SPEEDELEMENT Nismo 370Z Build Progress
 

I had another build thread on here, but since it was lacking some updates, I figured I'd start a new one.

We took delivery of a 2010 Nismo back in March of 2010 as a project to highlight some of our product offerings. This is primarily a street driven vehicle that eventually will see some track usage. The main goal is a JDM-inspired track/show build. We want it, first and foremost, to be fully functional, but looking nice isn't out of the question :)

As she sits now (3/2011)-

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...z/STI_6800.jpg


CURRENT MODS:

ENGINE
- F.I Long Tube Headers PG. 1
- AEM Dual Cold-Air Intakes PG. 1|

INTERIOR
- Custom Subaru Homelink GENTEX-453 mirror PG. 1|CLICK FOR DIY
- JDM Nismo Goodies PG. 1
- R35 GTR Push Button Start TRIPLE'S DIY
- Nismo GT Titanium Shift Knob (write-up pending)
- Recaro Pole Position Racing Seats (Red Velour)/Recaro Steel Sidemounts (write up pending)
- Custom Roll Bar (write up pending)
- Willans 5-Point Camlock FIA harnesses

EXTERIOR
- SpeedElement Custom Matte headlight housings PG. 1

SUSPENSION
- A'PEXI S1 Coilovers (no writeup)
- SPL Rear Camber Arms (no writeup)

WHEELS/TIRES
- Volk Racing TE37 Matte Black 19x9.5 +22/19x10.5 +12
- Bridgestone Potenza RE11 265/35/19 (F) 305/30/19 (R)


**FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK FOR BUILD STATUS/UPDATES!!**
GrayGhost
http://badge.facebook.com/badge/1017....760172078.png

Homelink mirror- I found an awesome one from a seller on Ebay that matched the stock amber instrumentation PERFECTLY

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/4285/dsc01424n.jpg

DIY here:
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...tml#post530127

So while I'm having some down time in between new installs, I thought I'd share my newest JDM goodies with you guys. I wasn't expecting this to come in until at least Monday but the FedEx guy came earlier than the tracking said.

Billion Radiator Cap
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/705/dsc01448u.jpg

Nismo Registration Holder
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2688/dsc01428sz.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/373/dsc01445s.jpg

Nismo Carabiner
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4347/dsc01444v.jpg

Moonface-R Magnetic Drain Plug
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/623/dsc01442t.jpg

I also got a small Nismo tool bag...no good pics of that unfortunately. I know this is a small update but I'll be updating this soon with more parts!! :D

I love the construction on these. It's been a while since I've seen quality welds on an exhaust manifold. Too many shops use machine tig or slather chrome all over their welds, making them look cheap. Fast Intentions really did a great job on these.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1540/dsc03937m.jpg
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1543/dsc03940p.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5611/dsc03946e.jpg

The stock driver's side manifold was a complete pain in the ***. Not only did we have to remove the steering linkage, a whole mess of hard coolant line and hoses were in the way. We had to raise and lift the car numerous times to figure out the best way to access the bolts.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9469/dsc03941q.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1078/dsc03945p.jpg

After a few busted knuckles and tools, we finally managed to get both stock headers out. It took us about 4 hours to take them off, another 1.5 to get the F.I LTH on the car and bolted up. So about 4.5hrs total install time. I do regret not wrapping them though. Time to take them off again :bowrofl:



Just kidding.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/268/dsc03952v.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4096/dsc01466c.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/514/dsc01468o.jpg

Sound wise, there's not a big difference between these and test pipes, however they do definitely make more power. There's a little more RASP, but nothing totally nasty sounding. I like a little bit of rasp in the exhaust note. Construction, as mentioned earlier, is top dollar. These look miles better than anything else offered on the market currently (Stillen, PPE, etc). Cost-wise, I'd be hard-pressed to pay full retail on headers given the gains aren't as large as most other bolt-ons, however I got these at a good price so I think my dollar was well spent.

Overall a 9/10 for build quality, construction, and power delivery.

While I had the car on a lift, I decided to make a little more use of my time and install some more stuff.

I didn't take very many pictures of this install and actually had every intention of turning it into a DIY. But honestly, I was a little disappointed with some of the problems I encountered. You would think that after doing a header install, an intake install would be a cinch.

http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/6015/dsc01451hw.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/2095/dsc01470k.jpg

The main issue I am having is the included washer bottle does not fit due to the added ducting on the Nismo bumper support. This is where it is supposed to sit-

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4337/dsc01463et.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7756/dsc01464bm.jpg

I know it's a relatively simple fix but I'd rather not cut it unless I really have to. I'm planning on calling AEM on Monday and asking if they're planning on making a different washer reservoir/mounting area for the Nismo models, or if I should just cut it.

I also have a rather annoying sound coming from the passenger side intake tube that only happens at WOT. I did a long tube header install at the same time, but it's unlikely that the culprit could be these as fitment/flex was all verified on a lift. The only possible scenario I can think of is that the included brackets/rubber mounts do not allow for enough flex to accomodate the moving engine, or the intake piping is hitting a metal area of the radiator support during engine movement.

It's not all bad though. Fuel economy has improved over my previous setup (just test pipes). Again, I don't know if this is due to the FI long tubes or the intake but I'm averaging about 20mpg compared to my previous of about 17. Intake powdercoat color is almost an exact match with the PG paint, just a shade darker. And the combination of the AEM intakes with the FI long tubes made a huge difference in low through upper mid range power.

We are starting to offer this service to our local customers- custom matte painted headlight housings. Please feel free to let me know if you are interested in doing this. We can also custom paint them with PPG/DuPont paint to match shrouds/housings/etc to your liking.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3...6264191431.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/3...5862181431.jpg

And a mounted picture-

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7...9721222686.jpg

Sweet Mods! Looking forward to seeing your progress..

looks good

coming along very nicely...

keep it going.

Nice. I saw both your 370z's at Wekfest.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5908951_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3767023_n.jpg

hot.

Very nice. When is it going to hit the dyno? What exhaust are you going to run?

:yum:

White amuse looks good

what alignment specs are you running? i have the same set of rims with same spec lowered in kw v3. im running 245 front and 275 rear.. from looking at it, if i run any wider it will rub but i want to run wider tires

You should be fine with running at least a 255/35 up front and a 305/30 rear. My alignment specs are very close to OEM. OEM specs are slightly goofy (more negative camber rear vs. front).

They do that to keep idiots safe:rofl2:

^^VDC failsafe!!

haha, pretty much. They basically designed the car to understeer at all costs.

More!

how much do you guys charge for the headlight paint job and whats the turn around time?

My interior setup is coming!

It depends on the amount of work that you want done. For a basic job (just blacked out with matte/gloss/semi-gloss paint with a reflector delete we can do it for $350 with a 1 week turn-around time.

What are your interior plans?

I've had Recaro race buckets on order for about 2 months now. I'm assuming that Recaro's stocking orders have been on hold from Europe pending their recent take-over. They have the shells but they're still waiting for the materials as the model that I ordered has new materials for 2011. The brackets (from Bride) are already here from Japan though.

I have a steering wheel setup coming in this week as well. It's a Nardi off of my old car but I had to buy a new Works Bell hub/quick release.

After everything's test fitted I'll be taking it over to AM Performance (we used to work with Mike and Brian before they formed AM Perf.) for a full or half roll cage install depending on our future plans for the vehicle. I'm still hesitant to race the car competively due to it still being relatively new so a half cage/harness bar (like the GT3 RS) may suffice for my occassional track outings.

Sound like a similar plan to mine I have coming soon.
Bride Stradia seat, with a wheel & hub/quick release, working with a local company here who does some great roll cages but we are still debating on what the exact layout will be.

Yeah...one thing about the Z is the relatively compact cabin area doesn't leave much room for caging. Are you planning on retaining any interior?

I want to keep all the interior.
Our current plan/idea is removing the bar behind the seats and building off that possibly. Seeing if first we cannot just make a solid harness bar replacement for that area, retaining some of the interior pieces (maybe some minor cutting), then looking at the next step up.

I think the old Robispec car (I think it was the blue one?) had just a harness bar and no cage. I believe it was just a big steel tube in place of the old support beam. He managed to retain the full rear interior with that setup. I looked at some of the Autopower offerings- they don't have very much diagonal bracing but still retain the full interior. Last time I checked they had the street and race roll bar in addition to a full roll bar that goes around the dash. All of them are bolt-in and interior compatible but the main hoop needs to be welded in.

I'm curious how your setup will look after it's done.

Same here, hoping it might be able to be finished by the end of the month but we will see on how getting things from Japan goes and such.
I think the idea we are hoping for is to use some of the stock mounting points and then add more to make it stronger. I am not 100% on roll cages & harness bars, but I hope to be able to pick the brains of the guys who do.

A friend took some quick shots of my car in front of the shop this weekend. It's a little dirty but these will do for now :)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...7_697540_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7749602_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5302496_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7839865_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...6_482673_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7135294_n.jpg

Also installed a B&M short shifter.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7398598_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._8178578_n.jpg

teaser shot of my new steering wheel setup. pics and DIY to follow shortly!

Was that your car parked along Cleo Springs Dr behind Ranch 99 in North SJ several weeks ago? It was PG with smoked headlights like yours.

^^ it might have been?

Here are some pictures from the event we attended: BLOX OH2011

http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG3639-1-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3689-23-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3690-24-M.jpg


Here are some pictures of our other shop and sponsored cars:

SPEEDELEMENT E92
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG3650-3-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3672-12-M.jpg

SPEEDELEMENT IS-F
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG3656-6-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG3661-8-M.jpg

SPEEDELEMENT EVO X
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3681-17-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3771-66-M.jpg

SPEEDELEMENT STi
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3679-16-M.jpg
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3762-60-M.jpg

Calvin's 370Z (Sponsored by SE)
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...4556-476-M.jpg

John's Integra Type-R (Sponsored by SE)- Look for it in the latest issue of Super Street!
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG3653-4-M.jpg

Fred's Evo 9 Time Attack (only has 3k miles!!) (Sponsored by SE)
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...G3699-28-M.jpg

Awards we brought home :)
http://images.247media.org/Cars/Blox...MG4545-2-M.jpg

Great shots, you have some cars that are truly drool worthy! Which one is your favorite?

I like all of them...but the Z (being my personal car and daily driver) is probably my favorite, with the IS-F coming in close second.

Put in a pair of red Recaro's this week. At first I wasn't sure if they would fit on the sidemounts I bought, but they definitely turned out great.

I'm not sure if anyone has done this before, but I used Bride FO-type rails without the Bride side mounts and used the branded Recaro side mounts instead. Seating position is about 2 inches higher than the stock seat, with the capacity to go even lower.


Crappy phone pictures-
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/...d03c4bf7e2.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/...e05043b05d.jpg

That is really cool the Z is your personal ride, love the seats too. I would just sit and drool if I had access to all those cars!