LABK's Journal - Life with Bliss
 

I finally got my baby today and named her BLISS. She is a PW 2010 370Z 6MT Touring with Sport Package. Just like the rest of you here, I am going to use this thread for my journal of upcoming improvements, fun stuff, etc.

I wasn't able to take good pictures, yet. She is parked in the garage until I can schedule to get my clear bra installed. I don't want to take any chances . :)

Anyhow... here is my list of improvements I have planned out so far. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment, I welcome the input. I am a complete newb when it comes to tricking out a car so bear with me.

Also, if you are in the DFW area send me a pm. It would be nice to meet some local Z fans.

Pictures will be coming soon.


Finished Projects

• Clear Bra VentureShield Ultra approx 60% of car - Thanks Thom at HTP Autoworks
• Tint -Formula 1 Pinnacle 15% All Around - Thanks Tritek
• Diagnostics
  • PLX KIWI
  • ODB2 90 degree 6ft Hardwire through center console

Currently in Progress

• iPad install in upper cubby

Order of operations

Major Items

• Performance
  • F.I. TDX 18' CBE
  • F.I. LTH or Test Pipes
• Looks
  • EIBACH Pro Springs
  • HR Spacers 15f/20r
  
  
• Audio / Video Upgrade

  Rip out Bose
  Install new DD HU, CarPC or iPad. I haven't decided yet.
  Replace Speakers
  Replace AMP
  Install Rear Camera
  Install Rear Fog Taillight which lights when breaking.

Minor Items

• Replace Stick Shift with Graphite / Platinum Nismo Stick.
• Vanity plates... LOL

Initial Pics. Will post better ones soon.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...Z/IMG_2366.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...Z/IMG_2381.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...Z/IMG_2363.jpg

Cool, congrats! Don't forget to get some springs too to lower the car a bit :)

Thanks!!! I figured I would leave all of the hard stuff off the list for now until I am more familiar with everything.... LOL

Congrats on the purchase!

Another PW in Dallas. :p Congrats on the car.
Dallas plus PW is popular, a few of the Dallas guys should drop by later and say hi. They have some good meets and random get together, fun guys.

Update:
I have come to a major sticking point. I am trying to
do my first upgrade; a ventureshield ultra clear bra. I know it's not a sexy upgrade like something that will increase performance but I feel it's important. The experience and quality of the installer is probably more important than the film type itself. Cost is an issue. I am definitely getting the full hood, full front fenders, full front bumper and mirrors done. As well as the partial roof and A-pillar.

I would really like to add the full rockers but that adds a significant amount of expense. I have two options.

1) Go with the well known installer with dedicated shop and skip the rockers.
2) Go with not well known installer that comes to your house but possibly get the rockers installed. Caveat. Potential for bad install. Possible contamination because it's done
at your home? Noone to scream at if install is bad or
film starts peeling because installer lives far away.

I've got to decide soon because having the car just sit in the garage is killing me.

If you know the not well installer and if you know for sure that his work is good the go for it....If not, the I would go with the first installer...You won't be able to purchase the rockers, but at least you know that with the known installer the install would be done properly...and if not you can SCREAM all you want...

I highly suggest you do some homework on the not so well known installer...Ask around about his work, and take a look at his past work or maybe he could provide you with some pictures of his pas work for you to have a better idea...Remember you just picked up this baby...and at that point you want eveything done right...especially since she's brand new

Update: Clear Bra will be installed sometime next week. YAY!

Wifey insisted on taking the car out for a spin for our dinner date, against my paranoia off it not having the bra installed yet. :P I am glad wifey persuaded me because driving was a major blast tonight.

Couple of things to note which concern me slightly.
1) After coming home and parking in the garage, I did notice a oil burning smell emanating from the Z. The car has about 61 miles on it now. Should I be smelling oil burning? I will check the oil levels tomorrow morning.

2) I also noticed the oil temperature rising to about 200 degrees while driving. I am not certain what the "normal" oil temperature range is supposed to be when driving normally. I will need to search the forums for some more details.

K,

I've been slacking on keeping this up to date.

Clear Bra has been installed. I got about 60% of the car covered with Ventureshield Ultra installed by Thom from HTP Autoworks.

Formula 1 Pinnacle 15% Tint was installed by Tritek a while back, too. The car looks much better with the tint.

I took my dash apart this weekend and started the process of modifying the dash to accommodate my iPad in the upper cubby section. I am contemplating several different ways on how to mount this thing without it looking ghetto. All of my current solutions require me to remove the cubby completely which is to be expected. Removal was pretty easy and the cubby wasn't damaged so I will be able to put it back at a later date if necessary.

The car will be probably in pieces for a while I am waiting on parts to arrive. My biggest worry before I took the dash apart was that I wouldn't be able to find a way to mount a backing plate easily. I created a cardboard stencil that will be used for the front plate. My first attempt is to create it out of Lexan first. If that fails, I'll have a buddy who is into woodworking fabricate the front plate I need out of MDF and then wrap that in felt.

Since the dash is apart, I took the opportunity to hardwire a ODB2 90 cable through the center console and to the rear of the car. This will allow me to easily attach/detach my PLX KIWI so I can use it elsewhere. The biggest benefit is that the ODB2 cable does not get in the way now which could have been a driving hazard.

Let me know how you do on the iPad install!