axmea?'s not-much-of-a-build thread - more like a photo log

[axmea?]

From this..........



to this..........

[IMG]DSCN3444 by Raf, on Flickr[/IMG]

to this.......

[IMG]mYcooltoyedZ by Raf, on Flickr[/IMG]

to what it is now......

[IMG]DSC_6428 Pearl White 370Z by Raf, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]DSC_6435d Pearl White 370Z by Raf, on Flickr[/IMG]

The story is in the middle. I will post what I've done so far and include my wish list. In the meantime........

I spent the entire weekend with my wife in Paso Robles and drove back via Hwy 1 to San Luis Obispo. I love the 101. One suitcase, my trusted ramps (yes I take with me all the time) and 42 bottles of wine on the way back. I had to use every nook and cranny of that Z.

Some photos.

At Lone Madrone
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[IMG]
DSCN4903 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


At Daou -- the highest point in Paso Robles. It was fantastic.

[IMG]
DSCN4891 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]
DSCN4889 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

At Villa San-Juliette (Nigel Lythgoe's winery)

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Villa San Juliette by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Sunset at Graveyard Winery for a Halloween party

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this was on our way back. At Morro Bay.

[Jasonle]

Very nice pictures

[Zbrah]

Your car is sexy as ever, and your pictures are stunning Rafael! each one of those shots can be framed on display in your office.

I started to feel content with my decision to buy gunmetal, but every time, I see your car I wish I could have gotten a pearl white

[Shadezz]

Amazing....that's all I can say buddy....everything's right about your setup.

[axmea?]

.........

After blacking out the fangs (not a fan of the fangs), I knew I wanted a body kit installed but was not sure on which one to go with. I wanted either the Amuse, Zele, or the Sunline kit. I also wanted instant gratification so I picked up a $75 sunline replica from a dealer in the City of Industry, CA. I had it painted and I installed it myself in August of 2012. I thought it looked good. Installation was very straight forward.

I thought it came out good. It did not have a finished look but just looking at the front, it looked like it works with the car. I also saw I needed to lower the car and have spacers installed. No intentions of replacing my wheels. I thought the stock RAYS looked good.

[Z-Girl 12]

Beautiful pics, beautiful scenery

[axmea?]

Originally Posted by Jasonle

Very nice pictures

Originally Posted by Zbrah

Your car is sexy as ever, and your pictures are stunning Rafael! each one of those shots can be framed on display in your office.

I started to feel content with my decision to buy gunmetal, but every time, I see your car I wish I could have gotten a pearl white

Originally Posted by Shadezz

Amazing....that's all I can say buddy....everything's right about your setup.

Originally Posted by Z-Girl 12

Beautiful pics, beautiful scenery

Thanks ya'll. Love taking shots. Need a better camera to get those hi-res/super clear pix though.

[axmea?]

Suspension mod: September 2012

The car was high, can't stand the gap and how far the wheel were sitting in the wells. Decided on H& R sport springs - $250 BNIB and SPL camber arms and SPC toe bolts for about $230. Went to Amplified Motorsport to do the install plus supplying the H&R spacers 20mm all around.

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DSCN1906 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

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DSCN1907 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


Front
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DSCN1911 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Rear
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DSCN1910 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]



On a lift at Amplified next to a brz
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DSCN1923 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


Still had my old plates
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DSCN1905 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


Before
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DSCN1902 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


After
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DSCN1980 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


Stepping out of Amplified - very happy with the outcome.
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DSCN1928 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]


I love my H&R's and my stance

[/Angelo350Z/]

Great pics! I wish Swifts were that low.

[MadChemist]

How's the ride quality with the H&R springs?

[axmea?]

Originally Posted by MadChemist

How's the ride quality with the H&R springs?

It was great as long as the shocks were in good condition. Mine was new when the H&R's were installed. The ride quality was really good. It was noticeably stiffer. I recommend that the struts be replaced as well when putting these on. Have not heard of anyone do a Koni and H&R combo. That would work well. Long term, my struts took a beating. I eventually installed coilovers.

[axmea?]

This happened on Feb 2013. Yup, this is how I ended up getting a new kit installed. I ran into a curb. Totally my fault. Making a u turn in a hotel driveway and was expecting direction from the valet and did not get it. This lip that I broke cost me $75 from a dealer in So Cal. Painting was $100 and I installed it myself to save some cash. It was pretty easy to install.....easy to break as well. I liked it because it was cheap and flexible. Lots of close calls until the curb. Curb always wins.

[IMG]
IMG-20130130-00032 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

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IMG-20130130-00031 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

[bombdefuzer]

Originally Posted by axmea?

This happened on Feb 2013. Yup, this is how I ended up getting a new kit installed. I ran into a curb. Totally my fault. Making a u turn in a hotel driveway and was expecting direction from the valet and did not get it. This lip that I broke cost me $75 from a dealer in So Cal. Painting was $100 and I installed it myself to save some cash. It was pretty easy to install.....easy to break as well. I liked it because it was cheap and flexible. Lots of close calls until the curb. Curb always wins.

[IMG]
IMG-20130130-00032 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]
IMG-20130130-00031 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Now that would have never happened if you were wearing an Omega, Rolex or even a Tag...

[axmea?]

Originally Posted by bombdefuzer

Now that would have never happened if you were wearing an Omega, Rolex or even a Tag...

or a Panerai. lol.

[axmea?]

So after hitting the curb in Feb 2013, I contacted ShineAutoProject and got a quote from Kenny, called Aerojacket and spoke with Rick, and even considered a Zele replica from a vendor who is no longer around - LCR Autoweerks. I did not like the idea of hacking off the Zele bumper or the FI exhaust because of the fitment issue so stayed away from it. I know Amplified Motorsport hacked a zele kit to match it up with the owner's existing exhaust fit but I did not like how it looked. It looked like the plastic melted around the exhaust tips. Tony from FI did not recommend hacking his exhaust so I passed. It was disappointing because I liked how it looked but it just would not work. I got a great price though.

I decided on picking up AeroJacket's kit. Rick said he'd call once the pcs are made and ready for installation. I picked up the Sunline replica made by AeroJacket.

• Spoiler
• Skirts
• Spats
• CF fenders with mesh
• GT Wing

Contacted Rick he took the car to his shop. It stayed there for about a week. Bad weather slowed the process. It was cold and moist during that time.

Here are some pix at AeroJacket's shop in Gardena. Bumper is off. I should have cleaned the air filters while it was off. Took another 5 months before I cleaned it.

[IMG]
20130206_193555 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Pieces painted. No clear yet. I did not like the white mesh.

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20130205_160618 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

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20130205_160611 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Spats Installed. What are those tools that they're using to keep 'em attached while curing. No idea but that thing worked. No issues with gaps at all.
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20130206_193540 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Spoiler installed onto the bumper. Should be blacked out. I like the dark and wide opening look. This does not do it for me. I'll do it myself later.

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20130206_193606 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Stepping out of the shop. Car looks different and transformed. It is coming off as I imagined.


[IMG]
20130207_153059 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Sweet mama. Those fenders.....(and no wide gaps baby). I do not like how the mesh was painted white. It should be blacked out. I'll do it myself sometime. Mesh is also made out of plastic instead of metal. I'll change it out sometime when I get the drive to do it. Looks fine for now

[IMG]
20130207_153113 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]

Delivered. First time I saw it and it looked magnificent. From this angle, it could use some wheels. So Happy with the transformation. Now it looks way better than just with the front spoiler and nothing else. It really finished off the car. Looks very nice in my opinion. I also like the simple touches of CF on the fenders, to the B-Pillars (courtesy of EVO-R), to the CF Wing. Not over done and just right for my taste.

[IMG]
20130207_202512 by axmea?, on Flickr[/IMG]



Took it to Solvang and Sta. Ynez for some wine tasting and it snapped necks and attracted on lookers. I like how it turned out.