- 2003 Nissan 350Z Touring model w/ Navigation system
- Bought: 10 March, 2003
- Specifications
- Customizations:
- Future Plans:
- Stranger alterations that I cannot quite justify...yet:
- 42V/14V dual power system:
36V battery 42V alternator system w/ 12V Step-Down converter
(http://www.interlog.com/~dgv/converters.html)
- Steer By Wire (Electrical Steering)
- Lane Cruise Control (something I have been dabbling in for awhile now)
- [Not so] Bragging Rights:
(according to
WA RCW 46.61.535 the following text is illegal)
- 120 on the 520 floating bridge
- 140 on Highway 2 near Steven's Pass, WA
My friend in his new Subaru WRX STI passed me at 155+
- "84 in a 60" speeding ticket within 3 weeks
I didn't even make it to the 1200 mile break in period!
I consider myself lucky, because a minute earlier I was going 95+ :)
My lawyer got the ticket dismissed (obviously for a fee)
- Suggestions
- Do NOT drill holes in your front bumper to mount your license plate!
Get a license plate holder that attaches to your front grill without needing
any holes:
350Z Zee-Bracket License Plate Holder
(http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z/
is cool place to check for parts and supplies)
- VDC Off By Default Kit:
http://www.controlgenie.com/vdckit/
- Get involved in the Z forums.
I am on http://www.350zmotoring.com
and http://www.my350z.com
myself
- Get a 3M ClearBra
It will save you the heartbreak of watching your front end get slowly chipped
away
Research this, and don't get the cheap imitation films
- Get the Track model and put in your own killer Navigation and Stereo
system
- Do *not* get the Navigation System option
Build your own instead (w/ a touch sensitive screen and DVD/MP3 playback)
It might cost slightly more, but it will be of much better quality and more
expandable
- Do not get the Bose Premium Sound System
It is proprietary, is not expandable, and is not spectacular
You are better off building your own, even if it costs a little more
- Get the
Technical Service Manual on CD
You can sometimes find it for cheap on
ebay
- The judgment is not in yet on whether an expensive radar detector is worth
it
DEFINITELY DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A RADAR "JAMMER"
Never buy anything from Rocky
Mountain Radar (RMR) or trust anything they say
Be wary of the plethora of sites they run, and any test results they cite.
- Drive with a laser detector for awhile before you decide to buy an actual
laser jammer.
I have a laser detector, and so far I have yet to pick up a single laser
reading around Seattle.
- Install the radar/laser detector yourself (unless you get an incredible
deal on the install)
- Take that stupid child seat anchor out of the trunk area (mid-ship behind
passenger)
- The interior can pretty much be taken apart with only a phillips screwdriver and a
10mm wrench.
It pops apart fairly easily and without too much resistance.
If you are having to force something apart then you are probably doing
something wrong.
Make sure you have unscrewed all of the necessary "anchors" before proceeding.
The manual helps; if you *know* where a pop point is then just give it a good
yank...it'll give.
Check with the folks in the forums to see if they have any suggestions.
If you want to see the stereo removal process check this page
out (mirrored).
- The plastic on the interior scratches pretty easily; keep this in mind at
all times.
Lay your parts down on a large terry cloth towel.
Lay against a large towel while working and leaning against your car.
Remember: harder materials always scratch softer materials.
Plastic rarely scratches plastic, but metal always scratches plastic.
- Don't rush into hot rodding this car with all of the latest performance
gadgets.
Most aftermarket parts are still in development, and thus primo expensive.
Be patient; prices will eventually come down to an acceptable level.
At a naturally aspirated 287hp, this car could easily be modded to over 400hp in a year!
- Links:
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