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Subject My Z Journey - From beginning to a necessary summation.
     
Posted by ZinnZ32 on February 21, 2014 at 1:15 AM
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Message [Warning before opening, contains many, many pictures!]


Here it is, a tribute to my pride and joy of a car I own, a project with modest intentions - that went ten-fold on that scale and shot to the moon! Enjoy.

Let me start by saying thanks. I owe a lot to this forum, club, message board, support group (I like that one)... I would like to show my accomplishments with what I've learned and developed using my problem solving, knowledge, perseverance, and mechanical skills I have all gained in the process. I intend this to be brief in writing, with pictures, and a bit of a solemn conclusion in the end... So here we go, with my concise journey with this excellent machine!


Let me start with the finished product, for some shock value:


Circa, 2008-ish, 18 years old. Worked very hard during my schooling, and afterwords, almost 80 hour work-weeks for a period in time, saving money... So naturally I want to build a car, saw the Z32 - never looked back, I remember it from being young, and it was just a great, exotic, unique car to me.
Enter BC, Canada... not many too fine examples at a very good price. So, after about 6 months, I have a Z! $3000, decent body, rust free. Did I mention? Ricer Chrome side stripes, and mustang wheels! But damn it was fast for an NA (HKS vpc map system, dual intakes, exhaust)!


**PS: looking back, and full well knowing, buy a house first you stupid kid!!!**



Anyway, drive it for a week, tear it apart!


Mmhmm Blue... And orange!


Entire interior stripped, undercoat cleaned, complete epoxy done. Before/after


Subframe before/after, no coilovers yet


Just terrible...


Full filtered, downdraft garage spray booth, PPG primers, epoxy and 2k filler


PPG DBU (Solvent not waterborne like they have now!) Giallo orion mica on the jams!


After... Not bad for an 18 year old (might've been 19 who knows). RESEARCH is everything! And tools!


Interior stitching, done on my mom's sewing machine (I have stock now, but saved this all)... Remember Kids, stock is always Best!


Engine (V1 - we'll get to this). Short block done by machine shop. Did it all right, forged, 500 cams, balanced, SZ 5 puck, PCV re-route, etc!




In the car. Taking my life away one step/expensive part I 'need' to have at a time!


It runs! First try!... SPL rad, 2.5 IC pipes, etc, GT28RS, all good stuff. Intake Tee for off to paint shop! (temporary)


Paint

Basically there... And...


Version 1 (no interior!) complete!

It scared my Dad when he drove it, was a good laugh! Come from a hot rodding background I suppose!



Well that's all fine and dandy, is it?


Now, what happens next? Big problems, desire for more, different look, other parts, then this nasty tick after the drag strip. Yup, crappy tuned engine, Ruined!!!

Enter...

V2.0


Just garbage... My turn to build it.


... Properly


Fix JWT's leaky turbo they supplied and denied (sport 700's - very common because they have a mechanical sealing face, no O-Ring!) Bastards

NA Squirts


BDE gears, rebuilt lifters as well soaked in heavy race oil


MUCH NICER, with timing covers!


Including custom "Xenon" light conversion, laborious. With modified cutoffs

Including some rare parts luckily for me, and j-spec compliments


Not cheap... Lucky to get a good deal on some Abflug stuff! Very few of us have it here!


OS giken


ARP's, and brembo's, new wheels as well


Then... lets try the track thing again... Get a tune, AEM ems, seems solid. And it was!


On the track, I am standing up to 991T's, Ferrari's, a Z06... When what do I hear? That defining clack of a spun VG rod bearing!

Do NOT Track your Z with a stock oil pan!


My Z is a street car, capable of track now with an Accusump, has head drains, and other preventative measures, it is too powerful for the track and grips too well without an AS...



...


V3...

And here we are, third times the charm! It's built like a tank.



Permatex Copper Gasket Spray on all paper and graphite gaskets (Easy removal, awesome seal!). YES it is fine for headgaskets, and yes it is great stuff!


Head drains! (Gravity) It all helps


Taurus Fan


Exhaust Scavenging Setup, negative crankcase pressure!


AEM MAP ties it all in for a very efficient system!

Nissan show, car has won two trophies! Did a complete wet sand and 3-stage cut buff/polish as well, paint is immaculate!


Different Car, same passion (Camaro is WAY cooler, not to mention more $$$)



Here is my ending to this story (or maybe picture whoreage, whathaveyou)…
Overall, I never wanted to even consider selling the Z. I fully know - if I were to, I would always miss it… However, I have come to the point where I simply need to change my perspective, amongst other things. The engine I have built is a perfect example of a well done VG-TT, it is tuned safely, it is one of the fastest street cars around and is a pleasure to drive slowly, at the limit, and anywhere in between. Heck, could be a daily if I didn’t pamper it so much! I was lucky enough to have it appraised by a professional, with a background as automotive museum curator, concours judge, and an insurance head estimator. Valued the Z at 30k. I have nothing to hold back. It is a great car, just time for someone else to enjoy it, and time for me to move on and see what else I can do!!!
I have changed priorities in life. And it is time to bid farewell to the Z32 platform. Recently getting into home investments, boats, fishing, and… Funnily enough, Ultra4 racing! - I have also always wanted an old F-body or a Porsche as well, which I would like to have as more of a running restoration.
Just like to sum it up and say thanks for everything. I’m glad I am able to contribute on here now as well, it’s the least I can do to give back! It’s been real, and the Z is going up for sale
:)

__________
Version 3.02 - Driven like it's supposed to be!

     
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