kvin

I bought a 2003 DE about a year ago, having fun driving it but I'm mechanically inept. Have managed to replace the duff window motor....

The previous owner took off the plenum spacer to sell elsewhere but I got it (removed, with nuts and bolts in a box) with the car. I reckon I need to refit it.

First question is it worth doing. I've got the paperwork which shows a Horsham Developments engine upgrade package in 2012 at 48000 miles including silenced decats and intake plenum spacer kit and grounding kit. Then same year an Abbey Motorsport "Dino tune and Osiris standard" at 51500 miles.

Car now on 68000 miles or so.

So to my simple mind putting it back on may do no harm and might improve performance, but would be grateful for informed views.

And if putting it back do I need a gasket - I assume there is one and if so do I leave that on, and do I need another. Otherwise is it a case of unbolting inserting spacer and redoing with longer bolts (as well as fiddling with the bolts to alter the height of the bar that sits across the plenum....,)

(I'm hoping that replacing it will be no more fiddly than replacing that window motor....)

Ordered my undertray yesterday, got it this morning. Excellent service thanks (now to sort all those existing cable ties and broken bolts in the old one and get it fitted)......

Found a good home for it, gone, thanks.

Thanks for approving. Hope someone will find it useful.

Just changed my passenger side motor - is the old one, that worked erratically, any use to anyone? Free for collection in Chippenham, or could post if you pay the postage. Was going to bin it but thought I'd check first.

Just changed the motor in the passenger side - despite being a mechanical numpty it only took a couple of hours as I took it nice and steady. Couple of points. The guide is for the drivers side - look at Renegade's link for instructions on stripping out the passenger side. And that guide also suggests taping up the window glass and not removing it which worked very well for me.

If you're changing a motor, it's relatively easy to just undo the three securing screws and pop the old one off and the new one on then replace everything.

And when putting all the (12) securing bolts back in the door plate leave out one at the top. I was confused as I appeared to have lost a bolt. But the top securing bolt on the passenger pull handle which comes off first and goes on last is also a securing bolt for the door plate.....

Thanks that would be useful!

Towbar fitted....now to try and upload photos then run for cover...

(OK, I'll go read the instructions for posting photos again).

Pm sent, wheels and tyres!

Science- Did you get yours done and if so was it Dorset way? I've got rust just appearing in both arches and want to find somewhere recommended if possible.

Ta for that Paul. Getting the towbar in a couple of weeks so will then look at racks.

Anyone else got any more views on headlamp converters or is nothing at all the way??

That sounds good - bolt the rack direct. Saves weight and very secure attachment, and save the issue about type approval if no ball. Do you know the witter model number by any chance?? I can then look at it. I think the towbar compnny stock them too so can raise it with them.

Hi Paul, You are right, that a tow bar on a post 1998 uk spec car needs to have "type approval". There is no type approved tow bar for the z. And the tow bar is part of the mot. Interestingly the mot test doesn't include a check on the type approval only the condition of the tow bar. So I reckon if the tow bar is a bolt on bar the ball section can be removed and only put on when using it as a bike rack mount. Then it ain't a tow bar, it's a bike rack mount which is legal. I 'm not proposing to use it to tow, but it should take about 40 kilos of rack and bikes...

The guys who are fitting it are specialists in after market tow bars to unusual vehicles, and they propose taking off the aluminium bracket across the rear of the chassis and replacing it with a steel cross member bolted to the chassis ends then attaching the tow bar mounting to that.....should be interesting!!! Plus a 7 pin electric socket for a light bar.

Planning a trip to Munich...and wanting to use the z. Two issues. The first is in hand, we're taking 2 road bikes and cycling across to Lake Garda. So getting a tow bar and tow bar mounted bike rack sorted(!!!). Will post pics in due course ( but it will take time as it's a one off fabrication). I know it verges on heresy but I really don't want to take the estate car and leave the z at home.

Second issue where I'd appreciate help. Headlamp converters for a 53 plate 2003 (U.K. GT spec with zenon headlights)?? Have some Eurolites but the blurb says June 2004 onwards. Any advice or experience gratefully received.

Have the same issue, can anyone recommend a body shop down south - I'm in Wiltshire.

Thanks Rob, did you get the one from "Deutsch teile" or "allparts buddy" on flea bay? They look the same. I may well give it a go at that price. I guess that so far it works(!)?

I've got the irritating window motor problem - passenger window sometimes doesn't close that last centimetre when the door is shut. Up till now I could push it down and it would work and then go back up but now it sits and clicks at me without moving.

Eventually with a combination of hitting the door panel while holding the switch, turning the ignition off and on etc it has budged.

I've read the very helpful guides about cleaning the bushes etc, but I'm mechanically inept and would prefer to pay someone to replace the motor for me. I don't enjoy tinkering, and get very frustrated when things go wrong when I pick up (and immediately drop and lose) a spanner.

Can anyone point me in the direction of someone who can supply and fit a new motor?? It's the passenger side, a 2003 z, and I'm in Wiltshire.

Thanks!

Just some minor mods (rear wiper and front number plate mount removed) and a plenum spacer which I have to refit, previous owner took it off....

Enjoy using it when I get time. Never been much of a car fanatic, just a mid life crisis I reckon! Looking to get the rays refurbished and there's a duff patch of paint on the rear bumper - quite a few alloy refurb places around, do you know of any that others recommend?

Another z in chippenham here (53 plate). Only had it a few weeks and still finding out about things like non closing windows (!)

Dean.B - is this the "coin box" that sits just behind the gear lever - is it black and have you still got it and how much posted??? The spring loaded lid on mine is broken.

Interesting thread. My driving improved when I started driving artic milk tankers - not sensible to brake hard so you had to do several very good things - look well ahead, assume there was s stationary bus around every blind bend, and play the not braking game.....and yes everyone else was a potential idiot.

Just bought a 350z (2003 GT in blade silver) and enjoying driving it very much. Already found though that many other drivers will speed up when you are around!! Is this a common observation?