"Prince" Build Thread - KingZTX
 

Drew inspiration from the other build threads and thought I'd start my own. Kind of keeps me accountable for continuing to push myself to work on the car and learn more about it; i.e become more mechanically inclined in the process.

Going to start with a personal introduction, and then how I acquired the car, my plans with it...and then follow up posts with each new addition!

Introduction: Hey all, my name is Beau Watson and I'm the owner of a gorgeous 2015 Black Cherry 370Z Sport Tech. Prince has been my baby since January of 2019.

I'm 21 years old, and a junior (as of Spring 2021) pursuing a BBA in Marketing at Baylor University. Yes, the roads in Waco are horrible. No, I will not lower my car until I get TF out of there!

I've never been a mechanically inclined person. I was raised in the 'burbs and my father was not much of a hands on type. No hunting, no fishing, no handyman work around the house, no car maintenance. I'm from a "bring to the dealership" kind of family. My father's toolbox consists of bigger and smaller Phillips screwdrivers and rubber mallets. That's about it.

Sophomore year of highschool I met one of my closest friends. Having aspergers, one of his ticks to avoid social anxiety is an obsession with cars. He knows all about them. That eventually rubbed off on me, and I fell in love with Japanese car culture and styling.

My father is well off, and for that I am extremely grateful. Money has never quite been an object and he wants to provide for me the best he can. When I got my license at 16, I drove the family Mazda CX-9. I totaled it. When I was 17, I got a Hyundai Veloster. Fun car, especially for someone who didn't give a rats *** about what he drove. But the more I talked with my friend, and the more he pushed me to do a muffler delete on my four-bangin' Veloster, the more I researched JDM and the more I fell in love with the 370Z.

How I acquired the Z: I got my first 370Z, King, as a graduation present in 2018. A 2011 Black 370Z Sport Tech. Dad pays for the car, I pay for gas and mods. Pretty good gig. I had just installed Stillen Gen 3s, which were my first hands on experience with a car, when as JAR knows, and a few others may know, I totaled it in the winter of 2018 in a single-car hydroplaning accident on I35. It was in the dead of night, raining cats and dogs. Ever since then I've refused to drive in heavy rain...it gives me the chills. Weeks later, I woke up at 4:00am with a screwdriver and a mission to successfully rip the Gen 3s out of King, who was sitting in the scrapyard.

A couple of months later, I landed right back in the car community with a follow-up second Z, Prince, the 2015 Black Cherry y'all hear about now. He's a beauty, red brake calipers and all.

Build: I slapped on a ZSpeed Aluminum Shroud as my first "mod." I got it for Christmas before I even got the second Z, but we all knew I wouldn't ask for any other car.

Then I threw on the Stillen Gen 3s from King. He lives on.
Then came the F.I TDX CBE (18" Res) that JAR hooked me up with. (Thanks, man!)
Then the Z1 SS brake lines (Thanks JAR...again).
Then the ZSpeed Quiet Street Performance Clutch Kit w/ CMAK
Then the Likewise "Daytona Pro" 600g shift knob...

(and as of 09/15/2020),

GT-R Start/Stop button installed.
Z1 Hood Struts installed.
RJM Clutch Pedal V3.3 installed.
Powertrix Mine's Style Spoiler Add-on installed.
Hotckis Front Sway Bar installed.
Fast Intentions 34-Row Oil Cooler installed.

...and it all starting coming together. My part list grew more and more expensive, and I began to look for the next big thing to throw on.

Often times, I bring my Z to Kevin at Austin Z Clinic. I'm trusting of his work, and no way in hell can I install a clutch kit with a rubber mallet and a Phillips screwdriver :rofl2: I am currently doing oil changes on Rhino Ramps and bath towels, lol.

But as I continue to add on to the car shall I continue to learn more, and become more comfortable with working with my own tools.

The Z is currently a DD. I'm in college, and have no way to store away the Z to make room for a DD. Hopefully once I graduate, I can afford a place that will give me room for both--that way I can dedicate more time and space to working on a Z that is sitting pretty in a garage.

I prefer functionality over power. I'll probably keep it NA. I'm not here to rush my budget and get the biggest gains. I want it to look pretty, sit pretty, and drive pretty. The car is fun enough stock.

Can't wait to share with you my intentions with the Z, and to receive feedback from all you wonderful, beautiful bastards. Thanks for taking me in the last couple of years and for being a great resource to me as I try to become more mechanically savvy. Here's to many more years of hearing JAR's **** and hopefully meeting up with many forum members.

Beau

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7357b934_b.jpg
First autocross event I've ever driven, and first with Prince! February 2019.

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Great shoot with a friend of mine. He does most of my car photography :tiphat:

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Coincidental Z meet up at a local garage. I'm in the red shorts.

When you want to start filling up a toolbox let us know. We will gladly spend your money for you. :tup:

Love to hear it, Mad! I'll probably send JAR a couple of pigeons asking to "borrow" his stuff here and there :stirthepot:

jar can hook you up with a guy in TX that can get you some good deals on Snap-on and other tool truck brands. :tup:

Good to see you holding yourself accountable!

Don't let JAR drive your Z or you'll be adding a new windshield to that mod list :stirthepot:

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Damn, no hunting, no fishing, no tools, WTF you grew up in one abuseive household :bowrofl: just kidding. Just getting some basic tools and mechanics skills will go along way in life.

I do remember Your accident....... it’s great to see you back in a Z

These aren't northern roads... :shakes head: I drove it around the block and didn't have any issues. Except I did manage to stall it once with that stupid stock clutch pedal action :icon17:

JAR calls it a weight reduction/ventilation mod.

Roadster mod! :driving:

You get all the bugs and wind in your face without all that nasty sunlight beating down on you :rock:

Beau, nice story. Keep things going in the right direction. Learn what you can from James and don't be afraid to get you hands dirty. Anything you need just let James or myself know. Enjoy the Ride!! :tup:

Really appreciate you two. Excited to keep you in the loop!

This thread needs tags.... and photos

Done, and will be adding more as the build grows :tup:

Big week coming up for the Z, and some big weeks to follow.

This coming week:
- RJM V3.3 Clutch Pedal Assembly is arriving and will be brought to the shop for install.
- Z1 Hood Dampeners arrive with the GT-R Start Button, both of which I'll be installing.
- CF Powertrix Mine's Style Sport Spoiler Add-On arrives (hopefully) at the end of the week, and I'll be attempting to install that the same day.

The next few weeks:
- F.I 34 Row Oiler Cooler arrives and will be brought to the shop for install.
- I move back to Baylor for the start of my junior year, and I'm able to hangout and participate with the Baylor Driving Club and it's members to work on our own cars and the club car. There will be a lot of things happening around that for sure.

Looking forward to posting this week with updates on installs.

07/20/2020

Installed the GT-R Start/Stop button and the Z1 Hood Struts! Pictures below.

I ended up trimming the plastic below each strut before even analyzing if the 1mm bulge came as a product of install--didnt want to risk any warping or bending so went ahead with it.

Thanks to the awesome Manual Trans DIY Install thread for the GT-R Start/Stop. It was a big help.

The last image is my entire workshop. Still working on sourcing different tools and parts I may need, but that will come with time.

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GT-R Start/Stop install.

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Z1 Hood Struts install (and a fata$$ drop of sweat down the front bumper).

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My workstation, lol!