Happy new members now with a Happy Zed! [PICS!]

Discussion in 'Non Technical' started by Benny_C, Mar 7, 2011.

  1. Benny_C

    Benny_C About as subtle as...

    Recent members and owners of a Zed "Renee & Shaun" who are local Toowoomba residents also bought a Zed from Melbourne, sight unseen (but for a very good price), and when i got the chance to meet them, we had a good look over their new Zed. From what they explained aswell as their mechanics report, there was nasty vibrations while driving, was leaking both oil and coolant, and also with a plethora of vacuum/boost leaks that only saw this car get around 6psi boost. :(

    They had a quote from the mechanic but was told $1200 just for the engine pull (and push) labour alone, plus what ever labour and parts were required after that point. So the bill would have well and truely totalled $2500+ for locally sourced parts and whatever labour would be involved for a freshen up. But after learning of the owners recent engagement, i'm pretty sure they have more important things like wedding plans to organise than spending thousands on the Zed. So i offered to help out.

    Job was done over 2 weekends working on the beast to do a full engine/gearbox removal, strip down, all the necessary deletes & bypasses, a freshen up with new gaskets, seals, hoses, mounts, check over, and refit.

    First weekends work:

    So an order from COZ was placed, and i organised the hardware to the big job...
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    The epic Zed in question. It's a 2+2 TT Auto. Everything you see was done by the previous owners, and Renee bought this Zed exactly as is. It's got a Veilside C2 kit (please keep comments to yourselves VS haters ;)). It also has custom front fender vents, custom bonnet insert into stock bonnet & 20" chrome wheels...
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    (keep in mind front bar and side skirts were removed before arriving in my shed)
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    The engine in question...
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    Custom GTR tail light install...
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    Custom white and green vinyl interior job...
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    Engine bay was very neglected and oil and dirt stained from previous owner...
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    So, starting the pull down process...
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    Out she pops...
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    Gearbox removed. Such an overly complicated piece of machinery in stock form! (and as you can see, there was previously a heater core bypass done, i'm assuming due to a failed core, so i left that bypassed).
    But, The engine internally is in great nick, and turbos show bugger all signs of wear, and look quite healthy!
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    Torque converter now removed to take away to get balanced...
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    Now a bare, but still cluttered (and multi-coloured) engine bay. :) ...
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    Second Weekends work:

    Hello Adam! I get a second pair of hands this weekend to help finish her off...
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    Stock plenum before shot...
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    Now after i've cleaned it up and ripped off the redundant crap for the bypasses...
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    PCV valves were both completely jammed and non-operational. A petrol bath for while helped free them up to working order again...
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    EGR crap ripped off now, and ready to replace all water lines, including new rear main seal, all new crush washers for water and oil lines to turbos to eliminate leaks and blockages. I might also add that ALL turbo coolant lines were blocked! But got them all cleaned up again and flowing freely once again...
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    Bypasses and lines now done. Looks so much cleaner at the back now with all the crap gone? :)
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    Adam fitting a new Gearbox mount...
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    New engine mounts fitted aswell to help eliminate some vibration...
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    Gearbox re-attached and ready to slam back into the car!...
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    Every fuel, coolant and vacuum line has now been replaced as preventative maintenance while the engine is out (you're mad not to)...
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    Engine back in Situ again! Yay!...
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    Now for the grubby job of the exhaust...
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    Just about at the last stages, and a lovely shot of it's proud owners, Renee (on right), and Shaun (on left). While Renee is the "official" owner of the Zed, Shaun is an enthusiest too, and both lovely people!...
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    and...

    Voila!!! The finished product!!! Purr's like a kitten now, bugger all vibration, no leaks, and after i installed a MBC, and boosted her up to 13psi for them, it goes like a cut snake!
    They've now got a strong base to work from, for tidying up some other parts on the car as they wish...
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    And a big thanks to Adam for helping out put her back in. Many laughs were had, and many beers were drunk during the process as always.

    Hope you enjoyed the read!

    Cheers,
    Benny. :zlove:
     
  2. murci

    murci Member

    Good write up, and welcome to shuan and renee :)

    I like it how you immediately pulled the VS Skirts off haha :p

    Whats up with the tails? is it even possible to return them to stock?

    Matt.
     
  3. Brock32

    Brock32 Active Member

    Top Work Benny!

    You have done extremely well.

    (The beers made me laugh. a lot :) )

    To Matt, i don't mind the tails, different and they look well done. better that Ferrari lights imo
     
  4. black baz

    black baz black 'n blue Bazemy

    Benny, you are, indeed, a Forum GEM ...!!! top stuff all around .... great job ....

    ... but still no sign of "THE NUMBER PLATE" .... eeekkkk !!!!
     
  5. Chrispy

    Chrispy Pretentious Upstart

    Good stuff Benny! :D

    Tail lights are... interesting...
     
  6. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    /dons flamesuit. I like the look of this car and would like to have seen the VS kit on it as well. just me though and no need to hate on it all I know most of you dont like these kits.
     
  7. 90TTZ

    90TTZ Back From The Dead

    On ya Benny. You should become an affiliate with A2Zed :p

    +1 with the tail light conversion.
     
  8. A-Bris-Z

    A-Bris-Z Carcraze

    Now that's what I call a good friend......wow, nice work Benny!
     
  9. brisz

    brisz Well-Known Member

    Well done Benny !

    That car will never be the same ... in a good way. :p

    I like the car, something different with the tail lights, colour and interior, like the guards, reckon it will come up very nice.

    Whats the number plate that Baz is going on about ?

    You didn't happen to notice what numbers were stamped on the torque converter did you ?
     
  10. zedman

    zedman Member

    welcome Renee & Shaun to zed world
    benny mateship at its best
     
  11. pennyarvs

    pennyarvs New Member

    Great write-up, Benny! Very helpful as always. Will be using this as a reference for my own engine pull.

    Truly an icon of what this forum is all about. Reminds me of Matt (zedboy)... :thumbup:




    Thanking you guys,

    Arvin



    P.S. Welcome home, Renee and Shaun...
     
  12. Renee & Shaun

    Renee & Shaun New Member

    Hey Benny. WOW loved the thread it's a great read. the engine looks so much cleaner and it looks like someone actually owns it now. Greatly Appreciate your hard work and efforts. Thank you to Adam as well for lending Benny a hand with my car.
     
  13. MickW

    MickW Carntry member...

    You da man Benny, you da man :)

    Adam da man too :)
     
  14. rollin

    rollin First 9

    the car itself is the complete opposite of my taste, but its always good to see someone getting hteir hands dirty.

    the engine and bay looks so much better with all the non essentials removed
     
  15. JEDI-77

    JEDI-77 Jedi Master

    Awesome work!!

    Great stuff Benny!! :)

    Cheers
     
  16. Adz_79

    Adz_79 I do it in a Zed

    Awww, should've had my number plates showing in that photo of our cars in the background Benny :)

    Great weekend all round. Love working on these beautiful cars. I hope Renee & Shaun enjoy their ride and have hassle free motoring :) Happy Boosting

    So, who's Zed is next? Having withdrawals already :D
     
  17. ZeDHeD

    ZeDHeD Well-Known Member

    Nice work Benny! It's always great to see a Z get 'rescued' rather than parted out! As others have said not my personal taste in decor!.........but it should clean up really well with a little more TLC! :zlove:
     
  18. rhy_boy1

    rhy_boy1 New Member

    where the green is should be blue, but other than that its a ncie Z.
    I like. spesh the interior.
     
  19. stevearm77

    stevearm77 NA Compression + TT Boost

    AWESOME!!
    Why are there not many people left in the world like you??
    Everyone can learn something from this thread!!
    Being nice, helping people & good old fashioned manners are quickly becoming a thing of the past :(
     
  20. Cam

    Cam ****


    Might be due to living in Rocky. :p

    The QLD spirit of lending a hand is still strong down this way. :) Nice work Benny.
     

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