Im at school and have a 3 hour break, so might as well do something while Im stuck in this damn library. ... and my name is actually spelled Niko.

Bought the car on March 30th 2013 for $9,300. Base model 2004. Clean Tittle. 109k miles and the previous owner had installed 06+ Headlights, taillights, hood, front bumper, rims, tokiko blue suspension, double din head unit, leather seats, JWT intake, Plenum spacer and an invidia cat back exhaust.

My father gave me $1,500 for the car as an early highschool graduation present as well





6 Days after getting my insurance settled and all the paperwork done...
I ran this baby up a curb . I was too sad to take any pictures of the incident hah. But luckily for my I only had to replace the rear axel, one hub bearing, a camber arm and 2 rims.
With my dads connections, I was out $500 for everything a small price for a large lesson learned!!

As a graduation present to myself, I picked up a new set of wheels in early May of 2013 from a member on here... XXR 527's F: 18x8.5 R: 18x9.75
wrapped them in Potenza SO-4 pole positions 245/40/18 x 265/40/18
OH and some varstoen neo-chrome lugs

Look at that wheel gap baby


The following week, I had a friend who owns a tint shop wrap my roof and tint my tail lights

Before:


After:


Then went on an annual cruise with some close friends
2 lotus elise, TT G35, Evo, 2 miatas and a mazda 3


August 15th 2013 I picked up an AMS-GT front end and JP auto rep. sides for $550 out the door.



I sent my car to Sam's Auto Land in Gardena/Torrance (sponsors countless top name drifters)
Sam then sent me this picture once everything was put on.
My bill for paint and install was $0.00 dollars




2 Nights later, I polished her up and had a little photoshoot with some friends

And a final pic
too over exposed I know


October 7th. Took the Z to get some new Tranny and Diff fluids!


October 25th 2013 I wanted to put my money back into performance
Got some Berk HFC's from a vendor on here for $400 I think.


Installed with a buddy of mine.


Sound clip
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December 13th. I installed some steering wheel controls!
December 14th. I went to Chruch's automotive tuning in Long Beach for and uprev/osiris tune
Put down 275 on the dyna pack I need moar!!!
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January 5th 2014. I ordered brand new KW V3's
Paid, install, alignment and corner balanced for $2,100 out the door
Will not name the company. But the priced matched Adams (RCA) price for the coil-overs. and did a deal on on everything else.
I would have loved to go through Adam as he is an awesome guy. But it would have been more of a headache going to multiple places and shops.

***** INSTALL IS NEXT WEEK!!! ******

January 10th . Treated the Z to some more new bath goodies


Still more mods on the way!!!!

 

Looks good. That front end reminds of an S2K

Usually not a fan of smoked tails and black wrap, but your car pulls it off nicely.

 

^^^ Big fan of that front bumper, did you get any feedback on fitment from Sam's?

And what is your goal with your Z (track/drift/stance/dd/etc.)?

Solid progress, keep it up.

 

I still think I tinted the tails a little too dark haha.
but thanks!

Sam told me his body man probably hates me now haha.
And he said that Im going to regret have going with fiberglass :/

Fitment is a bit off on the fenders tho
I think I got a bad mold, because everyone else with the same front end are pretty spot on from VIS

The car is now my DD but want to make it into a time attack build.

Thanks for the compliment

 

Nice progress!

Z is looking good Any plans for the rear? looks a tad incomplete

 

Nice nails!

 

Trim the talons.

 

Your car looks good. Looking at the parts by themselves, I wouldn't personally pick them, but all together they go so well together. Keep up the good work.

Also, how did you like Church's? I'm thinking about getting a tune there.

 

I know I know Eventually going to get a new rear end or a top secret rep diffuser.
Just dont want to put any more money into aesthetics right now. going for more function.

Pshh! I sharpen my thumb and pinky nails on the daily !!!

Thank You

Church's is cool. But take anybody's word for it when you hear that they a bit unprofessional when it comes to customer service. Shawn not so much tho. AND try and ask Shawn to tune it himself also...I unfortunately made that mistake .
Also they forgot to update my ROM for my cruise control after I told them a few separate times, and now I have to drive all the way back out once I get some bigger paychecks to pay for that gas haha
But overall good place to get a tune

 

Looking good

 

Looks good man...I took my car to church as well they were good to me, didn't have Shawn tune it I had that blonde guy I believe his name was brian. I put down 284hp 272tq on the dynapak.

 

Same here!!! that guy was a A hole when I first talked to him.

I called when I arrived and the garage was closed. n brian picked up n was like "hello..." n i asked if the number was for Church's ne he says "Yes..."
me: "oh well im here for my appointment: Brian " okay..." and then hangs up. lol and opens the door 5 minutes later with some attitude.

Shawn was really friendly tho and the same blonde guy that tuned mine started getting nicer too hah.

 

Excellent presentation in this progression thread !

Clear concise wording, the pics do the documenting.

Much done in a short time span - Mod on !

 

You also need some brake...

 

You only need brakes if you have power


Can I have some of your opinions.
I have 114xxx miles on the Z.

Should I continue to build the car (sway bars, end links in 2 months)
But plan to cage it, racing seat(s), rear diffuser, real wheels, vented hood and all that good stuff.

But also want to rebuild the engine before it hits me UN-expecdately and Im in a scramble to pull money from no-where. find a trusty shop to rebuild it. and then what Im going to do from there.

Should I save to rebuild the engine early. and early meaning in two years (estimating to cost around 3.5K said and done) Built up of course though

Or keep building the aesthetics of the car and what not?

 

No offense but your brake/power comment isn't even close to true... terrasmak has a NA DE Z and has tracked it for years with the engine mostly stock and still (iirc) runs a 6-pot f 4-pot r Wilwood BBK setup because reliable braking is necessary for the track.

You stated you wanted to make your Z into a capable time-attack car so you will need to upgrade your brakes. I'm going with OEM Brembos myself then Wilwood/Stoptech down the road.

I don't know how soon you want to track it but you need to keep brakes high up on your list of priorities if ever plan on it.

 

I also was looking into the oem brembos as they are very solid and affordable.
But I dont want to bite the bullet until I have to.

I told myself I wont hit a track until summer of next year. And when that time comes, it will only be every so often occasion.
Once I start slowly turning it to a more frequent thing. definitely no doubt BBK.

But for now. only 275hp my daily, and never seeing the track. I have no use and no reason for them for NOW at least.

 

That's good to hear. It's hard to decide between quick mods (sways, diffuser, etc.) and long-term goals (engine rebuild) but what I've done with cars in the past when I was younger was made a detailed list of exactly the parts I wanted and started saving up for my long-term goal; over the coming months the parts I wanted came up used on classifieds and I bought them for a huge discount compared to new (all while continuing to save up for the long-term goal) and eventually killed two birds with one stone. Just a thought on how you should proceed. Whatever you decide, good luck

 

Anyone care to see my stash of used tires at work?!



anyways....


Today was the day!!!
COILOVERS!!!!

I went with KW v3's compared to the Tokikos that were installed when I bought the car.

Before:


After:


and here are some pics I took in between






I got the coilovers, install, alignment and corner balancing for $2,100 out the door not too shabby eh !

Though I will be doing the corner balance down the road when I do weight reduction mods and seats or whatever my future holds. But it is already paid for so I HAVE to do it eventually.

but MAN!!!! these babies are non comparable to my old setup!
and Im sure once I fine tune them to my liking it will be even better!

 

Awesome man....make sure when you clean your car to clean the coils too!