Gawl's Nismo Journal

Gawl128

What's good guys! Figured it was about time to start recording my car's history - its a bit late, but since work has been so crazy I haven't done anything to it yet... So now is as good a time as any to start.

So a little flash back to begin: In 2012, at some point early on in the year - I found the car I just simply needed. 370Z. Nismo.

I spent the whole first two quarters of the year looking, and searching. Almost bought a forum member's car - almost bought a few from local dealers. Until I got a deal I could not pass up - price, car, and stars (for **** sake ... finally) came together. My 2011 Nismo #475, 9,000 miles under 30K. Car was perfect (minus a front bumper license plate I had no use for... I'll fix it later).

That was all in late August (my 25th birthday). As I said, work has settled - I've had time to get to know the nature of my car - and now I'm ready to start making it really mine.

For now, I'll keep things simple with current and planed parts list. Adding Pics and install pre/post reviews.

Current Parts on the car:
- Stillen Gen 2 (I've gotten a lot of crap for having this on ... lol ... and again I will say this: I got it for nothing and figured I would use it and learn a little about the car through the install)
- Z1 Motorsports Breather Tubes (HATED the stock tubes sooo much )
- Nismo Black Aluminum Shift Nob (came with the car)
- 3M Non-Metallic 20% tint
- ZSpeed Under shroud


Hopefully new parts to be added:
- F.I. LTHs
- F.I. TDX Catback Exhaust
- Stillen Gen 3 Intake (Powder coated Red)
- Uprev Tune (need to find a good tuner in South Florida...)
- Z1 25 Row Oil Cooler
- Z1 Stainless Brake Lines
- Z1 Stainless Clutch Line

Here are some shots of the car as it is now (Feb. 2013):






The first two pics are before tints - the last one is with the 3M Tint.

...more to come...

Gawl128

First week in, I did make sure to get 20% 3M Non-Metalic Tint installed.
Set me back $100.00.
If anyone is in the South Florida Area and needs good tinting service - I KNOW THE GUY!

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Gawl's Journal - 2011 370Z Nismo #475

Gawl128

Soon after the tints, came the Stillen Gen 2 Intake and Z1 Breather Tubes.

Installing them was super easy. I made things more difficult on myself by not removing the strut bar. I was just hell bent to get the Intakes installed without its removal.
Someone told me I couldn't do it without the bar being off, and wanted to prove a point... I should have removed it, but it really wasn't a big deal with it on - You just need to take more time and care.

Breather tubes I ordered as soon as I herd Z1 offered them. The first time I ever looked under the hood of a 370 and saw the stock tubes, I just thought they were ugly - really wanted them gone.

Stillen Gen 2 Intake


Z1 Breather Tubes


Old Stock Tubes ...


Stillin + Tubes Installed


Driver's Side


Passanger Side

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Gawl's Journal - 2011 370Z Nismo #475

Gawl128

Oil Change kit from Z1 Motorsports came in this morning.



Should be able to change it tomorrow afternoon. Still wating for a Filter Mag.

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Gawl's Journal - 2011 370Z Nismo #475

EventHorizoN

Hello Gawl,

Great car, great start on your build man!

Just wanted to give you a heads up, the Stillen Gen 2 takes away 10+hp from your power. I purchased and ran this intake for close to 2 years. When I finally Dynotuned my car, the technician notes the power loss. We removed the Gen2 and installed the OEM intake. To our dismay 10+ horsepower right back where it was supposed to be. I highly recommend switching to gen3 or a CAI like AEM. This particular model absorbs heat from the engine bay, causing the intakes to choke the engine of much needed cool air.

Just a suggestion, all the best!!

Jason

Gawl128

Thanks for the heads up Jason. I had heard it did nothing but sound different, and at worst take power.
The Gen 3 Intake is coming soon. The car was dinoed before I bought it and some time in the last month - makes the same power ... so what I'm guessing is the air was cool enough to not take away anything.
I'm trying to look for my sheets now - I'll post them if I find them.

Thanks for the heads up though.

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Gawl's Journal - 2011 370Z Nismo #475

Gawl128

Just got this in the mail from Z1.

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Gawl's Journal - 2011 370Z Nismo #475