JAP350Z

I have contacted Rising Sun Performance in Ropley and also Abbey Motorsport, so just waiting for a response. Here is a quick update - I haven't had a proper chance to do anything on the car as I was called out to the Far East. I was wondering about the comments on this post about there being little chance of the car having a blown head gasket. The day before I left for the Far East I decided to have another look and took off the intake manifold and noticed oil coating the whole inside, also some oil pooling in the intake manifold collector. The pattern of oil showed that it seemed to be coming from the PCV hose. I removed it and the PCV valve and noticed oil dripping off the valve and a layer of oil in the tube. I cleaned up the coating of oil, including the PCV valve and throttle valve (intake manifold side - no oil on the air intake side) and then fired up the engine. Still some grey/blue smoke, but not as bad, and after a few minutes there definately weren't any clouds of smoke. Tried the car again the next day and I assume the PCV valve was still drawing in oil, as there was now some smoke and it definately had a burning oil smell. The oil and coolant levels haven't dropped and there is no contamination in the oil. The PCV valve, from what I know, has never been changed. I have seen a few sites in the USA talking about the PCV valve and that it should be changed every year. Not sure if this is correct, but from what I have mentioned above does anyone think it is something as simple as PCV valve failure? Unfortunately I can't check this until I am back, but I thought someone on here might know.

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to try Abbey as they seem to get the thumbs up from most people on here. Car is an 03' with just over 60k. Only engine mod is a plenum spacer. Hopefully Abbey might find out it is something else and not a head gasket, although I won't be holding my breath.

Thanks for the info. I have been told that Bishops in Guildford might also be a possibility. Abbey Motorsports name has been mentioned by a few people, so looks like a trip to Oxted.

Looks like one of the head gaskets has gone on my car. lots of grey smoke from the exhaust, which doesn't really disappear. Local mechanic checked it for me - tested the coolant and found exhaust gases in it. He has done minor work on the Zed, but doesn't want to tackle the engine (can't blame him really). My questions are: 1. Does anyone know of someone who would be able to do the work on a Zed and are based in the Surrey/Hampshire border area (Alton, Farnham, Basingstoke, Guildford, etc)? If you have had major engine work done with them, that that would help make up my mind. 2. Anyone know how much it is likely to cost? Thanks for any help.

Prise up the two covers for the arm rest. Disconnect the wiring block from the electric window switch. You will see a couple of small bolts, where the switch cover was, that need to be removed. Lift up the silver pull handle and remove the 'triangular' shaped piece of black plastic behind it. You will then see another short bolt that needs removed. Once you have done the above, the door card pops off (give it a gentle tug) and you can easily unbolt the broken bits of the plastic handle.

This has been written about previously. If you can get hold of a UK spec DVD, that fits in the slot behind the drivers seat, then you can get the JDM sat nav to work. I did it on mine & was lucky enough to find a disc in the unit I bought off eBay. It took about half-an-hour, was a bit fidly, but a straight swap. You will be left with one wiring socket that doesn't plug into anything on the UK DVD player, just tuck it out of the way. The only other thing is having to live with the Japanese buttons.

Having taken off the bumper, it's a simple task to take off the wheel arch liners as well. Once the wheel arch liner is off you can change the front indicator bulbs from orange to crown silvered. (See here, but there are other companies - http://www.jdmperformance.co.uk/item_de ... odID=52189) Two quick and easy mod's at the same time.

I may not be exactly right, but as well as limiting the revs I believe the SNOW button also starts you off in 2nd gear, to limit wheel spin. For the POWER button, I haven't used it that often as I tend to be lazy and just put my foot to the floor - the auto box changes gear so quickly there never seems to be a problem. What I seem to remember is that it changes gear at higher revs. Also, I don't think the auto box changes up to 5th if you floor the car from 0mph, it seemed to hit the rev limiter in 4th and then not do anything else. Maybe the POWER button works best for 0 - 60 blasts away from the lights.

A good advert for learning to drive properly - try CAT Driver Training.

I have a spare (used) pair - just after postage if you want them.

gazhull8474 - have sent you PM. Lights came off my car back at the end of 2006 when I came back from China. The replacement UK ones cost me about £1500 from Nissan in Petersfield. LHD ones are safely boxed in a nice dry shed, though I haven't tested them since they came off the car.

I have a set that came off my car. I live a few miles outside Alton (Hampshire) on the A32 if anyone is interested.

It could be interesting to know when the car was serviced and if that made any difference to the figures. Nice work.

I have a pair of european lights from my Zed. If you could look into shipping, I would be happy to sell them for a small cost. If you happen to be in London or Hampshire soon you could collect them. Or if are going to be visited by someone, and they are happy to carry them, they could pick them up.

I'm after the piston seal and piston boot (2 no.) for the rear offside Brembo. See attached jpeg.