New to the Board and New 1600 Owner

[motoextreme]

Hello All.

I have a 2009 370Z Nismo that I'm just about done Customizing (Paint, motor bolt ons, wheels, brakes, stereo...endless mods..). I pick it back up from the shop next week but thankfully she's just about done. SOOO.. Rather then dump any more money into a car that was already fine to begin with I decided to fulfill a childhood dream of building a Roadster and making it my own. I worked for Nissan as a Teen and loved them back then so I'm going full steam ahead! I've owned everything from classic Camaro's to modern Exotics but I truly love my Nismo so I'm now moving onto phase two, building a Roadster.

Anyway, I found this beauty on the net. She's a 67.5 California car with barely any rust at all. I picked her up late last week and the guys on the 370 forum recommended this site so here I am. This is the first weekend of owing the car so I jumped into it today and started pulling it apart. Carpet is out, hideous oversized seats are in the trash, dash is pulled apart and I just took all the chrome, hood and trunk off.

Plans....I will do a motor swap once I find the best and easiest solution. Will likely have a shop do it though as that's a little more then I have time for. I'll unload the stock hardtop, the stock motor/trans, stock console and some other parts I don't need. I have some parts off my Nismo that I MAY use for this car such as some spare racing seats, my stock brakes and a few small pcs. I want to add a rollbar, redo all the interior, add a really nice gauge package and a whole new drivetrain. I have quite a few friends in the body business so I'll likely paint it silver and go with black or red interior. Stock wheels need to go, stock brakes need to go and I'll replace with whatever's best and easiest to transfer over.

I'm sorry if I offend any purists but I want the beautiful classic fairlady looks with a modern twist and drivetrain.

Sorry for the long post, wanted to share my story and I look forward to reading all your stories. Here's some pics of my new project. Hope to hear from you.

PS. The two guys in the first picture stopped by to see the car, they are from a Co known as RAW which played a huge role in the build of my Nismo, I asked them to come by and look at this one prior to paying for it. Great guys..I'm the tall guy with the black shirt (FYI)

PSS. Should also explain the sign in name. MotoExtreme was my bike shop that I owned a while back, built race bikes and such...Its all I have left from that expensive venture so I still use the name from time to time

[motoextreme]

Here are a couple more shots.

[shifty]

You should have a chat with Micheal Spreadbury (spriso) before you take it too much further apart. http://www.spriso.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is down right now - server issues. But you can see some work in the swaps section.

He does beautiful work installing SR20s in roadsters.

[motoextreme]

Thanks for that, I found his name on some posts and articles earlier but couldnt get on his site. Glad to hear its just down and not out of business. Thus far I've just pulled all the interior out and the bumpers. Car is in really good shape considering its age, only found some very tiny spots of cancer under the floorboards, body is REALLY straight and it appears accident free. Even the tires look great even though I wont be using them.

Thrilled with this purchase, looks like it will go together much faster then expected. Prior owner seemed to have used any and all screws and bolts under the sun but other then that really happy with her. I can't wait to get this going...my 14 year old daughter asked if she can use it for school one day, we'll see but I'm thrilled she likes it so much. Just need to get my boy off his video games so he can help (wish me luck)

[motoextreme]

Here's some pics of what I accomplished day 1...long way to go.

Dash was an overstuffed pad that looked horrible so I'm still ripping that out. Rear shelf is solid, floorboards are pretty good considering. Dash is all coming out right away. It was all complete when I purchased it but some gauges did not work and the fans etc were problematic. Windows are great but can't get this windshield off for the life of me. I'll review posts and attempt again once my back recovers

[notoptoy]

Welcome abouard, you've definitely come to the right place. It is a unique forum as the purists and "modernists" seem to get along pretty well. I think we all just appreciate the time and effort each puts into their particular ride. I really enjoy the different aspects of the performance add-ons, and really admire the work. I know of several swaps alluded too including rotary, the SR20, Ecotec and a V-8 or two!
+1 on the Michael @Spriso suggestions. he's got an active thread on a 1500 restoration that is amazing!
Good luck and congratulations on the fast start!

[fj20spl311]

Some of us have old school conversions. LOL

I would suggest a VQ37VHR
maybe a 7 speed auto with paddle shifters.

Phil

[motoextreme]

Had no idea you could put a VQ37 in this one...I need to look into that. Absolutely adore the motor in my Nismo, that would be cool to have two of the same. Only had that car for about 6 weeks and it was one fast build. I'm not going to rush this one as I want it perfect but unfortunately I lack patience so I'm going to keep working on it and hope to get on the street and track by Summer. Let the shopping for parts begin!!

[Linda]

There are some So Cal Roadster owners with conversions who are knowledgeable about the process, like Kevin Desirello, who is also on the board, and others.
Your car looked pretty good to start with so the purists might wish you would leave it and build up a project car instead, or in addition. But I am in favor of doing whatever you want, and have fun!
Some pics along the way would be great.

Linda

[motoextreme]

I'll call Spriso before I make any decisions on the motor, electronics, etc.. Everything I see so far points to him so that's good enough to me. Thrilled to find another great site, only on this one and the 370 site... Something about Z's, seem to attract cool and helpful people. Added benefit of owning one, very cool!

This one was in OK shape but paint is not as nice as it appears in pics, interior was definitely up for some updates.

Pics....I'll keep them coming, thank you!

[fj20spl311]

The roadster is a frame and body type. You can remove / rework the fender skirts if necessary.
I have seen both SB chev and ford V8s.
Might have to rework the steering shaft...but that makes the car safer.

[Alvin]

Spriso and Kevin Desirello's creations:


plenty of engine swap pics here:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/562647017dgoLAK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
cruise through the other albums for interior/exterior ideas

Sky is the limit with these cars have fun!

let's the see the Nismo

[sleepyzzz]

it looks like you have found a great roadster. looking at the pics, the car is in very good condition, and i like your plans. the engine that is in it, is it running? do you plan on selling it? those make great strokers, from what i have read, and i am sure someone would want it. and if it isn't too late, i bet someone could use those seats that you are throwing away.

love the silver color too by the way. welcome to the site, and please keep posting pics of your progress.

everything we own, is Nissan, Datsun, and the new 370Z has my daughter wanting a new car so bad she can't stand it. but just being married, and buying her first home, keeps her in the 1993 300ZX vert that i found for her, and fixed up. we just repainted the entire car, after a small accident with a wrecker service. new top, leather seats recovered, has it looking like new. and all she needs are the nice wheels that are on the old 90 300ZX that she sold to her boyfriend, who is now her hubby. i bet she gets them before it is over with.

[motoextreme]

All I can say is WOW!! That motor is beautiful, probably more then I can afford but man oh man is that nice. Thanks for that.

Yes, I put the motor up on the Classified section, problem is I don't know a lot about the history. Prior owner mentioned it was his Grandfathers and it sat for 10 years, said he started it quite often and would do little sprints but he didnt sound sure and I can't misrepresent it so I'd rather just unload it and clear space.

The seats, these things are more like lounge chairs, still have them but no one would want them.

The Nismo, I pick it up Monday I think but I'm leaving the Country so I can't get pics until I get back the next week. It still has one last stop anyway, they are installing the coilovers and brembo brakes. I need to install all the Carbon Fiber parts but that shouldnt take more then a couple of hours, going to be awesome when she's done.

I hear you on the daughter, my oldest turns 15 in a few months and she asked me if I'm building the nismo for her....ummmmm...no She then came to me on Friday asking if the Roadster is hers......ummmm, no again . I'll give up one of the Rovers before she plays bummer cars with my Z's...HAHAHAA. Oh well, time will tell.

Thanks for the feedback, great stuff! Time to go back in the garage and pull more parts off.

[Alvin]

make sure you come to the Solvang show...you'll be blown away!