The Chase Plan: Stage One

ChaseZ

So now that the Z has around 700 miles on her it's time to start replacing those worn out parts

As it sits:




Stage One: the bolt ons (Putting together orders right now)

BC Racing Coilovers
SPL Pro Front Upper Arms
SPL Titanium Rear Camber arms

Injen CAI
Motordyne ART Pipes
Fast Intentions TDX or AAM Comp S-Line or Motordyne complete setup (the FI 2-3 month lead time is uncool so considering the alternatives strongly)
Oil Cooler (undecided)
Uprev Dyno tune

New Re-11 275/40/18 out back
Move the 245's currently in back to the front
Spacers if necessary, will see after the suspension is done


Winter Projects

The FI exhaust would take so long it could almost go into this category if I go that route
Proper LSD setup
Second set Wheels and Tires for Track
Throw the OEM Clutch in the garbage and replace
Short shifter
Stiffer sway bars front and rear
Wetsand and polish away the factory orange peel
Matte orange wrap
Custom front grill with Hella Micro Xenon driving lights
Some sort of ducting or intake to feed more outside air to the CAI and/or get heat out from under the hood
A real rear diff
Lighted side turn signals from Touring
Heated leather seats and door panels
New head unit and speakers
Tinted JDM tail lights
Order second set of exterior door handles to paint black (keyless)

I'll update, revise, edit, what have you, as time goes on. Largely this is just as much a reference for me much as anything.

As always comments, critiques or suggestions appreciated

ChaseZ

So some of the above happened, some didn't, and some changed.

I went coilovers instead of Swift springs, and just got them buttoned up yesterday. Have to wait until Tuesday for an alignment though. Lots of negative camber and toe in. Adjusted it enough in my garage to take it for a quick shakedown run



If you caught it in those pictures the door handles got a little tan.

Got a Pioneer head unit in, rest of the install this weekend.


Rigged up the DRLs to stay on with the headlights


Tracked down a set of RE11's. 245/45 and 275/40. Made a HUGE difference. At some point I'll get a second set of rims and rubber for track duty.

Been productive so far and really pleased with the improvements. Should be another round of goodies in a week or so as orders roll in.

EZT

Fast Intentions is definitely worth the wait.

ChaseZ

I'm sure it's is. There's good reason there is such a demand for it. I'm just not that patient, and it'd be darn near end of summer by the time it arrived so I went with the full Motordyne setup instead.

Should be here next week.

ChaseZ

I'll try to catch this up a bit...

In went the motordyne ART pipes and e370 exhaust. At the same time the Injen CAI. The combo was potent to say the least. This thing breathes like a Swiss cheese banshee, and played the part putting it down to the asphalt too. Sexy



Baseline run with just these few bolt-one yielded 307whp.
Uprev tune should easily add 20 to that number.

ChaseZ

Trak+ Spacers and some more tweaking of the coilovers. Adjusted them up three times. Twice because of settling and the third because I needed an extra 3/8" for drivability. Pretty happy with the ride height and stance.

Planning on 19's in the future with 275f and 325r

ChaseZ

Ended up ordering a Stillen G3 CAI to try on. Turns out I favor the Injen, not just because of its amazing vocals with the motordyne setup but it felt decidedly better on the butt dyno too. The air pushed through with this combo from grill to tip was just unreal. HIGHLY recommend the same setup to others.

Ironically, I'm going to stick with the G3. I've decided to add an OS Giken for my open diff and swap in 4:08 gears while I'm at it. And with that I'll be spending a lot more time in the mid and higher RPMs so the now quieter Stillen will keep things audibly in check with the gear swap.

Somewhat reluctantly I've listed the Injen long tube kit.

ChaseZ

The speedshop I ordered the exhaust through erroneously order the burnt ti tips. Not really my thing and given some issues I've had with these guys my faith in them making it right is next to nil.

So... I picked up some 900* ceramic exhaust coating and went to town on the tips with Burnt Copper.






And it turns out 900* wasn't enough. At least for the satin clearcoat

ChaseZ

Stillen Underdrives waiting to go on when I have a smaller set f hands to give me a hand.

ChaseZ

Needing a solution for the warted tailpipes I borrowed my buddies sanblasting booth and took them right down to the ti, and a little more to rid them of the blued tips.




Then back to my garage for some time in the beadblast cabinet to smooth them out to a nice satiny smooth finish. I've shot three coast of 2000* satin clear on them and now it's dries enough for a procedural bake in the over off and on over the next few hours.

Beadblasted ready for clear


All cleared up and no place to go


Digging the look, especially the now ghosted in Motordyne logo. I'm a big fan of clearcoated texturized metals so this is right up my ally. Definitely unique, without being out there.

ChaseZ

Little colour under hood. Didn't want to do the silver part of the engine cover in red like everyone else so I decided to do the outer part instead.







Unfortunately this is a gainless mod and adds about as much power as a handful of Type-R stickers

ChaseZ

Stillen 25 row oil cooler works even better than advertised. What a difference. You've all seen a hundred pics of them so not going to waste the bandwidth on yet another.

I've got a Z Speed under shroud sitting here waiting to go on but waiting until the pulley gets tackled first beforehand it goes up.

Still need to get around to putting in the RJM clutch pedal assembly.

ChaseZ

Powertrix CF add on spoiler is en route so once USPS gets it here I'll do the install. Fingers crossed for good quality control. These things aren't cheap so my expectations are high accordingly.

ChaseZ

To balance things out up front I've got an Aeroworkz CF front lip coming as well. Nice and subtle, just how I like it. Unfortunately it is backordered for a few more weeks yet so won't be able to install at the same time.

That should complete my CF add-ons, unless I can find a very simple, minimalist low profile rear diffuser to add a little more depth visually to the arse end.

ChaseZ

Sometimes it's the little things that put a smile on your face

Z1 Hood Struts - $88 well spent dollars