| Been having more fun with electroplating stuff. It sure is a quick, easy, and effective way to make old parts look brand new again. Not to mention, if you modify existing parts, you can apply the plating to them to preserve them for the long term. Check out some of the parts I've done up in the pics below >>
Here's how she sat from the other day:
I wasn't too thrilled with how the OEM pipes have the turbo coolant line nipples located so I cut them off, filled in the hole with the MIG welder, drilled new placement holes and re-welded the nipples down near the bottom of the pipes. I also cleaned them up and hit them with some nickel plate for about 45 minutes at 1A and installed the pipes and hoses. 
I also took some time and cleaned up the PCV pipes on the intake camshaft covers and plated them too. What was nice is the additional metal added in the plating process has enlarged the pipe just enough that they have a firm fitment into the port on top of the valvecovers - they look new and fit like new. 
I also got the 6AN fittings welded to the back of the fuel rails, tested them for leaks, and then hit them for an hour in the plating bath at about 1.5A. They came out great and I installed the Nismo 740cc injectors with a bit of Parker's O-ring lubricant. You guys contemplating an injector installation should get your hands on some of this stuff. It is specifically formulated for use with synthetic orings and it will provide a very smooth, bind-free installation as well as chemically preserve the oring material. It comes in a toothpaste tube-sized package and is yellow with black lettering. 
And here's what she looks like with the "new" parts installed: 
I have been researching a solid solution for a high-amperage alternator to keep up with the electrical demands I will have with all of the additional electrical systems in the car (fans, water pump, computer, power steering). I found a cost-effective solution and purchased the alternator.
It was purchased from [ www.alternatorparts.com, ] part number D1-CS-130D-17 . It is a Delco-Remy CD-130 type 170A alternator - woompa woompa on the output, eh? :) It was purchased for $189.95 and $12.95 for shipping. The only problem with it is the fact that the mounting bracket isn't the same as the OEM alternator for the Z. But, my request to them when sending the alternator was to send one that has the mounting point and the tensioner location 180-degrees apart from each other as I didn't want to have to make a new tensioner. The plan was to cast a new bracket from aluminum, but once I got it in hand and started sizing things up, it was apparent that the install would be much simpler than all that mess. I simply measured the difference from the back of the alternator flange, compared that to stock, and then cut the extra material out with the bandsaw. Check it out >> 
For the complete image gallery of this engine build, check out the link below:
[ http://ashspecz.com/Image%20Gallery/2004-Engine%20Build/index.htm ]
[ ashspecz.com ]
[ agpowers@bellsouth.net ] Enthusiasts soon understand each other. --W. Irving.
Are you an enthusiast? If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.
Albert Einstein
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AshsZ-II "Ultimate Street Z Buildup" More assembly >> - 
