Worklog: Revival of a Fairlady Z

[JessAlba452]

LoL pics soon! ;D

The top is in good condition except for the rear window, it's yellowed and you can hardly see out the back.

[JessAlba452]

Ask and you shall receive! See? HERE are PIXXX! Yay!

UPDATE: 12/31/08

Couple of pics of the last few interior parts that I missed.

Before: Off white, a lot of dirt and discolored




After: Black suede, black carpet both CLEAN!


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Doors BEFORE: Hmm that's just naaasty lol



Doors AFTER: Black suede, red stitching to match the console and seats!
I'm actually working on the speaker area, first time with fiberglass and I can say it's pretty messy. Fiberglass everywhere. Lesson learned is wear long sleeves/gloves and do it outside.




Nearly finished with the dash piece. Had to modify to fit the double din and I think it looks good but looks like something is missing any tips would be helpful!




So...um what happens when you put a headlight into the oven at 250 degrees?!

THIS! The glass melted I think lol.



If you left this, you'd get in trouble. When a girl leaves a mess, it's cool haha.



I took the headlights apart to get to this shiny or not so shiny object. Used a cloth with Stoners glass cleaner.

Years of dust stuck onto the projector lense.



Just one minute of cleaning makes it look brand new.




Next I'd like to share with you all the goodies that I have collected for this build the last few weeks.

99 Jspec front bumper, purchased used for $250 what a deal! I just need to delete the licence bracket area, sand it back down and re-paint.



Front clip swag is awesome! Here is one of the JDM fenders which I'll be stripping down and primer. The passenger side is dented slightly and I'll need to work on it before giving it a good coat of primer. While at Z1 I'll be picking up 2 fender side lights.




On the trip to Nissan I ordered weather stripping for the front windshield that goes all the way around. Picked up the two 'vert handles that go on the compartment that holds the top.

What I have to wait on is the seal for the top above the driver side window and trunk seal.



NISMO goodies here. The NISMO thermostat and transmission mount.




Last this is the garage. Read the sign or ELSE!

[OUTLAW]

great work so far jess cant wait to see the finall outcome. wish you would have went with a ls1 or ls2 but hey twin turbo is not bad also once again keep up the great work

[You_Wish]

Jess... if your going to the V Meet i so wanna meet you lol... your doing such a good job.. im so Jealous

[larossa9]

You and this thread are awsome, i love tracking progress yo!

[S10W]

Maybe parting out some things so if you want anything let me know.

Are you using the passenger side cowl panel?

[AirMax95]

Coming along nicely! The interior is going to look awesome!

[leobond001]

man you did a really good job. these look awsome

[JessAlba452]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Are you using the passenger side cowl panel?

The JDM and US cowls are opposite, but if you still want it lmk.

[speedminded]

So what would you charge for re-upholstering lessons?! I'm doing the same in my BMW but black with black stitching though.




jspec z32 bumper

[jr4mny]

i lov what your doing, it looks great so far..keep up the great work =]

[JessAlba452]

Thanks I like how it's coming along too!

Anyone want to send $ to the "Jess's Z Build" fund hahaha 300zx's love to eat money!

Hmm lets see upholstery lessons are $5,000/hr lol nah if there's anything you'd like to know just send a PM!

[Ol' Gregg]

ghay fun

[MidLifeCrisis]

i 100% hate 300zxs.. they always look gay and are usually slow as balls..

but im liking this one..alot.. i htink its all the attention to detail and the nice interior work! more updates por favor!

[JessAlba452]

Haha goes to show...doesn't matter what kind of car it is, as long as it's done right!

I have a set of Recaro Speed seats coming in from VividRacing, and should be a few weeks. Along with one 18x11 Work VS-XX to make sure it fits in the rear. If not then I will have to go with a 10.5" width and run lower offset for the lip.


For the seats this is the style I went with to match with the interior.

Image from: OnTrackPerformance

[larossa9]

that will look great with the black suede and red stitching!!

[vividracing]

Looking good!

[S10W]

The JDM and US cowls are opposite, but if you still want it lmk.

That didn't even cross my mind for one second.. nevermind hah

[RL...]

damn nice job

[JessAlba452]

Thanks! Can't wait to get those seats in! Then the interior will be mostly finished minus changing out the dash lights to red so everything matches.

[LeX]

Thanks! Can't wait to get those seats in! Then the interior will be mostly finished minus changing out the dash lights to red so everything matches.

you gonna be able to test fit those wheels right without coilovers on it yet? Probably have a bunch more space with the coils on

[jimmycricket]

I just read through this entire thread and I have to say this is one of the most dedicated efforst on a car build I've seen in a long time. You have done everything right so far and made everything look so awesome! I've never seen someone start with the interior first, props! and I will definitely be checking in on this thread from week to week.

good luck can't wait to see it with the sides and the new front bumper on, especially with you putting my favorite wheels on there

[404 THE DC4]

I just read through this entire thread and I have to say this is one of the most dedicated efforst on a car build I've seen in a long time. You have done everything right so far and made everything look so awesome! I've never seen someone start with the interior first, props! and I will definitely be checking in on this thread from week to week.

good luck can't wait to see it with the sides and the new front bumper on, especially with you putting my favorite wheels on there

x2

[JessAlba452]

you gonna be able to test fit those wheels right without coilovers on it yet? Probably have a bunch more space with the coils on

Yea I will do it on stock suspension for quick reference. Just to see if it's possible. Hardly anyone has 11 on their 300zx unless they need something like 13" wide for their widebody z32. Will probably need to run a little camber in the rear -2 or so to get the tire to barely tuck under the fender.

I just read through this entire thread and I have to say this is one of the most dedicated efforts on a car build I've seen in a long time. You have done everything right so far and made everything look so awesome! I've never seen someone start with the interior first, props! and I will definitely be checking in on this thread from week to week.

good luck can't wait to see it with the sides and the new front bumper on, especially with you putting my favorite wheels on there

Thank you so much Really appreciate the great comments!

[WhiteAccord]

Whens the next update... Im interested on where this is going.

[JessAlba452]

Next update will be tomorrow hehe I had a big surprise myself today.

[larossa9]

i cant wait, this is better then Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jonflip29]

Awesome work, I can't wait to see it in person.

[JessAlba452]

Thanks! You'll get to see it at one of the G&Z meets one of these days

UPDATE: Major Progress! More pics as requested 1/5/09

Hope everyone had a great New Year! Here is to 2009!

Went to Z1 on the weekend to pick up some goodies. Thanks to Josh@Z1 for being at the shop!

1 Piece Driveshaft






Table full of goodies!



Short Shifter
Clutch Pivot Ball
SS Clutch Line



SS Brake Lines
Heavy Duty Idler Studs
Starter Shim
EGR Delete
Brake Cylinder Brace



Dress up goodies getting parts piece by piece to make the engine look extra sexi when it's done.



Nismo is my favorite can't you tell?! LoL
Fuel Pressure Reg
Rad Cap
Oil Cap
2 300zx Keys



G-Force Racing shoulder pads...so that means there are seatbelts too 5pt camlock. Pics posted later of belts.








May I have a drum roll please!.................

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Front clip is missing it's engine!!!!



The N/A engine is out too!!!!




Ooooh yeah that's what I'm talking about! LoL TT motor is in!!! Dropped off the car Wednesday and just got it back today 1/5/09. Everything is set in temporarily so that I can drive it around before sending to Z1 for the engine build and paint the car.







That's all for now!

[JHIT89]

car is beautiful i love what your doing with it

TT is THE way to go and especially in a vert can you say hells to the yeah

[nismo_b14]

indeed very nicely done!

[JessAlba452]

LoL of course I'll say...

Oh YEEAAAH!

[WhiteAccord]

I wanna take some pics during build pics....

[j0nbunklah0m]

wow.. nice progress, keep up the work

[JessAlba452]

Thanks!

Progress build pics are fun to take

[wantboost]

looks good, keep it up.

[Danzo]

I've got one of those extra uncut z keys too! I "forgot" to give it to the person I traded it to haha. They are expensive.

[mirz833]

good build

[BlackDubs]

nice progress...the build is moving along smoothly I see.

[DVSRX-7]

holy shit!! first i see a naked interior being put back together, then i turn around and the motor is already in the fucking car!! wow nice work keep it up!!