OTW Z-Boys: "Better Late Than Never" Build Thread

[OTW Z-Boy]

Saved for future post

So here's the future post. Like the title says this is the better late that never build thread for my 2014 Nismo 370z.

Truth be told this is not my first ZCar but is my first shot at creating a place to house all the random threads that I've started for this car. So give it a read and don't be to critical

So a little back story is in order I suppose... After having a few years playing around in the lifted truck arena 2011 felt like the right time to get back into a coupe.

Even more back story is that in my teens there were a couple of coupes in my life namely a 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse (First Gen) and a tastefully modified 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST. Simple stuff like Greddy Intake and Trust Exhaust, Work 18" JWING wheels, H&R Springs, etc etc.

That feeling that a sports car gives you can't be replaced by all the 6" lifts and 35" tires brat brat in the world, well for me anyway. So in February of 2012 (technically) I made the leap into a 2011 QAB 7AT Sport package 370Z


This one now that I think about it was my first true sports car love... We'll get to the reason why a little later.

I went through a series of mods with this car as well mostly installed by shops and dealership:
Swift/Stillen Gen 3/Greddy CBE/Berk HFCs/Hotchkis Sways/SPL FR Camber Arms/Varstoen ES1/Evor Diffuser/Stoptech Rotors/ GTR Button/FogLight and some other typical stuff.

I put over 80k on the car in just over 2 years of amazing driving mostly. The commute on the 91 is pretty brutal and while this Z made it a whole lot better, I always felt a lot of guilt about the grind I was putting it through. Yes cars are meant to be driven but at the same time it almost felt like I was punishing her. So in mid 2015 I made the super tough decision to part out and trade her in. Thanks to all the forum members that bought up the parts and hopefully got enjoyment out of them like I did

So what did I do? Well I ended up trading her in on a Juke.

Your saying WTF at this point... You went from a 370z to a freaking "Joke". Well yeah I sure did.


I've always been a fan of Nissan cars and loved the history and heritage of the Nissan Datsun brand see:


And the Nismo versions of all vehicles have always spoken to me. This humble Juke had that. And that was enough for me plus about 30 mpg. Also being an RS the Recaro Seats didn't hurt either.

Not long after the juke was purchased the mods began. Here is how she sits as equipped with the following:
19x9" Rays 57trancend Wheels
255/35 Michilen PSS
RSR lowering springs
Cross drilled and slotted rotors (Not Pictured)
Ingen Technology: CAI / 2nd Cat Delete "Downpipe" (Not off the turbo) / CBE / Front strut tower bar
2j Racing Pulley
Nissan JDM 370z FogLight
Steering Wheel Switch Mod (Nissan Rogue Switch Allows for 6 light illuminated at once)
Rally Armor Mud Flaps


But to get back on topic, even though the Juke fulfilled the need for a Nismo edition car and felt a bit more practical as a daily driver. Something still felt like it was missing. Ever since this last photo was taken I always felt like a pice of my soul was gone.


I would always hit up auto trader "just looking" at what used Nismo Z's were going for but really didn't have any intention of getting one. I figured I would just keep driving the Juke happily until maybe the Z35 came out then go for that. I think we all know how that's going and that's for another thread al together. Then one day I found a 2014 Nismo in PW at a dealership with less than 400 miles. It was like a bolt of lightning struck me. I couldn't stop thinking about the car and finally said to myself ok just go look at it. So I did.

I got to the "stealership" and that's pretty much where it all started to go south. The car was in horrible condition and looked as if it was the party car for the weekend. It was listed as new (even though Nissan Consumer Affairs confirmed that it had 3 previous owners - No Idea). There was a moment that I thought I can save this one and treat it like it was supposed to be. Made an offer on the car given what condition that I believed it to be in and let's just say it didn't work out.

After another couple weeks went by I happened upon a new listing:
2014 G41 Nismo 370z used condition 1 owner (Later found out it was DukeZ's immaculately kept car) for sale just up the road in Montclair, Ca.


Got what I felt was a killer deal and pulled the trigger. Instantly I felt like the love lost was returned. And there was not chance of guilt because I knew this was going to be mostly a weekend driver and I was going to have another chance to mod a Z better than the last.

And it didn't take long. Immediately started to craft a build list and committed to doing all the "high confidence" mods myself. Within reason of course.

The build list I had in my head went something like this and pics after realization:
Wheels/Tires
Work Vs-XX Step lip 19/9.5|11.0 BKB
Work Emotion Extended Racing Lugs
Michelin PSS 265/35 305/30 (Coming once OEM Potenzas wear out)


Brakes/Suspension
Stoptech Cross Drilled and Slotted Rotors
HKS Hypermax GT IV Coilovers
SPL Front and Rear Camber Arms
Hotchkis Sways Front and Rear (Still Debating This One)


Breather Mods
Stillen Generation 3 Long tube CAI
Fast Intentions 12" Resonated Carbon Fiber TDX CBE
Fast Intentions RHFCs - "I wish mod" (Damn California)

Before


During Install



After


Engine Dress Up
Z1 Motorsport Red Silicone Hoses (Rad/Pvc)
Z1 Motorsport Hood struts


Interior
Nissan GTR Red Push Start Button
Nissan illuminated Kick Plates
Pioneer AVH-P2400BT w/back up camera
Tommykaira Hebi Bebi Shift Knob "Rowen"
Bride Racing Seats (Model still under debate - thinking Digo Type R)


Exterior
Nissan JDM Foglight
EQUALME (Forum Member Artist) - G41 Door Handles
Carbon Signal Nismo Carbon Fiber Add On Kit (Future Purchase)



Tune
EcuTek w/cable @ SpecialtyZ (Pending Fast Intentions Installation)

Lastly I do want to take time to thank everyone on this forum who have shared likes and reps and advice and help and just for being such cool f#c£ing people.

Haven't had the chance to make it out to a monthly meet as of yet but I hope to do so very soon. Until then let the modding continue. Thanks

[OTW Z-Boy]

[labrador]

Originally Posted by OTW Z-Boy

Have mercy.

[CedzZ34]

The fitment looks to be perfect. Can you post a picture of the back by the fender and the front by the fender. Want to see how close to flush they are...

Are you running any spacers (if so what size), and what tire size are you running? Any rubbing, fender rolling, or camber adjustment required for stock ride height? Looks like it's been lowered since installation of the new wheels.

Looks good Man!!!

[OTW Z-Boy]

Originally Posted by CedzZ34

The fitment looks to be perfect. Can you post a picture of the back by the fender and the front by the fender. Want to see how close to flush they are...



Are you running any spacers (if so what size), and what tire size are you running? Any rubbing, fender rolling, or camber adjustment required for stock ride height? Looks like it's been lowered since installation of the new wheels.



Looks good Man!!!

I'll post some pics of the F/R later today...

No spacers.
245/40 & 285/35
No rubbing or rolling
Camber Front: -1.25
Camber Rear: -2.00
Lowered on HKS Hypermax GT IV (no adjustments to out of the box setting)

[CedzZ34]

Thanks for the info!!! I'll check back tonight for the pics. Tastefully modified Z, Man!!!

[Larso1]

Those wheels look great man! Love the polished rims. Really sets the car apart from the pack, and don't let anyone tell you different😀

[OTW Z-Boy]

Originally Posted by Larso1

Those wheels look great man! Love the polished rims. Really sets the car apart from the pack, and don't let anyone tell you different

Yeah something about that old skool mesh does it for me.

[tonythetiger]

damn looks good, love that deep dish look!

[mishuko]

looks like crap, sell the rims to me.


j/k nice!

[JC-Nismo]

Looks Good, Congrats.

[ped]

Originally Posted by OTW Z-Boy

Yeah something about that old skool mesh does it for me.

Look like wheels Porsche uses...?

[forgot pw]

Originally Posted by 37zeroZ

IMO the Stock wheels look better. .

but I do plus looks heavy as hell.

[OTW Z-Boy]

[OTW Z-Boy]

Originally Posted by forgot pw

but I do plus looks heavy as hell.

Yeah 2 lbs each wheel but I guess I'll make the sacrifice