Eddy9592 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 After a week of owning a Z, I have to say what a thrilling experience this car is, mind you I'm stepping up from a 1 Litre Corsa that I honestly couldn't have care less about and I only originally purchased the car due to my astronomically high insurance due to writing off a few cars when I was 17. So anyway now that I have a car that I truly enjoy driving and spent a lot of time (just over a year) searching for I have a few questions. So first, I feel that the exterior of the car could do with some minor modifications as she looks a little bland and there are some things I do not like but at the same time I am absolutely clueless when it comes to DIY, I'm one of them useless nerdy types that gets his hands dirty very rarely but I would love to give it a go and after looking at people builds on here it has really inspired me to give it a go! So on the back of this could anyone recommend me a good quality toolkit with everything I need, I mean its pretty pathetic but I literally have no idea I'm usually pretty good at researching things but when it comes to this kind of stuff I have mental blocks. Okay also I'm in South Wales and I've been reading around that you guys on here are only willing to take your cars to people that are reputable and understand the needs of the 350Z and I'm just wondering if anyone could direct me to a few places here in South Wales as although the car appears fine and the previous owner loved her with all his heart (unless his acting skills are on par with that of ... an actor) I would still like to have her looked over and have some good quality control done so that life with me starts on a high that I can then maintain. On top of this I could do with having my wheels refurbished and my windows tinted again if anyone could recommend somewhere in South Wales that would be great I'm in Swansea but I'm willing to travel a bit for something that is recommended as I would trust the users on this forums opinions. Finally if anyone could recommend some simple mods that I could undertake to get myself into the whole modding and getting used to working with the car and build up the confidence to go ahead with bigger and more challenging ideas, so far I have come up with the front reflectors ... they are orange and the paintwork is black it's horrific and I'm looking at some clear ones I would like to try the LED ones but it involves wiring and I can barely jack a car up let alone mess about with wires, I mean I will struggle with the whole removing the bumper thing, anyway also replace the ariel as I do not like it anyone know a good quality one that looks better I've seen a few people using a Honda one, also thought about changing some bulbs to LED lights just to give a bit of a fresher look I guess other than that I don't really know my budget is maybe £8k spare cash at the moment to play with but would rather start with smaller things for now. Sorry for the wall of text and any help is really appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) First of all, welcome to the forum . As for exterior changes to the zed, of course, that's all personal opinion. There are some simple things you could do like you've already mentioned i.e. Ariel change which is easier than snatching candy from a fat baby. You could have a front splitter or a spoiler change with is slightly more challenging for those who are not so handy with tools but it's pretty straight forward stuff. You could look into changing the wheels which can make a big difference and then there are body kits which in some cases can enhance the lines of the zed and in others really kill it. Upgrading the lights may require some buggering about I haven't really looked into it. Engine wise, what most people do is: (Depending on the type of engine you've got DE or HR) you can upgrade the cold air box with a better air filter, add a plenum spacer and fit a better exhaust system as the standard one like on most cars is quite restrictive. This will improve the cars breathing capabilities. However, doing so will require a re-map as you'll probably throw up the EML (engine management light) after a thousand miles or so as the ECU is quite a delicate flower and panics under any changes made engine wise. You can do most of these things on the budget you've got and probably have some change left over. Edited July 13, 2015 by Rock_Steady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 In terms of tools, Halfrauds normally have a sale or offer on one of their bulk kits that have a selection of the basics, and they're usually pretty good value. You can end up spending silly money on tools, but I will happily recommend spending the extra on the Halfords Advanced range of ratchets and ratchet spanners: They've saved my life many a time, and have a lifetime warranty too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 In terms of tools, Halfrauds normally have a sale or offer on one of their bulk kits that have a selection of the basics, and they're usually pretty good value. You can end up spending silly money on tools, but I will happily recommend spending the extra on the Halfords Advanced range of ratchets and ratchet spanners: They've saved my life many a time, and have a lifetime warranty too. Id agree with this. I built up my collection of tools one by one over the last 25 years and I dread to think what I have spent on them. I could have saved an absolute fortune by just buying a tool chest from halfords with all the tools in it in the first place! I have bought a few halfords advanced & halfords professional tools in the past and they are good quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350zedd Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I'd recommend Maesgwyn Garage, Capel Isaac near Llandeilo. Its off the beaten track out in the sticks. My son and I both use them for work on our zeds ie. clutch and flywheel, P3 service, springs, dampers,exhaust, laser alignment etc.etc. Its probably about 25 miles for you, so might be a bit too far, but they do a top job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy9592 Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 First of all, welcome to the forum . As for exterior changes to the zed, of course, that's all personal opinion. There are some simple things you could do like you've already mentioned i.e. Ariel change which is easier than snatching candy from a fat baby. You could have a front splitter or a spoiler change with is slightly more challenging for those who are not so handy with tools but it's pretty straight forward stuff. You could look into changing the wheels which can make a big difference and then there are body kits which in some cases can enhance the lines of the zed and in others really kill it. Upgrading the lights may require some buggering about I haven't really looked into it. Engine wise, what most people do is: (Depending on the type of engine you've got DE or HR) you can upgrade the cold air box with a better air filter, add a plenum spacer and fit a better exhaust system as the standard one like on most cars is quite restrictive. This will improve the cars breathing capabilities. However, doing so will require a re-map as you'll probably throw up the EML (engine management light) after a thousand miles or so as the ECU is quite a delicate flower and panics under any changes made engine wise. You can do most of these things on the budget you've got and probably have some change left over. Thanks for all the info what price am I looking at for a full body kit? I'm guessing it would have to be replica In terms of tools, Halfrauds normally have a sale or offer on one of their bulk kits that have a selection of the basics, and they're usually pretty good value. You can end up spending silly money on tools, but I will happily recommend spending the extra on the Halfords Advanced range of ratchets and ratchet spanners: They've saved my life many a time, and have a lifetime warranty too. I shall have a look on the halfords website now and see what I can find, thanks In terms of tools, Halfrauds normally have a sale or offer on one of their bulk kits that have a selection of the basics, and they're usually pretty good value. You can end up spending silly money on tools, but I will happily recommend spending the extra on the Halfords Advanced range of ratchets and ratchet spanners: They've saved my life many a time, and have a lifetime warranty too. Id agree with this. I built up my collection of tools one by one over the last 25 years and I dread to think what I have spent on them. I could have saved an absolute fortune by just buying a tool chest from halfords with all the tools in it in the first place! I have bought a few halfords advanced & halfords professional tools in the past and they are good quality. Yeah i shall do I'll just a big kit and if i need some extras i can pick them up along the way i guess I'd recommend Maesgwyn Garage, Capel Isaac near Llandeilo. Its off the beaten track out in the sticks. My son and I both use them for work on our zeds ie. clutch and flywheel, P3 service, springs, dampers,exhaust, laser alignment etc.etc. Its probably about 25 miles for you, so might be a bit too far, but they do a top job. Thanks man I will give them a ring I don't mind the distance I do a 52 mile commute every day so its not too bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi mate, you'll get a lot for your budget so take your time. There is so much choice out there in the way of modifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy9592 Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi mate, you'll get a lot for your budget so take your time. There is so much choice out there in the way of modifications. Yeah I just want some subtle upgrades to give the car a fresher cleaner look currently just looking at some basics upgrades but I imagine I will end up getting carried away haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugg90 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Hi mate I live in neath so I have been looking for a good garage aswell I've been recommended niss-tec in Llantarnam as there a Nissan specialist, as for the wheels the alloy specialist are also in Llantarnam I will be having some done there myself Edited July 13, 2015 by dugg90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy9592 Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi mate I live in neath so I have been looking for a good garage aswell I've been recommended niss-tec in Llantarnam as there a Nissan specialist, as for the wheels the alloy specialist are also in Llantarnam I will be having some done there myself Awesome man thanks for the info, I'll be sure to give them a call what's the name of the wheel place or is it a part of niss-tec? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugg90 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 The wheel place is called the alloy wheel specialist u can find them online Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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