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Meulen's 40th journal
My story started back on '07. I bought a vette. I know! Boooooo! Anyway, 2 weeks later I made a "little" mistake drifting the vette around the corner and wrapped it around a tree. Since it was the end of summer in Chicagoland here, I decided to put the money from the insurance in a CD at 8% and wait to buy another car. Ended up being the best investment I made after the economy crashed! But I held onto the cash for a while. My wife never really loved the vette. It was more my thing. Fast forward to this year. I wanted to get something both my wife and I could agree on. A car we both "loved". We had test drove a 350z back in '03 and really liked it. So I showed her a Z and she liked it. So I searched for something with low miles from 09/10. Then I came across the 40th. I found it on Sunday and raced to the dealership Monday to get it before it was gone. I wheeled and sealed a bit and came up with a good price. My wife liked it more seeing it in person than she did before and so did I. So that Monday,3 weeks ago, we came home with our 40th!
Dealer pic http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/y4u8e9ut.jpg Dealer pic http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/abamy6yq.jpg Dealer pic http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/y9u5e9yg.jpg Engine bay w/ 40th badge http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/3evuvenu.jpg Interior http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/enytabat.jpg Right before we took it home! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/e3uje6at.jpg |
Meulen's 40th journal
I didn't do too much right off the bat. But I do have plans!😃😜. The first week I just drive it. I was on the hunt though. I went looking at some of the other Zs to listen and see exhausts and other mods.
At the corvette club http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/9ybu9ame.jpg Jeff's ZR1 up front http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/ahamupeg.jpg |
Meulen's 40th journal
I also took it straight to weathertech to protect that kick *** 40th interior!
Left http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/y9abysu2.jpg Right http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/ymapeva2.jpg And added some NISMO badging http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/pupu8usy.jpg |
Meulen's 40th journal
Next I needed to get the stance right. So this afternoon I added some Garageline.com spacers 25mm rear/20mm front. They look soooooo sweet!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/nu4esyru.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/ere6a5u7.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/4e3y9u6u.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/03/aje7yqap.jpg That's it for now! I have some more plans and its only been 3 weeks. So stay tuned!...... |
Meulen's 40th journal
Saving post for list of mods and wish list to come....
Ok, coming back to this. The car was basically bone stock when I got it. Then only exception was the window tint. I'm happy it was done. That's one of those things I always mean to do on my other cars but never seem to get to it. It looks like it was a quality job though and perfect as far as whatever shade it is. I wish I knew the % it was tinted. After I took her home I started reading more on the forums about common problems. So I wanted to get those adressed, or at least make a plan for them if things go wrong. So I went ahead and pulled the steering lock fuse and put a whiteline bushing and rear diff. kit on my wish list. Although, I swear I still hear something engaging in the column when I turn it off/on. Doesn't sound like as long of a process as it originally was, but still sounds like there is a servo running in there or something. I trust pulling the fuse did what I needed it to thoough....I guess. What's done so far 2010 40th Anniversary 370z -window tint -weathertech floor mats and Nismo badging -Garageline.com wheel spacers 25mm rear/20mm front -purchased Mishimoto Thermostat- decided not to install after furher review of product issues -installed clutch helper kit -Red LED Map lights -white LED license plate lights and trunk lights -pulled the steering lock fuse -Red Z1 hoses -iPad magnetic cubby install mod DIY: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...nto-cubby.html -Elm Wi-Fi dongle -Dashcommand diagnostic/performance app -EVO-R front lip -Stillen Gen 3 CAI -Zspeed blk powedercoated undershroud -FI CBE -FI HFC's -Headlight dual halo mod and paint inside housing to match car red accents -Z1 slotted front rotors -Z1 premium stainless brake lines -Motul RBF600 clutch/brake fluid -Motul Synthetic motor oil -TWM piston gunmetal weighted shift nob -AMS short throw shift kit Purchased awaiting install -Mishimoto thermostat - decided not to install FOR SALE if interested -Plasti-Dip- waiting for good weather to do rear diffuser and front bumper -Smoke Tail light tint -RJM clutch pedal -Z1 premium stainless clutch line -Aerojacket Type 3 Duckbill Spoiler I've already accumulated quite the wish list in the 3 weeks I've had the car. I'm not planning a big force induction project (YET!), but I do want to open up the exhaust and intake for a little more ooomph! :) Everything else planned is more for looks. But who knows what the future will bring. I've got a friend and custom auto shop owner from Chicagoland helping me out with a lot of this (not sure I'm supposed to say the name). I can't thank him enough for his help and look forward to some of the stuff we have planned. I kinda stretched the budget for this by getting the 40th anniversary edition. So I'll have to wait till winter to start on some of the bigger stuff on the list. But I may knock out some of the small stuff from time to time. Oh....and looks like I need to take some better pics! Meulen's wish list -KW V3 coil overs --SPL camber kits -Z1 differential upgrade kit -sway bars or G-spec braces. - Not sure yet! -Cover visor stickers with red carbon kevlar overlay -New stereo system with NAV and back up camera -Work gnosis CV201 polished barrel/matte blk I'm sure I'll add more to this as I think of them and see stuff out on the street and on the forums, but this is my goal list for over the winter. :) Prefereably, I'd like to get a lot of this done before the Tuner Galleria show at The All State Arena in February. But, budget wise, I know some of this is going to have to wait till early spring. |
In for wish list!
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Cool! thx!...updated the wish list for now.! :)
Pretty simple, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew right now. I have another hobby (triathlon) that takes up a crap ton of time, and I don't want to get overwhelmed. So I'll keep the wish list with a perspective of maybe a year out. It's always possilbe I'll want to tackle some bigger things, like body kits and FI later! :tup: |
Looks great man!
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No problem, Let me know when you are ready for an exhaust.
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Did you have any issues with those GL spacers?
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Welcome! Good to see another Chicago area member.
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sub'd ;)
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OK....
So the truth is sometimes I can't help myself! :ughdance: This time it was just little stuff. But sometimes when things come up I guess I get compulsive. :) I had a clutch helper spring and some LED interior lighting ordered up and on the way. :) :) |
i have the helper spring, still need to install it LOL
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Install is super simple. Had mine swapped in 5mins!
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Since Jim called me out about not installing this yet. I did it when I got home from the show today. Lol
Clutch Helper Spring Literally takes 5 minutes to install. Easy! I was expecting a little better feel from it but it does help some. Worth the money I guess but the clutch still has less feel than if like. Old spring http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/08/u3ebybet.jpg Tools needed http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/08/eqysudy3.jpg All done! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/08/avety4a4.jpg |
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:bowrofl: :gtfo2: :rofl2: |
Nice start, coming along real nice!
I was going to get the clutch helper spring also but just never had, kinda got used to the clutch but I hear its like night and day |
I wouldn't say night and day, but it was a noticeable difference for me. I also lowered my clutch pedal slightly and between the two, I'm pretty happy with the OEM clutch set up.
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Meulen's 40th journal
I guess not exactly a build thing, but I did some work on the drivers this weekend. Went over to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The wife and I did some laps with an instructor in an Audi R8. I guess I should have chose the GTR but always wanted to drive an R8
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/16/u7yjybet.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/16/eqatu6ag.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/16/yte3aqys.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/16/patu4a9e.jpg |
LED lights for the interior and license plate lighting came just before I left for Vegas. I came back sick as a dog so Ill have to put off the install for a bit
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very nice buy, congrats on the purchase.
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LED interior and license plate light upgrades
Interior I went with red for the map lights. Not sure Ill keep them or go to white. Went with white for the hatch area. Interior before http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/3a8e2uvy.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/genaseqa.jpg Interior after http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/7yneja6u.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/u8evaze2.jpg |
Plates LEDs.
Before http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/7yva3uda.jpg After http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/17/hypa5ytu.jpg |
I'm liking the red lights. but they're WAY too bright... makes it look like a whorehouse in there. lol
http://mojotravel.files.wordpress.co...dm_468x315.jpg :icon18: |
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Sent from my fancy dancy posting machine |
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It starts with the simple things u upgrade for your Z, then u start replacing those parts with upgrades, and those parts with upgrades....selling those parts to upgrade....before u realize what's goin on... your always upgrading or changing:tup:
BTW love the 40th:tiphat: |
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Just ordered an evo-r front lip! It's supposed to ship out Monday. 😛 Commissioned my body shop to do the paint work to color match the sides. I'm just going to clear coat the carbon center. I think while I'm at it I'm going to take cre of the rock chips during the process. My body guy suggested to bury the car in multiple coats of clear after we fix any rock chips instead of the 3m clear bra product. I also ordered up my 40th plaques from Darkpath! 😛 So I'm waiting for deliveries!!!! 😌😜 :) |
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Also goodies arrived today!!!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/29/u4asaqu3.jpg |
Goodies from EVO-R!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/29/supemaru.jpg Gotta get this to my body guy for paint and install! :) |
Started the process of rock chip repair yesterday. I should have taken some before pictures. Couldn't believe how many chips were in the front bumper. My bodyman came over, mixed up the paint for me and helped me out. I didn't bother with the fangs, because we are going to paint them flat black along with the front lip install. So we just concentrated on the bumper. There weren't many on the rest of the car at all, luckily. We are going to let these touch ups harden, then go over it one more time to fill in any of the low spots from a couple of the bad ones. Then he's going to shoot several coats of clear on the bumper/hood/quarters for me to thicken up the paint and make it nice and tough to prevent further chips.
I'll get some pics up of some of the process and the finish product when we are done. But we might not clear it till we actually take the bumper off and install the lip. I'll do that as soon as I stop driving it for the season! :happydance: stay tuned...... |
Purchased the Gen 3 Stillen CAI this morning. :)
I'm going to be taking the bumper off the car as soon as the weather turns to paint/install the Evo R lip, and finish my touch ups with a coat of clear. While I have it off I decided to get some of the things done that requires the bumper be off. So I'm going to stockpile my intake/lip and then buy the NST pulleys in the next couple weeks so I'm ready to install that stuff while the bumper is off. I've also changed up my list a little and my plan/direction of the build is getting more clear. :happydance::happydance::happydance: |
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