Riceburner Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Going along very nicely Blu. Lovely job on the veranda! Look foward to seeing how the stainless exhaust goes, it's something many of us would like for our Zeds too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 Some new boots for the old girl ☺ 16inch performance superlites +4 up front and -4 at the back. I would love to go a little lower to get better fitment but I am getting pretty close to that 100mm clearance mark. jeff43 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) Today I mannaged to get the exhaust all tacked up. Its All 2" 316 stainless tube apart from the muffler and catalytic converter which is 409 stainless. I decided to go with a stacked style of tips on it, it should look and sound good ☺ the plan is to now set up a purge and start welding. I thought I would chuck up a little stainless tube tip ☺ unless you have 3 arms so you can tack, put in filler and hold at the same time! This is something that has saved me over and over again, especially working alone on stainless tube. This is a stainless tube clamp and by simply drilling aprox a 16mm hole it acts as a tacking clamp with a pair of vice grips it works great and holds it perfect as you can see. So if you ever decide to do a stainless tube exhaust grab a couple of clamps they pay for themselves. Enjoy ☺ BLU Edited September 10, 2016 by blu260z mspecr, cracker and jeff43 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 Exhaust is finally all welded up and bolted on and sounds great. Glad I went with a triflo muffler instead of straight through otherwise it would have been way to loud. According to a free db meter on my phone its at 84db at idle so well under the legal 96db for South Aus. There were a few changes to the exhaust, originally it dogleged slightly to clear all rear suspension. However this made the exhaust sit 80mm off the ground, so that got chopped out and now a straight run from the muffler goes under the rear suspension. Giving me a very nice 115mm lowest point ground clearance so that should keep the law happy ☺ And just a picture of the girl working on her tan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabham Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Nice work on the exhaust. Do you know why they use 409 stainless for the mufflers and Cat rather than 316? Why did you need to run a cat? I was thinking of doing a stainless exhaust on a stock L26 with just a hot dog muffler. Would that work or be too loud? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 Nice work on the exhaust. Do you know why they use 409 stainless for the mufflers and Cat rather than 316? Why did you need to run a cat? I was thinking of doing a stainless exhaust on a stock L26 with just a hot dog muffler. Would that work or be too loud? Cheers Hey Brabham 409 stainless is cheaper but it also copes better with the heating and cooling of an exhaust system. I used 316 everywhere else as the tube isn't where the heat is held for long periods of time. I went with the cat to cut the fumes and to also take some of the rasp out of the exhaust note. Its up near the gearbox so stops that underbody drone. Oh way to loud a hotdog is even worse than a straight through muffler you may aswell not even have it in there. I have had noisy, droning car exhausts before and the loves wears thin pretty quick, plus the added attention from the police Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted December 10, 2016 Author Share Posted December 10, 2016 (edited) Work is still getting done on BLU ☺ I have recently been chasing a low vacuum at idle issue. After searching all the standard issues it has still left me scratching my head. I am sure its something that can be sorted and I havent allowed this problem to bog me down so I have continued to move on. I have started working on fixing up some of the harder components of the interior like dash and centre console. I was very pleased with the results especially considering it is not a very expensive task. I followed the tutorial on here to do the dash and it turned out great. I cut out around the cracks, filled with expanding foam, cut it all back and then sanded it back, filled it over with bog and then sanded. Final job was to paint it all in duplicolor bed armour. The same will be done on the centre console once its all filled and fibre glassed. I was lucky to have most of the centre console broken peices in the ash tray. So far parts have been glued back together and fibre glassed underneath. It will now be reofilled/ glassfiller to give a little more strength than standard bog.I will also make a bracket to support the choke leaver so this problem will never happen again ☺ I will keep updates coming.. Chris ☺ Edited December 10, 2016 by blu260z gav240z and AndBir 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 This arvo I was able to finish the centre console and I am very happy with the results. If anyone is thinking about trying this on their Zed I can definitely recommend it. Follow the tutorial stickied in the interior section and give it a crack ☺ Chris gav240z, mspecr and RLY240 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter t Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Well done mate. Close to all that I did to my Z. I used 1"lowered king springs and my car def sits lower than yours. Congrats on a job well done and will be good to see colour on it. Peter. blu260z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff43 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Excellent job Chris. I still have to do the same job, well dash at least. Since I live just around the corner and you are obviously now an expert I can just drop mine around for the same treatment - just jokes, where did you get your Duplicolour armour from? blu260z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 Thanks guys ☺ jeff you are more than welcome to drop around and have a look. I got mine from supercheap auto. I only used 2 cans for both the dash and the centre console. Interesting Peter I would like it to sit a little lower but after building the exhaust I dont think I could go lower. I tucked the exhaust as much as I could and I have 120mm ground clearance. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daretobedifferent Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Chris, hows the overall texture of the duplicolor armour paint? Looks like it turned out great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 The overall texture is hard to explain. Even I was suprised when I first touched it!! It feels similar to the original but I would say it feels more course. I have included a up-close picture to show the texture hope this helps a little more. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daretobedifferent Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Thanks for the photo Chris. I understand what you mean, its looks abit rougher than the OEM finish but its definitely looks alot smoother than most textured bed liner sprays available. I'll probably go with the same paint you used or if I can source one; Upol Plas 4F - fine texture coating paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) Hi guys I have been quiet for the last few months due to work commitments and unfortunately this will continue on for a little bit longer. However I did get a chance on my holidays that was eventually cut short due to work to paint BLU ☺. I am very happy with the way it turned out especially considering it was my first attempt at painting a car. It is in no way perfect and I can now see more time should have been spent on finding those little dents. But all in all I am happy ? and guess what!!! Its BLUE. Here is a few pictures of it inside fresh off the gun, still needing to be wetsanded and buffed back. The colour is very close to the original 307 but with a heap more metalic. It looks amazing in the sun!! The link below has a small video of the blue in the sun http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/chrispsawyer/media/20170111_134306_zpssvu5v7zs.mp4.html ... Edited February 12, 2017 by blu260z GongZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) Just a quick update on Project BLU. I have now finished wet sanding and I am definitely thankful of that!! I am working on a few small things like re-installing the interior and puting other parts back on. I have a carpet kit on its way that should be here this week and I managed to visit Clark Rubber in the search for a door seal material. I should be able to work out soon if its worth getting a rubber kit or making my own door and hatch seals and buying the windscreen/hatch rubbers. The bumpers are also in for some satin black powdercoat ? I am hopefully on track for an October finish but I would like it to be done a little earlier to allow for a good shakedown. Here are a few pictures to keep peoples eyes happy ? Unfortunately one picture will not post in its rotated form Edited April 30, 2017 by blu260z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff43 Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Looks good Chris. I bet you can't wait to go for a drive blu260z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 I cant wait jeff I will have to bring it around when I get a chance. I am going through a bit of a career change at the moment so things are a little crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 (edited) Just a quick update guys. I have now got the glass back in, powdercoated bumpers on, new door/ window seals and FINALLY the carpet installed. I have recently changed careers and time is pretty scarce unfortunately, however I did get a chance to get a permit and take it out for a quick spin the other day. As always the first drive in 16 years was a little bit nervous as I listened for every strange noise, but the bigger problem I had was no power over 3500rmp. On closer inspection with a timing light I found the engine would not advance past 25deg advance !! I messed around and checked timing and carbs and everything was OK so switched my attention to ignition. I removed the distributor cap and found a very black/sooty rotor button so that cant help, so I have now ordered a new cap, rotor and leads so hopefully this sorts out my issues. If not atleast I can eliminate those items! I will post some pictures soon hopefully, happy Zeding guys. Chris Edited September 7, 2017 by blu260z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatoKid Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 the engine would not advance past 25deg advance !! Check the weights and vacuum base plate are moving freely. I've seen cars that sit for extended periods with similar symptoms caused by fully or partially seized advance mechanisms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blu260z Posted September 8, 2017 Author Share Posted September 8, 2017 Check the weights and vacuum base plate are moving freely. I've seen cars that sit for extended periods with similar symptoms caused by fully or partially seized advance mechanisms. Thanks I will look into that. The vacuum plate moves but I have never checked to see if it has full movement, I may even consider dissembling and cleaning it to ensure its ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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