NEED OPINIONS FOR THE MODS FOR MY Z!

[shyun1250]

Hey Guys,

I currently own a 2003 350z Touring and am planning on giving it a bit of a make-over for the upcoming summer. (Exterior mods for now, engine mods will follow shortly) (Over 6 months in planning.)

I'm planning on doing something a little different and am worries about the flow of the entire car.

So I decided to ask the nice people on the 350z forums for some help.

Any opinions, critiques and suggestions are welcome. (Don't worry I wont get offended)

I'm pretty new to the scene so I apologize ahead of time if I have trouble understanding some technical aspects of the mods.



Without further ado lets get started:

The car is going to be wrapped in matte white by myself and a few friends so I tried my best to find example pictures of white 350z.

Front bumper:
Ing+1 N spec Front Bumper




Rear bumper:
A modified amuse Z34 bumper to fit on my Z
(I don't think anyone in my area has done this yet)

Looks much much nicer in real life.



Spoiler:
JKS Custom Spoiler




Side Skirts:
Either Greddy or JP Vizage type A (Opinions please!)

Greddy


JP Vizage



Wheels (If possible...)
Otherwise for the time being, stock will be painted black... fml



In reality I really wanted a similar bumper to the Amuse Z34 rear as I liked the spoiler + rear bumper combo very much. However, I know how s*** the visibility is in the rear view and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see anything. Any thoughts? Has anyone done this to their Z?

Like so:
Amuse Z34 Vestito Rear bumper/spoiler combo.




Extra:

Headlight housing: baked and housing interior will be blacked out with hid conversion (8K) and smd angel lights.

Tail lights: very slight tint to change to more of a crimson. (will have 2006 LED tail lights if possible.)

Rear view tint (20 ~ 35%?) and emblems will be changes to Fairlady Z as well as Nissan emblems to Z.

For Additional pics of examples please go to:
http://photobucket.com/Harro_350z

[370Z/28]

Ok, you asked.

Don't like the front end at all. The rear looks good on the 370, but I don't like it on the 350. Maybe it would look better with some kind of spoiler. That big wing is a definite no.

I like the color, the Greddy side skirts and I love the rims. I would like to have those on my car.

[BusyBadger]

You're picking parts of kits from different manufacturers and even from a piece made for a different model/body style. There's no continuity or flow. While some of the pieces you show might look ok on their own I don't think that they work together.

I've always liked the Ings +1 N-Spec lineup but it's got to go on a well-sorted car. Hooking that up on a car that doesn't perform is like putting Danny DeVito in an Armani suit and then expecting him to be suave and debonaire.

I'm a big form follows function proponent, exterior parts are one of the last things I'd do to my car. But two things I have been looking into are the Stillen Series 2 Front Fascia (along with the Stillen Brake Ducts) and a rear diffuser - which is dependent on whatever exhaust I eventually go with - I could end up with just a bumper tuck.

Tailights - I'd urge everyone to upgrade to the later Z LED tailights, they look better and more importantly can be see MUCH EASIER at night. I drive in enough fog at night that they're on the short list (and maybe even the EDM rear foglamp). Good choice!

It has been discussed on here before, but the 350Z typically looks better the less you do it while the 370Z can have a whole host of exterior mods and still look good and even great (high praise from me...read some of my posts about the 370Z's appearance). The one bodykit that I would put on my car without hesitation would be the Pacific Rim kit from Kenstyle - good luck finding it.

Two things, you can ask people about what looks good but in the end personal style is just that: personal. And second, before you start doing all of these planned modifications to your car make sure it's in good working order I mean not don't just check the fluids and and run through the gearbox. Get underneath and check the bushings and endlinks, make sure the things that make the car functional are in good order before you do anything else. You've bought an older a Z and unless you know where it came from you don't really know how it was driven. It would be a shame to drop $5K into a car and then have to leave it sitting because you needed to drop money on a new engine/suspension/transmission because something went south that could have been addressed early on.

And welcome to NICO!

[shyun1250]

Ok, you asked.

Don't like the front end at all. The rear looks good on the 370, but I don't like it on the 350. Maybe it would look better with some kind of spoiler. That big wing is a definite no.

I like the color, the Greddy side skirts and I love the rims. I would like to have those on my car.

haha yeah, no worries. The idea for the amuse vestito 350z conversion is practically scraped. and changed to the chargespeed or ings+1. thank you for commenting on the sides, color, and rims. I've asked on the forums time and time again but I think your the only ones whos actually bothered to answer the questions.

I think the most educated responses have generally come from this forum imo.

[shyun1250]

You're picking parts of kits from different manufacturers and even from a piece made for a different model/body style. There's no continuity or flow. While some of the pieces you show might look ok on their own I don't think that they work together.

I've always liked the Ings +1 N-Spec lineup but it's got to go on a well-sorted car. Hooking that up on a car that doesn't perform is like putting Danny DeVito in an Armani suit and then expecting him to be suave and debonaire.

I'm a big form follows function proponent, exterior parts are one of the last things I'd do to my car. But two things I have been looking into are the Stillen Series 2 Front Fascia (along with the Stillen Brake Ducts) and a rear diffuser - which is dependent on whatever exhaust I eventually go with - I could end up with just a bumper tuck.

Tailights - I'd urge everyone to upgrade to the later Z LED tailights, they look better and more importantly can be see MUCH EASIER at night. I drive in enough fog at night that they're on the short list (and maybe even the EDM rear foglamp). Good choice!

It has been discussed on here before, but the 350Z typically looks better the less you do it while the 370Z can have a whole host of exterior mods and still look good and even great (high praise from me...read some of my posts about the 370Z's appearance). The one bodykit that I would put on my car without hesitation would be the Pacific Rim kit from Kenstyle - good luck finding it.

Two things, you can ask people about what looks good but in the end personal style is just that: personal. And second, before you start doing all of these planned modifications to your car make sure it's in good working order I mean not don't just check the fluids and and run through the gearbox. Get underneath and check the bushings and endlinks, make sure the things that make the car functional are in good order before you do anything else. You've bought an older a Z and unless you know where it came from you don't really know how it was driven. It would be a shame to drop $5K into a car and then have to leave it sitting because you needed to drop money on a new engine/suspension/transmission because something went south that could have been addressed early on.

And welcome to NICO!

Mhm. I think im going to try and go to with wheels to make it look better and to switch to a rear that is more subtle like the ings+1 rear but the chargespeed hasnt been totally ruled out.
I also totally agree with you about the tail lights. they are simply put, sick. I heard the look and performance of both the headlights and tail lights for the Z's 06+ models are far superior to its predecessor.
The only problem is that since they are recognized as such a valuable piece, they are often almost impossible to find.
I've actually been considering to cheapen out and just go for the ebay version of the oem led....lol

and thanks you so much for your thoughtful response.

[shyun1250]

IMO i think the most thoughtful responses have come from Z forums. kinda beginning to regret joining the local car forums my friends made me join. (full of teenage kids who pretend to know everything...)

What are your thoughts on lowering the Z?

[370Z/28]

I know I would never lower mine, but I'm probably a lot older than you. It is low and rough riding enough for me.

If I do anything to my car, it will be rims. I like mine, but I don't like my car to look like everybody elses. I'm still on the fence about a diffuser. Sometimes I think I would really like it and sometimes I'm afraid it wouldn't fit just perfect because I'm the most anal person you have ever known. I wouldn't be happy with it if it fit just the least little bit wrong. Not excited about putting screws in my bumper either. I wish I could see one on a car in person.



NICO rocks. I like it here.

[shyun1250]

I know I would never lower mine, but I'm probably a lot older than you. It is low and rough riding enough for me.

If I do anything to my car, it will be rims. I like mine, but I don't like my car to look like everybody elses. I'm still on the fence about a diffuser. Sometimes I think I would really like it and sometimes I'm afraid it wouldn't fit just perfect because I'm the most anal person you have ever known. I wouldn't be happy with it if it fit just the least little bit wrong. Not excited about putting screws in my bumper either. I wish I could see one on a car in person.



NICO rocks. I like it here.

See I think exactly where you no matter what the age difference. I find that the 350z is low enough as it is and rather than lower it further I would rather raise it than have to deal with s*** situations with speed bumps. I'm really just looking for a good set of wheels for the right price. But I agree, originality is pretty much the basis of what modding is supposed to be about, yet people who I've talked to recently all just want to do the same thing... I would suggest to you what I've been doing over the past few weeks which is to check local listings regularly (I check craigslist) and see if anyone has any spare parts for cheap. I found a listing for a oem trunk for the Z for $80 and will most likely be drilling that if I were to get my spoiler for my car. Even if I mess up or if I decide later that I didn't like it, I wouldn't have to deal with the holes. Just put your old one back on! all imo though. I'm still new haha.

[shyun1250]

Still interested in opinions!

[370Z/28]

One easy thing (and free) that you might like. Like I said before, I'm anal. I debadged the 370Z emblem off my backend. All I have is the Nissan emblem. Then I bought a really nice license plate frame that is the same brushed aluminum as the door handles. Cost $40, but worth it. Looks nice. Of course the dealer badge came off 5 minutes after I got my car home.

[BusyBadger]

I'm ok with a little drop on the Z (I hate unsightly wheel gap)...provided the functionality of the car is maintained. If you drop your car so much that you've got to rethink your shopping and parking habits so you can avoid speed bumps I'd have to call that a fail. I'm sure there are plenty of drivers that never do anything but take their Z on a little joyride here and there so they're content with a super-low stance, but what about road conditions? Unless you're driving on 100% familiar streets there's bound to be a (nasty) surprise) waiting for you someplace.

Function is also another reason I'm leery of low profile tires (besides thinking they look silly). Don't know how many times I've read online about some yahoo complaining that he's gone through two or three tires in a month only to find out said yahoo lives someplace like New York, Chicago or someplace else that's got more potholes than post-Sadaam Kuwait has landmines and is running some ridiculously thin walled 225-15 or something similar. And then there's the invariable wheel damage that follows exploring deeper than normal road craters.

I can't drop my car right now, here's the front getting ready to pull up the drive...



...and that's hitting the curb on the drainage gutter one wheel at a time. The scuff is actually from leaving a parking lot in Knoxville too fast (I was tired of waiting on traffic) and hitting the street from the curb drop.

Looks like it's time for some Bridjits. Then maybe a subtle drop.

[shyun1250]

One easy thing (and free) that you might like. Like I said before, I'm anal. I debadged the 370Z emblem off my backend. All I have is the Nissan emblem. Then I bought a really nice license plate frame that is the same brushed aluminum as the door handles. Cost $40, but worth it. Looks nice. Of course the dealer badge came off 5 minutes after I got my car home.

I was actually thinking of going the jdm route and removing the 350z emblem and replacing it with the fairlady Z one. My relatives in Japan were going to just ship one over so it really is authentic jdm haha. As for license place frame, any recommended places to buy license plates?

[shyun1250]

I'm ok with a little drop on the Z (I hate unsightly wheel gap)...provided the functionality of the car is maintained. If you drop your car so much that you've got to rethink your shopping and parking habits so you can avoid speed bumps I'd have to call that a fail. I'm sure there are plenty of drivers that never do anything but take their Z on a little joyride here and there so they're content with a super-low stance, but what about road conditions? Unless you're driving on 100% familiar streets there's bound to be a (nasty) surprise) waiting for you someplace.

Function is also another reason I'm leery of low profile tires (besides thinking they look silly). Don't know how many times I've read online about some yahoo complaining that he's gone through two or three tires in a month only to find out said yahoo lives someplace like New York, Chicago or someplace else that's got more potholes than post-Sadaam Kuwait has landmines and is running some ridiculously thin walled 225-15 or something similar. And then there's the invariable wheel damage that follows exploring deeper than normal road craters.

I can't drop my car right now, here's the front getting ready to pull up the drive...



...and that's hitting the curb on the drainage gutter one wheel at a time. The scuff is actually from leaving a parking lot in Knoxville too fast (I was tired of waiting on traffic) and hitting the street from the curb drop.

Looks like it's time for some Bridjits. Then maybe a subtle drop.

Mhm yeah I get how people talk about stance and wheel gaps but I never got why people would want to ridiculously lower a Z. It would especially be a problem for me as I DD the car and I live on campus at a university with the crappiest roads ever...Vancouver roads are s*** to begin with, they actually do it purposely to "discourage" drivers. In any case the most I was thinking was maybe getting hotchkis lowering springs which will lower the car less than an inch both front and back (15mm in the front i think and coilovers coming soon). No plans on tracking the car either so I mean I think its pretty justified for me to not lower the car... idk when I say that ppl on local forums completely flip haha. They're all about the "stance." =/ A friend also recommended spacers for my tires as well, any thoughts? As well as recommendations on coilovers? I heard beilstein or w.e is quite good.

[shyun1250]

Hopefully I can get a new and revised mod list for you guys later in the week. Alot of changes will be made and I think I'll only be posting up on nico (like the people better here) if thats alright with everyone.


I wanna let you know what we're trying to do.
We are trying to plan a time lapse video of all the mods being done in a garage over the course of a few days. So instead of progressively modifying the Z as the parts come we want to do it all at once and hopefully it'll turn out pretty good. Everything is planned for mid april.

[shyun1250]

Hopefully I can get a new and revised mod list for you guys later in the week. Alot of changes will be made and I think I'll only be posting up on nico (like the people better here) if thats alright with everyone.


I wanna let you know what we're trying to do.
We are trying to plan a time lapse video of all the mods being done in a garage over the course of a few days. So instead of progressively modifying the Z as the parts come we want to do it all at once and hopefully it'll turn out pretty good. Everything is planned for mid april.

Continued input and support will be much appreciated!! I love honest opinions.

[370Z/28]

Just go to Amazon.com and type in 3"whatever"0Z license plate frames. Ooh...that black pearl looks good! I wonder if that would look better on my car than the one I have.

[370Z/28]

I'm glad you like honest opinions. I told a guy in my car club once that he should do something to his car and he got mad and quit coming. What a tool. All the other guys expect me to critique their cars and usually appreciate my input.

I sit at traffic lights and check out everybody's car. Some people just need a little debadging, dealer emblem removal, scratch/tar remover, wax, license plate frame....and they would have a fairly nice looking car. I guess people just don't care.

[shyun1250]

I'm glad you like honest opinions. I told a guy in my car club once that he should do something to his car and he got mad and quit coming. What a tool. All the other guys expect me to critique their cars and usually appreciate my input.

I sit at traffic lights and check out everybody's car. Some people just need a little debadging, dealer emblem removal, scratch/tar remover, wax, license plate frame....and they would have a fairly nice looking car. I guess people just don't care.

Haha thanks.

I got a question for you about debadging. When debadging a car, most models have an indent in the car where the emblem is supposed to sit. I would assume that a car would look kind funky if you took off badge and the emblem indent was still there. How do you fill in that gap? I've seen it done before and am curious.

I was also thinking about getting oem track v1 wheels and they have little dots so I was also thinking of filling those in as well.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[370Z/28]

The part where the 370Z was is just like the rest of the car. You cant' tell anything was there. I think the Nissan emblem is recessed a little. I wouldn't touch that. I have seen black chrome ones. That would look good on a dark car, not mine.

I would have to see a pic of the rims.

[BusyBadger]

As well as recommendations on coilovers? I heard beilstein or w.e is quite good.

Bilstein PSS9's are what I would go with myself, actually planning on it.

[shyun1250]

As well as recommendations on coilovers? I heard beilstein or w.e is quite good.

Bilstein PSS9's are what I would go with myself, actually planning on it.

Yeah those were the ones~! haha.
Any idea about the ride quality? I especially don't want something too stiff

And if I temporarily put lowering springs on my oem suspension then can I switch back to the oem springs in the winter?
is that even possible? haha.

all in all just need to save up i guess =P