ross27

I shared the same feelings earlier in the year! Just moved into a new house with lots of DIY to do, and the 370z was not exactly practical for trip to the dump or B&Q! Toyed with selling for a decent estate (Was looking at S4's, and even the new Focus ST estate), but then thought how i would hate myself if i then had to put a load of rubbish into the boot of them! In the end, i stole a couple of grand out of the house fund and got a low mileage 53 plate focus estate! Its not great, but i use it daily and it is yet to let me down. Managed to got a 3 seat sofa in the back with the hatch closed!! Makes the Z so much more special when you jump back into it on the weekend!

The 370z shares the same wheel as the Juke, however the one above has been significantly re worked. The Nismo (Juke & 370z) has a standard shaped wheel with alcantara sides, and the red ring at the top.

Will do, was sent out today and should have it tomorrow so looking forward to it! Little worried though now I've been driving the car that the extra padding may make it too thick. Also, as he only sends the wheel and not the centre part, I'm not sure how the bottom spoke of the centre of the wheel will fit over the new flat bottom! Looking at the flat bottom carbon ones on the US forums, i think it will be okay mate: http://www.the370z.c...cf-element.html This is the photo he sent me:

I bought a wireless controller, so i can control the brightness of the lights. It also allows you to cycle through various modes, with different dimming/strobe effects. It was just a cheapo from eBay, but i opened it up and soldered it into my wiring. The receiver is inside one headlight, so my plan is to take power from the sidelight on one side, into the headlamp, then run a cable across to the other from the receiver. With it being RF, it doesnt even need to be visible to the remote. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371062532812

Looks great Josh! Make sure you get plenty photos of the steering wheel when it comes! I have been speaking to Jack about re trimming mine, and had settled on a similar finish to yours, but with the red centre ring.

Wiring in the units now sorted. Just got to give them a final clean (finger prints all over the bloody lenses) then reassemble. Not sure i'll get a chance to get them on the car before christmas though..

Only used laquer on the shrouds where i wanted a gloss finish. Just the wiring to do now, hopefully have them finished early next week.

Going back together. Think i will black out the reflector behind the indicator bulb.

Glossed the shrouds, and painted the front badge to match them. Just waiting to dry, then i can reassemble and get the wiring sorted. Painted the inner ring of the indicator shroud red to match the main headlight shroud.

In my opinion, the Evo R lip is the nicest lip for the 370z. With out looking too in your face, or like a cheap add on. (i feel thats what the Ings lip is) Ive got mine sat waiting to fit, but im wanting to scrape the money together and get the bumper resprayed at the same time. On yours, i would suggest painting the fangs to match the lip center, or getting the EvoR fangs to match the carbon section. Assuming that is carbon center on yours?

It would be a nice wee hobby on the side. I used to weld up stainless decat pipes for the Mazda MPS forum. Made about 20 or so before i got fed up! The hard thing about this is that i am not a painter, not an electrician, so i wouldnt feel right charging people a pretty penny for a non proffessional job. However with that said, i do take my time with things and if it aint 100% for me, i'll re do it. I'll see how this set go and take it from there. Finding the time is the hardest part!

Cheers guys. I had enquired about Hydro Dipping the shrouds, but felt it would make the lights too dark for my liking. Instead i spent 10 minutes in Halfords trying to choose the right colour. I went for Rover Gunmetal in the end, and im fairly happy with it. Would have likes it a touch lighter but im not going to change it. Probably a similar colour/shade to the carbon to be honest. Gave them a couple coats of paint tonight, and will rub down and lacquer tomorrow. Wanting these to be a contrasting gloss finish against the rest of the housing.

I had considered the hydro dipping, but wasn't too sure where to get it done. Carbon would have looked alright too, got carbon spoiler, front splitter and spats for the car. Thinking a colour inbetween the standard silver and the Sparkling Graphite. Then may do the door handles to match. Trip to halfords tomorrow after work i think!

Bit more painting. The colour is BMW Sparkling Graphite. The red parts are the lens holders which will hopefully show through the shroud once assembled. Hopefully be a nice touch. Still to pick the colour for the shrouds, so they are still in primer.

My brother in law is a panel beater and i did ask him his advice. He suggested a rattle can will be absolutely fine since they are in a sealed housing. Ive took the extra time to sand off all the chrome, so ive got a decent base to start with. The light output is via a projector lens, rather than a reflector, so there will be no reduction in output. One of the reasons i hate headlight tints/fly eye film. Picked up a spare set off eBay. Brand new for £300 a unit. They are over a grand each from Nissan!!! I did see people saying that, but was of the opinion we do not get the same temps as the guys in the US. Fingers crossed i dont have any problems, but im taking the chance anyway! Just putting the primer down on all the bits tonight.

I'll heat them up to soften the glue, and press them back together. I have bought a spare pack of butyl glue, which i will also work into areas that may be a little sparse. I see! Is it true that's it's very difficult to get a proper seal back on headlights? To be honest, this is the first time ive ever attempted it, but im confident it will all be okay. The glue is not like silicone, or a hard setting glue like a poxy resin. It softens with heat, and when warm, you can manipulate it back into the grooves with little difficulty. Once i do this, if i see any areas that look thin, i'll work a little more into the grooves.

I'll heat them up to soften the glue, and press them back together. I have bought a spare pack of butyl glue, which i will also work into areas that may be a little sparse.

Hadn't spotted those threads before, thanks Looking at them, i think i will keep the shrouds a lighter silver.

Thanks guys. If it was a case of opening, painting and puting back together, it wouldnt take that long, but there are small mods required to fit the halos that take up loads of time. Got the paint today, but still not too sure on the shroud colour yet.

A little more cutting...

Okay so Halos turned up this morning, along with the LED controller. Had a little play with them, and i cant believe how bright they are!! Controller works perfect, and since its a RF remote control, i dont have to worry about the position of the controller. Also been sanding the chrome off, which appears to be a very thin coat of paint, as opposed to chrome plating. Comes off very easily. I dare is i am going a bit OTT removing all the chrome, but i want the best job i can do. Since im going for the dual halos, im also putting a projector lens infront of the indicator, so have some modifications to make to the base for this. Got the clear lenses to swap over the OEM ones. Lights off. Clear lens on the left. OEM lens. Clear lens.

Started sanding them down tonight ready for primer/paint. Halos are on the way from the US, along with some clear projector lenses. The plan is to use the halos as DRL's, i.e on all the time. However i am going to wire in a controller so i can turn them off too, and also mess about with brightness and flashing effects. I know, ive just had so much going on recently ive not found the time! Spoiler is on, but the spats and front lip aren't!

New Halos & Clear Lenses Cutting, Sanding & Test Fitment Painting Insides Painting Shrouds Glossing Shrouds Reassembly of Insides Test Video of Halos Resealing Lights Installed Parts List Original message: Had a spare set of headlights sat in the spare room for around 3-4 months, and finally decided to open them up tonight. Turns out they were very easy to open, and only used a cardboard box and a heat gun! Progress will be slow, but i thought i'd start a thread to hear peoples suggestions/views. The plan is to paint the insides a dark gunmetal colour, keep the shrouds the current colour, and add in halos. Hopefully get something looking like these in the end! Let me know your thoughts! Ideas:

Jay is Evo-R. His email address is on the website.

I bought mine direct from Jay. Hopeless communications, so keep pestering him! He had two instock, so i bought them both. GStraw then bought the other one off me. Once ordered, it was here in around a week.