This will be my super slow progression “build” thread where I’ll be posting what’s new with my Z. Id also like to give credit to all the venders and people I have dealt with along the way. Basically everything on the car has taken me a while…ok, long time to get around to, hence my super slow progress. Some things are not listed, but I have just been putting this together from memory so bare with me.

From the beginning…
So I started my first “real job” back in 06. After saving up for about a year, I finally decided I would buy myself a nice car. I was looking primarily at evo’s and couldn’t find anything I liked after about 2 months of searching. All were used/beat on and modified or out of my price range. Started looking at S2000’s but after a while I decided that I wanted to stay away from Hondas (been there and wanted something different). My brother in law talked me into test-driving a Z, which was a car that I hadn’t even considered…after that first drive I was hooked! Something about the way the driver is positioned in the car just makes it feel like a real “sports car.” Nothing against the evo or S because I do still like them, but I am still to this day glad I picked the Z and don’t plan to let it go for a looooonnngggg time.

I picked up the z at a little used car lot with the nismo decals on it. It took me a while, but I had finally found a PPW Z with black interior and a six speed. I think I jumped the gun on it but oh well, I was in love.

***Random side not***
A couple of years ago I was browsing on Facebook and came across a profile that had a picture of a PPW Z with the nismo decals on it drifting. Looked at the license plate and they looked familiar….Turns out Melissa Miller was the ex-owner of my Z. She used to drift it from time to time.
You can check out her site here;
http://melissadrifts.com


8/24/08
After about a month of ownership I picked up a cheap Nismo shovel for the front



12/3/08
Added some Siebon CW sides from show stoppers (ex vendor from here)
12/26/08
Picked up an Injen exhaust from a local member(Bryan)
12/30/08
Master grade rear diffuser from show stoppers. Had to be cut/modified to fit my exhaust



A few months later I picked up some CE28’s from a local on craigslist.


How she looked up to this point


3/4/09
JWT pop-charger from ImportPartsPro(vender)

12/31/09
Girlfriend gave me a stereo and shift **** for Christmas. Yup, she’s a keeper!


2/20/10
Was getting fed up with the decals and wanted a cleaner look so I pulled them off


3/4/10
project kics NeoChrome lugs from mrwong@statik (vendor)


4/30/10
stoptech rotors from Works Concepts (vendor)

5/8/10
Went to stillen’s open house and picked up a roof wing while I was there.


6/29/10
ordered function and form coilovers from Dan@Assaultech



7/20/10
ordered a rear camber/toe kit from Z1


After just lowering it(not settled)

My driveway is at a bit of a steep angle and this is as low as I can go.


7/28/10
rear wiper delete plug from ebay


Also did the SDZ32 club Cannonball rally. My cousin was my navigator and we had a BLAST! We placed 20-something out of 28 and 2 or 3 teams didn’t even finish/place. We got sidetracked for about an hour trying to find a place to buy a pen so that we could write down our answers to a questionnaire that had to be done. My car was scrapping everywhere and we had to avoid some street because they were just too tore up, so that didn’t help either.



8/30/10
Ordered some volk/rays flat center caps and valve stems
9/20/10
Wheels had seen better days and it was time to fix them up. I was stuck between takata green or candy blue for my wheels. I wanted something different and that would stand out. I ended up going with blue. Went with 255/35 for the front and 285/35 for the rear (inspired by user- cliffrip)
(Ridding shot-gun)




Did a little shoot with a cheap camera





12/12/10
SL2 CF bumper from strafe (still not installed. Only did a quick test fit)



2/1/11
Took her out for another shoot


Link to thread
https://my350z.com/forum/media-share...one-shoot.html

3/29/11
Picked up some recaro’s from a member (MAG Z). Had to drive almost 2 hours, but it was worth it.



4/17/11
ordred Nismo floor mats from west Covina Nissan.

7/15/11
Zenclosure from user- Gary1107


8/28/11
Fosgate amp and sub


9/8/11
Greddy strut bar from a member (jubes). I added the acorn type nuts (spikes) you see.


10/31/11
Sway bars and end links from a member (tw8715)


3/19/12
picked up a spare manifold and spacer from 350zion

5/31/12
Local shop did my headliner to match my seats as well as a shift boot. Black suede with red stitching





7/3/12
Rare JDM cover from OC Infinity


7/20/12
tired of seeing the crappy looking timing chain cover, I rattle canned it after PM’ing Ryaano18 for some advise/tips. Also swapped some chrome plated bolts while I was at it.



I also PM’d Binder for some advice on running the wiring for a gauge. I decided to modify my AC vent and fit an AEM A/F gauge in it. I didn’t mind covering up the vent since SoCal has some nice weather and I rarely use my AC anyways.
Attempt at fitting it in the cubby. Hated it!



Much better


(I am able to twist it, its NOT misaligned)

If anyone wants to attempt this LMK. I have a ton of pics from when I did it.

12/9/12
OEM LED tails from NoQuestionZ (not installed yet)

An example of my super slow progress
(parts were in that same spot for almost one year)



Still awaiting install…
SL2 bumper (since 12/12/10)
Picked up some used V2 splitters to see if I can get them to fit the SL2 bumper. I might try to mount an oil cooler behind one of the vents as well.
Benen tow hook (been sitting since 11/26/11)

Also had a Vortech installed and I'll post up that info in a little while

 

In! Z looks great

 

Timing chain cover looks good! Did you do that with the engine and hoses still in tact?

 

Nice Z and great progress.

but I have to say....vendor

sorry, had to : )

 

Nice progress. I think your engine bay would look nicer and cleaner if you either a) purchased a polished plenum or b) polished it yourself to match the strut bar and engine cover

 

Yes I did. It was a pain in the a** but it turned out ok

Brain fart! I'll fix that

I'll have to add more recent pics with the Vortech

 

looks good! saw the ebay lip and i was like ohhh lawd, then it got better! everything looks great!

 

I like it!

 

I can relate, it took me 5 years to get to where I'm at today. Looks good.

 

Love the suede

 

If you plan to sell the sl2 let me know lol...looks good

 

I like

 

Great roof and shift boot! loved the red stitching.

 

Nice progress! Great looking Z.

 

Love it!!! Very nice job meng! Deff love the suede roof. Nice touch.

Chris

 

i heart the blue CEs.

 

Look good my man!

 

Thanks for the replies guys

Thanks man. Always loved your car, along with that red HKS themed Z you guys are in a picture in.

Thanks Dan. I need to hit you up again for some gauges! having a hard time deciding between Defi or Greddy V2. Anyone have experience with either?

 

Very nice!! The only thing I don't care for is the blue wheels. Ive never been a fan of colored wheels. Everything else looks top notch!!

Based on the street signs, I'm guessing you're in SD??

 

Yes Sir!
I know the wheels aren't for everyone, but I wanted to try out something different since I always see Z's with black, silver, or gunmetal wheels.