The Sophia Project

[SPOHN]

Who's GTM? LOL.

Great News man. It's going to be nice to see this kit in action.

[SS_Firehawk]

I'm absolutely excited. I couldn't sleep, kept thinking about when I get home, the process, anything I need to send with the vehicle. Brain was going full throttle.

I have a feeling I need to send my stock crank and alternator pulley with the vehicle. I would just say adjust the pulleys on the SC, but I have no idea if the NST crank pulley will hold up to two superchargers tugging at it. I know GTM doesn't care for aftermarket crank pulley's, but I have nothing but good things to say about mine. If they come off in one piece, I'm sure they will be a quick sell. Same with the AEM CAI that has to come off. Maybe do a $500 bundle package on them when I get home. Will help pay for the tires I'm gonna need after I destroy mine.

[Nixlimited]

Congrats man. Looking forward to watching your build.

[SS_Firehawk]

I talked to My Wife again because the decision was made within minutes, I wanted to make sure there weren't any red flags thrown. I wish I can tell you what they are doing for me but out of respect to their business, I'll continue to keep numbers private. I wasn't expecting to do this project for months. I just paid for an entire trip to see some family members in Chicago. I have to pay for a round trip flight to Dubai from Afghanistan, a Round trip flight from Dubai to Chicago, a round trip flight from Las Vegas to Chicago, Hotel for a week, and a rental car for a week. I'm still buying Christmas gifts and still need to have spending money. On top of this I just bought all those parts I listed off earlier. So I am not in a position to afford this given any normal circumstance. I'm spending over $16,000 in 2 months. I am the only one working while my Wife completes school. We just bought a brand new home, and I promised to upgrade the floors, the counter tops, furniture, shades, and landscape the back yard. To say money is going all over the place is an understatement.

I was anticipating an attempt to do this in the spring. I didn't know what I was going to do as most can tell from some of my old posts and threads. I wanted to have a laid out plan to present to my Wife and make sure she was on board. She knew I was going to spend at least $10k, she was okay with it as long as everything else we needed was done. I wanted to close out what I started before I was sent here and try to get a better idea of where my car was at. She was on board. Boosted Performance wouldn't be able to put out another set of kits till spring, so I was good with that. I was having trouble with email traffic with GTM for about a month. So I was set. And when I least expected it, GTM finally replied, explained and apologized about the email delay and gave me their offer. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach because this was the most absolute worst time I could do this. As I read further, my jaw dropped, I reread the email not believing what had just occurred. Here is how it went down with money taken out.

Edited partial email to GTM: (16SEP)
Regarding payment, is it preferred for you to receive full payment up front, make installments, or down payment as a hold? I don't want to miss out on the savings of your kit, but at the same time, I don't have the ability to do anything right now being in the location that I am. If possible, I don't mind putting a nonrefundable holding deposit for your kit as a sign of commitment if I'm able to take advantage of your introductory price

Second email to GTM (18NOV)
I just wanted to reengage this, I've put some more thought on this and haven't received an email back. After looking at a host of forced induction options, I still think that this twin supercharger setup is the way to go. Largest reason is because it's unconfirmed if the Stage II C38 fits with the PPE headers I have. The only thing I have to remove is the CAI's, there is no crazy piping to contend with, and being in Las Vegas, I think these will run cooler than a turbo. I'm going to hold off on the additional cooling as it's quite expensive and I can improve if needed. I do like your radiator upgrade, but with the CSF radiators dropping in price to just under $600, it's a difficult sell for me. I previously asked if I could send a holding payment to reserve the cost savings, that's still on the table. I would buy it outright, but I don't want to buy it, let it sit in my garage and then if something is missing or damaged from shipment, being SOL without paying for the component again. I'm still in Afghanistan so it makes coordination difficult.

Lastly, as an option, the car could be delivered to you guys, installed and tuned. It seems that any info on the 370Z forums has stalled but it's interest is still there. You could use it as PR. You would have plenty of time with the vehicle to hunt down any gremlins that may show up as I won't be back home until July-August next year. Don't know how much you all would charge for install or if you would still honor the press release price, I'm just looking for a way forward so I can enjoy it when I get home. I'm tired of "Get a Mustang" for more power. It's stupid. If you want me to call and discuss, let me know in advance as I'm 12.5 hours ahead. FYI, my local shop (honda shop specializing in turbo's and tuning) quoted me $1500 for the install and tuning, is it competitive with current shop prices for an install such as this? Thank you in advance

I had given up after this point regarding GTM's option

GTM's Reply: (01DEC)
Eddie,

I apologize for not getting back to you in a timely manner as I have been out on ******* leave and am usually the one that responds to e-mails. I spoke to Sam today about your car and we would really like to do the Twin Supercharger Kit on it. Here is what we are offering you: $***** out the door for the twin supercharger kit, installation, tuning and one-way vehicle transport. Also, you will not need to pay up front and can do it at your convenience (so long as it is paid for before you pick up the car).

The reason we are making you this offer, is because we have a 370z here that we can do testing on, but it is more of a hassle to do since the car is slated to have another test kit done on it as well and we simply don't have time to do both kits on the same car.

All you have to do to take advantage of this offer is let us know and we'll handle the rest. We will just need a contact person to hand the car off to the transport driver to get the car here.

HOLY @%#^

Reply Back to Offer:
Wow. This sounds great. I'll talk to My Wife about this and see what she thinks. In January, I was supposed to have a lot of parts installed and a tune verification from my local shop on the first week of January. Z1 sport brake upgrade package, CSF radiator, Z1 hoses, new (OEM) spark plugs, redline oil change, hood struts, XYZ resonator, and M370 manifold. I can do this before I send to you unless you prefer otherwise. The tuning done was only on timing and AFR, nothing fancy. I'll supply the Uprev tuner cable. I'm sure my Wife will be fine with it, Just let me know the preferred time you want to pick it up.

Second thought. Go ahead and make preparations. Tell me when you want to pick it up and if you want those parts installed or with the vehicle. I'll pay for the additional labor.

GTM reply:

Good deal. We'll get going on the transport then. You can send the additional parts with the car and we can install them for you along with the Twin Supercharger Kit. I'll get you an invoice here shortly with the additional items installed. I assume your car is at your home address correct?

Our goal is to have the car done before you get back. As far as how long it will take exactly, it is difficult to predict at this moment, but we are shooting for having it wrapped up in 3 months or so as we are wanting to get everything done sooner rather than later. That said, we have room to store your car if need be and that shouldn't be an issue.

I can start the process now, pay as time goes by, and I don't have to worry about trying to find a way to get the vehicle or complete payment earlier than predicted. This is the first time my offer was countered with an even better offer. Didn't know something like that could happen until now.

MIND BLOWN

My sleep has been compromised and am unable to rest peacefully. All I see are superchargers, intercoolers, headers, and my exhaust intact. I am seriously living for the future, not for today. I'm F'N lucky. And to end where I began, I spoke to her about this decision knowing I just broke a promise. I tried to explain the magnitude of it all, it's impossible to explain, but I tried. She only had two things to say. " It's okay, I understand" and "Your Welcome" BEST WIFE EVER.

[ZKraken22]

interesting. I'm a member On the GTR forum. It's so much different then our 370z forum. On the GTR forum they post kill's, racing, ect. Vendors post prices on threds, members dont hide what the pay for kit's, labor, ect. I dont get why the Z forum feels the need to be so secretive. It i thought the forum is for members to share knowlege with eachother. But anyways I wish all the best for you man we are all excited for you and your project with the 370Z. Love your wife with all your heart when you get home. In for results!

If you have to sale the PPE LTH i'd be interested. And happy you didnt go get a mustang.

[Mr.Squeeze]

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

HUGE UPDATE!, GTM will be picking up my car, all the parts I bought and taking it back to their shop in a transport vehicle. They will be installing their Twin C30 Supercharger system! They gave me an offer I could not refuse. I'll update as much as I can.

I apologize to Sasha and Boosted Performance as I was set on running his system. I still endorse his kit as it's amazing. His service to me as a potential customer have been outstanding. I can't begin to explain how blindsided I was by GTM's offer. It's as if the clouds parted, ray's of light.... NVM that BS, My car is getting Twin Supercharged!

At first when I read this I was like dont do it only because turbo lol, but after reading your other post with e-mail from GTM go for it .GTM is good to deal with SAM as treated me great I am sure they will do a good job with your car.

[Mr&Mrs]

LOL @ the girl in your video talking.

[GaleForce]

Should be a sweet build. Wish I could find some luck like that!

[SS_Firehawk]

Need to get all of that in the Z



And Ange somehow manages to do it?!



She's ready to go!

My Wife taking pics of the car being loaded and strapped down. Wish it was covered, but beggars can't be choosers.










You can hear a Honda Civic alarm horn beep from the car exhaust. That humored me.

[Dzel]

Sub'ed!!!

[Dzel]

I think she took a picture of that guys

[Mr.Squeeze]

^^^^ Looked like your car was stuffed like a Turkey congrats

[SgtGoldy]

sub'd. Excited to see the results. And if you have any cash left over I could use a turbo and tune as well, thanks

[SS_Firehawk]

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

sub'd. Excited to see the results. And if you have any cash left over I could use a turbo and tune as well, thanks

Lol. I'm definitely not made of cash, I was just super fortunate and lucky this came in my direction. All of those boxes were the result of Black Friday deals! Little did I know, the greatest one of them all was from GTM! They are really making this possible. I'm just lucky enough to be in the position to afford this over the long haul and a Wife that is supportive of my expensive hobby.

Hopefully I get some updates from GTM soon and get some data to look review. They just got it yesterday afternoon and it's 8am there haha.

So I'm kicking around a couple ideas after I get the car back and I'm back home. Looking at the gunmetal Nismo rims on black Nismo's, they look goooooood. I was debating powder coating my rims gunmetal before I actually saw it. The debate is to do my rims and have my lights done in a matte dark grey. I know I won't be as cool because I don't have aftermarket rims, but Nissan really did a great job choosing the SP and Nismo rims (except the 13+ SP... Don't like them as much).

Second idea I'm kicking around. Taking that matte gunmetal color and applying it to the fang area and/maybe rear bumper section near the exhaust. What do you all think? It's hard finding a contrasting color combination with black. White, Blue, Yellow, Red, nearly every other color, you can just black it out... Not so easy when the entire car is black! LIGHT BULB! Okay, I'm doing it. The door handles will look bad a$$ if it were the same colors as the rims. Will be just enough for me.

[SgtGoldy]

best advice is photoshop it before you do it. That way you can visually see it and determine if its worth the effort or not.