), thread from yesterday is here: http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/103830-optima-spiral-cell-batteries-what-size-for-350z/ I wanted to try a spiral cell technology battery (below's a copy and paste from an info site) SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY is built to make batteries more vibration-resistant, have higher starting power and quicker recharge, while having a longer life expectancy than flat plate batteries. SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY is built with a SIX PACK® cell design that’s made of absorbent glass mat plates, which hold the acid inside to make the batteries 100% spill proof. The unique cell design has an internal structural advantage that helps it hold its shape even under harsh weather conditions, corrosion and heavy vibrations, which traditional batteries are not built to withstand. SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY cells are made of pure lead, allowing the battery to recharge faster and hold its voltage for longer as it discharges. SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS Batteries with SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY are a great premium choice for vehicles with large power demands, and for people who seek greater reliability and expect a longer life in their batteries. Accessory-loaded vehicles, high-demand electronic or audio systems, trucks with winches, and boats with trolling motors—all add to the demand on a battery, and require one that’s designed to deliver more power than traditional batteries. Not only do batteries with SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY have up to twice the life expectancy, they also have the strongest starting power in their class. If you are using your vehicle in harsh environmental conditions, they are 15 times more vibration-resistant. To get the most out of your battery, batteries with SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY have a unique design that protects against corrosion, damaging vibrations, acid leakage and harsh weather conditions. They recharge faster and deliver more recharges than a traditional battery, so they can be brought back from deep power drains, perfect for deep-cycle applications. SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION Batteries with SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY have a case that is completely sealed to withstand rough handling and harsh environments. 
Built using precision plastic welding techniques, the case is completely sealed, forming a one-piece, airtight package. Tightly compressed cells allow mounting in multiple positions without leaking or damaging your vehicle. The making of SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY batteries is a unique process of spiral-winding continuous lead plates, which is tightly controlled and more expensive than building traditional batteries, but offers higher quality and performance. It was £134 delivered so a bit dearer than the cheap n cheerful offerings. But hey my Zed's worth it (and I do lots of short journeys that probably fubar a regular battery). S.

Ended up getting the Optima 4.2 from Ebay - £134 including postage (on the official Optima site it was £168 inc shipping). Unfortunately Clark Motorsport say they don't ship batteries anymore so don't know what it would have cost from there. Here's a description on the spiral cell batteries if anyone reading this is interested: http://www.autobatte...ell-technology/ Will report back once it's arrived and installed S.

Thanks Haydn, I have called them but bizarrely I was given a model number much different from the first one recommended. But I will go with their advice anyway. And the sales lady couldn't tell me if I needed reverse terminals or not (I *think* UK spec don't need them that way around). Just waiting for a call back from Clark Motorsport Cheers again, S.

Thanks Lexx. I was recommended the Optima after hearing about it from folks in the Z32 world S.

Thanks for your reply Renegade - much appreciated. Unfortunately EuroCarparts don't seem to stock the Optimas or anything similar. S.

Hi all, I need to get a new battery sorted (and ASAP). The old battery is, I believe to be, the original and given that the car was registered on 1st Dec 2004 it will make it roughly 11 years old tomorrow! I have heard good things about Ultima batteries (seem to be some spiral cell thingys). I was told by someone that the size needed for the zed was a D35 model but looking on their site the nearest is a D37 so don't know if the 35 has been discontinued? http://www.optimabat...uk/en/7-red-top So if anyone can tell me what size of Ultima battery I should get I would be MASSIVELY grateful. And do I need a reversed terminal one (my zed isn't currently with me so I can't check the terminals myself). Or if anyone can suggest another brand of spiral cell (or similar) battery that would be great. Unfortunately I do a lot of very short journeys which doesn't do the battery any favours. Thanks all! S.

That's a stunning cat Jewell. Although for some reason he kinda reminds me of Marshmallow Man in the face! S.

Thanks for the replies all! Jumping350 - that video is awesome and makes me even more determined to get one Wow, that's interesting to hear. Do you know why it didn't make it through customs? don't worry, if I get one I'll be sure to get a selfie-stick too so I look like a real cool kid interesting idea about the moped. But there's all the faff then of doing a CBD and having something else to tax and insure. I don't wish to sound like a reckless rule breaker but I'm not too fussed by the illegality - I live in a semi rural village where the local police are rarely seen and if they did spot you on it would probably turn a blind eye as long as you weren't mowing people down with it. I can see why in busy areas they would cause a menace however. Shame the powers at be can't just have a common sense style rule with toys like this rather than an out and out 'ban' on them being on the road. oh that's interesting to hear. So would you say that the heel and toe aspect is similar to snowboarding? I am still VERY much a beginner with snowboarding and have very little confidence after I took a nasty tumble when I went (on my first) snowboarding trip earlier this year. Cheers again all! S.

Has anyone had a play on one of these hoverboard thingies that seem popular on gadget sites? They look pretty good fun and I'm tempted to get one as a toy and a method of short distance transport for journeys slightly too long to walk but too short to justify firing up the zed. I know they're illegal when not on private land but to be honest I'm not overly concerned about that. I have read some reports of the chargers for them bursting into flames and burning houses down but that's been blamed on the chargers not having fuses (probably the cheapo chinese knock offs) but surely they can be retro-fitted with fuses? Also, do you 'balance' on them like one would a snowboard? I started snowboarding last year and would benefit from something which I can use year-round which has the same principals. Thanks all! S.

Well I fit the profile of 'blonde in a black zed' but that's about it as wasn't on that road that day and dont think I meet the rest of the criteria Incidentally there's another blonde who drives a black zed local to me - but she's one of those 370Z drivers that you get the impression only bought them as they got a good deal on finance and couldn't afford an Audi TT ("oooh Squee you bitch!" I hear you all cry!) S. edit - not been on this forum too frequently and just seen from one of the comments on this thread that Maccaman has passed away? Very sad news

Best of luck with your wrapping venture! I went on a wrapping day course at a local company - cost about £100 + VAT and if you're serious about getting into it I would really recommend one of these courses (even if you're not looking to do it for commercial reasonsbut just want to do it for your own car). I leaned so much on that course and it taught how to work with vinyl, how to 'rescue' bits of vinyl when you think you've totally fubared it and you were also given stacks of useful tools so you save money there. I haven't actually wrapped my 350z but I did a full wrap on my 300ZX and went for the stealth look: The vinyl I used here was a Ritrama mat black with 'air release' which means it doesn't bubble as much as the none air release. Post up your results S.

Although the price of the Z32 (300ZX) are appearing to rise if you look on Autotrader/EBay etc the problem is they're not actually selling for that price. It seems that it's only people already into Z32's that are buying them. For some reason they're not seen as iconic as Supra's etc so people dibbing their toes into 90s Jap sports cars overlook them. If anyone is seriously considering getting one then a friend's selling a 1989 SWB slicktop for sale for £650 - hit me up if anyone's interested. It needs a bit of TLC (running ok tho) and would make an excellent project for someone. I'd buy it myself but want to get my own TT back on the road before anymore projects! S. edit - since we all love a good car pic here's one of my NA Zed (sadly off road for good now)

Do it! Get one! As I'm a bit mad I was looking at Ocicats online recently but the £5k cost PLUS the £2k dangerous wind animal licence but me off and that's before having to empty the local butchers on a weekly basis. S.

I thought I'd share this pic of Bronx and Brooklyn...believe it or not they're actually asleep in this pic but it looks like they're brawling! 10 house points awarded to whoever can tell me what car seats this pair have claimed as theirs! So sorry to hear about your girl Dan I've actually got a bit of wet eye from reading that post! On a happier note I'm delighted to report that I have the same Samsung fridge/freezer as you So many great pets on here - I love this thread. Even the sad posts are heart-warming yet bitter-sweet. S.

Yep mine was OV54OWU (I have since changed the plate). JetSet is right there are stacks of Zeds starting with OV. A friend used to work at the Nissan Development UK HQ which is in the 'OV' area told me that when the 350Z was released a lot of staff there bought them at a discounted price so it looks like the OV district had more than the average number of Zeds. A while back on this forum I saw what must have been my Zeds registration buddy as the plate was OV54OWW With regards to the ginger zed spotted in Deeside I think I've seen it at Chester Business Park nr Sandpiper Court. I also used to see a black 350Z a few times in Deeside's Zone 3 next to Ralawise. S.

I kinda hope you're just being polite and the 'M' was in fact a 'W' S.

Spotted silver 350z, MV05*** outside the dentist in Christleton, Chester, this morning at about 9.00am-ish. Hope the owner wasn't settling in for a full morning of root canal treatment! S.

Thought I'd share a picture of the latest additions to my furry family, Bronx and Brooklyn, the Bengal brothers: Eagle eyed readers of this forum might notice that this pair look suspiciously like those from Pete's post from early July They're incredible little characters and still only approx 10 weeks. Although I've always lived in a 'multi cat' household I've never had a Bengal before and wasn't sure if I'd notice much difference between those and 'regular' cats. The Bengals certainly seem a lot more forward than the moggies but maybe that's just kitten bravado. Bronx (the brown one) has found out that humans can be used as ideal ladders to climb to access more interesting parts of the house such as kitchen counters. Thankfully my other cats have taken well to them (living in a multi-cat household makes introducing new pets a lot easier than if there was just a single prior cat) and Nismo is being excellent with them, very gentle and (reasonably!) respectful of their space. A big, big thanks to Pete and Caroline for raising such ace little confident and affectionate dudes! Expect more pictorial updates soon Fodder - Hetti is looking fabulous! Vix - that tree looks great! I'd love something like that for mine. Is that classed as a 'banana tree'? I saw reference to one on a cat keeper website and assumed it to be an actual tree but after gooogling it saw that it was in fact a structure like yours. S.

sounds like a good idea that does Ricey. Although there's hardly any Chester members of the forum there should be more than a handful who live within a 45 min drive of our fine city who'd be up for it S.

Hell yeah, pics from impromptu mini meets are always good I'll be looking out for ya! S.

yes that was me! Your car was looking great too - always nice to see another Nismo in the area I did throw you a wave but was in the passenger seat - my boyfriend was having a supervised go in the drivers seat at the time hope to see you around Chester more matey! S.

I'd certainly go if I had free tickets but the price of the event is ludicrous....and it's actually sold out at CarFest North at Oulton Park. I know it's for 'charidee' and everything but £280 for 3 nights with camping is a bit steep for crap music such and no competitive racing to watch! S.

I work from home (garment printer) and absolutely love my quality of life although you can get a bit potty not leaving the house all day. I am very lucky in that I have a spare room I use as a workshop/office so once my working day is done I can close the door to that room thus separating my work from my home. It sounds like this might not be as easy for you if you need to use a kitchen. One of the best bits of advice is find a forum dedicated to the subject you're wanting to work in. So for me there's a specific forum for t-shirt printers and no doubt there will be for those running a home business in the food industry. I know it might sound a bit of an obvious piece of advice and apologies if it sounds patronising even suggesting it but it will be a worthwhile forum to look on for all aspects of setting up the business. Best of luck! S.