VaGntlmn's Z - Past to Present
 

A photo journal of my Z's progression from purchase to the present.

Purchased: 7/22/10
 

2010 370Z; 6MT; Touring/Sport
Black Cherry / Grey
No navigation system.

Got the windows tinted
 

Got the windows tinted.
The Eyebrow with Comfort 20 (no more need for the sun visor),
the back with Comfort 50 (a little lighter),
and the sides with Comfort 35 (a little lighter still),
All at the legal limits in Virginia.

Installed IPod Gateway
 

After you listen to your own music for so long, you really miss it when you don't have it.
I am so glad to have my music back.....
PS: A GREAT post from Spartan 1771 regarding installing the gateway:
(http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...a-gateway.html)

Got my identity back
 

Have I really had my Virginia-Gntlmn license plates for 20+ years?
I traded my previous car in to one dealer, and bought my Z from another dealer, so I had to wait until my Z was titled before I could transfer the plates over.
It's nice to have them back.
Even everybody at work was going "who's car is that?"

Swapped out the Nissan Z Badge
 

Never liked the look of the Nissan hamburger on the front, so I swapped it out for a "Z"
Much better....
Note: I left the hamburger on the back alone.

Great combo with the BC and Grey! :tup:

On the posts/thread, you can do more information in one post.

You can also edit a post after you made it and you can delete your own posts.
I would clean up your thread and combine it all in the opening post.

Some post don't seem to mean anything..

Swapped out the stock shift knob
 

The stock shift knob was okay, but I never liked the texture.
I had this knob on my previous car and I loved it (an NRG Carbon Fiber Universal shift knob.)
Because of the difference in design it took a couple of tries, but I finally came up with something I liked.
I got a "shift knob base cover" from ZeeToyz, but it rattled.
So I added a "shaft collar" from my local Ace Hardware store.
I was surprised at how well the 2 pieces fit together, and how much they looked alike.
Now I just hope it holds together.

Hey Xan,
Thanks for the comments, and I agree with them.
I'm just starting to fill out the thread and it's more of an outline at the second than a real posting.
Since this keeps showing up at the top of the new posts list, I guess I'm going to have to re-think that. :eek:
Thanks again.
Edit:
Okay, I think all of the previous posts have been edited and 1) make a lot more sense, and 2) contain a lot more of the information that I want them to contain.
I think I'm ready for next week (the next set of mods....)

Swapped out the stock air intakes
 

For a set of K&N Typhoons.
Unfortunately, I f'd up the install.
On the way to work, 5 days later, a small piece of rubber got caught in the throttle body, and I was dead.
Had the car towed to the dealer (who was actually really nice about it), who fixed it for about $375, and $100 of that was towing.

Got my Front lip installed
 

It’s an EVO-R one piece CF lip that was pre-painted to match the car.
Almost looks stock. I like that.

And my running lights
 

They look a lot better than the pictures indicate.
Kind of make the car smile.
I'll see if I can add some better pictures

I like the leds, VERY A5 style. I think this should be an option from the other companies where it goes all the way around the headlight sort of.

Well what's the verdict on the typhoons?
I've considered after reading about the dyno results, but others have scared me off after reporting some lean conditions?
What do you think so far?

Damn, Bill, you're getting it done, son! Really looking good!!!

crdskier:
I like the typhoons.
I haven't had any problems since, and I like the sound and feel.
Sorry, no dyno results to back it up though.

Al - Thanks.
And my wife should be picking up my swift springs as we speak from FedEx.
Hopefully I'll get those installed in a couple of weeks.
But I'm running out of things to do :confused:

Twin turbo? Supercharger ? :tup:
Exhaust? Test Pipes? HFC? Wheels?
Tune?

Swift springs and Stillen sways installed
 

Finally got my Swift springs and Stillen sways installed.
Didn't lower the Z as much as I thought it would, but it may be too soon, and a valid alignment (both front and back) still needs to be performed.

Edit: 2/14/11 9:15pm
A decent picture in the sun!!!!

You need a rear camber kit before your rear tires get uneven tread wear.
Your sway bars may be making this worse...
That should be at top of your list.
Afterwards an exhaust is definetly needed.
And a tune would also benefit!
Car looks great btw, springs in general take a bit to settle so I don't know if you noticed but I'm sure it dropped a lot more than when you first installed them!
Nice journal, keep it up!

Thanks Crown.
Front and Rear camber kits are on the way.
Now if I could just get some sunlight to get some better pics.....

Bill's modification list
 

The list of mods is getting too long for my signature block.
I think I'll just put it in a list here.

• Interior
  • iSimple IPOD Gateway
  • Swapped out Stick shift knob - AGAIN - 9/8/11
• Exterior
  • Tinted: 20/50/35
  • Swapped out the Nissan logo on the hood
  • Side-shine LEDs under the headlights
  • EVO-R Front Lip
  • Paint Sealed - Ziebart Diamond Gloss
• Suspension - Lowered the Z about an inch
  • Swift Springs
  • Stillen Sways
  • SPC Camber Kits, front and rear
  • Installed H&R 20mm DRM spacers on the rear
• Intake - K&N Typhoons
• Exhaust
  • Stillen Headers
  • Berk HFC's
  • Tanabe Y-Pipe
  • Tanabe Medalion CBE
• Dyno Results
  • Dyno Tuned - Hills Garage - 8/20/11
    • RWHP: 318.1
    • RWTQ: 265 ftlbs
  • 3 Dyno Pulls - PTuning - 4/20/11
    • RWHP: 298.1
    • RWTQ: 234.9 ftlbs

drop looks good. car is coming along nicely.

Looking very nice!

Replaced Exhaust System
 

Got the exhaust system replaced yesterday - Dam that's expensive!!!!
Now have Stillen Ceramic Coated headers, a Tanabe Y-pipe, and the Tanabe Medalion cat back exhaust system.
Going to have to get used to the sound, and hope I don't get a ticket for the noise (I'm just paranoid right now).

Dyno Results
 

I think I've done everything to the Z that I'm going to do.
Okay, I think I've done all of the MAJOR things I'm going to do to the Z
Time to see how it all panned out.

:mad: rats, missed it by 2!!!! 298 rwhp with 235 lbs rwtq. :driving:
Although that was on a DynoDynamics machine, which they say is typically low.
Add about another 10%(?) to estimate what it would be on a Dynojet
(really? 328 rwhp with 259 lbs rwtq would be sweet!!!)

Nice build so far! Love the black cherry.

You won't have to worry about the exhaust. When you left Starbucks today Whitney and I were commenting on the good sound. Not too loud at all but a good sound none the less.

Thanks everybody.

Jon - I hope you're right about the volume. Cause from the inside, when I stomp on it, it's LOUD.

That should put a big :icon17: on your face every time!:driving:

Sealed and Widened
 

Sealed: My wife has a Silver 96 Subaru Legacy. She had the paint sealed at Ziebart fifteen years ago and has had it renewed every year since. The car still looks great. So, I decided to give it a try.
The Z looks good. I think it gave the Black Cherry a little bit of depth. And I washed it today, and boy did the water bead!!
Widened: I ordered a set of H&R DRM 20mm spacers for the rear. They FINALLY came in, and I was able to install them yesterday. It was as easy as changing 2 flat tires. Nice.

cars looking great! where did you get your z logo if you dont mind me asking?

Don't mind at all.

The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts: Front "Z" Emblem, Silver Base, 09-10 370Z

Installed Berk HFC's
 

I know, I said I was done; but I had Berk HFC's installed a couple of weeks ago.
Now I need to dyno tuned.
Maybe I'll stop after this (yeah, right)

Got Dyno Tuned!!!
 

An incredible experience to watch.
Went up to Hills Garage around Baltimore to get dyno tuned. Frank and Frank did an awesome job.
Since it was such a beautiful day, they decided to roll the dyno outside (you can do that?)

My first pull was around 285hp; but frank said the chip was in economy mode and it really didn't count.
After 2 more pulls, he said he was up around 295 - better.
After 12 more pulls, he called it quits. 318hp with 265ft-lbs of torque!!! Way to go Frank!!! :happydance:

But it was incredible to watch Frank wind my car up through 4th gear, up to almost 8,000 rpm's, and 130mph on the dyno speedometer. :eek:
Note to self: stop babying the car - it can take it!!


While I was there, I met a guy named Chris. Chris drives a beautiful red 350. Twin Turbo. At 8 lbs of pressure, he puts down about 460hp!!! :worship:
So much for me being impressed with my 318!! :shakes head:

I love the interior I want two tone seats!

Talk to Shado - he might be able to hook you up!!

Swapped out the stick shift knob - again
 

I never have been fully satisfied with the replacement stick shift knob that I put on, so I decided to swap it out - again.
I like this one MUCH more!! :driving:
The new one (a Stainless M1 Abrams from TWM Performance) looks better, is lower, and has a little bit of a shorter shift.