Mondo 300 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I figured I'd do a little thread here for my "old skool" Zed as it's very nearly a year since I bought her. Previously, I had a black 2+2 twin turbo auto that I converted to manual, but I never quite loved that car... possibly because I'd always wanted the SWB 2 seater one. So I made the decision to sell the black one and replace it with a Shortie. All I had to do was find one! This one came up on eBay with a one-line description. Ideally, I wanted a white one but Shorties are pretty rare over here (being import-only cars) so I decided to email the seller for some more info. He was very helpful and sent me plenty of pictures, including the spec sheet for the forged engine build that the owner before him had had done! I paid a deposit and toddled off down to Kent to collect her. The start to my ownership wasn't great - the rear passenger wheel tried to part company on the A1 near York at "70 mph" which was terrifying! So she made the last bit of the homeward journey on a flatbed. Turns out that the alloys had no spigot rings and slot-on spacers, so I can only assume that the wheels were vibrating which resulted in 4 snapped wheel studs! Once I replaced those and changed the wheels, never had an issue since. Anyway, here's some of the pictures the seller sent to me: The body had plenty of scuffs and dings, not to mention a pretty caved-in driver's door. The rear lights were all crazed, the front lip was quite badly damaged and stone-chipped and the interior... god, someone had removed all the fabric trim and just painted (with rattle-cans) everything in silver! It had a horrible shortshift fitted and, honestly, it was just crap. I had some serious regrets once I'd driven her for a couple of hours. But she was a factory manual, twin turbo Shortie and that was what I'd always wanted so I had to start formulating a plan to transform her into a good looking machine once again. Here's the two Zeds on my drive at the same time: Realistically, she needed a respray. And a retrim. And new wheels. And new brakes. And a thorough service. Lots of work, basically! I swapped the wheels from my old black one as I'd grown quite partial to them and they helped to change the look straight away. Replaced the knackered tail lights with a set of brand new 99 Spec ones from Nissan USA. Got a fibreglass boot spoiler to replace the knackered original one (seeing a pattern here?). Swapped the knackered seats for a pair of Recaro Speeds with the rare factory Z32 subframes, and changed all the panels out at the same time. Then earlier this year, I had a full 120k service done and a few other little jobs under the bonnet, including bigger SMICs with brand new pipework and a new alloy radiator. The engine bay looked like this afterwards: A nice little transformation to help contrast with all the silver bodywork. Then it was time for a full respray, including black roof bars, B pillars and the "moustache" on the front bumper. I decided to keep the standard silver, rather than try to change the colour. Once that had all been done, the interior was letting the side down quite badly so I took a couple of weeks "off work" to sort it out. And here's what she looks like nowadays: Not bad for just less than a year of ownership! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryjackson Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 This is incredibly smart. Props to you sir 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very nice work 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very nice, used to have a LWB TT manual myself - didn't know they made any TT shorties, thought they were all NAs... also thought they were all slicktops - so much kudos for finding a SWB targa top, TT manual, they must be like hens teeth! loving the interior and seats, the only mod i'd really recommend is a 99spec front bumper, never got on with the standard one, really dates the car IMO. but a 99spec one would be sweet. Have you turned the wick up on the engine yet? when I bought mine it had intake, intercoolers and exhaust all done, so a quick chip from zedworld free'd up another 60bhp or so. admittedly the clutch struggled and then eventually the engine blew, but if you've got a forged build already you should be alright! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very nice, used to have a LWB TT manual myself - didn't know they made any TT shorties, thought they were all NAs... also thought they were all slicktops - so much kudos for finding a SWB targa top, TT manual, they must be like hens teeth! loving the interior and seats, the only mod i'd really recommend is a 99spec front bumper, never got on with the standard one, really dates the car IMO. but a 99spec one would be sweet. Have you turned the wick up on the engine yet? when I bought mine it had intake, intercoolers and exhaust all done, so a quick chip from zedworld free'd up another 60bhp or so. admittedly the clutch struggled and then eventually the engine blew, but if you've got a forged build already you should be alright! I actually bought a 99 Spec front bumper for her earlier this year, but I actually really like the original one. I think that the little aftermarket lip on the bottom changes the whole look of it, so I decided to stick with it. Shorties are pretty rare over here anyway, especially factory manual TT ones, so I jumped on the chance to own the Zed I'd always wanted. Never fancied a Slicktop as I'm a huge fan of open-top driving. Powerwise, I'm estimating 400+ at the moment. She's running around 16psi with biggers SMICs and a Selin Dual MAF intake, but I'm umm'ing and ahh'ing over new turbos and injectors in the future...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 This was mine: Loved that car when it was working, but unfortunately the 7 months I had with it were all too short, and it spent a lot of that in the garage (Steering rod ends, boost leak, clutch, extensive sill repairs, clutch again...) When the engine went bang as well after all the work i'd had done it pained me to split the exhaust and wheels and sell the car for scrap, rather than fork out another £1500 for a replacement engine. In hindsight I might have done differently, but the demise of my 300zx did lead me to a 350z, which is ultimately the better car, 3 years completely trouble free motoring. However whereas the zed is relatively dainty, the ZX was a proper beast - low, long, wide, very loud and made a lot of power, no electronic driver aids if you get it wrong. I remember driving home after picking it up and spinning the wheels in 3rd as the boost kicked in, which was a tad sphincter clenching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 You know I love that car Si. Stop showing off! It depresses me to think my Z32 is nowhere near that standard and won't be for a few years! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davectr Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Congrats on all the hard work Si, it looks stunning in the sunshine! Definitely a keeper that one, just needs new turbo's and injectors 😜 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Great to see something brought back from the brink, gorgeous motor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullet Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Beautiful car, i've been looking at these a lot recently 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sized Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Wow, that is gorgeous. Amazing work 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 This was mine: Loved that car when it was working, but unfortunately the 7 months I had with it were all too short, and it spent a lot of that in the garage (Steering rod ends, boost leak, clutch, extensive sill repairs, clutch again...) When the engine went bang as well after all the work i'd had done it pained me to split the exhaust and wheels and sell the car for scrap, rather than fork out another £1500 for a replacement engine. In hindsight I might have done differently, but the demise of my 300zx did lead me to a 350z, which is ultimately the better car, 3 years completely trouble free motoring. However whereas the zed is relatively dainty, the ZX was a proper beast - low, long, wide, very loud and made a lot of power, no electronic driver aids if you get it wrong. I remember driving home after picking it up and spinning the wheels in 3rd as the boost kicked in, which was a tad sphincter clenching! I think I actually remember yours from the forum - didn't the engine pop due to an oil cooler line or something? You know I love that car Si. Stop showing off! It depresses me to think my Z32 is nowhere near that standard and won't be for a few years! Aww, don't be like that - I have to show off a little, Lexx I'll do you a nice deal on a retrim when the time comes, how about that? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve916 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 All credit to you Si You've done a brilliant job with it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Nowhere near finished with her yet - the underside's to be stripped, sealed and painted over the winter, along with a completely refurbished rear subframe. The wheels will be getting refurbed in the next few weeks as well as they're letting the visual of the car down down. And, ridiculously, I'm thinking of redoing the interior as well... even though it's cost me around £1k in materials alone already! There are a couple of bits inside that I want to redesign to make it stand out a little more. But she's a good solid car, which is pretty rare for these things in itself. Had her first MOT under my ownership a few weeks back and she flew through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Lovely! The 300ZX was never something I'd paid much attention too until seeing one at a local meet not too long ago, it looked great in the flesh, never think pictures do that car justice. Left the 350 standing in a straight line too, good old boost eh? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano94 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Looks great! Liking the wheels. Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justthejedi Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very interesting read and what a transformation, thanks for sharing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 WOW! That's very nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Stunner! Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Thanks guys Here's a couple from the Nissan Experience at Donnington earlier this year. I had the good fortune to spend most of the Friday night with a few members from here - twas good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humpy Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 It was great meeting you that Friday evening Si and the car is a credit to you. Looks fantastic in the flesh and that interior is lovely 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 A very small update to this thread: I finally got around to retrimming my very manky-looking handbrake handle last week! Just a remodelled gearknob to do now... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted February 26, 2016 Author Share Posted February 26, 2016 Quite a significant update to my old Zed... I recently had the alloys refurbished as they were really letting the overall look down. I used a highly recommended local company but, sadly, the end result and their attitude towards me being unhappy about the finish were absolutely disgraceful! The wheels look like they'd been painted in Hammerite and were pretty much ruined! I couldn't justify spending any more money on an old set of wheels so I decided to bite the bullet and just buy some brand new ones instead: A set of Calibre CC-F wheels in gunmetal grey, 8.5x19 fronts and 10x19 rears! I got a set of custom badges made for the centres, to match the OEM badge on the nose panel, and that was all they needed. Quite a sizeable difference to the appearance of the car, and I love 'em! I'm still smarting about the refurb fiasco, but I'm very happy with the wheels I've ended up with because of it... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Good stuff fella, will own one of these at some point I am sure! Shame about the refurbs, amazing how many companies react so badly when challenged on their workmanship, just shows how commercially idiotic some people are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted February 26, 2016 Author Share Posted February 26, 2016 I could write a huge long diatribe about the refurb "company" - indeed, I have done in a few places! - but suffice to say that I was explicitly told I should be happy with the lousy finish on my wheels as they were cheaper than other places! If I conducted my business that way, I'd be very poor very quickly...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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