Guest Big Phil Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 I'm almost finished with all my planned body mods. I changed the taillights three times but I'm finally happy with their appearance now. I still planning on changing the headlights to units with intergrated turnsignals. Do you guys think it looks okay without the rear bumper or is it too plain? I bought an Chevy LT1 with trans so I need to finish the body and paint so I can focus on the engine. Phil photo of my ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 That's a fine and unique rear end with the 300zx lights??. I wouldn't put the rear bumper back on, but instead find a way to "dress" the rear portion under the lights. Yes, there seems to be a lot of unused space under the lights. It would be neat if somehow a form of dual exhaust could be run through the valance panel, but with a stock tank back there, that would not be practical. Perhaps a spoiler on top to "balance" out the painted area under the lights would help too. Regardless, the rear looks good on it's own merit even now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Phil, I like what you have done. I'm doing the bumperless look on mine as well. But I'm keeping the stock taillights. With your mods the lower valance kind of gets oversized. Not a criticism, just MHO. Maybe to go along with the 300ZX lights you could fab, or graft in, squarish bumperettes on either side of the license plate? Wasn't there a year that they did that on the 300ZX? I liked that look. Kind of like what Porsche did on a few models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 I like that rear end treatment alot. I agree theres alot of real estate under the lights. Maybe a black stripe (call it a faux bumper ) with tapered ends or something just to break it up a bit, but I do love the tailights. Of course thats a personal opinion, I think you've done great with it. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 what are the specs on those wheels? i like me alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Like the looks. I'm curious how you shaved the rear hatch. Did you move the latch to the 300ZX setup or did you just shave it. I'm debating about doing something similar. great gas cap too. -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nullbound Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 lookin' good!! i love those wheels, too. i would like to see the specs on the wheels, too. i think the rear looks great as is. i wouldnt change anything. love the gas cap! i also really like the license plate cutout you made. i might center it directly below the lights, if nothing else is on the agenda to be added. personal opinion, though, like lone said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 The front bumper looks good and a similar style in the rear would compliment the effect. The tailights look great but my eyes keep diverting to the wide open spaces below the taillights. I have confidence you will find something pleasing to what is already a great looking car that you are contemplating some headlight treatment also and I would always suggest headlight covers. Gee this sounds so limp wristed coming from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Sweet job! That muffler pipe looks like it's sticking out waaay far without the bumper. Maybe some vents or indentations on the rear valence would be good. Someone here said that the rear valance acts like a parachute and causes a lot of drag. I think something like the back bumper hole found in the Mugen body kit for the CRX would be cool. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Like Owen said, some vents or something on the rear valance, I would have to say something like the C5 'vette. When the C5 came out, I thought it was ugly, all that wasted space in the rear of the 'vette, but now after a few years, it grew on me and I think it looks pretty cool, just my opinion. Do some work in Photoshop or something to see what it would look like. Nice work on your car, keep it up. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Phil Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Thanks everyone for the input. I agree with the fact that the rear needs something. I initially planned on centering the license plate but the frame rail is in the way so I had to place it lower. I am thinking about molding an intergrated fiberglass bumper to match the front. If anybody curious about the rims, they are custom made 3 piece 17 inch units made by HRE wheels. HRE wheels website They are for sale(including tires) for $1900. I paid $3800 for the set six years ago. The sizes are 17X7 front and 17X8 rear. I love them but I am planning on replacing them with a new set of 19 inch units. VRJoe: I shaved the rear hatch and I use a remote activated truck solenoid which pulls the orginal latch. I'll post some photos so you can see how I did it. Owen: You are absolutely right about the exhaust tip. Hopefully I'll have my LT1 in the car by April and then I can redo the entire exhaust. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Tim240Z and I saw a rear clip from a newer Vette and the Gardena pick-n-pull junkyard. Don't know if it's still there. I'm interested in this remote trunk solenoid thing, really interested! Or anything like a manual cable too. Here's the rear bumper I like for the CRX. Total Mugen knock-off copy. Don't like the shopping cart spoiler though. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willieboy240z Posted March 6, 2002 Share Posted March 6, 2002 Phil -- please take and post as may pics as possible. Inside and out, work in progress, finished, etc. Also, if anybody wants to buy a Honda motorcycle gas tank so they can convert their fuel door like yours, I have a very nice one for sale. See the For Sale section of this website for more details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 6, 2002 Share Posted March 6, 2002 Hey Phil. Man the car looks great I would put something on the back though, the open area is a bit too big. And my server at work is restricted so I cant show you any of the zed car pictures Ive put up Man those wheels cost you $3000 US? I would like wheels like that, but I wonder how much that would be in $NZ, about $6000, I reckon, geez, bit pricey for me at the mo If you could get a bumper that starts low and integrates the exhaust that would look mean I reckon. My two cents, Dwayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 6, 2002 Share Posted March 6, 2002 I re-visited your site and on second inspection. that rear end does not appear so spacious. With paint and a bold license plate holder with license plate may put the space in smaller perspective. If you look at late model cars and especially the Corvette there is a definite trend towards this rear end style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 ljohnson is right, I remember how much shock I was in when the last model of the Supra came out! Phil, got any details of that trunck solenoid? Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Phil Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 The hatch button pushs against a tab on the latch which releases the hatch. After I removed the button, I drilled a hole in the latch tab (you can also just wrap the wire from the solenoid around the tab) and connected it to a trunk release solenoid. The solenoid is mounted on the hatch (it won't fit inside)so you will have to drill a hole so the solenoid wire can be connected to the latch tab. When you apply power the solenoid pulls down on the latch releasing the hatch. A company named DEI sells a remote trunk release kit that includes everything you need. The model number is 522T and it retails for $52.00(I paid 30 bucks). This company make Viper and several other popular automotive alarms so the kit can be found at any car stereo store. After I mounted the trunk solenoid, I ran a power wire from the solenoid to a the release button located on the center console. When you push the button in applies power to the solenoid which releases the hatch. Since I don't have any door locks, I also bought a DEI keyless entry system (Model 711T retail $120) so I will be able to open the hatch as well as lock/unlock the doors remotely. I'm still thinking about shaving the door handle completely but I wonder if it is legal at the track on a 11 sec car. I'll post some photos this weekend so you can see exactly how the solenoid is mounted Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruez Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 Looks great, nice to see the new pics. I remember asking you a while back about the taillights, I was thinking about using 240sx lights or the 300's lights as you have. You have done a great job. I don't think there is too much space in the rear but a couple of small horizontal vents might break it up a bit.. Is that gas tank lid off a Kawasaki??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Phil Posted March 7, 2002 Share Posted March 7, 2002 Here is a photo of the trunk release solenoid mounted on the hatch. I had to mount it outside because it wouldn't fit inside the hatch lid and it also has to pull down on the hatch release tab. A fiberglass interior panel will hide the solenoid from view. If you haven't changed your taillights, you could use the hatch release system from a 280zx or a 300zx which mounts the release behind the license plate and the striker on the hatch lid. I bought the entire hatch release assembly off a 280zx from a junkyard for 20 bucks which uses a remotely mounted lever to release the hatch. This is a cleaner install but it wouldn't fit behind the taillights in my ride. hatch release photo Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted March 8, 2002 Share Posted March 8, 2002 Thanks for the info and photo Big Phil, gives me some things to think about . I kind of like the idea of being able to open the hatch with a key. When I shave the doors it would be a nice backup if the battery went dead (keyfob battery would be most likely to go belly up). Best of both worlds would be to rig it for both key and remote -VRJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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