I like the 240 profile, I think it would look good on the 370, kinda pays homage to where it all started.

same here, actually right now that's the logo I have for my license plate. I bought a black piece of plastic and then painted that 240z side profile on.

Very interested in purchasing the front and rear emblems. Can't wait to see the finished product!

I finished the program for the front emblem. It's 18 megabytes of windows notepad text and 3 hours of machining time per badge . I'm not sure if I took the right approach. I want to make the badge look as good as possible, but I also want to keep it from being outrageously expensive. The prototype badges will most likely be made with the program as is, but for production the cycle time must be cut dramatically. This doesn't necessarily mean they wont look as nice, I just need to make the program more efficient.

Ballpark price???

The work being done in this thread is awesome! I'm especially digging that 240Z license plate frame. Or maybe possibly one without the profile shot.

Kind of explains why so much of the crap out there is injection molded plastic, no? :rolleyes:

I know you are asking about machined parts, but wonder if you can do sheet metal or CRES (chrome reinforced steel) either
material powder coated black to redo the OEM License plate bracket - I hate the way a portion of the OEM bracket travels
up above the mount point and has the possibility of chattering against the fascia. I know its a rough drawing - but talking
about something like this. I started thinking about the suggestion cause I am not really feeling the Stillen off-center tow bolt
mounted version. I like the idea that its tow bolt mounted, just not the fact that it's off center. It takes away from the lines
of the Z that are otherwise so clean and symmetrical. Another variation is a drilled tow bolt mount that allows for an L bracket
that pushes the plate to a more centered location that still covers the mount. Just a suggestion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bracket -standard plate width - mount area 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep... Larger holes allow for mount screws to pass thru the front of the
bracket... the other 4 holes allow for license plate mounting.

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...ateBracket.jpg

yes, because they want to make it cheap (And by cheap, it's both price and quality) as they mass produce the product. Technically if there's enough people out there willing to buy (which I can guarantee there isn't that make this process worthwhile), this whole machine job could apply to the mold instead of the part, which will tremendously reduce the cost of tool and time.

Unless you're forging or casting something, you're most likely dealing with something injection mold-able, which in this case will be plastic of some sort, then a second operation of chroming to make it look metal when it clearly isn't.

I can look into the design when I have a chance. If I know of a shop around here I can ask for a quick quote. Or if you know of one, you can also do the same around your area. But I think it'd be best to make one out of a solid piece instead of a sheet metal. I would most likely eliminate the bottom 2 bolt holes anyways because it's not really helping the license too much structurally. It should reduce the part size dramatically.

I personally like the 240Z side profile as well....but I think it's because it's actually designed by Nissan Co. of Japan.

But for reducing cost, I was thinking a license plate frame can be bought and then we can machine the frame as a second op. However, it would look just like the rest of the other license plate frames out there, the writing will be indented instead of popping out of the frame. Either way, I think it'd be nice to have them anodized to a color of preference. In my case, I would dig black anodize.

i just use a matte black metal plate frame i bought from Griot'sGarage long time ago. it's simple and doesn't distract focus from the car when one looks at the car.

For those of you with a creative nature, and no buddies with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of CNC machines or easy access to a local shop to do small quantities, there is a Web based service that I've used for 7-8 years now for some of my proprietary parts. They have a free Cad program you download, then design away. Instant quotes available on most any quantity, and the full gamut of machines available to make your part. Extensive materials list too...

Check it out at: CNC Machine Shop | Custom Waterjet, Plasma, Laser Cutting | eMachineShop.com

Thanks a lot Modshack, I really appreciate your help here. This will help me and others!

Just thought everyone should know, I am here to help the community out by draw up whatever in CAD (esp the more advance stuff). So this helps me and others to get a good idea how much the parts will cost or even made.

Also, another note, for the people that want to know how much these emblems, or other parts will cost, I nor AGstacker can give out anything right now because we're not in business to sell anything, at least yet.

Once we get the protos in, we have to breakdown the cost to machine, labor, time, etc, etc and then we can come up with a price. Then one of us will have to become a vendor in this forum to sell....so please be patient in the meantime.

Like Modshack states above though, I can go out there and issue a quick quote, but I guarantee it'd be more than you're willing to pay for these emblems. Either way, I am glad there are great service like that available for us people with no machine shop connections or access.

ive got 8 years experience with AutoDesk Inventor if you need any models made AgStacker.

now we're even closer to getting our emblems! :p

No problem! It is a handy service, and like anything Machined, quantities bring the price down. One-offs can be pretty pricey. As an example, I have these black MAF holders machined for my VW/Audi MAF tubes... Quantities of 30 in CPVC run around $15/each. Quantities of one can run in the Hundreds of $$'s...

http://images36.fotki.com/v1176/phot...SC04776-vi.jpg

modshack- are you going to offer the z intakes? i noticed you had made different MAF housing on the Z...(?)

Well......I've built 2 now...One on Zpirates car, and my old one now on PapoZalsa's. One other set in the works. Not being a vendor here, I'm not really trying to market these to the Z crowd..

oh i see. well, if you ever do id like to try one. :tiphat:

yea, i know...sucks how that's the way it's gotta be. It's the way of business i guess. Huge quantity requires less setup time, run time per part, less labor, etc, etc....

Kind the reason why I was a little hesitant at first with the Machining emblems, the Z logo has some pretty intricate features to it -> directly driving the cost up. But it'll look really nice :tup:

Either way, thanks to AGstacker being able to program that with CAMworks for his CNC. Now it's just machine time we're gonna have to wait on.

Very nice part by the way! Kinda makes me want to dedicate my full time job to design car parts instead of making Medical Devices to save lives :P

How does Nissan corporate feel about their trademarked emblems being reproduced by custom shops? Do they care? Some companies jealously guard against that kind of thing and others don't care at all. Just wondering if anyone knows Nissan's attitude?

where did that z go... oh here it is. here's one for your car:

http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/d6b60981ac527dc6

Well...I don't know Nissan's Policy, but I will say that Audi came down hard on a friend of mine who was marketing to Audi enthusiasts. The direct Mark was not even used, but the affiliation was there. When they got tuned in, they became very threatening legally causing him to stop marketing the product..

LOL it's a beauty. But I don't think it will go with my plaid car wrap. :inoutroflpuke:

Well maybe we can just donate some money and the emblem we'll be a free gift...

They'll probably come down hard. I had to deal with Ford when I tried to make a calender with pics I took of my V6 Mustang :rolleyes:

Signal lights on ext-rear view mirror
 

I always like signal light on the rear view mirrors. And spot light on them pointing front :) just like the bat mobile.:yum:

Shhhhhhhhh....

Well then..... let's order an ship 'em off real quick!
heh heh........

Alright guys, Im at the shop right now entering my 15th hour of work today, The part is in the machine and 75% done, I'll post up a few pics while I'm waiting. Give me a few minutes, gotta check the machine.

^ in for pix

After the first roughing cycle

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...9-p1000035.jpg

after the second roughing cycle

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...0-p1000041.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...1-p1000042.jpg

3rd roughing cycle

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...ure16792-a.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...ure16793-a.jpg

Waiting on the finish cycle, heres a few more pics

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...6-p1000044.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...4-p1000050.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/agsta...5-p1000051.jpg

It's done, this thing looks f#cking awesome! I'm pretty damn tired you'll have to wait till I get home for the finished pics...

Wow! looks freakin awesome! Any estimated cost?

GREAT JOB Agstacker! Looks really really nice!