Project Pics Take 2

Discussion in 'Member's Garage' started by rob260, Dec 30, 2013.

  1. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Starting up a new build thread as my last one met with an accidental untimely end.

    All good though and I get to start a new online journal :)

    And I suppose I get a new "starting" point

    Year: 1991
    Model: CZ32 Slicktop
    Engine: VG30DETT
    Transmission: Manual
    Interior: Leather/Custom

    The car has already gone through something of an evolution...

    Here's how the car ran when I bought it with an HKS air filter, BlitZ Catback, what looked to be GFB atomic boost controllers (yes plural, some numbnutz fitted one on each side...) and UAS H/D clutch

    [​IMG]

    And after adding tuneagent dump pipes, tuneagent front pipes, metalcat high flow cats and a UAS X-pipe

    [​IMG]

    I wish I had some pics of the car from a couple of years back but I can't find any :(

    I was fairly happy at the point until I had some work down by forum member Zed4Life aka Zedcare. Mark left a threaded insert (accidentally dislodged during a PTU changeover) inside the timing covers and told me it would be OK to drive home to Sydney, and not knowing any better I took his word for it. Needless to say it wasn't, and the timing belt had skipped teeth (and was showing a few choice holes) by the time I got home. I sent Mark a fairly polite email to the effect that I wasn't going to be an arse about it but this was what had happened; he declined to respond and cue epic rebuild...

    The current mod list stands at

    So here's how the mod list currently stands

    Audio Eclipse PA5422 Four Channel Amplifier
    Eclipse SW6200 12" Subwoofer
    Eclipse SE8465A 4x6 2 Way Speaker
    Eclipse SC6500 6.5" 2 Way Component System
    Kenwood KCA-ip500
    Kenwood KDC-MP443 CD Player/Receiver

    Body GZA Cleared Rear Sidemarkers
    GZA Rear Wiper Delete Kit
    International Auto Specialists HID High Beam Kit 6000K
    Nismo JDM Center Panel
    Nismo Total Clear Corners
    Nismo Clear Side Indicators
    Nissan Series 4 Tail Light Set
    Nissan 3rd Brake Light Panel
    Super Vision HID Low Beam Kit 6000K
    Unique Auto Sports Greddy Style Front Bar
    Unique Auto Sports Border Style Carbon Fibre Bonnet

    Brakes Brembo F50 Brake Kit for R34 GTR
    Chili Brake Master Cylinder Brace
    Goodridge Braided Brake Lines
    Nissan R34 GTR V-Spec II Rear Brakes
    Unique Auto Sports Brake Air Deflectors

    Engine 300 Degrees Fuel Rail
    300 Degrees EGR Elimination Kit
    ACL Forged Pistons
    ACL Race Series Bearings
    Aeroflex Silicone Couplers
    ARP Head Studs
    ARP Main Studs
    ARP 2000 Series Rod Bolts
    BNR 180amp Alternator
    Border Racing 60mm Intercooler Piping
    Bosch. Motorsport Threaded Fuel Filters
    Brett Dempsey Engineering Rebuilt VTC Intake Sprockets
    CazRacing Engine Polishing
    Concept Z Performance Bronze Valve Guides
    Evans Waterless Coolant
    Earls Superstock Braided Hose
    Earls AN Fittings
    Earls Pushlock Fittings
    Earls Prolite Braided Hose
    Ferrea 1mm Oversized Intake Valves
    Ferrea 1mm Oversized Exhuast Valves
    FilterMag RA Series Oil Filter Magnet
    Gates Kevlar Timing Belt
    GZA Radiator Overflow Cap
    GZA Engine Bay Dressup Kit
    Grooveryder Fabricatinos 2.5" intercooler piping
    JUN Auto Adjustable Exhaust Cam Gears
    JUN Auto Stage 2 Cam Kit
    K&N Engineering, Inc. Extreme 3 Inch Pod Filters Reverse Cone
    Mike Smith Performance 60mm Compressor Inlet Pipes
    Mike Smith Performance High Flow Exhaust Manifolds
    Motorsport Connections Stainless T Bolt Clamps
    Motorsport Connections Billet Oil Filter Sandwich Plate
    Nismo Oil Cap
    Nismo Radiator Cap
    Nismo 740cc Fuel Injectors
    Nismo Thermostat
    Nissan GTR Charcoal Cannister
    Odyssey Batteries Dual Purpose Battery
    Perth Zed Performance Silicone Heater Hoses
    Perth Zed Performance Silicone Idle Air Hoses
    PlazmaMan Polished Alloy Power Steering Reservoir
    Procoat Ceramic Coated Upper Plenum
    Procoat Ceramic Coated Lower Plenum
    Procoat Graphite Intercooler Coating
    PWR Thermo Fan Shroud
    PWR Twinpass 53mm Radiator with Oil Cooler/Heat Exchanger
    RedZedMikey Stainless Bolt Kit
    Russell Pushlock Hose
    Sard Radiator Cap
    SCAT Connecting Rods
    Setrab Oil Cooler
    Smithys Place Fuse/Relay Cover (Small)
    Smithys Place Polished IACV Feed
    SPAL Thermofans for Oil Cooler
    SPAL 16 Inch Thermo Fan Curved Blade
    SpecialtyZ Expansion Turbo Outlet Pipes
    SpecialtyZ 2.5" Alloy Accordian Pipe Replacements
    Speedflow Fuel Rail Fittings
    Speedflow Sandwich Plate Fittings
    Splitfire Super Direct Ignition System
    Stillen Engine Damper Brace
    Tomei Multi Layer Steel Head Gasket
    Turbosmart AN Fitting Kit
    Turbosmart Silicone Radiator Hoses
    Turbosmart Silicone Intake Hoses
    Turbosmart FPR1200 Fuel Pressure Reg
    Turbosmart Plumback Blow Off Valve
    Turbosmart E-Boost 2
    Unique Auto Sports 3 Inch Bellmouth Dump Pipes
    Unique Auto Sports GT2871R Turbo Kit
    Unique Auto Sports Alloy Lower Radiator Hose
    Unique Auto Sports High Performance Engine Mounts
    Unique Auto Sports Battery Box
    Unique Auto Sports FMIC Lower Air Guide
    Unique Auto Sports X-Flow Center Muffler
    Unique Auto Sports Custom Rear Mufflers 3 Incch (Pair)
    Unique Auto Sports Starter Motor
    Unique Auto Sports Racing Harmonic Balancer
    Unique Auto Sports 3 Inch Custom Exhaust
    Unique Auto Sports Plazmaman Intercooler
    Unique Auto Sports Alloy Engine Splash Shield
    Unique Auto Sports Radiator Air Guide
    Unique Auto Sports Cryogenically Treated Crank Shaft
    Unique Auto Sports Cryogenically Treated Crank Shaft Girdle
    Unique Auto Sports Ported Heads
    Unique Auto Sports Oil Catch Can and Radiator Header Tank
    Unique Auto Sports Custom Intercooler Piping
    Vi-Pec Plug in ECU
    Walbro Twin in-Tank Fuel Pumps
    Z1 Motorsports 58mm Throttle Bodies
    ZSpeedPerformance Chrome Throttle Return Spring Covers

    Interior Autometer Electronic Gauges
    Barry Hopkins Auto Trim Custom Leather Interior
    Interior Innovations Leather E-Brake Handle
    International Auto Specialists High Power LED Kit
    Link DisplayLink Digital Display
    Nissan OEM Replacement Door Handle
    Nissan Series 4 Leather Gearknob
    Recaro Speed Seats in Leather/Suede
    Smithys Place Laser Etched Stainless Door Sills
    Street 2 Strip Gauge Hood
    Unique Auto Sports Carbon din panel

    Suspension Bilstein PSS9 Coilover
    GZA Stainless Lower Tie Brace
    Nagisa Auto Fender Braces
    Okuyama Carbing Front Strut Brace
    Powertrix Rear Strut Brace
    Powertrix Adjustable Front Sway Bar End Links
    Powertrix Adjustable Rear Sway Bar End Links
    Tuneagent Adjustable Rear Upper Control Arms
    Tuneagent Adjustable Tension Rods
    Unique Auto Sports HICAS Lockout Brace
    Unique Auto Sports Tension Rod Support Brace
    Unique Auto Sports Front Upper Control Arms
    Unkown Adjustable Traction Rods
    Whiteline Front Sway Bar
    Whiteline Rear Sway Bar

    Transmission Concept Z Performance Chromoly Clutch Pivot Ball
    FilterMag TM Series Transmission (Diff) Magnet
    Metropolitan Driveshafts Custom Chrome Moly Tailshaft
    Nismo Gear Box Mount
    Nissan OEM Replacement Speed Sensor
    Nissan OEM Replacement Flywheel Assembly
    Nissan OEM Replacement Clutch Master Cylinder
    Nissan OEM Replacement Clutch Booster
    Nissan Series 4 Manual Transmission
    RaceClutch Jim Berry 4000lb Single Plate Clutch
    The Lab Bolt on Catch Loop
    Unique Auto Sports Single Piece Braided Clutch Line
    Z1 Motorsports Z1 Premium Short Throw Shifter
    ZSpeedPerformance Solid Shifter Mount


    Wheels and Tyres Dunlop SportMaxx
    Nismo 50mm Wheel Studs
    Rays Engineering Gram Lights 57s
    Rays Engineering Duraluminum Lug Nuts
    Sumitomo HTRZII

    Here's a dyno running 100 octane and agressive timing

    [​IMG]

    And how it currently runs with a conservative 98 octane tune

    [​IMG]

    And some pics of the car

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Anyways updates to follow below....
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  2. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Custom Bonnet

    So a little while back the carbon fibre thing started to wear a little thin. I must be getting old because the factory styling is looking better and better all the time... I like the functionality of the Border design but just want it looking a little smoother, a little more factory.

    So the logical thing to do seemed to be to modify a stock design.

    After a botched first attempt by a body shop that turned out to be either incompetent or blind or both, I started ringing around classic/restoration specialists (thanks Tektrader for the tip) for someone that could actually modify and fabricate ally. After speaking to a couple of places I settled with Gladesville Auto Body Works http://www.gladesvilleautobodyworks.com.au/ -not because they were the cheapest or the flashiest, but because the owner (Nat Stillone) was genuinely interested in making something that I was going to be happy with.

    Jamie was good enough to give me the hood off his wreck (ex Andymac car) in exchange for some spanner work, and this is how the first draft came out. Note the rear vents are still to come at this stage.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The pic below shows the alloy frame that Nat made to support the main louver. I was very specific about not wanting a glass/ally/bog job.... At this stage the main frame is riveted in place but it will eventually be TIG welded once the fitment etc is OK.

    [​IMG]

    So here we have draft number 1 being test fit. Unfortunately the fitment is very tight and we did run into some clearance issues.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Flash forward a couple of months and I was back for round 2. This time Nat had put a little curve in the louver to give some more clearance at the front.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It was still sitting a couple of mm high over the drivers side headlight. No touching, no fouling, just sitting a little high. Cue measuring and checking...

    [​IMG]

    Couldn't find any problems, but still not quite sitting flush. It seemed the alloy must have warped a little under welding. Easy fixed...

    [​IMG]

    At the moment the hood is back in the shop -the "massaging" with the rubber mallet left a few high spots to chase and then they'll chop and fill it. Plan is to get it ready to paint and then I'll book a booth for my brother to paint the hood as well as the JUN front bar and TwinZ bar that I have sitting in the garage ;)
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  3. ed300zx

    ed300zx Active Member

    Really liking that bonnet.
     
  4. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Cheers dude, me too!
     
  5. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Stock pics

    Found these from when I first bought the car. Looks like I was still living at my mum's house (pics taken down the street) so that must put the pics around 2004. March 16 2004 according to the meta data.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Not quite stock but not far from. I actually quite liked those wheels but moved them on when I got a killer deal on some racing hart CP035's, which were in turn moved on in favour of the Rays Gram Lights that it's wearing now.

    Other visible mods Blitz exhaust (which sounded awesome) and auto meter boost gauge. It's really not all that different to how it looks now... still wearing the same paint.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2024
  6. MagicMike

    MagicMike Moderator Staff Member

    "last one met with an accidental untimely end"

    What does this mean exactly Rob? What did I miss?
     
  7. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Nothing dramatic -I had a bloke show some interest in the car while it was for sale. Things turned a little nasty when I refused to meet him at my home for a first meeting/inspection. He'd done a little digging online and knew a little more about me than I was comfortable with so I asked mods to hide the build thread for a little while -unfortunately there was a misunderstanding within the mod team and it was accidentally deleted. No harm done just one of those things.
     
  8. MagicMike

    MagicMike Moderator Staff Member

    Ah ok... Was thinking much much worse than that lol
     
  9. Anti

    Anti 14.7 x 14.7 = 44.1

    That does sound at least a bit dramatic...
     
  10. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    ?

    "Untimely end"?
     
  11. Jinxed

    Jinxed Moderator

    its ok Rob, you can say it. Ross is a jerk and deleted it by mistake. sorry again mate.
     
  12. BLACK BEAST

    BLACK BEAST SLICKTOP TT R-SPEC

    Maybe they are trying to give you a hint :p

    I still want you here for the group buys though :rofl:

    .
     
  13. Anti

    Anti 14.7 x 14.7 = 44.1

    Just that somebody threatening to find out things about you where you live leading to you asking your build thread to be hidden - that's dramatic!
     
  14. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Ha dramatic was being called from multiple different numbers being called a **** and a mother****er etc... There are some interesting people out there!
     
  15. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Man anyone who goes out of their way to call on a Friday night and explain is definitely not a jerk :) All good.

    Besides it's only the internet, the car is still here!
     
  16. Anti

    Anti 14.7 x 14.7 = 44.1

    Would love to hear the full story... perhaps a new thread?
     
  17. Jamie

    Jamie Jamie The Hobbit

    Well the shoe does fit...

    Kidding mate, glad that there's a full engine mod list in the one place - will give me plenty to reference from!
     
  18. SIM300

    SIM300 FAKE MODERAT0R

    Your slicktop appears to have been in extraordinary condition from the beginning, Rob. Always a huge bonus :)
     
  19. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    New Seats

    Not so new any more but new since the last build thread.

    So I used to have these really nice OEM seats that had been recovered in a premium black leather. These ones

    [​IMG]

    Anyway they were really nice and I could never see what the fuss was about with Recaros, until I drove a car with some and was hooked on the "grippiness" from a more performance oriented seat.

    So I sold the leathers and bought some second hand Recaros and started making enquiries on having them recovered. Turns out it was cheaper to buy a brand new set of Recaro Speed (which are like the SRIII that were an option in later series Zeds) in the cover I wanted than to recover a second hand pair, so they went to a new home and I ordered a new set. I went with black Ambla leather with black suede inserts.

    The first thing that struck me was the weight -they are so light! I think I've shaved 18kgs from the car compared to the OEM electric driver/manual passenger combo that I had before.

    Anyway some pics

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Fitment is pretty good. I bought the Recaro double locking sliders and Z32 base frame rails. The instructions were in Japanese but I figured it out eventually... the kit came with an assortment of good quality high tensile fittings, and I sourced some Zinc plated high tensile fittings for bolting the frames to the car. The fit as you would expect an OEM product to, the only modifications I had to make was cutting some bolts down when I dropped the assembly a little lower (the frames are modular so you have a choice of three heights).

    The ride takes a bit of getting used to -I live in a battleaxe and am used to reversing out the drive so I noticed the restriced movement in the shoulders right away. Legs stay in pretty tight too. All in all very happy, I've done a couple of long drives and they're very comfortable in a "supportive" kind of way, and really hold you in place on tight corners. Being an OEM product (the frames actually come with all the relevant numbering etc on them) it's nice to know I'm not going to get hassled about them.

    Oh and if anyone is wanting some new Recaro goodness for their own ride check the link here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.682847781732594.1073741829.665862543431118&type=3

    EDIT hmm pics came out a little darker than I'd like, might try some more when the sun pokes out again tomorrow
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  20. BLACK BEAST

    BLACK BEAST SLICKTOP TT R-SPEC

    they look good

    heaps better than the originals.
     

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