Dicky

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGLY

Oooooooow you've given me an idea Mr Jetpilot. If I did have an accident I could tell the insurance assessor that the wife must have had the car remapped while I was at the shops and I was completely unaware of it. Yeah that could work! ha ha

If I get my car remapped and say the initial run indicates 276bhp and the final dyno run matches the published oem figure 287bhp (I think that's what it is for a 2004 car) then is it fair to say there has been no gain?

Thanks for your input guys

That's interesting about the 10% bit, didn't know that. I've got the plenum spacer, but having to change Ins Co is a bit of a pain as mine won't insure you if the engine' s been tuned. I just thought that if the remap only achieved the oem figure then you should be Ok

From what I've read the 350z engine leaves the factory with the bhp output set to some arbitrary value but by no means optimised. If we later perform an UPREV we can achieve a bhp gain in some cases but not in all, being dependant upon how the engine left the factory. Also bhp can be lost as the engine ages, in this case the UPREV would at least return some and possibly approach the optimum. So now to my question! If I tell my insurance Co I've had the UPREV done can I argue that the engine performance has not been improved only optimised and as it should have been when it left the factory. They seem to accept some changes, typically with my cars new st st exhaust (made locally) without any penalty, so if the above reasoning holds should I be paying more for my insurance or not because of the UPREV?

Bugger Bugger Bugger, please tell me I'm not the oldest Z driving Chav on here ! Im now writing in a whispering manner but can't find a smaller font. I'm 66 but on the +ve side I'm devilishly good looking nd highly intelligent as well nd often get the eye from lady's in wheel chairs or pushing zimmers as I wheel spin past in the Z.....Ha ha

I fitted them after spinning the car one day going around a slow bend on a wet road. After fitting my cornering confidence has risen dramatically. They definitely make a big differance IMO. They look good on the car as well. One of my best mods!

Premier motors down Walker Gate just off the coast road have been good for me

If it looks like your going to have to pay for a respray why not have a go to repair it first, you've nothing to loose. I'm no expert but I would rub down the edges of the laquer with fine wet and dry. Any underlying paint work that' gets finely scratched during the process I'd polish that out using T cut. When it all looks normal again mask off where necessary and spray over the area with clear laquer. Once that drys go over it again with T cut to remove any edges left by the masking off. If it works, job done if not you've got the respray to fall back on. As I said I'm no expert but that's how I'd tackle it. However Id be concerned as to why the original laquer is flaking off in the first place. My bumper's pretty chipped and has been for a while but the laquers still holding up.

I did a search before posting because I've a feeling I've seen this issue posted before some time ago but didn't pay to much attention to it at the time. I do however seem to remember it was a common issue but not a heat shield issue Thanks anyway

Can't shake this one to the top using search, so any help welcome. On odd occasions I get a rattle noise from the passenger side of the engine (sounds low down) when I first start up in the mornings. It only lasts a few seconds and I don't fancy it's a serious issue, but would like to know what it is. Cheers

Cheers young man for that. Thanks for your offer of help but Its not an imminent job at the moment. However I have thought about it for a while as the miles are begining to build up. Ive also worried how much it would cost at the main dealers, BIG BUCKS probably. It would be cheaper at a back street garage but who can you trust, having said that which main dealer can you trust. Neither will take the degree of care that I would. My garage is small but I've got good space in the back garden and would do it there, but need good weather. I don't do much milage so should get through to next spring and do it then. Reading your post inspired me and made me think that given the spare time I have now why not have a go. so I will. if I'm still alive next spring and your still a member I may well take you up on your offer of advice. Cheers

Youve inspired me now! Being retired from all that 9-5 stuff I've got the time to do the clutch myself, which can't be far off as I've done around 65k now. Can you tell me if you had to buy any of the specialised tools as recommended in the manual or did you just improvise?

10 hrs for all that work in a garage that looks as small as mine........RESPECT!

All of the above and poss Sticking solenoid?

Pm sent Alex

Alex you are a really helpful guy you know!

Noticed what look like fine radial cracks in my front discs. Tried to rub them out with emery cloth but they remain visible. Anyone experienced this? Do you think they are a surface issue or should I be looking to change them.I don't have the right size micrometer but using other means I would guess Im close to the wear limit of 28.4mm (Brembo Brakes)( well Brembo calipers and I assume discs are Brembo as they were on from new)

BUGGER! It probably won't help but saw a guy cause similar damage when he turned his new car into the local supermarket car park and didn't see a concrete post as he turned. The crunch was sickening to hear. So your not alone!

Sorry guys, Im toooooooo old to get under the car to take pictures, my post was simply to make local Z owners aware of this company. Sorry grovel, grovel

Had a new st st cat back exhaust fitted last week by Advanced Automotive Systems (AAS) in Newcastle. What a nice job they've made as well. All bits are made by them with the exception of the tin cans on the back. They managed to get the sound just right for my taste and the car seems perker too with more pulling power. I'd certainly recommend their work to anyone from this neck of the woods. Now to fit my plenum spacer and get the UPREV done.

In my day you could get your wheels balanced "Dynamically" ie on the car, so that the discs are balanced as well. My mate has a 330d BM and had slight vibration problems. He had the wheels balanced (not dynamically) but it only made the problem slightly better. As far as I can remember the garage told him he had a slight amount of play in the steering that could have caused the prob, but not sure if he got it seen to and resolved.

Not an expert but as far as Im aware alignment is carried out with the wheels on the car(mine was). What do you mean by "skittish" dodo you feel vibration over 70 or the car wandering? Vibration would indicate a balance problem, wandering could have something to do with tyre wall strength or tyre pressure. Best I can do Im afraid hope it helps

Cheers lads,thanks for the help. Brake fluid gets changed at recommended intervals during main dealer service but can't be sure they actually change it! Will do a search for the bleeding procedure and give it a go myself.