Raz's 2005 350z

[FossilFish]

This thread is going to be simple mods and progress with my cheapish 350z.

 

Sorry it's not super duper but I'm on a budget and I'll try to keep a record of my progress and anyone who's interested.

 

I've got dyslexia (had to spell check that) so apologies for my bad grammar and odd style of writing.

 

So it begins, like you I've always loved the 350z since I first saw one (sunset orange).

I have seen this 350z parked up on a side street and after two years of sitting I finally managed to speak to the owner and settled on 2.5k for the car, I threw some V Power and jump started it and it seemed well.

 

This is after I pumped on tyre up and threw a few twigs aside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like the black and orange tang interior.

[FossilFish]

I bought this last Friday and ordered a W brace online from Ultraracingshop who shipped it super fast and it cost me £175 delivered (sale price and a further 5% off as I left it in my basket over night 😉) the last MOT gave an advisory so it had to be done

 

 

I swapped it out struggled with one bolt which would not thread. The old brace was rotten 

 

Washed, clayed and T cut the paintwork most of the panels which has come out well

 

 

Dropped another £15 Vpower as I am a tad worried about some white smoke from the exhaust. It's on startup I've only had the car running 15 in total so hopefully it clears up otherwise it's not such a bargain. 

 

The seller was in his 60's and a city type and was very honest. So fingers crossed.

 

[davey_83]

Lovely purchase and has very low miles. She's in good hands now, looking forward to more clean up pictures.

 

Re the white smoke issue, it may have too much oil in the engine. For what it's worth, an oil and filter change is a no brainer on a new purchase. Previous owner/s hadn't looked after it as it's been presented to MOT and failed for silly items like insufficient screen wash and illegal tyres, these are basic checks an owner should be doing. 

Edited July 5, 2023 by davey_83

[FossilFish]

12 minutes ago, davey_83 said:

Lovely purchase and has very low miles. She's in good hands now, looking forward to more clean up pictures.

 

Re the white smoke issue, it may have too much oil in the engine. For what it's worth, an oil and filter change is a no brainer on a new purchase. Previous owner/s hadn't looked after it as it's been presented to MOT and failed for silly items like insufficient screen wash and illegal tyres, these are basic checks an owner should be doing. 

Ta for your kind words bud.

 

The MOT history on a 60k car was odd reading. Lots of tyres perishing and cords showing. It has four mixed matching tyres two premium and two ditch finders, all dated 2019/20. I will be placing four matching set but the white smoke has me spooked.

 

I noticed it had some mishimoto fans but on standard radiator so my fear is that the originals failed and might have cooked the engine so that coolant is getting into the cylinder/s. But let's see I'll continue to polish and clean until my bubble is popped.

[Jack94]

Welcome to the forum and well done for getting a neglected zed back on the road! 

 

The radiator fans are a common failure (carbon buildup causes the motor brushes to seize) so I wouldn't worry too much about the fact it's had aftermarket replacements fitted. 

 

As Davey has said though, if it's been sitting for that long the first thing I'd be doing is getting a full service. Best to get every fluid & filter replaced, and also plugs if they've never been done. 

[Eddie_r32]

Put a video of the smoke up and then some people on here who know what they are talking about should hopefully be able to say if you are worrying for nothing.

 

Also lots of us have spares rattling around in sheds if you need something don't be afraid to ask on here a member may be glad to get the space back and help keep another z on the road. Hope it all goes well!

[FossilFish]

@Jack94 ta for the advise bud. I will do. 

 

I've always used Mann filters so along with that I'll throw in 5w30, fully Synthetic I presume. I'll do the air filter and spark plugs. Do you have any recommendations? NGK have great reviews.

 

@Eddie_r32 will post a video of the car running and looks to be dence white smoke on startup and when you rev it above 3k fully warm. The Coolant level is right on max mark. I heard gurgling behind the dash which worried me as I'm sure there is a air trapped. I'll turn the bleed screw open and top the expansion tank. 

 

In regards to spares and help, the site and members all seem helpful, knowledgeable and kind so hopefully are ok with my noob questions and standard car. I aim to get it running right and passing a MOT which I was going to do this week but will hold off and might take the plenum off and check the PCV value and give it a clean. 

Edited July 5, 2023 by FossilFish

[FossilFish]

 

[davey_83]

Engine itself sounds nice and quiet.

 

I can highly recommend a flush, you'll be surprised 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by davey_83

[FossilFish]

15 minutes ago, davey_83 said:

Engine itself sounds nice and quiet.

 

I can highly recommend a flush, you'll be surprised 

 

 

Ta for that, I've never thought to do a flush just always did just an oil change.

 

Watched your PCV video so won't be ordering a aftermarket one.

 

In my video the Aircon fan was running, sounds like a jet

Edited July 5, 2023 by FossilFish

[Jack94]

19 hours ago, FossilFish said:

I've always used Mann filters so along with that I'll throw in 5w30, fully Synthetic I presume. I'll do the air filter and spark plugs. Do you have any recommendations? NGK have great reviews.

 

Personally I always use OEM filters, then usually use NGK plugs and Castrol oil. 

 

As well as the engine oil & filter, air filter and plugs I'd also do the gearbox oil, diff oil, coolant, brake fluid & clutch fluid. 

[FossilFish]

That dipstick is the worse.....So the oil level check on a cold engine and level surface, this is pre oil change. It's  above the H, I assume it should be where the mesh etching ends. Thanks @davey_83 for the suggestion I think it might have a tad too much oil.

 

[davey_83]

Yeah looks like you have 300-400ml too much oil. I would run the engine till warm, turn off and remove the oil filter/drain the filter. Re fit the oil filter and run for a minute then repeat. This will drain off a few hundred mil and re check level. Fingers crossed for an easy fix. 

 

.... Unless this coincides with an oil change of course.

Edited July 6, 2023 by davey_83

[FossilFish]

So had a hour or two with the car. I've left the oil change and plenum clean for another day.

 

Paint on the car is good underneath all the grime. The rear two quarters paint seems different or less solid and the tree sap and bird poo has etched itself. 

 

Otherwise the paint is coming along nicely with plain old T-Cut and drill pad. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found this old DVD player behind the passenger seat. With a TV unit behind the centre panel.

 

 

I assume this round plug is the base of a gopro unit so it's been on a few track days I'm sure.

 

 

The interior looks like it's in good nick, the driver's seat is a tad worn on the bolster but otherwise in decent condition. The trim looks good.

 

 

 

I bought a Anthracite paint pen to cover some of the kurb rash, but it's come out blue so must be issue with paint or they are gunmetal or something.

 

 

 

Last thing is I need the trim colour for the drivers side headlight jet the unit looks intact so just the cover in black is needed. If anyone has one or knows of a black car breaking, please let me know.

 

Edited July 7, 2023 by FossilFish

[HXD]

Quote

I assume this round plug is the base of a gopro unit so it's been on a few track days I'm sure.

 

If you mean in the centre cubby, that's the mounting point for the factory Bluetooth unit - looks like an old flip phone, and plugs into those cables you see below the square hole towards the back of the space. Not essential if you're running an aftermarket headunit with its own (probably much newer) built-in Bluetooth antenna, but you might want to refit/replace it if you plan on keeping the stock radio. It'll be handy for streaming music as well as phonecalls if you keep things factory.

Edited July 7, 2023 by HXD

[FossilFish]

Lots of small jobs,  smoke has disappeared, the PCV system needs checking but I don't have a 23mm socket for the PCV valve to clean it or check if it's working. I've ordered a catch can to help with oil separation.

 

Did a oil change and located it had a magnet sump plug so someone cared for it.

 

Then turned to the radiator cap which was a generic one. Replacement was for eBay so hopefully it's not a fake one.

 

Got another paint pen for the curbing of the wheels, paint from eBay for Nissan Gunmetal gray was a perfect match. Has helped cover the rash.

 

Before

 

After

 

Booked it into a MOT station so fingers crossed.

Edited July 11, 2023 by FossilFish

[davey_83]

Is a strange size socket that's needed, literally only ever used a 23mm socket one for this job. That's a bang on result, well done 

[FossilFish]

Passed, a misting of oil on one rear shock and corrosion on rear cover for the fuel tank. I will rectify both shortly. Boy does the car sound good. 😁

[davey_83]

That's is bang on fella, fancy failing initially on rear bulbs not working 😊

[FossilFish]

Just keeping up with tradition of it failing for silly items😉. 

 

I was so busy trying to get it MOT'd guess I skipped a few things. Loving the torque of the VQ it's lovely. 

 

I plan to do the rear suspension very soon, but will keep stock set up with KYB Excel G the ride is firm so won't want anything harsher. KYB seem to build decent replacements and will refresh the top mounts at the same time.

[FossilFish]

Finally managed to get the rear shocks replaced, I require a soft ride as I don't gel with lowered cars in London. Swapped originals with KYB Excel G. Bought from Autodoc which runs 41% off deals.

 

Parts for what I've changed, the fitting kit was worth it as the originals are squashed.

[davey_83]

Will make a good improvement over the old worn dampers 

[FossilFish]

Been doing a few jobs to this in the past few days.

 

First up was to delete the rear wiper, the wiper was not adjusted properly and went clear past the body. I bought a cheap wiper cap. A tad cleaner with the body lines.

 

Then removed the 1kg weight in the boot lid

 

Bought new kidney brackets and hardware and got rid of the slash shield which was an advisory on the last MOT. Brackets were solid still but I wanted to underseal where the brackets and W brace attach to the chassis.

 

 

Used Rustins rust remover then treated the areas with rust converter then washed and undersealed the areas under the arch lip, tubs and mounting points

 

Much nicer now

 

(I used axle stands and only used scissor jacks as a back up in case you spot that)