My distracting toy

tmv · #1 10-17-2013, 03:28 PM

(This is a combined from the posts on 300zxclub.com. The date and time in the post will be off)

I bought a 1990 Straman Z32 convertible twinturbo. The car was delivered to me in August. Since then I have made some changes, trying to make it ready for ZNationals in October.

I have owned my TT since 2004. I bought it from Texas with a smoking turbo and some aftermarket parts. I get it to where I want it both in performance and look. Since moving to Atlanta in 2011, I develop an urge to have a convertible TT. The plan is to buy a vert and swap over everything from my TT. The idea was back 100% by my lovely wife.
I searched and almost get a TT vert for sale here in the ATL area. Then I remembered a "For-Sale" ad for a Straman verTT on twinturbo.net. I pulled up the ad and get in-touch with the seller. He has 2 TT, the Straman verTT and an automatic TT, which his wife can drive. The Straman verTT is taken care of at SpecialtyZ in Chatsworth, CA (best Z shop in the US). I request to have it inspect by SpecialtyZ before making the decision. Pretty clean bill of health I must say except some minor concerns that cab easily be taken care of.
Some of you might ask: WTH is a Straman verTT. Well, here is some info on it
http://www.angelfire.com/ga/300zx/images/cdstraman.html
Here's some pictures from the seller

The plan was for me to flight to CA and check it out in person then ship it home. However, working schedule conflict changed it. I decided to go ahead and get the Straman verTT without seeing and driving it. I trust SpecialtyZ. So, after about 3 months since we first spoke, the Straman verTT arrived at my house in August. Here it is fresh off the truck.

My plan is to swap parts from my TT for whichever I do not like on the Straman verTT, or replacing them with upgrade parts.
First, the smoked taillights and center panel gotta go.

Then the interior gets removed to be re-covered in black and red just like my TT. I can't stand that tan color in there. Car was originally red on black. There are traces of the tan carpet glue. I'll try to remove it as best I could, then dye the carpet black again. Most of it will be covered by the seats and the floor mats (which I already bought from Z1)

Relocate the PTU and HKS Twin Power under the nose panel, moving the PowerTrix front strut bar and cut-out throttle cable cover from the TT

Replace bulbs with LEDs in the cluster and control pods. Replace stock DS (center bearing starting to sag) with 1-piece aluminum DS from Z1

Replace tranny mount with Nismo mount. I was thinking about Z1 solid mount but back out because of the vibration that would be transfer to the cabin.

Replace stock shifter (top cut to fit Momo Combat Evo knob) with Z1 short throw, ZSpeed solid shifter brace and boot.

Shift knob, e-brake handle and boots will be replace with recover OEM.

The interior would be looking like this (my TT) when done, with different seats and 90 steering wheel.

Swap the oval tip exhaust with dual rectangular tips.

Shipping a front SSR GT3 wheel to Wheelflip to have the bend lip replaced. I bought the whole set locally for $400 a couple months back. They are 18x8.5 +37, 18x10 +41

Brake calipers painted red. Brake rotors hub painted black to get rid of the rust-look.

Finish the center console.

I got the wheel back from Wheelflip. Cost $265 to replace the barrel

Fit perfect

Finish wrapping the interior and putting it back together. Also put in a set of Razo pedal covers that I had laying around.

Put the wheels on and took her off the stands. Also Plasti-Dip the window and windshield trims.

Clean the engine bay some more and put the SS bolts in

Ready for her 1st ZNationals

And the pictures from recent photoshoot.

Working on "beautify" the engine bay, then a full re-spray: M3 Space Gray Metallic.