ianphampton

I went on one in June (Carrington, Manchester, following a photo taken by Staffordshire Plod) for 36 mph in a 30 Before I went I was going to extract the urine from them, but in the end I just sat and took it on the chin as I didn't think it worth provoking them. (Yes, I bottled it) Did I learn anything? Not much. I know my signs and Highway Code and the stopping distances, and I never said anything about how a competent driver in a well maintained and well set up vehicle can stop way before their 15 year old generic calculations - but there was about ½ hour of interesting stuff on how to recognise what speed limit you're actually in. It's four hours of your life you'll never get back, but. . . . look on the bright side - you didn't get 3 points on your licence and it's only £25 more than the £60 fine. They did give you the option of taking the points and the fine if you didn't want to take the course, so. . . . I don't think you can really buck the system and in the end it's easier to just swallow it.

Last Gig - Wishbone Ash (in Chesterfield, November 2010) Last album (well, CD) Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow (in June 2011)

Just out of interest. . . .the Valdemort forum was also offline tonight - tried to get into it at 23:52 and get the "Server not found" message - take heart all, it's not just us For the record, I always come on 350Z-UK first, I find the people nicer and (normally) it's friendlier too, and the occasional outage is tolerable, especially when it's all done by volunteers. Anyway - if schadenfreude gives comfort, the other lot went down tonight as well

There's a couple of engines on ebay for around the £2k http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NISSAN-350Z-VQ35D ... 1e64ceede4 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NISSAN-350Z-350-Z ... 4cf862391e No idea if they're any good, but they might get you mobile again without all the engineering mods.

Have you tried Adrian Flux? When I had a couple of mods done to my Z a couple of years ago (Uprev, Y pipe) some people couldn't handle it (I was with Direct Line at the time and they threw a complete wobbler - "Why do you want to increase from 276hp when the UK speed limit is 70mph" ) but Adrian Flux were all OK with it - since then I've told them "Unless you beat £xxx then I'll move" and so they stay competitive - and now I'm looking at a couple more mods they're OK with it again, and they seem to understand what 'remap' means, which is more than most. (Though it'll add £xx to my premium when I do it!)

Darn, missed jubei post and bought a spare one from Nissan1st in Welshpool on Saturday, so I could polish it up. Already started with the wire brush and getting ready for the flap wheels - so, Thanks guys, but now I'll see how it progresses If I mess it up, I may come back to you, so, Thanks for the offer My carbon fibre engine cover arrived form the USA today, looks beautiful just out the box - hope it fits! I'm looking forward to matching the carbon fibre engine cover and the polished plenum - pictures will follow when it's all done.

So Far, nothing I'm hoping that after 2 weeks now they've forgotten about me. . . .in which case I have a pair of Berks for £333.12

Re speed of changes - I can't say, in relation to the Jag - car was my brothers' and he didn't want me to thrash his pride and joy down the lanes. . . In general, auto gearchanges are normally swifter than manual,when changing up. But - when driving an auto I normally manually change down before a corner, bring the revs up to hold the power level in the corner and then you're in the right gear to power out - (I hate the kick down just when you're on the apex or just past it - I need to be in the right gear before then) but by the time you're manually changing down as you approach a corner. . . well, why not do it manually. But then - I like to tell the car what gear to be in, rather then take what some auto box chooses to give me. It's the same on overtaking - I change down, bring the power in, then accellerate as the other lane clears so you're already accellerating when you get into the gap - rather than the auto box kicking down for me - I pick the gear when I want it. I agree completely with rtbiscuit about it depending on what you want and part of this is how you want to drive. I've had auto Volvos and I had an auto Grand Voyager for a couple of years. I enjoyed them - I think the auto box made me drive more gently, and I felt like a nice relaxing, very smooth drive resulted, as my driving style modified to match the smooth, gentle vehicles. (Also - trying to push the Grand Voyager was difficult as she had major body roll, and there was quite a lag between putting the power in and the 2.5 tons responding. . . ) I'm not sure that smooth and gentle is what I'm looking for in either the Z or the Jag. If I've got 300 horses (or 420 is it in the Jag?) then I think I'm looking for a bit more spirited drive, and the more direct feel of my trousers and the road and the closeness I feel to the driving is better in a manual. (IMHO) Note,I've never driven a paddle shift, so it's possible you get the best of both worlds - but until then I'll keep manual in a sportscar and auto in a more relaxing machine - hence my earlier comment about ". . drive on the motorway" Having said all this - it's obviously a very personal thing - go and have a drive - and buy it if you like it, even if you only keep it a year or something, I hope you enjoy it!

My brother has a 2002 XKR It's very nice, fast, comfortable, it's difficult to say any faults, but. . . . Automatic gearbox, isn't my choice if you really want to feel in control. . . . The whole car is so smooth, it's difficult to feel you're in harmony with the machine. It's very nice. . . but it has no soul. If all you want is a nice car, (yes, fast, OK) for a quick drive on the motorway, fine, but if you really want to feel your motoring. . . . I'm happier driving my Z, and would pick it over the Jag every time.

I've seen a couple of other peoples engine bay improvements and want to get my plenum cover polished. From these other threads it seems it will need quite a bit of time to polish and I'd like to avoid having to take it off and put it back on 2 or 3 times whenever I wanted to use the car. To get round this I was going to buy another plenum cover from a breaker, polish it, then it's a single swap. (And if I time it right, probably get Abbey to do it at the same time as fit a spacer and a remap as well) I'm just concerned if there are different shapes / models in the plenum cover? I have a 2005 JDM import, and would hate to buy and polish something which then wouldn't fit on her. Can anyone else advise me, please?

Mines a 2005 JDM. I had her UpRev'ed about a year ago. I use Magnatec, and she's not a heavy drinker, but I top her up every 2k or so, perhaps 100cc each time, so it's maybe about the 1 litre between services. I was told that 350Zs tend to use a bit of oil an so check her regularly, so it never develops into an issue. The oil on the dipstick stays pretty clean, light in colour, so I don't think there's any underlying problems, and I think the 5W30 is pretty thin, (Compared to the old 20W50 I used in my earlier cars, which was like treacle!) so it's not really surprising she uses a little.

I actually find it slightly sad, as my engineering blood feels for the poor engine thrashing itself to pieces.

Anybody know the roadster / coupe split? And - do these figures include JDM figures or are they just UK models?

Berk HFCs – direct from the USA I missed the last group buy of these, and was quoted “£420 delivered†for a non-group buy price. As I’m not easily put off by minor inconveniences I had a look getting a pair direct from the USA. After checking the Berk website ( http://www.berktechnology.com where the list price is $499.99 ) I found you can get them cheaper from Concept Z Performance in Phoenix. ( http://www.conceptzperformance.com ) Advertised price there is $449.99. I called Concept Z and they told me the international shipping was $80. Contact there (“Cozâ€) was efficient and friendly, and “ . . .there’s no problem shipping to the UK†So. . . I ordered them on 8th June $529.99 has appeared on my Barclaycard as £333.14. When they arrived today, I had to pay UPS £23.38 for import VAT and admin fee, and this makes the grand total price of £356.52, - so I’ve saved about 20% off the price. So – if you’ve also missed the group buys, and want a pair of HFCs, it’s no problem buying direct from the USA, you’ll get them in less than a fortnight and they may cost you less than you think. (Of course, this varies by the $ / £ exchange rate, but currently £1 buys you $1.60 so it’s pretty good) All that needs to be done, now, is scrape up the necessary for a trip to Abbey to fit them and get a remap to enjoy the full benefit! Edit added 21/06/11 at 00:30 - Tarmac tells me there may be a VAT invoice from HM Customs which has not arrived yet - so suggest you wait a while before ordering, I'll update this if I get another bill - or will update in 10 days if nothing further heard from HMC&E.

I bought a Y pipe back system (K2) from Japspeed and thought about doing it at home - You can't really get under to fit it, on a jack and axle stands - I sized it up and there's no way I'd fit under. (Mind you that says as much about the size of my beergut than anything else!) One local garage said they'd hire me a lift for a couple of hours for £20 which I thought was pretty good, but another local garage (who I used to use for my Volvo) said they'd fit it for the time it took - and were sure it would be less than an hour. In the end it only took half an hour (though they ended up with the main mechanic and an apprentice on the job) but they only charged £27.50 plus VAT If you want to do it yourself, it's just so much easier under a proper lift, you can get in, there's no crawling about - and I completely understand your wanting to do it rather than let some unknown (and potentially a moron gorilla) loose under your car - Good Luck - and you'll love the sound when it's done

Saw these on eBay - thought £100 opening bid for a set of alloys to be pretty good. . . . http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nissan-350Z-Origi ... 19c617b791 Good Luck to anyone else as I don't need them

I phoned several track day circuits and none of them want to do this at all - the only place I found to drift was Santa Pod. (Northamptonshire) I had the same desire as you, heard about Donuts and Drifting, thought I'd try it when the old tyres got low and needed to be changed. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=49060 This is what I found when I went. . . . had a good day. Costs are reasonable at £60 for the drift booking, plus £10 for any guests who just want to view. Just google "Drift What Ya Brung" and it'll tell you the rest. Remember to take new tyres if you're taking your own car. You'll also want to come off before you completely destroy your old tyres or they'll blow and then you get a real mess of rubber flapping in your arches and (perhaps) coming out and ripping up your paintwork. Also - if you put your new tyres on at the end it takes ages, so allow at least another 90 mins to put the new tyres on as the queue is very very very long. Oooh - and they don't balance them, either. When I queried this it was the classic "No demand mate - most people here just put old rubber on and then go and burn it off again - no point balancing that!" Have a good day!

Really liked the 'forecasting stone' in your post. And, yes, going to the islands is definitely on the list. The only problem I have is the lady complains that the boot of the Z (I have a roadster) doesn't allow her to take the full selection of clothes so we're stuck on going for a few days only at the moment - she's pressing me to get a luggage rack for the boot so she can take more. (I'll obviously not get any extra room. . . . its just for her) When we get that sorted out, Cal Mac will hear from me. Tempting the wrath of all you Scots. . . I also enjoy Gentleman Jack which is a product of Lynchberg, Tennessee. (Sorry guys, please don't report this post to the moderators for bad language!)

Thoughts after a 4 day weekend in Scotland. . . . There are so many things which are over hyped, and then disappoint when you actually get them. However, there are just a few which always deliver. One is Bowmore single malt - that smoky flavour gets me every time I taste it, it's just. . . .sublime. The other is driving the Z. After 4 days, from the M74 run to the A roads to Edinburgh and then the roads through the glens, and she performed faultlessly through them all. The satisfaction as you put the power on and she pulls out of the corner. You don't even have to do it fast, you probably know what the Scottish roads are like, they're narrow, road surface isn't always that great, so often you're only doing 45 but the sense of the car being just-so-right as you come out the corner and accelerate up the hill. . . . On one of the other threads (can't find it, now, perhaps someone else can put the link in) somebody asked "What's the best thing to buy my new Z" and several replies were "Petrol - just go and drive it" and I thought "How right - just go and drive it" After months of the nightmare M6 and the average speed on English motorways being now about the same as a horse in 1895 - 4 days driving in Scotland restores your joy of motoring - and the Z is one of those very few, those very precious things which never disappoints, she always delivers. . . . and your heart lifts every time! Still. . . back in Manchester now, and back to work tomorrow.

I took both parts but they only looked at the photo ID Biggest problem was finding the right person to log me in - you'll probably have to ask around! After that - well, have a look! Good Luck, have a good day

Suggestion for your new tyres - Goodyear F1 Eagles - almost no road noise and good adhesion, even in rain (but don't push too hard in the rain, all the same)

Fitted K2 system today, sounds great. Had a bit ot trouble getting it to fit, but the sound is fantastic. Age. . . . 55 a week ago. I have to admit I thought about a K1 but . . .I like to be able to hear the stereo and to think, even after an hour on the motorway! With the K2, there's the deep resonant growl as you accelerate, and 4000 to 5500 revs it's just beautiful, but once you level off and cruise, change up and the revs drop to 3000 the sound drops off to pretty normal. But - feed her a little boost to overtake end the growl builds again. . . . lovely

Really useful thread, this, I enjoyed reading all the various experiences. Decided to get a K2 as the K1 seemed just a bit too overpowering, and I enjoy the great sound but after 2 hours on the motorway I still wanted to hear myself think. So, K2 it was - When it arrived from Japspeed, one setion of about 12mm on the backbox was not welded, but Japspeed were really good and swapped it without any hesitation. Fitted it today. Decided there was no way to fit it without a garage lift - how right that was! As ever - with the right tools, the job was straightforward - total fitting time about 45 minutes. Needed quite a bit of juggling and some bending of the bracket arms, got it level there in the end. So now - how does she sound? Absolutely wonderful. As you accelerate there's this resonant tone, and between about 4000 and 5500 it's a lovely deep growl. Once you're cruising and change up, drop the revs to 3000, and . . . . you can still hear the stereo. But you give her a little encouragement to overtake and the deep resonance thrills you again. I haven't actually driven a K1, but this K2 sounds beautiful to me.

Varley16 - Stoke martinmac..... Southern Lake District Unabashed - Northwich AK350Z - West Cumbria HEADPHONES - Manchester Ricey - Chester Greeny - Chester ChrisS - Corwen ste01 - St. Helens Matt L - Stoke Quavey - Lancaster LukeaJones - Rhyl Clarkie34 - Wigan JetSet - Chester/Deeside ray350gt4 - st helens/rainhill Marzman - Macclesfield Brown7758 - Chorley Jenni86 - Bolton threefiftyz - Preston Bakseedaa - Preston M13KYF - Altrincham 370nel - Warrington rogerxp - Stockport |Chris| - Manchester haz65 - Leicester johnpaul - Liverpool. Beavis- Newcastle Under Lyme Dillydot82 - Preston iram - manchester (black edition no.123) ianphampton - Hyde (Gtr Manchester)

Got one almost perfect from AutoArt, but its LHD. Colour is spot on, though Have a look at eBay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nissan-350Z-Roads ... 4aab60ecaf