JLarson's build thread

[JLarson]

Testing the fit after the sawsall cuts - I wasn't entirely sure how my fabrication was going to turn out.

[JLarson]

Welded, installed, and intakes in place! Ready for my tune!

[JLarson]

Dyno completed on December 26th! Results were about where I expected to be. Vince was also kind enough to give me my dyno results overlayed against a stock 370z to show comparative gains, since I didn't have a baseline.

334 whp / 278 wtq.

[JLarson]

Somewhere in there, I found time to dynomat my trunk and wheel wells. OldGrayDog, also a forum member, pointed me in the right direction with a knock-off brand product that is every bit as good as dynomat, and a fraction of the price. But I won't tell you what it is.

Because I can't remember. Looks like I'll have to check my private message archives.

[JLarson]

Zspeed undershroud, added shortly after Christmas. Mostly what I remember about this install is my hands were so cold I lost feeling. An unheated garage is painful in the winter.

[JLarson]

That was the last of my modding for a little while, until the weather got warm again. Z1 Bushing Collar Inserts went in sometime in March or April, when I had a random warm day to do it. No pictures of that install. It was mostly me on my back trying to figure out how to drop the necessary parts of my suspension, and not drop them on me.

Pro-tip: Supporting your differential is key! I did successfully install them. My impressions - not enough change for me to notice, but my launches seem a bit more solid with less wheel hop.

I followed that with the Z1 poly transmission mount. Now THAT was a winner. Better launches by far and incredibly easy install. I still have some engine mounts, but I have no interest in installing those... probably will wind up in the classifieds once I remember to take a picture.

[JLarson]

Next was the TWM Short Throw Shifter. I drove Megan's uncles Camaro, and came away impressed not with its power (it felt heavy) but with its shifting. I sought to emulate it. Found a guy selling his TWM, BNIB.

Install with the DIY on the forum was a piece of cake! The throw was too low-set for me, so I followed that up with a $10 three-inch shifter extension on Amazon. Nailed it. Shifts are crisp, mechanical, and easy, especially paired with a 1 lb weighted shift knob.

I'll have pictures of this setup when I remember to take some, but my brother will be making me a custom shifter extension in his lathe, to match the diameter and appearance of my shift knob.