roscopervis

Having just recently switched, I can offer some advice on this:

Fuel - Not much difference if I'm honest - my Stage 1 S14a did 26-38 mpg (38 was a crazy motorway run, typically got 27-29 mpg or around 350-380 miles out of a tank). The Zed is currently doing 27 mpg. I'd say the Zed does roughly 1-3 mpg less. The tank is 15 litres bigger though so fill ups are big money!

Parts - the 200 is cheaper in this regards, there is a bit of a Zed tax compared to S14 items, but they have been around longer. Some things that would be around £30-40 quid on teh S14 are coming out closer to £100. Exhausts are much more expensive, but that could be due to the need for twice as many pipes! The S14 is also easier to work on so cheaper labour costs. Things like clutches and other similar fittings will be much easier on the S14.

Servicing - I always serviced the S14a myself with Silkolene Pro-s oil, but will probably get the Zed serviced at a garage. That means it's gonna be more expensive for me. The Zed uses more oil per service and has 2 more spark plugs as well.

My S14a was incredibly reliable but did require a bit of welding last year. The Zed is much more robust underneath. The Zed seems more fragile with things like ARB bushes and Banana Bushes though.

The Zed feels a fair bit slower than the Stage 1 S14, and is probably a second slower to 60 and 2 seconds slower to 100. Also, the mid range punch is missing. Saying that, the Zed handles better and is more liner. That means you have to be in the correct gear more often.

I miss the 200 a lot if I'm fair, but I do enjoy the Zed too. It's a bit more grown up, but I miss the easy tuning style of the S14.

Paid.

I play drums and have been for about 10 years. Used to be in a few bands of the Life of Agony/Kerbdog/Alice In Chains ilk, along with a metal covers band. Have a Drum World 6 piece kit (local company), and a mixture of Zildjian, Sabian and Paiste cymbals. I use a Pearl Eliminator double pedal and also have a nice Yamaha snare.

Still not very good though!

I'm putting my name down for this!

I'd be interested in this too as I'm looking to procure an undertray.

I could have a look, but not sure when I could get there after work. Maybe Thursday if that's ok?

Horsham Developments is just off the M4 near the Newbury Bypass (A34). That or Leeds would be closest for you.

I've had the Hankook V12's, albeit on a 200sx and I really rate them. Similar to Falken 452's, but about 5-10% better all round, plus they are quiet too.

Knocking is probably failed drop links for the rear anti roll bar.

Might be a good time to get a decent stereo too!

The strut brace is obviously adjusted correctly if it's on now. Undo the 4 bolts each side and get it off. It has no option but to go back on correctly, just do up the 4 fixings each side.

Spark plugs would be 10 times harder!

Looking to get an engine undertray, and also the little plastic bit that goes over the lip under the front bumper. Whilst I'm at it, some fixings would also be great!

Thanks.

Cool.

That one and one of the electric ones in the ribbed trunking were both handging down. All fixed now. What I have noticed is that I don't have the foam bumper thing that goes behind the front bumper and sits on that big metal cross member. Do you still have that?

Other than that it's going well!

Fixed it, the pipe is actually 5/8". Loads of generic hoses out there. Cable tied under the plastic cover to stop it straying, just driven over 400 miles, all is well.

I really need a pipe today! The pipe is 1" in diameter so I'm gonna get some generic coolant hose and use that today, before replacing it properly. ZMANALEX, I'll be in touch!

After a week of trouble free motorfing I have my first proper problem. It seems that Ian, when removing the supercharger etc has lost the clips for the water bypass hose. As a result, it has chaffed on the drive belts, causing a leak. What are the chances Nissan will have this hose in stock tomorrow? Really need the car this weekend! Arggghhh!

This is the hose that I need:

Any ideas what size this is, any right sized hose will do temporarily.

Jez is indeed very good. A bit of a legend over on SXOC and somebody you can trust.

A bit late, but ffor future reference, having used both the Falken F452's and the Kankook Ventus Evo V12's, I would say the Hankooks are about 5-10% better. There are some newer Hankook Evo's out, the S1 Evo's and they are doing really well in recent tyre tests.

Got it!

I bought Ian's that was for sale. Drives great, but there was one thing wrong - the left speakers aren't working off the aftermarket HU! I've had a look and for some reason, the left speaker wire after the PAC unit thingamy was cut?!?! Fixed now.

Coming from a tuned 200sx, these are my thoughts -:

The car isn't as fast, which I expected, but the linear thrust is more controllable. It can still wipe you out of not careful. It is also accelarative at motorway speeds. I think the first 3 gears could be livlier, hope an Uprev and supporting mods can do that. I'd say it's about 2 seconds slower to 100.

The chassis is better that the S14a, in that it is stiffer, though the balance is surprisingly similar. There is a little more inertia in the Zed. The standard dampers are better controlled too, though my sx was on coilovers for the last 3 years.

Brakes seem to be excellent, one of the sx's weak points, really impressive.

From all the reviews, I was expecting a heavy beast, but overall, the controls aren't weighted much different to the sx, but it all feels tighter. Pretty tame really, the torque of the sx when on boost was impressive, but not too easy to modulate, which means the sx is a wilder animal to drive!

So far so good though. It is certainly fast enough, it's comfortable and looks great. Happy so far. I think I'll be changing the stereo, which is voluminous, but lacks sound quality. I've got few decent 4 channel amps kicking about, but I doubt it will be a straight swap for the Bose stuff. I'll leave it a while first, power comes first!

Thanks for your warm welcome!

Got it!

I bought Ian's that was for sale. Drives great, but there is one thing wrong - the left speakers aren't working off the aftermarket HU! Gonna look at that today. Still the engine note is pretty entertaining!

Coming from a tuned 200sx, these are my thoughts -:

The car isn't as fast, which I expected, but the linear thrust is more controllable. It can still wipe you out of not careful. It is also accelarative at motorway speeds. I think the first 3 gears could be livlier, hope an Uprev and supporting mods can do that.

The chassis is better that the S14a, in that it is stiffer, though the balance is surprisingly similar. There is a little more inertia in the Zed. The standard dampers are better controlled too, though my sx was on coilovers for the last 3 years.

Brakes seem to be excellent, one of the sx's weak points, really impressive.

From all the reviews, I was expecting a heavy beast, but overall, the controls aren't weighted much different to the sx, but it all feels tighter. Pretty trame really, the torque of the sq when on boost was impressive, but not too easy to modulate, which means the sx is a wilder animal to drive!

So far so good though. It is certainly fast enough, it's comfortable and looks great. Happy so far. Hopefully sorting out the stereo will make me extremely happy. I have a few aftermarket amps kicking about, but knowing Bose, it won't be as simple as that.

Thanks for your warm welcome!

Nice car Ian, spotted it on Pistonheads, though didn't realise it was on here as well. That's good to know, would much prefer a car from an enthusiast. I'm just a little bit more excited now! Oof!

Getting a bit ahead of myself, would you accept a part paypal payment? (would cover the fees of course?)

This was my pride and joy. I've come to terms with it now though

Hi, my name is Andrew and I'm a petrolhead!

My beloved S14a 200sx was rcenetly rear ended, which unfortunately wrote the car off after 6 and a half years of ownership. After considering a sensible diesel saloon , I've seen sense and am now actively looking for a 350z - it seems like the logiocal choice!

I think I've passed through my modding stage with my S14a, which was running about 280bhp. It was a great learning tool and I loved driving it, less so fixing it.,However, if little things make a decent difference, then I'm most likelky gonna do it!

I live in Gorseinon, Swansea, so the shorter the distance to find a good car, the better!

I guess I'm looking for a 2003/2004 GT model, must have the Rays wheels!

Anyways I'm a bit of a sponge/nerd when it comes to car knowledge so I'm gonna be spoending some time reading up on these vehicles. Hopefully with what I learn I can give back.