Mount Me

Z1 Performance Urethane Transmission Mount 350Z/G35

Just got our new batch of urethane transmission mounts in stock for the 2003-2008 350Z/G35. Some of you might remember the post we did here a few months ago DIY Urethane Transmission Mount Installation

These are now in stock and ready to go. We’ve got 3 stiffnesses to choose from.

The 60A is approximately 50% stiffer than stock and geared towards street/auto-x and club type track day drivers.

The 75A is for you more sporting types – those who do some street/strip work, or who auto-x more frequently, and who want crisp, consistent shifts, without resorting to a solid mount. There is increased NVH vs the 60A, but shifting is significantly more precise.

The 90A is the stiffest, and is typically found on group n rally cars and full out track cars, as it is nearly solid – expect significant increase in NVH, but with the most shifter precision.

Spring is hopefully around the corner (though you would never know it with the weather we’ve had here in the Northeast), so we’re going to be offering a special of $120 shipped in the 48 states. If you’re looking for the ultimate combo, package it up with our Billet Motor Mount Set. Combo price is just $255.00 shipped in the 48 states (saves you over $40 bucks from the normal website price!)

Any questions, let us know!

USF1: Save the Drama for Yo Momma

There is so much controversy surrounding the state of affairs at USF1, that it’s beginning to look less like the birth of a domestic F1 team, and more like a testosterone fuelled episode of Real Housewives (insert city du jour here). Alleged meetings by the FIA to the headquarters were said to have taken place yesterday – but no one is talking about whether it even happened, let alone what all went down.

Quite honestly, this whole thing is getting old. I understand alot of time, effort and money has probably been poured into the formation of this program, but why not just come out and be upfront about what’s really going on? At the very least, it keeps everyone from fanning the fires. We’ve got the first race in about 2 weeks. I think it’s clear by now that USF1 will not be part of that event, and rumor has it that they’ve now petitioned the FIA to allow them to enter in race 4. I’d love to see this get off the ground, as I know alot of fellow US Formula One fans would, but so far, it seems like things were either rushed to get a program off the ground without the proper infrastructure in place, or promises were made and subsequently broken by those who hold the purse strings (or a combination thereof). Either way, it doesn’t look good for the team, or the sport. I think it’s time to fish or cut bait. You’ve either got a team or you don’t. Don’t turn this whole thing into ameteur hour just to save some face. If you’re serious about getting the team on the roster, plan it out carefully, get your ducks in a row, quadruple check that all the promises made to you are bankable, and take the slow and steady route. This is a fledgling organization trying to compete on the world stage with the likes of Ferrari and Renault. The team has the basics, but I think the sport can only stand one Cinderella story every few years. Proper planning is what separates the contenders from the also-rans in my opinion. I truly hope it comes together, but I hope to see it executed as it needs to be, and not hastily thrown together only to see it disappear quickly.

Oh AE86 How I Love Thee

I got these pics a while ago from a good customer of ours in the Midwest, but haven’t showed them off till now. We’ve since sent him a bunch more goodies for this never ending project, but for now, this is how she sits. I’m predicting this is going to turn alot of heads once she’s completed.

RIP USF1?

Rumors abound that this is what their offices soon may look like down in Charlotte. Their primary backer, Mr. Youtube Chad Hurley, is now said to have taken his checkbook and gone home, though word is he is talking about sponsoring, or acquiring, another fledgling team, Campos F1 (with yet a third upstart possible being part of the deal too, Stefan GP). Will the 2 teams merge? Will neither make the first race that’s less than a month out? Who knows. But true to form, the weeks leading up to the F1 season opener is always like a soap opera. All the news doesn’t bode well. Too bad, it would have been neat to see them participate. Hopefully they can secure a backer in enough time to salvage a season, but at the present time, it ain’t looking good.

Wheelz Fall Off

Samples a classic tune, but it stands solid on its own too

The Dogs Bollocks

This is going to a good customer and friend of ours in the UK shortly (waiting for some more goodies to come in). This car is joining the FI ranks soon, so it’s getting larger injectors. When you do so, you need a small spacer to allow sufficient clearance, so we did that in the same wrinkle black as well. Ian, seriously, this looks so good! You’re going to love it.

Cleared to Perfection

We recently got in a set of the limited edition CE28N Genesis wheels for a good friend and Z owner. These were released in 2009, as a slightly less expensive version of the CE28. Reports from previous customers were that the paint didn’t seem quite as durable as they are on other colors – perhaps a different process is what makes them cost about $100 less per wheel than a non-limited CE? Anyway, to make sure they stay good looking for years to come, we cleared them here using DuPonts Chroma-Premier clear. This stuff gives tons of depth and a very durable surface. I apologize they are a bit blurry, I’ll get some nicer ones up shortly

APR Front Air Dam for the Lotus Exige

APR Air dams are the next step to help aerodynamically tune the handling of your Lotus Exige.  It is common to see new sports cars designed with items such as factory under trays and other advanced aerodynamic components to produce “zero-lift”. Although these components are great at reducing lift, they may not bring the added stability and traction road racers are looking for when taking fast turns. APR Performance utilizes these components and integrates them with a Front Air Dam.

APR Front Air Dams help to reduce lift at high speeds. This Front Air Dam also utilizes a built-in aerodynamic splitter design that creates a high-pressure region of air atop the protruding surface, further reducing lift and increasing net downforce. Ultimately, the reduced lift helps to stabilize the car during high-speed cornering and helps to increase traction for faster lap times. Aside from the performance benefits, the Front Air Dam also adds an aggressive yet functional appearance to a sports car.

Made in pre-preg carbon fiber, each part has gone through a vacuum-bagging and high-temperature autoclave forming process.  This highly-sophisticated process not only ensures the best strength-to-weight ratio, this process also ensures the most consistent carbon weaves possible.

Features:

• Carbon Fiber Construction – All APR Front Air Dams are made in carbon fiber composites for lightweight and high strength.

• Vehicle Specific Design – APR Air Dams are designed and manufactured for specific vehicles for perfect fitment.

• Mounting Hardware Included – Screws, nuts, and washers are included to allow you to install the APR Air Dams to your car.

Re: Let’s Have a Talk – Do You

Recently on The Chronicles I read a really interesting article about the state of affairs in the scene, as far as cars getting magazine coverage and the behavior of their owners. Roja’s Blog also touched on this as well with his own take. I figured I’d chime in with my feelings as well, since this is something we talk about at the shop all the time with our customers and amongst ourselves.

The process of building a project car is like any other major step you take in your life. It’s filled with ups and downs, with joy and despair, and it costs a boatload of money. But you always have to check yourself as to your motivation. The motivation should always be your passion for the car and the hobby in general. Not what magazine you can get into. Not what internet high fives you’ll get. Not what girls you think you can pull after it’s done. It’s got to be about you. When you stop doing you, and starting doing it for any other reason, you lose. You become an also-ran that at the end of the day, no one pays much attention to. Sure, you might get labelled an e-baller by bouncing from one project car to another. Or by guys who are impressed by what parts you got. But those people aren’t you’re friends, and they don’t really care about what you’re doing. They aren’t helping you at 1 AM to finish an install for that event the next day; they aren’t working those overtime hours to pay for that part you covet. They are just jumping on the bandwagon, hoping to be part of something they perceive to be cool. The irony is, the bandwagon ain’t cool. What is cool is you getting out of the project what you put in. It’s you enjoying the fruits of your labor by indulging in a hobby that you enjoy and are passionate about. You gotta love it, and if you put your best into it, you’ll get the best out of it.

We used to do the show thing for a few years with our own cars and customer cars. Until it dawned on me one day – I am not having fun anymore. Hanging out with my friends and customers was cool, talking to random people I’d meet about my car or the shop was cool…but standing around for 10 hours in the sun waiting to talk to some jadrool about my car who didn’t even understand what he was looking at, and paying $50 for that privilege, had somehow lost it’s appeal. So I stopped taking my car to these events. I’d still go and show support for our customers who like the show scene, hang out for a bit, swap stories, check out the cars. But having my car judged just didn’t register high on my importance list anymore. Instead, I re-discovered doing what I should had done with all my previous projects – just enjoying the car. It was like re-discovering the reason I got into cars in the first place. Ultimately, I care about enjoying the car I built for myself. I care that it represents my hard work, and the help of my friends and colleagues. I care that my car has turned out exactly how I wanted it to. I don’t care of it gets in a magazine. I care instead about waking up early on a weekend morning and just driving out east just to enjoy the scenary. Taking the car home with me from work just to wake up a bit earlier than normal so I can take the long way to the shop the following day. Meeting up with a bunch of fellow enthusiasts and friends over dinner and just bs’ing. Hobbies need to be fun. While I am very fortunate to have my hobby also be my career, having a built Z is not a necessity in life. When it stops being fun and your motivation starts being for outside reasons, it’s time to re-evaluate things.

When we attended our first ZDayz a few years ago, I had more fun at a car event than I had in a long time. Even though my car had some gremlins that weekend, and I didn’t even get to drive it on half the roads I wanted to, it was just awesome doing a road trip with Kwame, listening to good music, and then meeting up with friends, customers, and shops we deal with all year and just hanging out. I am already planning on things for a ZDayz trip this year. We’ve got so many local customers and friends cars that are all on schedule to be completed in the coming months, that I think this is going to be one of the best spring/summer seasons in a long time. Ultimately, that’s what is should be all about. Hanging with friends, and sharing this great hobby together.

So that’s my take on it – you gotta just have fun with the car. Build it for you, and you’ll never go wrong. A special thank you to the above mentioned blogs for getting me thinking again about this topic!

I like this picture

that is all

A happy life…

A buddy sent me this and I thought it was pretty funny:

Five rules for men to follow for a happy life.

1. It’s important to have a woman who helps at home, cooks from
time to time, cleans up and has a job.

2. It’s important to have a woman who can make you laugh.

3. It’s important to have a woman who you can trust and who doesn’t
lie to you.

4. It’s important to have a woman who is good in bed and who likes
to be with you.

5. It’s very, very important that these four women do not know each
other.

Sincerely
Tiger Woods

You Tease!!

Eugene is a customer of ours from out in Cali that recently added a whole heap of goodness to his Z. New coilovers and Ings wheels came courtesy of us 🙂 He also added a new set of Stoptech’s – the result speaks for itself! Stay tuned for more pics of the car coming soon

Someone Needs Their Meds Refilled

Maybe there are 2 sides to this, I don’t know – seems pretty cut and dry to me though. Props to the driver for staying calm – I wouldn’t have been.

Billet Motor Mount Kit 350Z/G35

Fresh off the CNC, are our new Billet Motor Mounts for the 2003-2008 350Z. These are made of T6061 Aluminum, are solid throughout. We include Grade 8 hardware, so they are ready for install.

Priced at $168.50 shipped for the pair

Click here to order!

Cobb Accessport Price Decrease!!

Pricing for the Cobb Accessport for the 350Z, G35, G37, and 370Z have all now decreased to just $495.00!! To help celebrate this amazing value, we’re also going to sweeten the pot with free shipping anywhere in the 50 states!!! Offer good now through the end of February 2010

To order yours, just give us a call at (631)863-3820