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Hello all, I have a 2003 Z and pictured is my passenger side roof mount above the window and it’s missing about half of it. My driver side is missing the whole piece completely. My question is, if I bought these parts, are they replaceable? Or will this issue of them ripping off happen again? Anyone had any luck replacing them and having them fit nice and snug without flying off on the highway? Passenger side one is broken and missing about half. Driver side one is completely gone. Passenger side Driver side Driver side
The Z33 was never designed to have a cabin air filter. And good luck trying to find and purchase new OEM A-pillars.
so basically you’re saying there’s no use even trying to look to replace these parts? Used ones won’t even fit or work well? Or is it bc once you take them off it’ll be hard to reinstall?
so basically you’re saying there’s no use even trying to look to replace these parts? Used ones won’t even fit or work well? Or is it bc once you take them off it’ll be hard to reinstall?
No, I said good luck trying to find NEW OEM A-pillars. Used ones are likely your best bet, but who knows? They are precision built (and installed) parts, so don't try to slam them into place.
No, I said good luck trying to find NEW OEM A-pillars. Used ones are likely your best bet, but who knows? They are precision built (and installed) parts, so don't try to slam them into place.
yeah I know I won’t get new ones lol. I just want to replace the missing or broken ones and get a fresh coat of paint on them. Not looking for brand new at all. So it would still be tricky if I got some old ones for them to get a nice fit then right?
Z1 Motorsports sells new OEM replacements and even offers a paint matched option. But be ready to shell out about $850 per side (price depends on color), plus tax and shipping. You can always get the cheapest color option and have your own paint guy do the match if you think it will save some cash. It's very rare for these pieces to rip off the car, I think this only happens if the panel has been compromised. Meaning after a chip or crack occurs on the sloped portion by the windshield or the rubber molding seal against the glass deteriorates enough. If the wind can get under the panel it's going to rip off eventually. I may end up purchasing new ones myself while they're still available, I have some control over keeping the panels from getting cracked or chipped, but the rubber moldings and seals will fall apart simply from age.
Finding serviceable "used" ones is going to be tough. These things are nearly impossible to salvage off a car without incident, but it can be done with a lot of patience, the right tools, and some research before going in. Also, the door seal weatherstripping is glued to the sill panel (more like 3M double-sided taped). If you want to ensure the best fit and leak free install, you will also want to purchase new door jam molding (goes from A-pillar back to the B-pillar). These are also very costly, both sides will run over $600 + shipping and tax. If you take your time cleaning off the old double-sided tape/glue, you can probably re-use the originals with a good chance of them sticking in place without leaks or falling off in a few months.
If you still had all the pieces of your original ones, you could try repairing with epoxy and/or fiberglass, then sanding/prepping for paint or a wrap. Another member on the forums recently did this.
Regarding cabin filters, as dkmura already stated, the 350Z never had one. BUT, it is possible to modify the airbox to support a cabin filter. Most people simply don't bother because of the effort involved. I've done it, and it's not a quick or easy process, but I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to my Z.
Z1 Motorsports sells new OEM replacements and even offers a paint matched option. But be ready to shell out about $850 per side (price depends on color), plus tax and shipping. You can always get the cheapest color option and have your own paint guy do the match if you think it will save some cash. It's very rare for these pieces to rip off the car, I think this only happens if the panel has been compromised. Meaning after a chip or crack occurs on the sloped portion by the windshield or the rubber molding seal against the glass deteriorates enough. If the wind can get under the panel it's going to rip off eventually. I may end up purchasing new ones myself while they're still available, I have some control over keeping the panels from getting cracked or chipped, but the rubber moldings and seals will fall apart simply from age.
Finding serviceable "used" ones is going to be tough. These things are nearly impossible to salvage off a car without incident, but it can be done with a lot of patience, the right tools, and some research before going in. Also, the door seal weatherstripping is glued to the sill panel (more like 3M double-sided taped). If you want to ensure the best fit and leak free install, you will also want to purchase new door jam molding (goes from A-pillar back to the B-pillar). These are also very costly, both sides will run over $600 + shipping and tax. If you take your time cleaning off the old double-sided tape/glue, you can probably re-use the originals with a good chance of them sticking in place without leaks or falling off in a few months.
If you still had all the pieces of your original ones, you could try repairing with epoxy and/or fiberglass, then sanding/prepping for paint or a wrap. Another member on the forums recently did this.
Regarding cabin filters, as dkmura already stated, the 350Z never had one. BUT, it is possible to modify the airbox to support a cabin filter. Most people simply don't bother because of the effort involved. I've done it, and it's not a quick or easy process, but I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to my Z.
Good Luck!
-Icer
Holy cow Icer thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Yeah I won’t even bother with the cabin air filter I was just curious. Notes on the pillar information. Sounds like such a hassle for a car I’m not even sure I will have in 5-10 years. I love this car and I’ve had it for 14 years but slowly things go wrong and have to be replaced and I’m just not sure if I’m so passionate about it to keep putting so much money into it. Was hoping to be able to find cheap ones and have my guy paint them but after your explanation I think I will reconsider LOL. Thanks for taking your time for this explanation!
Yeah, fair enough. My Z is in better shape than most, so I don't fret about sinking cash into it. It's my hobby & passion and I don't have any plans of letting it go. I can't say that about any of the other vehicles in the family fleet. My recommendation to you is to keep an eye on wreckers/dismantlers or even Ebay. You can score some used A-pillar covers for cheap if there's any minor cracks on the portions that are not visible once installed (portion that tucks into the door jam). If you're confident in your own skills, perhaps you can find a Z at a Pick-N-Pull or Pull-A-Part, I've been able to score some good pieces from these types of places in the last few years. 03-05s are 20+ years old now and they get wrecked all the time by drift kiddies. It used to be only specialty auto-dismantlers would buy totaled Zs from insurance companies, but their values have tanked enough that even Pick-N-Pulls are getting them now, albeit rarely.
You're welcome for the comments. Good Luck to you!
-Icer
I’ll definitely keep an eye out on eBay as well now. I’ll also see if this local Z guy has anything I could buy off of him. Awesome to hear that your Z is running well and looking nice! Best of luck to you as well for any future mods/projects for your Z!
Roof pillar mount replaceable?
