The Official Blog of Z1auto.com... You don't like it, DON'T READ IT!!!
Hi all – need some assistance from our friends across the world. One of our friends/customer cars was selected in the Castrol Top Syntec Top Car Challenge, and it’s voting time! EuroTuner went from 200 votes to 2200 overnight, so we want to show them all who’s boss. This is one of the best prepped Z’s in the world, and has been featured in:
Super Street,
Import Tuner, and
Modified
Click here to place your vote!!
Vote as many times as you can stand…tell a friend as well! Thanks everyone!
I’m not mad at Bride for always pushing the envelope and bring new creative ideas to our car culture but man looking at these pics makes me wish I still had my British Knights from back in the day (Jordan IIIs also come to mind, sold all the pairs I had of those too 
). Those sneakers were the SHIT!
FWI, these seats aren’t new but I tried finding them posted elsewhere on the net and I couldn’t so I figured why not post them up.
New from SPL comes these spherical front lower control arm bushings for the 350Z. The inner bushings in particular have proven problematic for the Z33 chassis. On my own car, we found they were torn, which caused some very slight clunking up front and vague steering response. It had been that way for so long, I almost began to think that was just how it was. With the car up in the air when we did the last cornerbalance/alignment, we found they were totally shot! We’ve had many customers report similar issues as well, with mileage ranging from only 7500, to upwards of 90k +, so it’s going to be just one of those things on this car.
SPL’s new solution is a solid spherical bushing to replace the factory soft rubber units. These are made up of QA1 slot-loaded bearings that feature a unique slot-loaded injection molded kevlar liner that cannot “pound out” when dirt gets on the bearing ball, providing a self cleaning and self lubricating bearing that is suitable for street use. Large 3/4″ size bearing offers huge load capacity and long life. Highly precise (machined to 1/1000th inch) CNC machined 6061 aluminum bearing shell and sleeves provide excellent fit and finish.
Priced at $149 per set of inners or outers, or $298 for all of them. Order off the website (just click the picture above) and get free shipping in the 48 states. If you need a combo deal with any of SPL’s other items (or any items in general), just let us know!
I loved this color on the E36 and it looks sick on the E92…
Lately, alot of fugazi (fake) Bride seats have been popping up all over ebay, and the usual forums. So Shino and Bun at Lot-USA (Bride Japan’s sole distributor for North America) put together this nice check list on how to spot a fake.
Why fake it? Why trust a vital piece of safety equipment, and a key styling point on your car to a fake seat? Tons of guys out there try to impress people by making themselves bigger than they are…don’t do it, you look foolish. I get it, Bride seats can be expensive (though several models are very reasonably priced!), but if you can’t afford it, don’t worry – there is no shame there. Just save up till you can! Hit up the authorized Bride dealers for the US and see if any of their customers are interested in selling theirs and trading up. Use this guide to spot the fake, and grab yourself a good used set from one of the many forums out there. The end result will be something you’ll be proud of, something that has the right R&D behind it to be both stylish and safe, and something that will last, and hold it’s value for years to come.
Just a few updated pics from the body shop this weekend. The Amuse pieces are primed and everything is blocked and just about ready to go. Rich asked me to come up this weekend to make some misc choices for the car. One of the most important decisions that I had to make was the color … and it’s going to be, drum roll please … BMW’s Alpine White.
I think Kwame and Adam have talked me into a small simple sound system, too. You guys are a bad influence, lol.
Say what you want but this dude made some damn kickass music in his younger days. If you have a quality sound system (mobile or home) then you know exactly how good this shit sounds. The production on his CDs were top notch.
My favorite song is probably “Pretty Young Thing.” I used to rock out to this in one of my many sets of footie pajamas (I specifically remember the Winnie the Pooh jumpoffs) while pops used to blast this on his Kenwood stereo system on Saturday mornings. Ah the good ole days…
Umm, yeah so I already placed my order for these today for my own car as soon as I found out that these were en route. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!!
WHITELINE PLUS 350Z TRACTION CONTROL BUSHING KIT
One of the most noticeable compromises in Nissan suspension performance is the 4 points on the rear subframe. The bushes are a very compliant hydraulic filled rubber bush that permits squirming of the rear end under bump/turn/acceleration. Whiteline has recently added to the range of subframe kits that currently covers 240SX/ 300Z with a proven fix for the Nissan 350Z and G35 platform. W92994 features the latest technology WHITELINE PLUS polyurethane bushings, steel componentry and very informative install guide. The translucent black bushings boast voiding points so that elements of compliance is achieved. The kit replaces all 4 point of the rear cradle on a 350Z or G35 Infiniti and results in a more responsive, predictable and enjoyable driving ‘Z.’
Whiteline Plus 350Z Traction Control Bushing Kit
Key Benefits of WHITELINE PLUS
-The quality of ride of rubber, with the performance of solid links.
-Long lasting durability.
-Resistant to chemicals, oils and weathering.
-Enhanced handling, steering response and road holding stability.
-Increased traction and power transfer.
WHITELINE PLUS is a range of ‘NO COMPROMISE’ polyurethane suspension bushings and components. By ‘NO COMPROMISE’ we are referring to the polyurethane’s ability to provide the quality ride of rubber at lowerspeeds and at higher speeds to become firmer,(somewhat progressive) when under cornering, accelerating and braking loads, for CHASSIS CONTROL and improved handling.
Applications: 03-07 Nissan 350z & Infiniti G35
We have a few kits ordered up for inventory and expect them very shortly so let us know if you would like one for your ride.
No major news, but forward motion never-the-less. Picked up my fuel rails last night from the guys at Action Powdercoating. Vinny and the guys there are the best around – fast turnaround time, great prices, and they’ve been doing this for years. Had them done in a nice satin black, which hopefully will render them as close to invisible as possible once everything is installed
Also got a shipment of in SPL Differential Mount Bushings. We’re now a dealer for all their parts so if you need anything, just hit us up!
While I don’t have the 4.3 pumpkin back just yet, progress is being made on it. All sorts of custom ‘ish needs to be done to get that workable. I leaped before I looked on that one. Sleeves are being fabbed next week I was told for the pinion. Not sure what all else is involved to be honest….I’m sure it could be it’s own blog lol.
The plenum is still up with the engine guru. I’m going to check up on that tomorrow and see if he found anything interesting. I have picked out a throttle body now just have to acquire it and send it up to have an adapter plate made up so I don’t have to hack up the Cosworth.
Dave – you’re not reading this, but answer my text….I needs a cluster ! Seriously, I can’t wait to see what he works up for that thing – I think I’m looking forward to that part more than anything else at this point!
I was cleaning up some old pictures and found these. They were supposed to be my street wheels after the Superleggera kit was on. Sadly, they won’t fit without running a stretch tire/ lots of camber and a huge spacer … and, I didn’t want to have to completely align the car every time I swapped wheels for a track day.
I have only one thing to say … sadface
Slowly buy surely we’re making some progress. I seriously can’t wait till this round of stuff is in the bag so I can enjoy the damn car again. She looks lonely sitting there without being used. Thankfully for the car (but sucks in general) the weather here in May and June has been horrendous, so I haven’t missed a ton of driving opportunities. But you know how projects go – at a certain point you just want to see them, or at least phases of them, done!
So today, I dropped the fuel rails off to the powdercoaters – will snap some before/afters when I get them back. Billy came down so we finally finished sanding the hood and did the first coat of primer. While we were at it, primed the cover for a bike that has been on the back burner for a minute (I think it’s from a Gixxer 750, but don’t quote me)
Rod (good customer and friend) stopped by with his immaculate Z33 Roadster a couple weeks ago to get some fresh seating. Out came the OEM, and in went the rare Bride Vorga Japan Limited Edition. Now we just need to convince him to do the other side!
One of the cleanest Z’s out there – understated, but nicely modded. Volks, Stoptech BBK, C West front lip, JP Sides…..just a clean example of a tastefully modded Z.
A new era is coming for Formula 1; the Formula One Teams Association have announced they will be leaving Formula One and starting a breakaway world championship. I’ve been following the fighting back and forth pretty closely over the past few weeks on sites like f1-live.com and grandprix.com and I can’t say that I’m surprised.
Hopefully the FOTA showing that they’re not opposed to breaking away will bring the FIA back to the table to negotiate a little more. I’m not sure what I think about a break away series yet, other that I think the FIA is being a bit ridiculous to ask some of the top teams to cut expenditures by as much as 90% from one year to the next. It’s reported that some of the top teams spend in excess of €450 million and the FIA wants to reduce this to €45 million by next year. The one thing I do know is that F1 is not the same without teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Renault.
Quick edit. – A few weeks ago, Flavio Briatore was quoted as saying “It is not correct that teams of GP2 race with us; it brings down our image and our technology. We are devaluing Formula One, [w]e want a Formula One that is unique, with the best technology and the best teams and drivers.” I have to agree with his statements. F1 has been and should be the pinnacle of motor sports, imposing such a strict budget cap will severely limit the level of innovation that we see within the sport.
If we look at it this in terms of the 2009 season “[a]t a time when we are talking about bringing down budgets to £30 million a year, we have spent £15m on KERS and and other £10m on diffusers. So that leaves five more for travel and paying the employees!” It’s hard not to agree.
From F1-Live
In the dead of Thursday night in England, the eight Formula One Teams’ Association members issued a statement announcing that a breakaway world championship will be formed.
The announcement came on the eve of the FIA’s Friday deadline for making unconditional entries for the official Formula One series, and amid the sides’ deadlocked negotiations about income, governance and rules.
“The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA,” the statement read. “The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored.
“Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006.”
The statement was issued on behalf of BMW, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota and the two Red Bull owned teams.
“These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners,” said FOTA.
The details of the new series, including a name, circuits and starting year, have not yet been announced. At present its grid would feature 16 cars, unless the eight involved teams each field three drivers.
“This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders,” the statement continued.
“The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.”
The formation of the series will spark more political turmoil, especially given that Ferrari and the Red Bull teams were unconditionally included on the FIA’s entry list, due to disputed agreements with the F1 ruling bodies.
F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose Formula One Management is contracted to and aligned with the FIA and President Max Mosley, has already vowed to legally challenge the defection of teams, and any attempts to negotiate with his contracted promoters and TV broadcasters.
The inclusion on the breakaway series of loved venues including Monaco, Spa and Monza will therefore be contested, while FOTA’s plans do not involve the successful British team and expelled FOTA member Williams, which like Force India is committed to the FIA championship next year.
