Meulen's 40th journal

Meulen · 09-02-2013, 10:32 PM

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

Dealer pic

Engine bay w/ 40th badge

Interior

Right before we took it home!

Meulen · 09-02-2013, 10:36 PM

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

Jeff's ZR1 up front

Meulen · 09-02-2013, 10:38 PM

I also took it straight to weathertech to protect that kick *** 40th interior!

Left

Right

And added some NISMO badging

Meulen · 09-02-2013, 10:40 PM

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!

That's it for now! I have some more plans and its only been 3 weeks. So stay tuned!......

Meulen · 09-02-2013, 10:41 PM

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: DIY: ipad mini magnetic install into cubby
-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.

Mr&Mrs · 09-02-2013, 11:08 PM

In for wish list!

Meulen · 09-03-2013, 09:47 AM

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!

GarageLine.com · 09-03-2013, 11:49 AM

Looks great man!

Meulen · 09-03-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarageLine.com

Looks great man!

TY...and thanks for the spacers!

GarageLine.com · 09-03-2013, 12:19 PM

No problem, Let me know when you are ready for an exhaust.

ka24king · 09-03-2013, 12:20 PM

Did you have any issues with those GL spacers?

Meulen · 09-03-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka24king

Did you have any issues with those GL spacers?

To be honest, I had to do a little persuading to get one of the wheels to fit the studs. On one of the spacers, 2 studs were slightly off center. I wouldn't consider it anything out of the ordinary when dealing with custom hand made parts though. The rest of them bolted right up. I was pretty happy they came painted black too. I torqued them all down to 80ft/lbs after a little searching on the net for torque specs. The guys at Garageline were quick to offer up a new set when I told them I had to persuade the one to fit the wheels. So top notch on customer service too.

b15 · 09-03-2013, 05:17 PM

Welcome! Good to see another Chicago area member.

jlo370z · 09-03-2013, 05:23 PM

sub'd

Meulen · 09-05-2013, 02:06 PM

OK....

So the truth is sometimes I can't help myself!

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.

09-02-2013, 10:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	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 Dealer pic Dealer pic Engine bay w/ 40th badge Interior Right before we took it home! Riptide67 and sceet like this. __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal Last edited by Meulen; 09-07-2013 at 01:26 PM.

09-02-2013, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	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 Jeff's ZR1 up front jlo370z likes this. __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal Last edited by Meulen; 09-07-2013 at 01:27 PM.

09-02-2013, 10:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	Meulen's 40th journal I also took it straight to weathertech to protect that kick *** 40th interior! Left Right And added some NISMO badging __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal Last edited by Meulen; 09-07-2013 at 01:27 PM.

09-02-2013, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	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! That's it for now! I have some more plans and its only been 3 weeks. So stay tuned!...... ScotZ likes this. __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal Last edited by Meulen; 09-07-2013 at 01:23 PM.

09-02-2013, 10:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	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: DIY: ipad mini magnetic install into cubby -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. Luciano13 and DatsunFTW like this. __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal Last edited by Meulen; 09-22-2014 at 03:16 PM.

09-02-2013, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	In for wish list! Meulen likes this. __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

09-03-2013, 09:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	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!

09-03-2013, 11:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
GarageLine.com Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 937 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	Looks great man! Meulen likes this. __________________ http://garageline.com/img/garageline...1507327689.jpg www.GarageLine.com \| Sales@GarageLine.com \| Like US on Facebook

09-03-2013, 12:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
GarageLine.com Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 937 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	No problem, Let me know when you are ready for an exhaust. __________________ http://garageline.com/img/garageline...1507327689.jpg www.GarageLine.com \| Sales@GarageLine.com \| Like US on Facebook

09-03-2013, 12:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
ka24king Track Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: texas Posts: 582 Drives: '10 370z 40th annv. Rep Power: 13	Did you have any issues with those GL spacers?

09-03-2013, 05:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36571	Welcome! Good to see another Chicago area member. osbornsm likes this.

09-03-2013, 05:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
jlo370z Im a Fireball Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ill in noise Posts: 3,370 Drives: 11 370z Red 6spd Rep Power: 43426	sub'd __________________ ❝The Jlo370Z Build❞ 523HP \| 455 ftb tq \| 11.5 PSI \| 93 Octane *2017 Porsche 991.2 C4!l*

09-05-2013, 02:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
Meulen A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Romeoville, IL Posts: 1,093 Drives: 2010 370z 40th Rep Power: 3390	OK.... So the truth is sometimes I can't help myself! 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. __________________ Follow my build thread here: Meulens Build Journal

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