Black 350z GT - D1vereux Project Journey

[D1vereux]

Hi chaps,

 

I purchased this car over a week ago and it's my first Z, I just wanted to start a build thread as I'm intending on doing some modifications and would like to show my journey through it.

 

At the moment the car is fairly stock equipped in the GT trim. The only modification I know of is a uprated/after market Y pipe. It's quite loud when the rev's are above 3k, but when daily/cruising driving it's tamed and quiet, I'm not sure if the aftermarket Y pipe is contributing to the sound or this is quite standard. However I do enjoy the sound!

 

Before I tackle any modifications I have a few issues I must correct first. It was a private sale and on my drive home the airbag indication light came on. few days later after a longer drive the engine management light came on. Bit of a nightmare scenario and bit peeved off as I bought the car in the understanding there were no evident problems, but instead of crying over spilt milk I'm going to try rectify the problems.

 

I was going to ask if you guys know of any diagnostic kits I can buy that are fairly reasonable in cost, however would help me determine the faults I could be having. From there I can look at getting parts and depending on DIY level I will replace myself or get it professionally done.

 

The steering is quite heavy and it pulls at times on uneven sections of road, but by the looks of the tyres on the alloy, they are very beefy, so I'd probably guess this is quite normal. Just coming from a no thrills hatchback with 15" alloys and lighter body weight the steering is very different.

 

I'm keen on doing some modifications, the list below is just dream and thoughts I'm not entirely sure if the parts are available or its possibilities with the Z.

 

Modifications I'd like to do are;

• Induction Kit, possible cone (I'd like increase in power along with enhanced sound from the engine if possible) I noticed a couple Z's with a cut out on the front bumper, to allow more air in I presume.
  
• Retractable show front reg plate
  
• Colour matched Eye lids (Not to everyone's taste, but I quite like the aggressive look)
  
• Wing mirror conversion with sequential LED indicator lights.
  
• Rear diffuser
  
• Nismo v2 spoiler or similar depending on size though I'd like to keep it subtle.
  
• Bodykit - seems there's lots of variety, again perhaps subtle.
  
• Sports De-cat
  
• Some other performance mods not sure what yet.
  
• Remap
  

Included are a couple pictures below.

 

Cheers

J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andy_Muxlow]

Hello and welcome along. Lovely looking car you have there.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[D1vereux]

Cheers mate,

 

Managed to give it clean and wax, came out with these results.

 

imageupload

Edited July 11, 2016 by D1vereux

[Rory14]

How's my old car coming along Jordan?

 

I'm sure as you are aware by now the car was sold with absolutely no underlying conditions. The airbag light, like I mentioned, is a common problem and relatively easy fix.

 

If you would have text me regarding the engine management light I would have told you it was the new y pipe that was setting the O2 sensor off. Getting a £5 lambda spacer would rectify this problem.

 

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what you have done or are planning to do with my old car.

 

I already have a new zed btw, I told you I would not be long in getting another. Mayby see you at knockhill or a car meet in the near future.

 

Rory.

 

[jamez87]

For code reading, you can get an obd2 Bluetooth adapter from eBay for about £5 and then download torque app if you have android.

 

It will read most faults on any car and give you a generic code that you just search for the answer.

 

I've sorted many issues with the app but at the very least it will point you in the right direction. The app can do much more too, like live data for example.

 

Most of all have fun with the car!

[D1vereux]

Hi Rory,

 

The Z is coming along nicely, I'm really enjoying the car. She seems reliable, but as you can imagine having 2 separate fault lights appear shortly after purchasing the car wasn't that fun! On further inspection I have found there to be no serious underlying faults.

 

The airbag light annoys me a lot, I've tried to diagnose it using the diagnostic procedure but it didn't give me any clues as to what exactly it could be. I'm going to play around with it more but it's just finding the time to do it.

 

I've got a few idea's about what I'd like to do, I've done nothing as of yet as the Zed does look great stock anyway and turns lots of heads just the way she is. I'd like to get that rear quarter sprayed though!! That's defiantly high on my list, perhaps you got a contact for a decent guy around this way that could do it?

 

Haha, I thought you'd get another Z to be honest!! What did you get?

 

 

Jamez87 - The engine management hasn't been back on, I did actually buy a obd2 Bluetooth reader exactly as you suggested, I got this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-Torque-Car-Mini-ELM327-EXCEL-OBD2-OBDII-Bluetooth-Scanner-Code-Reader-UK-/121731877575?hash=item1c57c90ac7:g:fd4AAOSwxH1UGtYp It was suggested somewhere on this forum.

 

I plugged it in and used "Torque", but unfortunately it never gave me any codes back, it actually said there was nothing stored on the ECU but the management light was on. I'm guessing it was a code that "Torque" or the reader itself wasn't familiar with. I know I shouldn't of but I decided to just wipe all stored faults on the ECU to see if it'd take my management light off and it did. Rory as you mentioned I might just need a part to rectify it.

 

Defiantly lots of fun to have with the Z!

[Rory14]

Great to hear your enjoying her. If you do a bit more digging in the forums i believe there is a relatively easy fix for the airbag light, something to do with a connection under the passenger seat.

 

I do in fact have a great contact for a sprayer in Fife. I will PM you his details.

 

She does look great stock but in my opinion the stock wheels have to go. I believe a 19 inch set with a bit of lip on the back really adds to the car and brings out that rear arch and makes the cars overall stance look fantastic. A Chargespeed bumper on the rear is also something i would look at, looks fantastic.

 

Forgot to say its not the y pipe that makes the car sounds the way it does. Its the aftermarket scorpion exhaust. The y pipe does make it sound more throatier though.

 

I actually seen my new zed at knockhill whilst i still owned your car. I tracked the owner down a couple of weeks ago and made him an offer. Its some machine and a true one off.

 

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what comes of my old car!