|
DeEePiDDy's 09 Chicane Yellow 370z Journal
Ok so I've had this car for about 15 months now and have documented most of the changes/mods I've made. I've always been meaning to start a nice journal for my car and I figure why not get it done now on this beautiful Sunday morning! Granted I'm back tracking stuff for over a year and the changes I've made are all relatively small, never the less here we go!
It all started back in 1990. I was a 10 year old kid and was out riding my bike when I came across a beautiful 1990 Red 300ZX. I was completely mesmerized... on that fateful day I vowed I would one day own a Z... http://imganuncios.mitula.net/1990_n...0659388164.jpg Flash forward 20 years and its the summer of 2010. I had been looking for a 370z very seriously for about 2 months now. For monetary reason I was planning on buy a Certified Used Z, rather than a new one. I figured these are incredibly well built machines and that was going to be the best way for me to get a great heavily discounted price. My requirements on the car was that is MUST be a manual. Sorry to the automatic drivers, but IMO its the ONLY way to drive a car like the Z. Other options I wanted included in dash Navigation and was looking at either Silver or the Platinum Graphite as my two main choices.Other than that I was pretty open to what was available. I began test driving the 370z at various dealerships and to came across an 2009 Touring Sport with Navigation. To be completely honest did not really care for the Sport package. I felt that the Rev-matching system while nice, was almost like cheating and I may be the only one to ever say this but actually preferred the Base wheels over the 19" sport rays! I LOVE the look and feel of the stock navigation but really wanted video playback which the 09's did not have yet. I was quoted an incredible price but had to walk away because it just didn't feel right. I had decided at that point I didn't want the sport package and didn't need the heated leather seats because I would NEVER drive this car in the winter. I decided for financial reasons and to be the most practical I was going to go with a non-sport base coupe. A week later I came across 2 Z's one of which would eventually because my Z. Both were 2009 Base Coupes. One was silver and one was the Chicane Yellow. Both were certified used with less than 1000 miles on them came came with an amazing 7 year warranty! The day was July 22, 2011 and it was an 09 Chicane Yellow Base Coupe. While initially I was leaning towards a silver of Platinum Graphite, at first site the Yellow just screamed at me. After a test drive and some very aggressive negotiations (by pitting the two dealerships against one another to get my business) I ended up getting the Z for $2000 less than the best price I could find within a 100 mile radius! The hour and half drive home was nothing but pure pleasure! http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ure19930-a.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ure19931-a.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ure19932-a.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ure19933-a.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ure19934-a.jpg To Be Continued... |
So one of the things I really wanted was a new headunit. I really wanted a double din unit with navigation and video playback. I began shopping around was stumbled upon this very site. it was on this site that I met Matt Reimer.. AKA BigAudioFanat(ic). Matt was a tremendous resource offering me all types of suggestions and answered the (literally) thousands of questions I had. He is outstanding with his installs in every way and receives my highest possible recommendation. After shopping around I had decided on what exactly I was going to do with my audio install. I went with a Pioneer x920bt head unit, Polk DB6501 component speakers, a Kenwood CMOS-200 Rearview Camera (the Pioneer NDB4 camera was sold out), iPod cable, as well as the Metra ASWC. I was contemplating with whether or not to get the dash kit and after browsing this site and seeing different people installed I decided to go with it due to the tiny gap that was left around the head unit with the original dash kit..
http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-0408.jpg September 18, 2010 The date of installation finally arrived and it all went very smoothly. We even got creative with the location of the Bluetooth microphone. Most people installed it somewhere on the dash or side sills where it is out and exposed. We got it installed in the upper dome lights. We also were able to "hide" the navigation antenna in the rear instead of out on the dashboard. Both are completely invisible and completely functional! Great Job Matt! http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-0443.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...2-img-0442.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-0426.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-0416.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-0413.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-0422.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-0423.jpg |
great looking z! the yellow really is aggressive:tup:
|
9/19/2010
Immediately after finishing my audio install, Matt and I went to Pepboys and stocked up on detailing products. The very nexy day bright and early I began to do a thorough and complete detailing of the Z. It took about 3 hours but I was very pleased with the results. The Products... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...2-img-0464.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...1-img-0463.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-0462.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-0461.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...8-img-0460.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-0459.jpg The Results... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-0450.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...1-img-0452.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...2-img-0453.jpg |
The Z went unchanged during the winter and spring months, but in July of 2011 I made a few small/simple modifications. I changed the Valve stem caps, installed the red GTR starter button and added the Japanese Fairlady Z badge.
http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...nal-button.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...ely-better.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...inished-up.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-1380.jpg |
12/6/2011
So after a few hit and miss attempts on obtaining OEM Nismo wheels I finally landed myself a set. I am so happy with the look! All packed up and just delivered! http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-1656.jpg Unpacked and inspected... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...1-img-1657.jpg Before the install with the original stock wheels... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...2-img-1668.jpg The install.. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-1669.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-1671.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...4-img-1670.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-1672.jpg All done! http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-1673.jpg |
Starting to like yellow now.... :)
|
I like your modding!
|
Forgot to put this in..
a few weeks ago I installed the Nismo Carbon Fiber Shift Knob. I purchased on ebay and it didnt come with the boot finisher. I was able to get a ballcock shank washer from Lowes and it fit perfectly. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-1585.jpg |
Nice mods but you didn't even post pics of the final stereo install
|
Looking good. LOVE Chicane Yellow. :tup:
An easy mod would be to die your interior stitching yellow. Congrats on the Nismo wheels. I just got mine Friday and they look awesome on non-Nismo Z's. |
Its been a while since I've posted in the thread so here is a brief update.
Shortly after getting the Nismo wheels installed I put on a set of Nissan OEM wheel locks. More recently... 4-17-2012 - 20% Window tint and red painted calipers. I really like the way the calipers turned out. Really makes the wheels pop. I was considering getting brake caliper covers but the ones I saw online looked really tacky and cheap. Upgrading to brembo brakes would be really expensive and pointless for the way I drive since I do not race or track the car. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-2247.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-2248.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...1-img-2254.jpg The Tints look pretty darn good imo as well. I was going back and forth between 35% and 20% and decided last minute to just go for the 20%. In some of the pics it looks darker than it really is.. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-2246.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-2249.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-2250.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...8-img-2251.jpg Here we have the final result. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-2253.jpg |
4/28/2012
So after getting my brake calipers painted red and my windows tinted I've been thinking about body mods. I'm very much interested in getting the S-Tune Body Kit this summer, but before that I need a spoiler. I was going back and forth between the Sport Spoiler and the S-Tune Spoiler. After much consideration I decided to go with the Sport Spoiler for a few reasons. Number 1... If I get the S-Tune Spoiler I am then 100% commited to getting the body kit because imo the car looks silly with the S-tune Spoiler without the bodykit. With the Sport Spoiler I think it looks great either way. Number 2, I came across a Non-OEM replica spoiler for a fraction of the price. I just received it yesterday and according to all the reviews I've read online, no one can really tell the difference. The color matching is perfect and I am more than satisfied with the decision. All in all I've saved about $500 by going with this aftermarket replica that is identical to the "real thing" http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...sh-out-box.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...y-unpacked.jpg Test fit... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...test-fit-1.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...test-fit-2.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...test-fit-3.jpg Will report back once the spoiler is fully installed. |
Car and the new spoiler is Looking good man!
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
nah.. i dont have a drill so I'm having a friend (who did my tints and brake calipers) do it for me.
|
Wow love that yellow with the Nismo wheels. Wish they still made yellow.
|
Car looks great! Love seeing another Yellow around the forums =)
|
5/3/2012
Had the Sport Spoiler installed. The spoiler came with 2 screwed and was preset with double sided tape. My installed removed the provided tape and used fresh adhesive that's much stronger. 5/12/2012 Installed new Nissan emblems with red vinyl decal behind them. I really love the look. I got the idea from Smallywood. 5/13/2012 Applied the370z.com decals on the rear windows. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-2329.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...4-img-2330.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-2331.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-2336.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...8-img-2337.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-2335.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-2334.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-2319.jpg |
how much is the spoiler? and where did u get it? :)
|
From ebay.. The sellers id is thespoilercompany. It's a replica but it's almost impossible to tell the difference. Cost me $140 painted and shipped.
|
6/3/2012
I purchased illuminated kickplates from ebay and finally got around to installing them this weekend.. I wouldn't say it was a difficult install, but its wasn't a comfortable one that I would enjoy doing again. Having the crawl into such a tiny car and contorting my body in order to get to the harnesses was not fun at all. I can't imagine how a bigger/taller sized person would be able to do this. The hardest part was unhooking the original harness. My fingers are still sore from that part. Anyways, I'm happy with the results.. here are before and after pics. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...d-unpacked.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-kickplate.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-kickplate.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-installed.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-installed.jpg |
coool
|
the car looks good man but i think you took it a step too far with the red behind the badge .
Also the fair lady badge and the 370 badge is redundant, in japan its called the Fairlady Z not the fair lady Z 370Z one has to go . |
Quote:
|
Great looking car! nothing else to say! I bet you get some serious attention driving around... :-)
|
great looking car but i completely agree with the above statement that the fairlady z and the 370z badge is too much. definately no go on the nismo. then its gone way too far lol
thats like porsche throwing a "911" "991" and "cabrio" badge on the back of a new 911 convertible |
Nismo badge will only be put on if I put on the Nismo S-Tune body kit.
|
So my big summer project for the Z this year is redoing/upgrading the headunit and adding rear speakers. In a few weeks Big Matt aka BigAudioFanat(ic) will be doing my install. What we plan on doing is taking out the 2010 Pioneer Avic x920bt out of my 370z and putting it into my dad's 2005 Mercedes Benz C320 with a Axxess Metra ASWC. I will be installing a Kenwood DNX9990HD in my 370z while adding Polk DB351 rear speakers in the stock location.
After having the Pioneer for 2 years I feel like something is missing. First off I want a bigger full sized 7 inch screen instead of the x920bt's 6 inch screen. While I have had zero issues with the unit I just feel like the system over all is a bit lacking. I thoroughly played with both the Kenwood DNX9990HD and the Pioneer Z140BH at the area electronics stores and just feel like the Kenwood is on another level. Even after doing the install 2 years ago part of me wished I had gone with the Kenwood instead of the Pioneer. Please keep in mind that while Matt gave me his opinion on Pioneers BUT NEVER tried to impose his will or force me into getting something that I ultimately didn't choose. In the end I agree with him that Kenwood units definitely outclass the Pioneers. I feel like Matt takes a lot of heat because he dislikes Pioneers but strangely enough many of the professional installers I've met at the local shops pretty much agreed with his opinion. |
July 28th 2012
So after much anticipation the day for upgrading my Pioneer Avic x920bt to a Kenwood Excelon DNX9990HD finally came. Also in the project included adding 3.5" Polk DB351 Coaxial speakers in the rear stock location. Matt (BigAudioFanatic) arrived at 8:30 and we got started right away. The weather was bright, sunny and hot but the forecast called for some possible rain. I didnt think much of it though because that was the same forcast for the entire week and nothing really came about it. At about noon light rain started to fall so we packed up and broke for lunch. Soon the sun came back out and we were back at it. After finishing up the rear speakers we were on the verge of finishing the headunit install when it suddenly became dark and we were hit with crazy rainfall. After about an hour of heavy rain it all stopped and were were able to finish in the headunit install. I will say once again I am very impressed with Matt's talents as an installer. Once again, he did great work for me and I will never go to anyone else. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-2536.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-2537.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...5-img-2538.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...4-img-2539.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...3-img-2540.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...2-img-2541.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...1-img-2542.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-2543.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-2544.jpg More pics to come later... |
http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-2547.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...port-cubby.jpg USB port in the cubby. Grommet around the cable for a clean OEM look. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-glove-box.jpg Kenwood KCA-IP202 iPod/iPhone Cable installed in glove box. Once again very clean. http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...0-img-2551.jpg No gaps with the Metra dash kit. |
7-31-2012
Everyone once in a while I ask myself whether of not i regret getting my Z in yellow. Its a really bright color that stands out a bit too much and has received mixed opinions from others. Then I have mornings like this where with one look at the car I know I made the right decision... http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...9-img-2565.jpghttp://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...8-img-2564.jpg |
Kinda dead but subscribed anyway. Yellow is sooooo nice!
I appreciate the photos of the rear speaker install and head unit, especially showing it sit flush and no gaps. |
Its been almost a year since I've posted on this journal. I've been pretty busy the past 12 months and TBH for the most part haven't really been on the site much at all. Also other than driving my 370Z I havent made many changes, however... I did change out my dash kit.
I originally had the Metra Dash kit which I felt looked pretty decent with my old Pioneer Avic x920BT, but after upgrading to the Kenwood DNX9990HD I felt that the dash kit looked weird. I put back the original factory dash kit and there was a small gap on each side of the headunit so I wasnt completely pleased with their kit. I found the Scosche kit and was VERY happy with the results. The kit look very similar to the oringal factory bezel, but has a more narrow window which leaves NO GAP AT ALL. The color match with the rest of the dash is better than the metra which has a darker black to it. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/9...4daa1c90e9.jpg |
This past fall I hit a bit of a milestone...
My odometer hit 12,345.67 miles! http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/9...5919accdaa.jpg |
This past May I was in the city and parked on the street. I came back to find my bumper dinged with some scuffing and a semi circle crack going through the paint down to the bumper surface. I tried touching it up with a little bit of touch up paint but was not pleased with the results. After contemplating between adding the Nismo S-Tune finisher to cover up the damage, repainting it, or just living with it, I decided to repaint it. After throwing out a few feelers I was hooked up with a great body shop and go the bumper redone for a very good price.
http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-img-8961.jpeg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...-img-3940.jpeg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...6-img-5429.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/deeep...7-img-1257.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/9...e9dc337652.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9...1da64ac8f4.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/9...60b83556ed.jpg |
My next plan for this summer is to get a clear bra installed on the bumper (which I should have done 3 years ago when I bought the car! oh well...) in about a month or so to let the paint/clearcoat on the bumper fully cure...
Get the rear fog light installed and link it up to my brake light... And the big summer project is getting leather seats installed. I was leaning towards going light grey similar to the factory touring seats in grey, but now I'm considering getting them in a two tone yellow/black with the 370z logo embroidered into the headrest/back rest... and the door panel inserts done in yellow... we will see where the summer takes me... |
Quote:
|
I so want a yellow Z.... :yum:
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:32 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2