Greeko Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Wow, thats a really nice resto job. Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Wow, thats a really nice resto job. Good job! Thanks Greeko. In the meantime I've been doing a little work cleaning up the engine bay: new spark plug cables, heat guard and general cleaning. Re-plating the fuel rail and numerous other items, painting the valve cover, ceramic coating the plenum and headers will be done in late February but here's what it looks like so far. Edited March 26, 2016 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 So, while taking advantage of some vacation time I've also been upgrading the sound system. Added a great little amplifier that fits easily under the carpet toward the firewall (almost behind the radio) and are fabricating two ABS plates that will hold 5 1/4 inch enclosed speakers under the dash (totally unseen). Here's an initial pic of the right side ABS panel and speaker. More to follow once all the details are worked out since I haven't seen this audio set up before on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) Starting with the Retrosound radio which I discussed previously in this topic, the sound upgrade is complete and and I'm enjoying balanced, crisp highs and mids from the front and side speakers with excellent bass response form the rear 6x9 Infinity speakers. It's being all pumped from a very compact Miura amplifier (80 watts x 4 channels) which we located beneath the carpeting to the right side of the console (close to the firewall) and is quite undetectable. The front speakers are McClaren Prosound 5 inch sealed basket units which are closed in the rear (not vented like usual speakers) so there's no need to add a box or enclosure making them very easy to fit in tight places. We fabricated custom panels out of 1/4 inch black ABS plastic (with similar texture to the OEM dash) into which the 2 front speakers were fixed and tucked away under each side of the dash. Although ideally high frequency sound should be directed toward the listener, in virtue of keeping everything "invisible", we had to count on the power and quality of the front under dash speakers to bounce sound off the floor. It has proven to work very well. I also decided to remove the rear speaker grills and make them less noticeable by simply covering them with black speaker fabric. Here are a few pics to illustrate the set up: Speakers and ABS panel: Driver and passenger side mocked up under the dash (before speaker grill installed): Amplifier location: One of two USB ports in the glove box: Overview of the final install: Edited February 2, 2016 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 While we were doing the front speaker install I decided to add a little "ambient lighting" under the dash, directed at the floor. Used 2 self adhering strips of 20 LEDS which I picked up at Pep Boys. On the driver's side I placed them on the pedal support and on the passenger side under the glove box. I tapped into the lighting to the AC control box so it all lights up when I turn on my lights. Looks pretty cool together with the LED lighting I had set up before in the instrument panel and was very simple to do. White LED instrument lighting: Instrument lighting plus "ambient" lighting under the dash: Better pic without flash (although it looks whiter and not as bluish in real life): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) Moving on to the exhaust. I had eliminated the resonator 2 weeks ago and left the muffler the PO had installed. Nice unit from MSA I think but I wanted a bit more sound, deeper, sportier. Ended up choosing a cylindrical unit from Magnaflow which looks cool, is quite a bit lighter and gives me a sportier, louder sound without any additional noise in the cabin. No drone at cruising speeds either. I'm not too crazy about the way the tube that leads from the back of the muffler to the exhaust tip looks with the welds so I'll probably paint it Hi Temp black this weekend. Here it is painted with ultra hi temp black: Edited March 4, 2016 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 After the time/ effort/ cost of the paint job and since the car is going to be driven I decided to get clear film paint protection applied to the airdam, fenders, hood, access doors and cowl. The stuff is invisible and "self healing" and has a lifetime warranty. Should prevent most minor paint chips. Also refreshed my window tints with ceramic film which cuts down the effects of UV rays on the interior and can be practically clear as was applied on the windshield itself. Definitely a dash saver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Finally got some good shots with a real camera of the Z. I'm so happy with the way it's turning out. Next phase of the project is plating (zinc, ceramic, etc) different components in the engine and engine bay which I'll start on in late February. For now it's just ride and enjoy time for my son and I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88dangerdan Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Looks great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 You've done a remarkable job! It must feel awesome to drive around in the car of your dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted January 30, 2016 Author Share Posted January 30, 2016 Thanks Scott. It was a incredible feeling of deja vu when I finally drove the "finished" car. After driving the heck out of my '77 280z for 4 years (77-81) I waited 35 years to get that feeling again. Truly awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdmanone Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Incredible job. Looks awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattMatthewZ Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Awesome job! That paint color is gorgeous. I gotta say....those door panels are the bees knees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Thanks guys. I get more comments and thumbs up from people when I drive this car than with any other other car I've ever driven. It is sooo cool! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 That looks great! Very well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheee! Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Awesome build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 Awesome build! Thanks pal. Very happy you appreciate it. I wish you the best of luck with your Z and lots of posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Beautiful car, it just commands your attention! I'm curious on the brand of clear film you went with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 Beautiful car, it just commands your attention! I'm curious on the brand of clear film you went with. Thanks Nelsonian. The film we used is Xpel Ultimate self healing clear film. It was expertly applied by the guys at Sign Savers in Miami, FL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) Haven't updated in a while but finally decided to repaint my brake calipers. The rears had been done inadequately and the paint was starting to flake and the fronts had not been painted since I installed them and had quite a bit of surface rust. Didn't cut any corners this time: sandblasted them before putting on a coat of Ospho phosphoric acid treatment, then e coat, orange base coat, pearl coat and finally clear. This process should assure a nice long lasting result. Edited May 5, 2016 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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