Ok, before the rice police come after me, I just want to say that I'm considering shaving the handles for SECURITY reasons. I've heard so many horror stories [especially in Newark where I work] on how thieves have figured out a way to break into our cars through the handles. I just want to know everyone's opinions on the whole shaved handles idea and if theres a better way to protect your car without getting your handles shaved. [next to a proximity/sensitivity alarm]

I'm not even sure how shaved handles really work, so if anyone has information, pics, pricing, installers in the tri-state area, please share. Do I push a button on a keyfob and the door automatically pushes open? Anybody shave their door handles?

 

I have the same interest. However, I don't have the security motivation, at least not yet. The door handles are the only aesthetic problem I have with the Z - especially the silver handles contrasted against my superblack. Also, the nonflush design goes against my innate desire for aerodynamic sleekness. I'm considering making a custom set that are nearly flush and color coordinated. A few Z owners have painted theirs.

 

shaved handles use solenoids to pop open. I hear reliability can be a tad sketchy

 

Yup, and since the solenoids are battery operated, you need to provide a hidden manual release in case your battery dies. The release can still be locked I think, but I'm not sure about that. I just saw a TV show (horsepower TV or something like that) where some dude shaved the handles. He first removed the old handles, made a sheetmetal insert by hand, removed the paint and primer from the door handle area, welded the insert in place, sanded everything down (I don't think he needed bondo, but that's because he spend some time making the bends on the insert), and then repainted the door.

The next step was to install the solenoid kit. He removed the inner door liner, placed the solenoid in the door, bolted it in place, and used a cable/pulley (I think it came in the kit) to change the vertical action of the solenoid to a sideways action on the latch. The kit came with its own FOB for activating the solenoid. After wiring everything up (was just a power and ground) you could press the FOB to pop the doors open (maybe he had to install a spring to give the door a slight "pop"). He also made a separate little cable hidded under the outside rocker panel that he could pull to unlatch the door in case the battery lost power.

Looks cool in most cases, but not cool enough for me to hassle with.

Good luck, and definitely post pics of you get it done.

-D'oh!

 

I thought about doing G35 handles, but what do I know. lol Nah I dunno how the shaved look would be, I too have a superblack and I kinda like hte contrast of the handle, but I bet it would look sleeker all black.. if you do it, post some pics - anyone do the G35 handle on a Z yet by any chance? or Shave the handles all together?

 

someone painted his handle black, it looked sweet. he didnt paint it himself though.

 

You dont need a solenoid kit to pop your door open, you can always use your keyfob to open the windows to let yourself in.

 

lol yeah just weld the doors shut and hop in dukes of hazard style.

 

i heard shaved handles aren't legal for safety reasons...

 

makes sense... get into a car accident, how are the EMS people sposed to know how to open the door? they dont know where the release is.

 

Would'nt do it.

 

i know a alot of people that have done this on their cars, almost every one of them have run into problems w/ it.... there's really not much you can do to stop your car from being stolen...they're even towing cars in broad daylight these days...

 

Jaws of life?

-D'oh!

 

yea i think your being a little too over cautious... if someone really wants your car they could just break the glass. granted the alarm would go on but whatever. thats what insurance is for right? if your worried about aesthetics you could probly get your handles powdercoated black. someone did do that was it bat? im not sure.

 

Dukes of Hazzard style

Speaking of mods....does anyone know of a good painter?


I was thinking of getting a confederate flag painted on the roof of mine

 

Did someone say SHAVED??????

 

bat does have his painted, but their gunmetal. its another member that is black on black, dont remember who though. try a search for it.

 

I think it was Colin from BulletProof Automotive. He had the Top Secret body kit.

 

Why not get a two-way alarm? That way when it goes off you can run outside with your putter.. Actually, you're in Queens... Let me rephrase:
What choo do is go out dere and a put a nice fresh .38 in the mooks head, dig?

 

lol, i lost my .38, so we'd have to resort to a shot gun. I'm definitely getting a 2 way pager alarm. Its just that replacing the door handle and getting that stuff fixed can cost up to $500. I would rather avoid that and shave it. But I hear y'all on how unreliable it is, so I'm probably not gonna go that route.