drifter Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Hi, Had a quick look and no threads jumped out with this question asked, correct me if I'm wrong. I recently used my Z to break a fox . The insurance estimate was over £2500 of damage. Mainly to the cooling system, although also to my Nismo front bumper. I am considering doing the repairs without the insurance company as a lot of these parts are not badly damaged, i.e. mounts bent, rad fins bent. There is no leaking of any fluids. Anyway, to the point, there seems to be a lot of radiator manufactures out there when it comes to ally rads. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice? Frequent names are mishimoto, koyo, ams and nissan obviously. I have heard that often despite site stating OEM fitment, that they need fettling to fit. Ill be looking at main radiator, oil radiator, fans, and possibly some hoses. Also fluids if necessary. Thanks in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Hi, Had a quick look and no threads jumped out with this question asked, correct me if I'm wrong. I recently used my Z to break a fox . The insurance estimate was over £2500 of damage. Mainly to the cooling system, although also to my Nismo front bumper. I am considering doing the repairs without the insurance company as a lot of these parts are not badly damaged, i.e. mounts bent, rad fins bent. There is no leaking of any fluids. Anyway, to the point, there seems to be a lot of radiator manufactures out there when it comes to ally rads. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice? Frequent names are mishimoto, koyo, ams and nissan obviously. I have heard that often despite site stating OEM fitment, that they need fettling to fit. Ill be looking at main radiator, oil radiator, fans, and possibly some hoses. Also fluids if necessary. Thanks in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Ooohhhhhh poor fox How could you do that Seriously its just one of those things. I got a rabit into my foglight on my Alpina B3.3 and Sytner BMW to me to the cleaners £2500 is a reap off to get the repairs done for what you have quoted but we all know the stealers prices The Koyo 36mm or any within that size will fit without any mods AFAIK but the rest will require cuting the fan shroud to fit which is not so much of a big deal or you can get slimmer fans and shroud to keep it like OEM. My feeling is a combo of aftermarket parts and OEM fitting where applicable will be cheaper especially if you can get the labour cost down. The one thing you should check is you ac condenser for leaks. you should be able to repair the nismo bumper and mod it with the Zmanalex type grill I will be doing my rad upgrade and replace the leaking ac condenser but will do all the fitting and only pay for the ddegassing and regassing so works out not too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Ooohhhhhh poor fox How could you do that Seriously its just one of those things. I got a rabit into my foglight on my Alpina B3.3 and Sytner BMW to me to the cleaners £2500 is a reap off to get the repairs done for what you have quoted but we all know the stealers prices The Koyo 36mm or any within that size will fit without any mods AFAIK but the rest will require cuting the fan shroud to fit which is not so much of a big deal or you can get slimmer fans and shroud to keep it like OEM. My feeling is a combo of aftermarket parts and OEM fitting where applicable will be cheaper especially if you can get the labour cost down. The one thing you should check is you ac condenser for leaks. you should be able to repair the nismo bumper and mod it with the Zmanalex type grill I will be doing my rad upgrade and replace the leaking ac condenser but will do all the fitting and only pay for the ddegassing and regassing so works out not too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Not just me on here at stupid o'clock then. I have an aerosync bumper on the way I believe so bumper isn't really an issue (Although it has been on order since Nov). I think the £2500 estimate was with the mentality of replacing anything so much as looked at by the fox. AC condenser was on the list for replacing, although no apparent leaks, early days if its only a small one though. Will have to check in a few days. I have probably just enough mechanical skill to fit the parts, but absolutely no faith in them working once id touched them. So what your saying is deeper rads will need shallower fans to fit in the available space? How about build and design quality on these aftermarket rads? AFAIK? Sorry not down with the lingo. Also id be interested in learning how your upgrades go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Not just me on here at stupid o'clock then. I have an aerosync bumper on the way I believe so bumper isn't really an issue (Although it has been on order since Nov). I think the £2500 estimate was with the mentality of replacing anything so much as looked at by the fox. AC condenser was on the list for replacing, although no apparent leaks, early days if its only a small one though. Will have to check in a few days. I have probably just enough mechanical skill to fit the parts, but absolutely no faith in them working once id touched them. So what your saying is deeper rads will need shallower fans to fit in the available space? How about build and design quality on these aftermarket rads? AFAIK? Sorry not down with the lingo. Also id be interested in learning how your upgrades go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 You can speak to ZMANALEX about mods. He can not only supply the bits but offer advice on which bits to buy. He knows from experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 You can speak to ZMANALEX about mods. He can not only supply the bits but offer advice on which bits to buy. He knows from experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watshot Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 AFAIK? Sorry not down with the lingo. As Far As I Know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watshot Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 AFAIK? Sorry not down with the lingo. As Far As I Know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thanks guys. I will post my choice of products and thoughts on them once I have had some fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Nice one Stew PM received and replied to Drifter All in stock and good to go same/next day Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 ... poor fox. I am always very aware of wildlife when I am out and about on certain roads. As Stew says, Zmanalex will sort you out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainman Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I think the £2500 estimate was with the mentality of replacing anything so much as looked at by the fox. AC condenser was on the list for replacing, although no apparent leaks, early days if its only a small one though. Will have to check in a few days. I have probably just enough mechanical skill to fit the parts, but absolutely no faith in them working once id touched them. If they're quoting you for a repair then it will be in accordance with the requirements of the insurance company. When items are merely bent they won't straighten them they will replace them, the reason being is that bending things back can cause fatigue and potentially lead to problems later on. If a rad fin is bent it might not present a leak immediately and a fault may take some time to manifest itself. Also, a repeat incident with already weakened/compromised fittings can have pretty major ramifications a second time around - Animals run out in front of cars all the time, you'd have to be pretty unlucky but it's not beyond the realms of possibility. Hence, they play it safe so that once your repair is done they don't see you again - nothing costs a garage/insurer more than dead time spent on re-fixing something a second time around. Personally, if they're quoting £2500 for all oem parts and labour and they are not writing off your car then I'd get them to do it. Last thing you want is a repeat incident potentially causing a larger dent in the whole situation. You also might want to consider how close you were to having the car written off with current trade prices on an '04 car. If it were me and you wanted to ensure that your car retained it's max possible value, I would get it repaired via the insurer and at a Nissan garage. You're not paying for it (assuming you have protected no claims) so why care as to how much it's gonna cost? Just my two pennies. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam@Z1auto.com Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 unless the UK fan is different, the KOYO is a direct fit, both the 36mm and 54mm (which I use in my car) fans, unless you're going to go with a very good set of electrics and make/source you'r own shroud, OE works fine. It remains what I use to date on my car (original units) Mishimoto is so so fitment, no idea who or what AMS is, likely another Taiwanese sourced unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 unless the UK fan is different, the KOYO is a direct fit, both the 36mm and 54mm (which I use in my car) fans, unless you're going to go with a very good set of electrics and make/source you'r own shroud, OE works fine. It remains what I use to date on my car (original units) Mishimoto is so so fitment, no idea who or what AMS is, likely another Taiwanese sourced unit Koyo is a direct fit unless FI and the fan shroud needs trimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 If it were me and you wanted to ensure that your car retained it's max possible value, I would get it repaired via the insurer and at a Nissan garage. You're not paying for it (assuming you have protected no claims) so why care as to how much it's gonna cost? Dont go thinking that protected no claims will protect you from increased premiums. We had this arguement with the insurance company last time around when we made a claim with protected no claims (with Admiral) and they tried to raise our premium. The only reason they eventally relented was because when we called originally to make the claim we asked outright and they had it on tape so couldnt go back on their word when they said it wouldnt make a difference. They pointed out that from then on although the no claims was protected, it didnt mean that premiums wouldnt rise because of a future claim. I guess said person on the phone first time around also got a bollocking for saying it wouldnt effec the premium! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks everyone, all good advice. Latest update is; I have decided not to go the insurance route. On the down side hi-flow cats, plenum spacer and remap have to go on the back burner, but on the plus side the car is closer to being repaired and some shiny new bits are on the way. Zmanalex was brilliant as promised. Got a front panel through from him today, he really is as good as I was led to believe. Will recommend to others. Koyo radiator is on the way as soon as stocks arrive at shop. I have opted for the 53mm which may be a tad over the top on an otherwise unmodified engine but means, should I upgrade in the future, that cooling shouldn't be an issue. It was a toss up in the end between the AMS and the Koyo but the swaying factors were the direct drop in quality from the Koyo (AMS needs a tiny bit of cutting) and the fact it seems to be the first name out of anyones mouth when asked about radiators. Standard hoses are fine. Going to have to get some new coolant to fill the all the extra room. Aerosync bumper is due any day so I am led to believe. Also, getting a bit carried away as one does, seeing as the rad will be out, seems like as good a time as any to get some standard drive lightweight pulleys. Hoping that by the end of next week the Z will be running again. More to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 I supplied a Koyo rad and mishimoto fans for Keysers SC build, he went for the narrower rad prob due to needing more room for the SC. AMS is Canadian and they have more race pedigree and experience with Zeds than most supplier type business's so you can trust their products. I have some pulley sets in stock if your interested.. On a side note, I will be adding more and more products like the Koyos to the website it's just time and equity constraints have hit all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainman Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Dont go thinking that protected no claims will protect you from increased premiums. We had this arguement with the insurance company last time around when we made a claim with protected no claims (with Admiral) and they tried to raise our premium. I saw a consumer program recently about exactly this (can't remember which one) - and in an age when insurance being sold HAS to be be particularly fit for purpose and do exactly what it says on the tin, this is under scrutiny atm. The issue here is insurers selling 'protected no claims discount', but then hiking your premium beyond the 'zero no claims price' because of the claim but then applying your discount to that - the result being a higher premium even with full NCD. Right now every insurer tries their luck, thats just what they do, and some even incentivise their staff to try and successfully hike a premium for any reason. None of them like giving money away without getting something back. If you stick to your guns and don't let them ride you then you will get the due premium, they have to. And the threat of involving the insurance ombudsman and accusations of "mis-sold" insurance policies tend pull them back into line pretty quickly. I've been a loss adjuster in a previous life, I know how they work and there is a world of difference between what they will try and do, what they are legally obliged to do - The fact is that if you accept an offer of settlement, no matter what clauses you have in your policy, then you've accepted it ... you're always entitled to refuse an offer of settlement of any particular claim if you don't feel it's right. The unfortunate truth is that many people are too afraid to stand up to the insurance company and accept the first offer. You should never accept the first offer. In fact, when I think about it, throughout my life I've had bike claims, car claims, household claims, and I've always had to fight my corner at some point, it has never been simple - although more recently I've had a PPI claim which ended up being stupidly simple (those companies that advertise are all crooks and you don't need them). Even premiums are negotiable at the time of renewal. I've had Direct Line drop their pants by 300 quid below the quoted price before now. Apologies for straying off topic. Phil BTW to the OP - I would still reconsider getting your car fixed via the dealer network first, and if you want to do upgrades then do them later if it warrants it. I know it sounds like a better deal to do it now but if you have any issues with the work or the parts then you have no come-back on your insurer if it turns out that there are bigger issues yet undetected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 just out of interest did the fox die??it looks alive in pic 1 not worth insurance job source the parts and do yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Thanks Phil. Always appreciate an educated input. And, at the risk of upsetting jumping350, I'm afraid so. It went to where ever foxes go when they die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drifter Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Its been a while but the Z is back on the road and running beautifully. Took about 2 days to fix it all once parts arrived. The delivery of parts has been a non stop headache. Most bits seem to have taken absolutely ages but over a month on they arrived and were put on. I opted for the 53mm Koyo radiator which was one of the items that took ages to arrive. The part is very well made with nice tidy welds and all polished surfaces. There was absolutely no trouble fitting it, went straight in on oem mounts. It is now filled with some long life coolant and as yet it has behaved great, but I will comment more on its behaviour after some more serious driving. I have 2 14inch low profile racing fans with universal mounts. This is more than enough cooling. The standard fan that was in the accident had started to consume itself and was beyond repair. However i have salvaged the fans and motors themselves so may try and sell them. I had hoped to use standard hoses but after a closer inspection the hoses had some nasty abrasions and it wasn't worth chancing it. I went for some black SFS silicone ones and they look good. I decided to keep the engine looking clean and like a manufacturer car hence the black hoses. I had to buy a new air con rad which sits in front of the Koyo rad so there is no knowing its there from the outside. A ZSpeed ally under tray has replaced the plastic one which was battered. It is the black powder coated one and again it looks very tidy. Will have to get my body shop to have a look but I guess the under tray is designed to attach to the oem bumper as my Aerosync bumper hangs a little lower than than the under tray. I also picked up an oil catch tank, Stillen power steering cooler, Stillen lightweight pulleys. I will post some pictures shortly. Build quality is good on all the Stillen products. Zmanalex did a great job at getting me the front panel and is as good as his reputation. Chris at Tarmac Sportz was brilliant, he put up with my many questions and was more than helpful when a delivery had a part missing. I would recommend his store highly. Pics to follow and hope to see some of you at Japfest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Nice work buddy, Always think highly of people that sort out unfortunate issues like this themselves. Hopefully you can just enjoy your Zed now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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