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My 03 350z with a few upgrades and extensive audio build (pic heavy)
I pre-ordered my 350Z Touring (Chrome Silver) in late 2001 or early 2002, and ended up receiving #5000 off the line. I have taken very good care of her, and have a few pics to share....
As far as performance upgrades go, I added the Rays/Track Forged wheels, Brembo Track brakes, and a JW Pop-Charger. Everything else is bone stock from a performance standpoint.
Currently, there are 35,200 on the odometer, so it doesn't get driven much each year, 1000-2000 miles, average. The paint is flawless, except for a couple very minor knicks and scratches (Sorry these were taken in the shade and not on the sunniest fo days).
Here she is:
I had soemone vandalize the hood while I was getting my yearly inspection last year, and the shop that sprayed the hood did a terrible job. I used that as an excuse to learn how to refine paint using a DA polisher, and the entire car has been through a 3 step paint refinement procedure, and the hood was wet hand sanded with 1500/2000/2500. It turned out pretty good, and there is very little factory orange peel left on the car. All of the body shop's overspray and added orange peel is officially gone.
Most of the work I did went into the audio build... originally I had a single DIN Pioneer Premier HU, but the hands free/Bluetooth phone feature never worked right, so I just upgraded to newer model double DIN, with NAV. It fits perfectly, I love the nav (huge improvement over my ancient stock nav that thinks I am cruising the country side, offroad now). The newer Pioneer HUs use an SD card and you can fit your entire CD library on an SD card that goes into the unit behind the faceplate. The Pioneer nav is a well-thought out and fairly accurate system too, it works well for the areas where I am driving.
Here is the HU...I was able to customize the bootup/splash screen too, and I found a nice Z logo to use.
As far as the rest of the system, it's just the usual--some Zx series/Titanium Phoenix Gold amplifiers, an Audio Control EQ, and an Audio Control signal processor, plus Kenwood center channel and custom subwoofer enclosure in the hatch, fab'd from fiberglass.
Here is the custom amplifier rack, which is located in the stock sub location:
The audio signals from the HU route to an Audio Control EQX-II equalizer, mounted in the base of the glove box location behind the passenger's seat.
The center channel and spatial processing is handled by the Audio Control ESP3 mounted under the drivers seat, along with a small Sony amp for the center channel. Center channel is a kenwood, and it is mounted in the sunglasses holder.
The Audio Control ESP3 comes with a volume control for the center channel, along with a spatial restoration control **** so you can blend everythign to the proper level. When I am jamming I just leave the processing and center off. Here is a pic of the control *****:
My front speakers are JL Audio seperates, and a fairly cheap pair of JL Audio coaxs in the rear pillars for rear fill (barely audible). The subwoofer is a JL Audio 10W6V2 DVC. I have a thread here on the subwoofer enclosure build documenting every step. https://my350z.com/forum/audio-build...ally-done.html
Here is the finished result:
I use an Phoenic Gold LPL (Low pass level) controller, built into my Phoenix Gold Zx series sub amp for controlling the level of the sub, shown here on the console. Also shown is the USB audio charge and USB input for the Pioneer HU, mounted in the console using a NIssan style button/filler. I can plug in a USB stick here for updates to the HU, to play audio/video, or to just charge a USB device. The HU interfaces with my Samsung phone for Android Auto or Apple Carplay features.
Even though I only have 35k miles on he car, its been a joy to drive and own and its been fun to do the audio work, which I did 100% myself. Thanks for looking.
I don't think either port gets great reviews, but I have the same port (2 USBs, 1 data, 1 charge) in both of my Nissans and have had no issues at all. They fit perfectly and look stock. The charge ports are simple, just wire to 12v (and they convert to 5V)...plus you can wire them so that they will charge when the ignition switch is in the off position too.
I don't think either port gets great reviews, but I have the same port (2 USBs, 1 data, 1 charge) in both of my Nissans and have had no issues at all. They fit perfectly and look stock. The charge ports are simple, just wire to 12v (and they convert to 5V)...plus you can wire them so that they will charge when the ignition switch is in the off position too.
Not much into car audio and I have no idea whats going on here, but that is a real clean install. From top to bottom. Glad to see someone doing it right instead of just slapping it together.
I forgot to mention that the 03 350Zs did not have steering wheel audio controls. So, I bought a full wire harness (from on 06) from a junk yard, and found a new set of steering wheel buttons (from on 06) online from a dealership. I also needed a new clock spring to accomodate the extra wires that were not on my 03. I added the mods and changed the wiring harnesses and interfaced the stock wires to an aftermarket controller for my Pioneer. It's nice to have some modern conveniences in the Z. I did not create a thread here on the wheel/audio button upgrades, but i have seen related threads on the subject here. The toughest part of that mod is making sure you get the correct clock spring, as there are a couple versions for the 350Z, and only one is correct for the US model, which has a ABS/TCS sensor mounted directly on the back of the clock spring which detects SAS (steering angle).
06-27-2019, 04:52 AM
My 03 350z with a few upgrades and extensive audio build (pic heavy)
