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Introduction and a bit of a build 2003 - 350z

Aesti
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Aesti Z Newbie

Aesti

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Hi all,

 

An introduction and a bit of a story about me and my girl ... :

 

I've been lurking for sometime, reading posts, carrying out searches and reading this really great forum daily.

 

I accidentally came across the 350z through a friend of a friend of a friend, when I mentioned to my mate I wanted to get back into track days he mentioned his friend's son's car. Contacting the friend's son he said he'd done a few days, only used it on track six times, and had a few mods, it was a great car and he was selling it VERY cheap due to a baby on the way and no time for toys.

 

I'd never really noticed 350's before. But, after seeing the car, and not even driving it, I bought it, I REALLY loved the way she looked, sounded, sat on the road and loved that she was old for some reason and still looked so good for such a low price.

 

This was numerous months ago.

 

I knew nothing about the 350z at all and blatted it around Snetterton on the first available track-day to see what she was like .... hmmm ...... I then read this forum .....

 

My last car for the track was an Atom. I did the Cannonball in 2006, 2007 which was fun coupled with loads of tracks days. She was modified heavily, Rotrax supercharger, carbon this and that, loads of bits and pieces, it WAS a rocket, back then I'm pretty sure it was THE silliest Atom out there. I then started a business which meant I had to sell her to fund the business. So, the fun of the track was over for a several years.

 

Things have got good again, back to the fun of the track and now I have this old bird to play with by accident .... a little different to the Atom! ....... But! There's something about this old girl though that really makes me smile, I can't exactly say what it is.....

 

Anyway, as I bought her, she's a 2003 import, she had 80,000 miles on the clock with the following:

 

Brembo brakes

BC racing coilovers - 20 point adjustment.

Rota Alloy Wheels

Slightly wider wheels at the rear and spacers on the front.

HKS dual exhaust

 

Everything else is as original even the dodgy mast arial and rear wiper.

 

So after my first track-day at Snetterton I add a little more to make things better for the track supplied with great service from Torqen:

 

Stoptech drilled and slotted rotors front and back.

Hawk performance ceramic pads front and back.

Goodridge Stainless brake-lines.

Greddy high capacity sump.

Torqen undertray.

DRL's.

Plenum spacer.

JWT pop charger.

Silicone hoses and a few other bits a pieces.

Replacement of all and every possible fluid with Nissan recommended fluids with RBF Racing brake fluid.

Full and comprehensive service and examination at local garage plus MOT.

 

Once these were fitted it was a 4 hour trip to Horsham for a remap.

 

Great results were achieved and going back to the track some great things were happening. My smile was getting wider and the adrenaline was pumping more, later breaking, good cornering and great power, so much so other cars were starting to look silly and getting blue flagged in front of me.

 

The 14 year old girl was raising some questions with others. Not just with them but also with me, I was loving her .... how can an old, fat girl go so well? The difference was incredible compared to my first track visit.

 

Then I added:

 

380RS acceleration pedal - huge difference for heal and toe.

D1 throttle controller - most favourite mod so far and great for my wife on a pootle to the shops and for me for response on the track.

Boot lift springs to get it to lift on the button press .... she is old!

 

So, now I'm really enjoying the results, I'm enjoying her difference from other track cars, her surprise she gives to others and her age.

 

I had thought about getting an Atom again, maybe a Caterham, Lotus etc for track but I'm actually loving this old girl. She keeps on giving with each mod and I'm sorry to say I'm hooked on how good she could be and giving the young whipper snappers a good run for their money.

 

This week, I shall be picking her up again from Horsham (Great service BTW) and I cannot wait. She's been there for a few weeks and had a few changes:

 

Vortech charge.

Injectors.

Fuel return system.

Fuel pump

Oil cooler

.... etc...etc

 

Extreme clutch kit,

Clutch slave and braided line.

 

All bushes - every moving suspension part has been re-bushed.

Quaife diff with bushes and fitting kit etc.

High flow cats.

 

Full alignment.

 

Re-map.

 

A few other bits and pieces have also been done, as much as possible really to make her really good on track .... for now.

 

So, I'm pretty excited about collecting her. The first track-day I could book is the 20th June to give the old girl a workout .... i'm hoping for good things from her.

 

Then, thanks to this amazing club, I'm booked on the Cat driver training in July and really looking forward to it!

 

Plans for the future will be a respray in blue and black, V1 Nismo kit and spoiler (delivered this week), seats, harnesses, roll cage and ICE.

 

I like travelling to every track I can in the UK and Europe in comfort. I intend to keep her nice inside to enjoy the drive as well as the destination, she's not going to be stripped out.

 

Yes, I know what she is costing is crazy!

 

I know I could have got an Atom again or something special for the track for the money I am spending but there is something about this fat, old girl I'm really loving.

 

I cannot put my finger on it, I think it's her age, her ability, stance, power or just the driving experience ..... not sure ... but I do love her and find her very exciting and to see what she can do.....

 

I think some of you will know what I'm experiencing and the madness that goes with it?

 

BTW ... I'll be keeping the mast arial and rear wiper ... I love her being old :)

 

I'm looking forward to meeting some of you guys on track (rare) or at some meets soon.

 

Sorry for the long story :)

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