OliverB Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Hi all, I figured as I've got the Zedditis bug pretty bad I should make a build thread to document my efforts! I'll also include some of the history of issues and events that occur, already had a lively time together. A little about me - the 350z is the first car I've modified beyond token cosmetic items. The aim is to learn as much as possible while making the car look and perform as well as it can (within my rather modest budget) and go to some shows, meeting some like-minded folks. Car history: Ford KA (1998) Ford Fiesta (1998) MG ZS 120 (2002) Nissan 350z (2007 - late registration RevUp model) I'll keep updating this as things go in, quite far down the line already so will be a big first update to get up to speed. As I write this first post, the body kit I bought a while back is being primed and ready for painting and fitting over the weekend, so that's rather exciting. At the first meet in MK Already had the stubby aerial fitted! I had the wheels resprayed in gunmetal and added what look like red rimblades, but were actually red reflective stickers (they are common on motorbikes). Taking those stickers off took the paint with them unfortunately. At one of the first meets in MK, over a year ago now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 We had a bunch more meets in MK before the evenings grew a bit too dark and chilly When I realised I needed LED side lights! Annoyingly just before Silverstone JapFest 2016, while at the darn valet of all things, my immobiliser had a malfunction I was quite fond of the wheel reflectors, for something like a tenner: A new gear shift went in, just for the hell of it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 Rear wiper delete followed next: Removed the boot weight and the wiper motor, solved my issue with the boot not opening first time every time (had to press the button twice) I had to find a rubber insert for where the washer jet was before the rain in a hurry! I noticed the headlights were a bit on the cloudy side so had a go: Before After, worked for a while, didn't have any UV sealant so eventually went back to how it was before I bought a carbon fibre slam panel for a bit of engine bling. Unfortunately it didn't fit for whatever reason so I traded it in (for boot struts and a magnetic sump plug). What added insult to injury was that all 6 of the bumper clips snapped on removal, despite our best efforts! It's a shame the bonnet didn't close properly, but oh well. At some stage in all this I lost a game of 'where's that bollard', rather unfortunate scuff, cracked the rear lower right light (and the socket in which it sits) and took add insult chipped my tail light too! At this stage I decided I wanted to go for a body kit, as I'd had my eye on a few after the meets and frankly a good repair of the rear bumper just seemed excessive. So I got in touch with Aerokit (aerokit.eu) who gave me a really good price and also put me in touch with Frantic Performance, who are doing the work now. In the meantime, someone put an advert up selling a JWT Popcharger, so I jumped at that. Sure they may not make performance gains but they look and sound damn good and it was a chance to learn about the intake system. Before the install MAF housing sitting on top There she is! Strut bar was refitted and a bracket was made later. Bought some metal from Wickes, cut and bent it into shape, as I didn't get one with the intake. Looks almost like the stock one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 8, 2017 Author Share Posted April 8, 2017 Fitted some bonnet struts at one of the MK meets: Sexy shot pre-install New struts in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 8, 2017 Author Share Posted April 8, 2017 Now for the body kit fitting! Of course it had to start on the 1st of April, I'll take my chances. Frantic Performance are based in Witney, Oxfordshire and I met Mark and the team in person, despite needing a lift (shoulder surgery just before). They had some great looking drift cars, over 1000bhp in one case, which gave me confidence. Honestly seeing this made me feel better about my rear bumper damage Another very tidy car at Frantic. My bumpers off the car Removing the washer jets and their various bits and pieces Removing some fouled bits of plastic that sit behind the front bumper, apparently no longer needed so out they go! Test fitting the rear bumper (Aerokit R-1) Test fitting the front bumper (also Aerokit R-1), the intake is functional and sits in front of the cone filter Frantic asked if I wanted to go for bolts or 'jap clips'. The latter look like this: The clips make taking the bumper on and off a quick job, as well as adding some flexibility to reduce damage. However they are a bit too 'race car' for me, especially as I'm not looking to track the car, for now at least. The front crash bar, all exposed Removing the air bubbles by hand, looks like a long process. Side steps fitted! These came in black which saved me some cash Test fitting the rear lights and plate Test fitting the Nismo V-1 replica spoiler Bumpers primed, sanded and about to go in for painting this weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Grand progress there, i read the maf ideally should be at the same angle as OE ie maf plug at the 1 o'clock position....... Gutting about the bump on the rear pal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly350z Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Mines in the bodyshop too bud, I know the pain and excitement of waiting for it to come out! Liking the bonnet struts, may have to track me down a set! Do like a red Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Cheers gents. Hadn't known about the MAF sensor position, seems happy for the moment, was tricky to get it at the stock position due to knocking against something, can't recall what. I'm going for a map in a couple of months so will make sure everything is just right then. Unless of course there's an urgent need to spin it round to 1 o'clock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Muxlow Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Good thread oli keep up the good work 😉 Sent from my iPhone using a hammer and chisel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Nice looking Zed mate Hope you get your kit fitted and the Zed back soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoundDog Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Going to look lovely when it's done. Always liked them in red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbad Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Looking grand Oliver :teeth: excellent work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 I'll be able to pick car up tomorrow, hurrah! Painted spoiler Painted rear bumper (diffuser still to be painted black) Hopefully I'll get a couple more photos this evening, failing that I'll take heaps when I pick the car up 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPod Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Cars looking great. Got the same rear bumper as yourself such a pain how my fingers can't fit up into the rear lights hhaha the shop cut the holes very small. Think I will do what you have done and cut the whole rectangle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly350z Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Fresh paint looks gorgeous pal, Im jealous yours is done already! Please please please lots of pictures when you get her back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 going to look awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 So here are the photos of the (more or less) finished result! I'm very happy with it. Still need to put in a mesh in front of the radiator and possibly the bumper intake too. Going to find a place to put the front plate, looking at legality of leaving it on the windshield (stuck to it rather than hidden behind the wiper of course). Paint work is very good. Need to adjust the odd line here or there but sorting that out with Frantic soon. GT4 wheels are on with 20mm spacers to give it a better stance and keep with the red and black theme. I had red rimblades to go on which will top it off, just need some warm weather or a heat gun to get them stuck on. Looks best in the sunshine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbad Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 wow looking grand olly :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Been a while since I fitted mine, but I'm 99% sure that ain't a Popcharger you've got there. - They didn't come with alloy intake pipe - They didn't come with that style of alloy welded MAF adaptor - They didn't come with red filters The heatshield is genuine, at least! Looking good mate. Not sure I like that front lip with that kit, rest of it looks ace though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverB Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 I'm sure you're right Ekona, it's all much the same to me, just going with the description I had! At least the colour matches the car Cheers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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