I just wanted to take this time to thank the Aus300zx.com.au forum members for their support and advice. I bought my Z in 2008 and since then the forum has not only saved me money it has saved me 'stress'. Yes, I've had my stressed moments with my Z and on many an occassion I'm lucky a sledghammer was not on hand. However, I've managed to accomplish quite a lot and I've learn a lot. My 14yo son said to me about a month ago, "How do you know so much about cars, Dad). I was honest and said I have friends online who are supportive, have great advice and importantly are willing to share that advice and they also encouraged me to do it myself. This pic is Late December 2008 and the start of my 100K service and my very first Mod, a pod style air filter [/IMG] This pic is Jan 2011 and finally completed my plenum pull (with Uber cool polished plenum) [/IMG] The only things I've sourced out is the clutch change because although, I bought all the parts it was too challenging on a concrete slab outside with the Z on car stands and welding a new exhaust system as I don't have a welder. Firtsly, let me say, I'm not mechanically minded but I have a "have a go" attitude and the money I've saved in doing these things myself have afforded me a small but high quality essentials Z tool kit. Secondly, None of the things I have accomplished could have been possible without the generous support, advice and encouragement of the aus300zx.com.au forum members. I've printed, read and reread the relevant tech section items and have asked questions after searching and all along I've always been met with encouragement and support. This is not to say my Z journey so far has been easy, it has been downright stressful and on occassion bloody frustrating. There has been lots of occassions where if I have had access to a sledghammer I would have taken it to my Z with a vengance and quite possibly be Zless now. Luckily, I've not access to a sledghammer when the sh#$ hit the fan. Here is my list that I am proud to say I've done myself albeit with lots and lots of help from forum members. Installed Pod filter Installed HID's with highbeam bypass Installed GReddy Profec A EBC Installed GReddy turbo timer (although, only for cool down timing) Installed Autometer boost & Volt gauge Installed Blitz BOV's Installed 300Kph speedo Installed Indiglo instrument display Installed All new suspension with kings low springs Installed, Rewired & Reloacted S2 PTU Installed ALL new wheel studs Installed All new interior trim Installed New Power steering High pressure hose Installed New alternator Installed New fuel pump & filter Installed New Targa T top hook Replaced window runner wheel Replaced ALL door/window rubber seals Replaced Targa rubber seals Replaced front seat belts to Klippan Aus style Repaired Cargo cover (end trim) Repaired rear tail lights transistor thingy Brake calipers painted (pretty basic really) Completed 100K service (full service kit) Completed Plenum pull with new injectors (stock), all NEW insulator, O rings, fuel lines and hose clamps, EGR delete, PCV's replaced, water hose bypass with silicon hoses, all other hoses replaced to silicon and general tidy up. I would like to say to other members who are unsure about doing any of the above. Search the tech section (search truly is your friend), read and reread stuff to make sure you understand it. If you don't understand simply ask. members will not have a hissy fit if you search but don't understand (well some will, but that's life ) Importantly, have a go, you will learn a massive amount about your Z and it will save you money which you can invest back into your car (in my case high quality tools essential to a Z) or reinvest the money you saved into a holiday, It's not that hard to do, you just need to 'have a go' Everything above was made possible and completed with the help of the forum and its members! Cheers all, Pete A sincere thanks to the members of Aus300zx for their encouragment, help and advice. Thank you very much:zlove:
Well said, seconded, and I think you qualify for the noob Hall of Fame I have taken a similar "self help" approach to yours. Mainly because I live where there is a shortage of Z32 experts, and that's putting it politely. My finding is that if you live in a rural area then it is pretty much impossible to keep a Z32 viable without the resources of this Forum and the support of the other members. So I'll join you in waving the aus300zx.com flag :thumbup:
Yes, we don't wave the Aus300zx forum flag enough Well done to you too Mick. It's pretty cool to hear that I'm not alone in the Z help department. I live in Penguin in Tassie and there are no Z specialist or let alone Z friendly workshops. I went to a turbo specialist workshop recommended by a Skyline friend to get my O2's installed and after 2 days of having the Z they were still not installed and he claimed I had bought the wrong size O2. He did give the Z a 'consult' scan and wanted $68 for that, to which I politely indicated I did nor authorise it nor need it and would only pay if he carried out the work I requested. The workshop said in that case the Consult scan was on the house because they could not install the "wrong' O2's. Subsequently, I ended up installing the O2's myself and yes they were the right size and fitted perfectly (I missed the O2's off my list). If that so called turbo specialist workshop is an indication of the quality of specialist workshops in the area I'll be doing pretty much all my work from now on (which is what I'm doing). One day I'll delivery my Z to Vic or NSW for a 'proper' specialist job or even PZP in WA and enjoy a nice long road trip back to Tassie Although, some members got shafted in the for sale section or when members have disagreements on advice, you can't argue that the forum is a good source of advice. When members disagree on advice that at least indicates they care about the quality of advice being delievered. I don't think the forum gets enough kudos for the quality that is delivers.
