Surfdog's 09 journal
 

I guess its time to start a build thread.

I bought my 09 base/bose/sport used with 27,000 miles for $27k at San Francisco Nissan (certified preowned):excited:

Here are my mods (big and small) so far, in roughly chronological order, and a few thoughts on each one.

1. Steering lock fuse pull. Wow what a great DIY mod! 20 minutes because I'm an idiot and dropped a leather-man tool down into my bay:shakes head:

2. Wheel locks. I looked around a lot and ended up with Nissan locks from dealer. Had to be careful to order the 19" rays (sport) ones so as not to hurt my rims with the wrong nuts.

3. Stronger Hatch Springs. The stockers did not get the latch quite open and required two hands to open gate. SF Nissan supplied them as a courtesy. 10 seconds to install.:tup:

Went to ZcarGarage (Rob Fuller) in San Jose and installed the following:
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4. JWT Pop Charger intakes. I decided on these versus the long tube Stillens so I can get to them myself to clean the elements without having to pull the bumper. Also I like the clean install up under my hood and feel in the wintery Colorado weather they will stay cleaner up in there. I might have given up 1-2 hp but I like the compromise.

5. JWT lightweight flywheel. I feel this is mandatory. Upside better torque faster revving engine and better clutch feel, supposedly better gas milage and a 10-15 lb weight reduction. Downside... sounds like a john deer diesel tractor in neutral sitting at stoplights.

6. JWT Clutch. Mandatory swap from that awful OEM clunker. I just took a test drive in a stock 2013 sport to feel the difference my mods have made. lol what a difference. That stock clutch is horrible.

7. Zspeed Throwout bearing (aka, ZSpeed HD Concentric Replacement Clutch Slave Cylinder CSC). Rob suggested this for longevity since we had the tranny off. seemed like a no brainer. The stock CSC is a reportedly high failure item.

8. some aftermarket CSC (dont remember manufacturer). Longevity upgrade

9. Master clutch cylinder. (just to be safe). I understand that swapping out the clutch hardware can cause failures, so I was conservative.

10. Berk HFC. Better emissions, better hp, better sound, pretty stainless build quality. All good reasons to upgrade. I really put it on just to lift a finger to the Fascist California government. It makes the car more efficient AND reduces emissions over stock yet is illegal in the nutso state of CA. Screw you Faciast overegulating pigs. I bolted on a Berk. Suck it.

11. Berk CBE. Pretty much the same reasoning as above. Then I fired up my Z and instantly fell in love! What a beautiful sound. I get a huge kick out of pulling up at a San Francisco stoplight next to a Prius. When I goose the throttle to listen to a bit of mechanical symphony, they look over in horror!:bowrofl:

12. Uprev Dyno tune by Rob Fuller. Ill post the dynos below. I put 4 maps in. 1.Tuned 2.Stock 3.Valet (2700 rpm rev limit) 4.Kill (no start/anti theft)
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13. Dynamat in the hatch. I love the Berk sounds but don't want to go deaf enjoying them. This mod is one of my favorites. I pulled out all my back half trim and pretty much went seats to tailights covering every inch. The noise got way more tolerable. Stock tires still suck (loud) and I had to wait a few months to upgrade. (see below) I will do the doors someday when I can find a free afternoon. For now I am satisfied with noise levels.

14. Filter mag. part #FTM-SS250. This little bugger fit my stock filter then after I later put on a Stillen oil cooler I hit it with a heat gun and stepped on it to open it up a bit. Now it fits the way bigger oil filter used on my cooler.;) I feel like a genius for figuring that out all by myself without help from you forum dudes!

15. Installed a Escort 9500ci radar/laser detector and shifter. A few notes. a. I put the GPS reciever under the dash above my nav cubby. It works great there.
b. I put the little LED drilled into my steering column cover (just in front of the gauges.) Its cool at night when the LED lights up it reflects right smak in the middle of my speedometer like a little HUD display.
c. I'm still looking for the perfect spot for my display unit. Currently it sits on top on my nav cubby. I might open up my home link and stick it shining through the mirror.
d. I put the control unit in front of my seat heater switches, and am going to put a better on/off switch in center switch slot when I get a chance.
e. The Escort 9500ci is pretty awesome. I love the LASER shifters. I feel like such a criminal driving around with them on!!!!

16. 35% window tints on sides and hatch. Hope I don't get stopped!

(edit: I got stopped... for speeding, but the cop couldn't produce a speed gun reading {i wonder why??? see above...} he pulled out one of what appears to be the only window tint checker gizmos in the state and out of frustration wrote me up for illegal tint. {no fine just a fixit}. He said "Well you came blowing past me way over the limit what do you expect me to do?" I did not respond with "protect and serve and start looking for actual criminals"... mostly because I think mod #15 above might make me "an actual criminal"...

17. Stillen 25 row oil cooler. Finally Got it in. The guys who installed it cut the oil lines for a better fit. (the kit comes with really long lines that would have to be wrapped up somehow). Also they shrink wrapped the lines in heavy duty rubber shrink tube to help avoid vibration chafing. My temps are much lower now and the oil cools very quickly even while idling at a stop. I think Nisan are jerks for not making this mod stock, but actually now that I have a way better than OEM cooler in, I'm kinda glad they didn't. My Stillen cooler is pretty awesome.

18. Re-tuned at MAC auto sports in Denver for high altitude driving. The California tune was learning high altitude, but still running pretty lean. Now I have it like this. 1.High alt 2.low alt 3.valet (2700 rpm limit) 4. No gas/anti theft. I'm only putting down 295 rhp on the dyno vs. the 319 I got in San Jose California, but that is at 6000 feet elevation. Also the tuner let my intakes heat soak a bit during the tune which hurt the money shot final dyno a bit. I think if I drove around a bit and cooled my intakes, we would have hit 300. No matter, the car is running really well and is getting good fuel air mixtures up here. (my house is at 9000 feet)

19. Michelin Pilot Super Sport a/s plus tires all around. My Potenzas still have some good tread, but absolutely SUCK on snow. These new tires do better but aren't quite up to heavy snow. I may have to get some blizzaks for winter, just to feel like I'm not going to spin off into the trees every time it snows. If I were to do it again I'd put on blizzaks and suck it up and get Super sports in the spring. Oh well, live and learn.

20. 32 inches of clear bra up the hood and front fenders. The bumper is kinda beat already so I left it naked. I actually traded a buddy pass on my airline for this work! ka-ching!!! I also wrapped the a-pillars and the mirrors. I'm thinking plastidip in the fangs/grill area. we'll see.

21. (not really a mod, but...) I cleaned out my garage enough to put the Z inside and out of the snow. Of course my wife claims the garage for her beat down 330i, now my baby has a home too.

Thanks for tuning in I'll try to get some pics in below.

here is the "resized" filter mag in action
http://www.the370z.com/members/surfd...ilter-mag.html

Here is my "low altitude" post mod dyno
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

Halfway through laying down some Dynamat
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

Shrink wrap on the Stillen oil cooler lines!
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

oops I forgot about refinishing the yellowed headlights.

here is a before shot
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

during shot
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

and the finished product (waaaaay better)
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

step 1 mask off with tape
2. wet sand with 600 grit
3. 1000 grit wet sand
4. wool pad buffer/compound
5. cotton pad/compound
6. heavy foam pad/compound
7. med foam pad/compound
8. light foam pad/compound
9. apply acrylic sealant
10. light polish with light pad/compound
11. enjoy not having to buy and install new covers!!!!

Speaking of cosmetics, I let a buddy drive my Z around near his work and he curbed the SHIZZNIT out on my back right wheel. OUCH!

Sooo... after a bit o' research, I opted for a sand and repaint job.

Here is a shot of the dude in action!
Nissan 370Z Forum - SurfDog's Album: Surfdog 09 370z sport - Picture

Long story short. 100 bucks per rim. 3 hours. They look good as new.

I would have powder coated, but it was twice as expensive and I would have had to leave the car for 2 days at the wheel shop which I did not have time for.

The downside is I think I would probably have gone a shade darker (like gun metallic) had I done a full re-powdercoat! That would have been pretty sweet. Oh well!

Yesterday I put some Plasti-dip on my emblems. I wont burden you with pictures you've seen a million. I will say it is goofy fun to do, and oddly addictive. I think I might try it on my fangs.

Interesting build :tup: but i suggest you to insert a couple or two of the pictures here so it's gonna be a lot interesting ;)

REALLY addictive, right?

I never learned how to do that on my laptop, but here is a picture of SOME of my project cars. lol
Attachment 63288
Shown in photo:
Revo 3.3
ERevo with mamba monster speed controller
eMax
Mini Revo (x2)
Some Rc helis
Gary fisher mountain bike
Marin street bike
... Oh yeah and the Z

This is the garage of a guy with too many hobbies.

You should see the rest of that garage...

Started work custom fabricating an iPhone mount just forward and right of the shifter. It's definitely a work in progress.

Just finished my phone mount using some bend iron
Attachment 63614
Attachment 63615
Double sided moulding tape
Attachment 63616
Attachment 63617
And an old mophie juice pack
Attachment 63618
Attachment 63619

It works GREAT!

I think I forgot to mention my 25 row Stillen oil cooler. My oil temps are about 20-30 degrees cooler on hard driving 140-180 tops!!! (and cools down quickly at idle.)
Installed at MAC auto sports in Denver. Great shop! I think I put some photos above. The only downside is I think I might have crimped a washer fluid line when reinstalling the bumper. Is that possible. At any rate I'm piling it off in a few days to troubleshoot. Might be I just have a clogged fluid line or bad sprayers. We will see...

Next up Quaife LSD. The box arrived via FedEx this morning. I should have it installed by mid next week. The hope here is that I can hook up a bit better on snow (maybe even get out of my driveway after I hit it with the snowblower)

Attachment 64027

I also want a little better control and more predictability when power drifting. The stock VLSD is a bit random how and when it lets go with powered oversteer, and when I regain traction it's with a inelegant "lurch" which makes the whole experience non enjoyable.

People say the Quaife geared LSD is much smother and more satisfying. Goodbye tire tread, hello Costco tread warrantee department. I can hardly wait to experiment with the new back end.

Attachment 64029

Crappy unboxing picture. Ill post some better ones during install.

Surgery has begun!
Attachment 64512
Attachment 64513

nice~~ i m planning to get a LSD install myself also. All I found was 350Z DIY. Keep us posted on how it goes and would you recommand this as a DIY?

Would not recommend DIY unless you have a bearing press like this Attachment 64519

You need it to press new bearings onto the diff (old ones will be toast if you try to get them off)

Also unless you have a LOT of experience setting the shims to give you proper gear spacing you will probably goof it up.

In other words if you have to ask if its a good DIY it is not a good DIY. lol

I'm currently running a ton of spacer combos trying to hit the sweet spotAttachment 64520
Some guys get lucky with stock spacers. I'm not so lucky... Murphy is my copilot today.

Whew. Got it!Attachment 64531
Now to bolt back in.

by way of explanation, these are diff shim combos. I was trying to get the ring gear "lash" into the spec range (otherwise diff will blow up really quickly)

I didn't have the EXACT right shims and finally had to slightly "machine down" a slightly thick one to get the right size. We used a big belt sander to take off a few thousandths... It worked great but took great care to ensure we got it EXACTLY straight/even.

Nismo diff cover on
Attachment 64538

Whew back up and running. Attachment 64554

Surfdog's 09 journal
 

On the way home my dash lit up like a Christmas tree.

RED Brake light!
YELLOW VDC light
YELLOW ABS light
YELLOW Anti skid picture (you know the one)
YELLOW caution triangle light

It was a bit... Disturbing, especially since my LSD was only about two hours and 20 miles old

I finally figured out it had nothing to do with the LSD install (I suspected the ABS sensors were damaged or misaligned). It was just low brake fluid (still well above "min" on the reservoir which I think is misleading)

Anyhow the LSD is really fun to drift with and a great mod! I see improved grip on accelerating turns (without VDC coming on to nanny my driving so often)

Now I'm waiting for another big snow (this weekend) to try out my super slick driveway! We'll see if I can really justify this one to my wife as a "safety enhancement"...

...I think she might be on to me.

(Edit: after a year troubleshooting I tracked my brake problem to the stub axle from Z1. The one they sent with my Quaife diff had one or two less teeth on the ABS cog than stock. The car always thought the right wheel was turning about 5 percent slower that the left. I swapped the cog for one with proper number of teeth and Boom! Problem solved.)

Update on washer issue.

When I put my wheel cover linings back in after the Stillen oil cooler install, I got the washer fluid line smushed in between the liner and a shock tower.

After some poor visibility driving in last weeks' snowstorm, I moved and lightly zip tied it. Good as new. (I have cancelled my order of a new pump from Nissan! lol. I'm an idiot.)

I've decided NOT to trust my Z to the dealer to replace my non failed steering lock.

Attachment 75926
Finally Plastidiped my fangs.
Attachment 75927
I know lighting sucks

Upgraded to HP plus racing pads in front and HP street pads in back. (went DOT 4 on the fluid too) (I have a track day coming up...)

front:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance/hpplus.php

rear:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance/hps.php


Also installed a kill switch on my escort 9500 ci. (Just in case 'someone' wants to inspect my car).

Nice work so far man. Keep it up!

Still on my todo list...

SUPERCHARGER!

alas I have a wife who doesn't really get cars so...

A local is selling his Stillen kit for a very good price you should consider it. If your a DIY guy you can install it yourself no problem, then just pay for a tune.

I"m saving for GTM stage 1!

Just pulled my hatch weight! yay!
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ing-issue.html

Attachment 75948
Brakes!

Track day finished off the synchros on 5th gear so dealer is dropping in a new tranny for me (under warranty)

Also, while the car is up on dealers lift getting a new tranny for a few days, I'll powder-coat my rims. The paint from my original rim repair has begun to flake off and looks terrible. Forum member Shadezz has a friend who will strip and coat all 4 wheels for $300.00 total ($75 bucks a wheel). I'd say that's a pretty good deal!

:excited:
I just ordered:
1. Z1 hub centric spacers (15mm front 20 mm rear)
http://www.z1motorsports.com/g37_370...oducts_id=3118
and extended lugs:
http://www.z1motorsports.com/g37_370...oducts_id=5410

2. Z1 ss brakelines (and some more RBF 600 fluid for the bleed)
http://www.z1motorsports.com/g37_370...oducts_id=5285

3. Hawk ceramic pads for up front (the HP plus pads are too dusty and squeaky, and I worry wont give enough grip during the cold Colorado winter) I'll keep the HP plus pads handy for track days!
http://www.z1motorsports.com/g37_370...oducts_id=4338

I'm hoping to put together an install day with Shadezz next week (he has new ss lines coming as well):tup:

Hell Ya!!! Can't wait to see you rims done and have our brake line upgrade day next week sometime!!

Some updates!! Test fit the new gun metal powder coating on his wheels!! They look like brand new and color is unique...I'm calling it the track pack color!!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps16da421f.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psc84c89aa.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psbc73669b.jpg

It's starting to really grow on me Surfdog...might even wanna see what that color mounted on my MB would look like.

New tranny installed. Feels like new... because its new!
Covered by my warranty so it was a freebee!!

Also did the Steering lock recall while I was there. (now, have to decide if I'm going to re-pull my SL fuse)

HP plus brakes. Awesome at the track! squeaky, dirty(dusty) and poor cold wx grip on the street. They are coming off and going into my track day bin.
370Z (Sport Package) Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads are going on (at least untill spring)

I just ordered Phunk's fuel starvation fix!!! It is a preproduction order so the part is probably going to be an early 2014 install, but will be ready for sure in time for spring lap days!!!!

New (track/snow tire/backup)stock rims!!!!
Found them used for 900 bucks at a used wheel shop. Woot!
Attachment 77115
Attachment 77116
Hope the gloss black does okay against my silver paint!!