Phaddi_inc's BlackZ journal
 

Finally decided to do my own journal, I been wanting to start one for a while.

I own a 2009 MB 370z 6MT touring/sport/Nav persimmon interior. I live in Ontario, but ended up buying my Z in Richmond VA (saved a few bucks, and got the color combo/trim I wanted). In the lead up to the purchase decision I lurked on this forum as well as watched all the youtube/review videos I can. TBH I hadn't even seen a 370z in person until I got to VA to pick up mine. I was blown away when i seen my 370 for the first time, pics just didn't do it justice. It was the best 1100mile road trip back home to Northern Ontario.

List of mods to date:

(performance)
Stillen CBE
Stillen Gen3 CAI
(mod?) All Redline fluids

(exterior)
EvoR rear fog
Ings+1 rep frp front lip (color matching)
hood damper mod
color matched emblems


(wish list)
High flow cats (undecided...and tune)
swift specR springs
20mm/25mm spacers
powder coat my 19" Rays (matte graphite or black)
rear diffuser CF
fang cover CF
mirror covers CF
CF engine dress up

This list is constantly changing/evolving, I want so many things but budget ultimately dictates the pace of upgrades.



Here's a few pics of the car when i picked it up. I brought it in and had my parking lights wired to come on with ignition (to meet Canadian RIV requirements).
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First thing I had to do was take off the trim around the wheel wells, and the 'faux' CF scoops :ugh2:
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I purchased a much needed Porter Cable xp and Adams polishing kit. What a great investment, especially for black vehicle owners. I was able to knock out all the swirls and imperfections in the finish. Now a fine machine polish in the spring before putting the Z on the road is all that's needed.
Nissan 370Z Forum - Phaddi_inc's Album: The Adams Kit has arrived!

At this point I needed better sound, I got a great deal on a Stillen CBE and jumped on it.
I Also recently purchased a set of Gen3 CAI's from another forum member and installed them over the winter. I couldn't wait to get the car out after the install!

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The 'KF' hood damper mod was a real treat when installing the CAI's, hood height or access was never an issue.

Here are a few pics of the first day out with the car this year, it was freshly polished but a slight layer of dust managed to get on it before i can snap a few shots.
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My Z is nowhere near as dressed up as some of the others on here, but I hope you guys enjoy! I'll update this thread with the front lip install/process once I get all the pictures together. Thanks for looking guys! :tiphat:

Your baby still looks sexy big guy. Love the car & pics. Having & getting everything put on that you want is not going to happen over night. Remember patience is the virtue. We all have faith in what you want to-do with her. FYI keep us up-to-date on the mods & pics.

looks nice! Good call on taking off those scoops on the skirts

Thanks man, I appreciate your input. Got so many other things on the go atm, patience is definitely going to be the toughest part.

Ha! Thanks man, they came off day 3 of owning the vehicle. :tup: I bought a heat gun that day just for those bad boys. Its much more clean and sexy without them that's for sure.

Great looking Z buddy :tup:

looking good, but where'd the emblem go?

Love what you did w/ the Ings lip! I've got the same one from Nextmod in my garage along w/ the Evo-R that you just commented on in my thread. I plastidipped it and that hid some of the imperfections, but it was nowhere near the quality of your finished product.

I'm still undecided what to do w/ mine (the painted Evo-R lip). I really don't feel like messing w/ the body tape if I decide to yank it off after a week or two...

No doubt man, I was back and forth trying to decide between those 2 lips...I liked the idea of the sides color matched and middle CF on that evo. I bought the ings lip from nextmod hoping the finish would be acceptable as is in that matte black finish. Once it arrived I knew I had to paint it, I was going to sand and do a flat black but a buddy convinced me to color match and clear. more of a stock finish rather than an 'add-on'. I used a bit of two way tape on my install, but tbh I didn't need to, not sure about the evo lip instal, but im curious to see what it looks like color matched on a black Z. Your car looks perfect without it too, the spacers and drop are awesome, at that height the stock body lines look sweet.:tup:

phaddi_inc

Thanks man! im drawing inspiration from other black Z owners like yourself.:tiphat:
Hope to have mine looking as bad azz as yours one day.

phaddi_inc

The plastidip looked ok on the Ings, but after leaving the lip in the garage for a single night, dirt and dust collected on it and I could tell it would be a pain in the *** to keep clean. I really like it paint matched, and agree that it's not so much of an add-on now. Looks great :tup:

I'm super bummed I didn't save some money and paint the Evo-R lip myself like you did your Ings. Where did you get the MB/clear paint from?

hey, I picked up my paint and clear at an auto body supply shop (maslack). I gave them my vehicle color code and they made/mixed a can (total like 50$ for everything). Painting the base coat was easy, I struggled with the clear a bit, but in the end I had like 4 coats so I was able to wet sand it all even and smooth and buff it to a shine.
What are your plans for the ings rep? have you considered painting it, for 50$ its an affordable project...?

phaddi_inc

more shots of the lip
 

Heres a few more pics of the front lip. I recently purchased this canon t3i, but I have no idea what im doing with it yet...:ugh2:
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the lip is really growing on me, although I feel like I really need those springs and spacers now to bring it all together. your opinions are welcome guys, thanks for looking.

phaddi_inc

to be honest, i have no idea what i'm doing with either lip right now. like i said earlier, i'm satisfied with the stock appearance right now. today i trimmed down the two pieces of the stock aero lip that swoop down (check out my thread for a pic). i think it cleaned up the front a bit. i'll probably end up selling both on here. lmk if you're looking for a backup lol.

Ha! ya man I might be, I was going to lead up to that ;).
PM me a special price lol ...

very nice Phaddi, lip came out great

Very nice subtle mods!

Thanks guys! I appreciate the compliments.:tiphat:

Once I figure out how to use this camera to its true potential I'll post some better pics, might even throw my girl in a few of them ;).

phaddi_inc

wow verygood

Color matched the emblems
 

Here's a few pics of the emblems and some other shots from tonight (wish I would have wiped those damn bug guts off :shakes head:).
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The emblems came out great :tup:

Thanks man, if I wasn't so frugal I'd splurge on those black chrome emblems from the z store (I think u got them, they look the best :tup:)

A ride in the Beast
 

So I went out with my neighbor yesterday in his R8 V10...WOW, acceleration in that thing was something else, almost made me feel light headed a few times. I snapped a couple cell phone pics, nothing special but I was happy to have the Z next to that beast :driving:
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Yeah, they are the black chrome emblems. I wish I was more of a DIY'er, I would've definitely painted 'em over spending the $$ if I had the space/time.

That R8 is badass. The Z looks great next to it too!