Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Hey guys, if you're wanting Z porn, go find another thread, this is early, early days. So...To make a very long story very short... I'm British, left England in 2003 to move to Greece (why? Have you SEEN Greek women?)... Anyway, I've always been a JDM kinda guy, was actually a serious Honda dude for many years, had an s2000 and a couple of TypeRs, before going to the dark side (BMW, with an EPIC e92 335xi, which sadly got stolen). Now I'm back and taking a slightly different approach. Sadly the insurance pretty much screwed me, I lost a lot of money in the mods I had made to the BMW, and the result was that I had to look very carefully for another performance car that I could actually afford. I then saw this Z in a local advert. I could tell from the pictures it wasn't very loved, it had cheap and heavy 19" wheels, was tucking tire (which in Greece is simply insane), was badly painted and one of the doors looks like it has a hammerite finish, it has so many parking dents in it. Anyway, I got the car for an astonishingly low price, largely because the guy liked the Mini Cooper S that I had been driving since the theft of the BMW. So here we are today, 1 week after I bought the car and dropped it straight off to have the suspension sorted. The car is a 2004 Le Mans Sunset Base model which was born in Japan and first shipped to the US, where it lived the first two years, before being moved to Canada for a couple more. It was then imported to Greece. Fortunately, it must have had very good years in the US, as there is no rust at all on the car (no rust is normal for Greek cars, but very unusual on imports from the Northern US). I had the car inspected at Nissan, though I believe the seller was in cahoots with the service manager, so I'm not basing much off that, I already found loads of little things that they didn't notice, which means they basically ignored their checklist looked it up and down and told me it was ok. To be honest, for the price I paid, I'd still have bought it even if it wasn't a runner. So here's the list of what is currently wrong with it... Tires are the wrong size, which is a terrible shame as they are sportcontact5 and brand new. One of those 10 ton 19" wheels is cracked The springs and spring perches have been cut (haven't seen this yet myself, just what my suspension guy said) One of the wheel speed sensors is throwing codes after 200m driving The clutch judders when setting off. I'm guessing it either has a very aggressive friction disc or a very light flywheel, but since it's working ok I'm not going to focus on that right now. I am a master clutch user, it's not my technique. In fact, this clutch seems to want to be treated rough, with quick engagements and disengagments supporting my belief that it has a very aggressive disc. Drivers door lock actuator needs changing Only spare key supplied, need to get a new main key Two reservoir caps are missing in the engine bay, coolant and the black one that sits to the northwest of it (headlight washers?) The fuel gauge doesn't work (it's the classic potentiometer issue, I'm sure of it, I'll fix this myself) The oil pressure gauge doesn't work (stuck at max, off the scale), I believe this is the sender, and that the best solution is an oil filter sandwich adapter and not touching the original sender which when worked on has a habit of destroying the oil pan, so I am warned. The motorised seat switches don't do a thing. Again I think a cleanup of the electrical contacts might sort that, but I have my eye on a cheap spare set of complete seats for next to nothing, so if needed, I'll just change them out completely, then probably get my originals reupholstered in alcantara then swap again. The fuel filler door actuator kinda works, but then needs tweasing out with fingertips, again I've seen a DIY on this, so not worried. With the car turned off and the key in the ignition, if I open the driver's door, there is a noisy buzzing. I think this has to do with the broken driver's door lock actualtor, but if anyone knows, I'd be grateful for ideas. There's a slight brushing or whistling noise coming from the rear when driving. The previous owner believes it has something to do with the spoiler (which has been very poorly fitted), he may be right, but I think it might be a wheel bearing, due to suspension issues, I haven't been able to drive the car hard yet to test if it is the bearing or not by adding load to it. The little screen on the left of the tri-gauge cluster above the navi-cubby seems to be totally dead. Not at all sure what would cause that. And lastly, due to coming from another territory, the main gauge cluster on the steering column has stickers applied to the lights to swap some symbols around. It's actually been done as well as it could be done, but it has to be changed, I can't have stickers on my clocks forever, but it's hardly a safety issue so I'll leave that to last. So basically, although the car is in good shape overall, it has been somewhat neglected and abused by the recent previous ownership. It will be my great joy to bring this one back from the brink. Now the good news... It is having HSD monopros fitted as I type this message, and I sourced locally a very nice set of the stock Rays 'track' wheels with decent tires on em for 400 quid! Couldn't believe my luck. I also got a full set of stock brembos (with pads but no discs) from scotland for about 500 quid which I was also chuffed about. I'm also going to return the rest of the car to stock state (taillights, bumpers, skirts etc), except for a minor drop of course, and probably some spacers to push the Rays track wheels out a little more. Currently looking for some Le Mans sunset Nismo v1 skirts if anyone has any kicking around. Here're some shots as she was when I dropped her off at the suspension place... Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 Reserved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Can you post some pics of the greek woman please. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Sure, why not...lol...from the left...small pics, cos I'm at work, you can google the names as I wrote them and get a lot more. Julia Alexandratou - not hard to find some naughty stuff of her if you look hard enough Doukissa Nomikou - My fave Eleni Menegkaki - MILF first class (shhh, she's 46!!!) Actually...the thing about Greek women isn't that they have some of the most beautiful women in the world, though of course they do, it's more that EVERY Greek girl is a fashion expert and a makeup afficionado. In the uk, 5% of women are 'stunning', in Greece, it's more like 40%. Not necessarily due to natural beauty, just they know how to look after themsselves, carry themselves, and most importantly, make the most of what they do have. We have very few fat pigs over here as well. The Greek guys often joke that Greek women suddenly found the gyms about 15 years ago. The first time I walked down the main drag in central athens (a pedestrian street called Ermou), I had never seen so many beautiful women gathered in one place. I hear its even better in Venezuela, but I wouldn't know...Anyway, I'm married (happily), so I just look. lol Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Awesome, if that's your wife, very well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 lol, I wish. But I'm not disappointed, still, after 16 years. I learned back in England, the more beautiful, the more crazy (I went out with a Marie Claire cover girl for a while, omg the insanity), so it's a case of finding a balance between how much beauty you want offset against how much craziness you can accept. This is a universal truth regardless of location I believe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 I think I agree, although perhaps that's a little sexist, not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Oh don't get me started, if you can't speak a universal truth for fear of thongs (or should I say 'granny pants') getting strung up on the railings in Downing Street, then political correctness has officially reached crisis levels. This is one of the best things about Greece. Some of the UK men might even find this next statement shocking, but sexual harrassment (or at least, what a lot of women in the UK and even more in the US would CALL sexual harrassment) is rife over here and 'nothing thing', Touching a co-worker on the arm in an affectionate way or giving a lavish compliment is taken without misunderstanding. The interesting part is that Greek women are largely unoffended by even the more overt stuff, they mostly take it as complimentary, but if they feel a funny vibe, they won't report you to your supervisor, they'll kick you square in the nuts and stilletto your face. Personally, I think that's fair enough. I'm very pleased to be able to say to the many beautiful women who work in my office 'hey, you look great today, got a date?' and give a wink, knowing that there won't be any misunderstanding and in fact, I just brightened up that girl's day. This is not Greek women being carpets, it's western women forgetting their basic biology and that we are programmed to be attracted to one another. Anyway, I'm gonna shut up and put the shovel down. TL;DR, political correctness is one of the various reasons I left blighty. It's gone way out of control. Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) the more beautiful, the more crazy This sums that up pretty well Very much liking the Ings rear bumper lip and spoiler Edited September 22, 2016 by Jetpilot 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wez370 Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 good luck with the zed. Its always painful to see how some people treat their cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Damn, youtube blocked at work, I'll have to check that out later. As for the INGs lips (it also has the front lip) and spoiler...I dunno...when it's at stock height minus about 15mm, they'll probably look a bit out of place, we shall see. Fortunately, I can pick up an entire stock bodykit (bumpers skirts and whole bootlid, in LMS) for about 300 quid. The paint on the INGs parts is largely bad as well. What I'll probably do is buy a stock kit and put it on while I send the bumpers with ings stuff on them to be 'refinished', then maybe I'll be happier with them too. It's not the INGs style that is my problem its the fact that they aren't well finished or fitted. We shall see. Thanks Wez Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 P.s your clutch problem is probably more a worn flywheel, i had exactly the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 I had read that. here's hoping. While I've got you on the line about that, recommendations for replacement? Do I want a lightweight? I will be DDing this short distances in traffic daily, as well as playing weekend warrior in the Greek mountains, I don't want NVH or harsh engagements. I'm sure you're going to tell me to put the stocker dual mass back in based on that, but of couse what I'm hoping is that someone is going to say 'hey, wait, there is a medium weight flywheel that is the best of all worlds!', but I'm guessing there isn't. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 None of those issue going for a lightweight fly and uprated clutch (exedy or extreme are highly regarded and have had both) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Interestingly, one of the selling points of the car (in the original advert) was that it had a new clutch disk and pressure plate. I later learned that the previous owner was a motorcycle mechanic and fitted it himself. I expect he simply omitted due to cost or laziness to change the flywheel when he should have. I hope it's just that. How much is labour on a clutch change usually?(I assume I'll be looking at the same amount of labour for flywheel too? What specific weight of flywheel should I be looking at to minimise undesired characteristics and reap as much benefit as possible do you think? Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 the more beautiful, the more crazy This sums that up pretty well Very much liking the Ings rear bumper lip and spoiler I just saw that vid, epic, I didn't know it was a known thing, I thought I came up with that correlation. lol. Good to know I'm not the only one who noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 His take on the womans one is a lot simpler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBuicfuJ8I 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) Haha, also awesome! So any suggestions on optimum flywheel weight range for a dd please? Edited September 22, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Any lightweight flywheel set up from a recognised brand with be fine, i.e exedy, extreme, driftworks etc etc, speak to some of the traders on here, tarmac sportz, clarke motorsport for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 K, cheers, will see what I can get locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) So I thought I'd post an update, only got one new pic, this is after it was returned to stock ride height with the HSD coilovers (see attachments at bottom of post). The Greddy skirts and the Ings lips front and rear make the wheels look even more sunken since they bring the body further out in all directions, spacers are on their way, should arrive today/tomorrow. Parts sourced so far: Fitted: HSD Monopro coilovers Rays wheels and new Barum Bravuris 3HM tyres in stock sizes Rear light clusters (stock, second hand, from an ebay breaker in Lithuania) Not yet fitted but in hand: Exedy oem clutch disc, brand new Exedy oem pressure plate and bearing, brand new eBay chromoly 17lb flywheel (130 quid, will post a review later, but since it's a chunk of solid metal I'm not anticipating any issues) Clutch master cylinder brand new Clutch slave cylinder, brand new Stainless braided clutch line, brand new Front control arms, both on both sides, second hand from Jon @ Emperor Door lock actuator from Jon @ Emperor Fuel filler cap actuator from Jon @ Emperor Steering arm final section (somehow original was bent!) from Jon @ Emperor UK driver's seat switch from Jon @ Emperor (now I'll be able to have tilt and slide on the passenger seat! Since mine's a left hooker, I will have two drivers seat switches, one on each side! I hope the motors and mech are present in passenger seat, lol 2 new rear wheel bearings from ebay brand new Eibach spacers 20mm front, 25mm rear, brand new. Still looking for: Primary driver's gauge cluster, preferably JDM in kilometres A new key (will get from stealer brand new) Exhaust (open to offers, want some noise but not teeth rattlers) A rear driveshaft CV boot 2006 HID headlight ballasts, igniters and other wiring 2006 compatible black headlights Edited October 31, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aashenfox Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) And to carry on a trend, after each update, I'll post some greek hotness. Edited October 31, 2016 by Aashenfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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