evest Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 One year on and I can bite my thumb to all those who said the hours of loving care would just be 'a phase'... I love my Zed. A bit too much for my fiancee's liking, but then she has her cat... I dry her at night when she's wet (I'm talking about the car now); I clean her often, always slowly and with care; and I even talk to her on occasion - ok, probably getting a bit weird now. Anyway, I thought I would share what I have done to the engine bay so far - my theme is Red & Silver: Stock plus Nismo oil filler and radiator caps Polished plenum - I did this myself using the advice on this forum - it took ages and I was bloody nervous the first time I took it off. It looks quite good but admittedly still needs some more work to touch up the edges and fiddly bits. SAMCO Hose Kit Silver - again I used the guides on here to install this. Grounding kit (red) Engine cover - I sanded this down, primed it and then built up the paint layers. I used masking tape the create the striped effect. However, I got impatient between layers and ended up making a right dogs dinner of the first one, as you can see! Plus, I completely mucked up the lacquer application. I had no choice but to strip it, sand it and start again (it was here that I decided to go with the bolder red/silver theme). You can see in the first pic where the intended stripes have flooded out a bit at the sides - this is because I left the masking tape in place while the layer dried and it wicked some of the wet paint away. On my second attempt I learnt that it works better to take the tape of immediate when the paint has been applied, and this got a much sharper line. My second attempt with the bold red and slightly different strip design - this was inspired by a Mustang I saw in town with a similar exterior paint job. I'm not about to win any prizes but I think it's starting to look good (IMHO!) but need a bit of touch up as you can see, prior to the lacquer and I will replace the Nissan badge. I haven't decided whether or not to paint the V6 figures. If it all goes wrong then I know I can at least strip it down and try again! Well that's it for now - I've loved working on it so far and it helps me to learn more about the car as I go. I have an engine damper and some steel braiding ready to install, and a Stillen Hi Flow intake on it's way. Future ideas are polished reservoir tanks, new intake pipe, gallery bolts, carbon cooling plate, and a new strut bar. But all that will have to wait; got clutch/flywheel and exhaust to go in...oh yeah, and a house to buy... coming dear! ps - As I've used a lot of information on here to help me so far, I genuinely hope when I've finished the engine bay to be able to give a fuller review and offer back some help for others - but for now just wanted to post up some pics and see what people think so far. Cheers Sleechy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixy Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 you're not mad at all...........can't remember the thread now but only about two days ago i posted "still in love after 2.5 years..............with MY CAR" Long may it last! I also talk to mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 no maddness my friend looking good i talk to her too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 some good work their well done i'm not so embarrassed to use small text, i talk to my car to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Mod power! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shieldsie Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Wow. Looking good How do you polish the plenum? What section is it in, on here? looks sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narcotix Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Looks good mate! Looking at this thread has made me realise that I've probably been neglecting my car for some time now ... As the soon as the weather picks up I'm going to give me engine bay a good clean ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Looks very nice - unusual treatment on the cover but you've done a very professional looking job there! Think erm most of us talk to their cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evest Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks for the feedback guys - good to know I'm not going bonkers! The Zed; so much more than just a car... Agree it's a bit unusually but hopefully when it's finished it will look Below is a link to the plenum removal thread - good guide on how to remove and replace it: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11091&start=0 Here is a link to another thread on polishing up the plenum: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16755&start=0&hilit=wire+drill Shieldsie - If I'm honest, polishing the plenum myself did become a bit of a ball-ache without a proper workshop and professional tools. It will take many hours to achieve as you need to grind back the rough cast with wire drill bits, then sand repeatedly. A professional polisher with do it in half the time and get a much better result - cost I guess anything up to £100? But of course you will be minus plenum/car while they do it. If you already have the necessary tools to remove the plenum, then your only outlay for a DIY job will be for wire drill bits, various sandpaper and metal polish - I reckon less than £20 easy. If you want to get into all the fiddly bits then you will really need a Dremel and plenty of spare time! The advantage for me (as a novice) was gaining confidence working in the engine bay and knowing I can take bits off and put them back on without wrecking anything. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Excellent - nice to see something a bit different...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shieldsie Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Cheers evest, for the info and links. I will give this a shot when the weather improves and I actually get my car back home. Snowed in at work for last 2 days Using dads Qashqai which I`m more than happy with Polishing the plenum looks a little daunting, has always but after baking the back light and other stuff I have managed with the z its another task that requires time and patience If I get half the result you have I`ll be happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Nice, good to see something a little different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry3167 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 talking to yourself or an inanimate object is a reason for the men in white coats to come take you away You have been warned Car looks great BTW!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evest Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 They'll have to catch me first! Although with the Zed in snow they just might... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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