Updating the Image

[2DLogic]

As I said in my intro and build threads, I'm looking to do a clean restoration on my new Z32, I'm not however concerned with making it a factory original restoration.
One of the simple things I thought of to update the image was new emblems. Since aftermarket emblems almost always look tacky, but flat sticker emblems look dated, I thought about using emblems from the 370Z. Specifically the 370 version of the "Fairlady Z" emblem and this: http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/370z03/31-1150, assuming I can even find one.

I've searched, but I can't seem to find pictures if anyone has done this before, I know Z owners are generally purists, so it wouldn't surprise me if no one had. The front emblem doesn't worry me, that's simply sanding down two pegs and affixing it to the nose panel. The Fairlady Z however concerns me. I'd like to keep it in the same spot, the trunk panel above the left tail light, but I'm not sure if it'll fit... Does anyone have the vertical dimensions of the emblem, or has seen someone who has used the 370 Fairlady Z style emblem on their 300ZX?

Also, what other things have you guys done to update the look of your cars besides the obvious body kits, lights, wheels, ect?

[300ZXttZMAN]

Yes most of us are purists. haha

But anyway the thing to do would be to go to a Nissan dealer ship and measure the rear emblem or call and see if they could measure one for you. I know a few people on NICO staff that work at Nissan let me see if one of them can squeeze away and go measure one real quick. Or if they can look up the dimensions. I'll let you know when I find something out.

[2DLogic]

I totally understand about staying true to the vehicle's heritage. The only reason I'm thinking about this is because it is still a factory "Z" badge, albeit for a newer generation. That, and paying $20+ for a sticker irks me when I can get a nice new emblem for ~$25.

Isn't the Fairlady Z badge something that is typically imported from Nissan of Japan? I thought all of the trim options, even the NISMO package, were still branded as 370Zs... I'm not sure if the average Nissan dealership would have something like that available. Thanks for checking none the less.
I may pop into the 370 boards and ask someone who has the emblem if they'd mind doing some measuring for me...

Another thing I've contemplated doing to update the interior is snagging one of the Z Thirty Two double din beezels for a nice NAV/multimedia system, but I also really like the 300 Degree 3 gauge single din beezel for when I do the twin turbo swap/rebuild. Never been a fan of A-Pillars full of gauges...

[canadian booster]

my 'want' list of upgrades is a hell of a lot longer than the 'completed upgrades' list
generally though i see a lot of rides on boards or at shows and i pick out things i like, it's very seldom i see a total car that i really like everything about, almost never happens, but i might like the steeringwheel, or marker lights, or the specific ring couplers they used on the intake pipes, etc

[Chattzx]

Please...don't put that emblem on the Z...

[300ZXttZMAN]

Please...don't put that emblem on the Z...

Purist unite!!!

I have to agree just keep it badgless if you don't like the emblem. But anywho its your car and its up to you. I'm still waiting on those people to ping me back about the dimensions of the oem Z34 badge.

[300ZXttZMAN]

I may pop into the 370 boards and ask someone who has the emblem if they'd mind doing some measuring for me...

Its worth a shot thats the beauty of NICO! Your just a hop skip and a jump away from the Z33/Z34 Discussion section. See what I did there?

[2DLogic]

Please...don't put that emblem on the Z...

Which one, the 370 version of the Fairlady Z, or the front "Z" emblem from the link?

If there is any strange fitment issues, or either looks odd then I certainly won't. If there's some quality issue I don't know about please let me know.

Aside from that, and "its not Z32 factory original, so it doesn't belong" attitude aside... why not?
It's not really any different than swapping the front Nissan hamburger for the Japanese Z logo seen here. Or people using the old S30/240Z Fairlady Z logos as a throw back to the heritage of the vehicle.

If you're trying to say don't put the Fairlady Z badge on because of the whole "Fairlady Z's have to be RHD" argument then shoo. There is no meaningful performance difference in the Japanese and European Z32's and the US spec 300ZX. Its simply the name and a few options; and after all, what's in a name?
I can understand if I was talking about slapping NISMO badges everywhere, using the actual "370Z" badge, or using the Tommy Kaira "Z" logo. That's misrepresentation. The badges I'm looking at are really just the new design for the "Z" car logo. Not going to lie though, I do wish the front logo was just the circle with the 370 style Z in solid black... ditch the hamburger surround and clear light plastic...

If you want to contribute to the thread, then please do, I love discussion. If we don't see eye to eye, so what? If every car in the world looked the same they'd be pretty boring... But please don't make random snide comments without at least explaining yourself.

my 'want' list of upgrades is a hell of a lot longer than the 'completed upgrades' list
generally though i see a lot of rides on boards or at shows and i pick out things i like, it's very seldom i see a total car that i really like everything about, almost never happens, but i might like the steeringwheel, or marker lights, or the specific ring couplers they used on the intake pipes, etc

Well said. Nice job on the quick release wheel, by the way.

Thanks TTZMan, I'll find someone who has the emblems and ask if they can measure, please do let me know if you hear anything from your dealer friends though.

[Chattzx]

Just keep the panel clean of anything, you don't have to have the nissan hamburger logo there. The 370Z emblem is going to bulge out like there is no tomorrow and look like an auto-zone accessory piece.

[Z-owned]

The 370z logo has it's own design compared to the z33, z32 all the way back to the original 240z. To me putting the Z design from a different gen just doesn't fit the car. The jdm Z badge looks great fyi.

[itZjoker]

It just doesn't look right. It's not as clean and simple, and it looks off imo. But do whatever pleases you. If I saw a Z like that I would totally bag on it though no offense.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Thanks TTZMan, I'll find someone who has the emblems and ask if they can measure, please do let me know if you hear anything from your dealer friends though.

They haven't said anything yet.

Its looking like your going to find yourself in the parking lot of the dealer measuring emblems lolz.

[2DLogic]

Seems so. I pm'ed a couple 370 owners about the dimensions of the Fairlady Z emblem, but haven't heard anything back from them either.
The front Z emblem seems to be much larger than I anticipated, so that idea is out. Can't say I'm terribly disappointed that I won't be shelling out $100+ for an emblem. I still prefer the styling of the 370's "Z" logo to the segmented design of the 300's, and the "3 dots Z" of the 350 so I may pick up one of the 370 side marker emblems to see if I can fab up a custom emblem from that. If it doesn't work out, its only a loss of about $20.

Emblems aside, I'm still curious as to what people have done to update the look of their Z32s, interior or exterior.

[DCaff300ZX]

A couple of items to consider- for the interior, there's gauge rings you can install that look VERY nice...

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_in ... ts_id=5330

...and the Powertrix fog light ducts vastly improve the front bumper look IMO

http://www.powertrix.com/z32exterior.htm

[2DLogic]

I've seen the gauge rings and ducts before. The gauge rings I like, gives it the feel of a modern roadster. The ducts I like their look with the stock TT fascia, but I'm gonna be going swapping out for a Greddy G style bumper which already has ample breathing room. Fogs are also nice for a bit of extra visibility as well, safety and all that jazz.

Another thing I was looking at was the 300 Degree 3 Gauge Din panel for additional gauges when I do my twin turbo swap, I wonder if I'd be able to find or have, fairly cheaply, commissioned some polished rings to go around the 3 52mm gauges to continue the look... Hmmm.