z31: CÎROC by the case load

[adamvann3]

Picture from last summer



My previous brake setup was 350z track rotor with z32tt calipers. All in all the setup worked well, filled the gap and performed.

However it was still z32 calipers and everyone uses them. After some calculations, research and help from the zilvia brake threads I tossed together new wilwood superlites, 350z track rotor, flex lines and new caliper spacer/hardware. Setup mechanically went together very nicely. Had a few issues getting all the air out of everything but eventually got over the hurdle. I am still running the stock z31 BMC. Pedal is softer and goes nearly the full travel distance. I will have better feel once I bed the pad and do some high speed stopping. I have a feeling I will be upgrading to the 1 1/16 BMC to get a better pedal feel. Just a little uneasy about it now.

Crappy cell phone pic for now from fitment. Will get better ones of everything soon.

[LoneStarSilvia]

Beeftastic. I get weird itches for owning a Z31 sometimes.

I long for the day I can get my coilovers on. Did you run into any snags during the tube installation?

[adamvann3]

Originally Posted by LoneStarSilvia

Beeftastic. I get weird itches for owning a Z31 sometimes.

I long for the day I can get my coilovers on. Did you run into any snags during the tube installation?

Nope. Was a pretty straight forward cut and weld scenario. I was a little skeptical when I started it but I x-rayed the welds and there is great penetration.

From ppls past builds they always ran into a problem with not being able to get the fronts low enough. So I paid extra close attention in making sure everything I did focused on making it low as possible. Said and done I can lay the upper fender frame on top of the tire.

I cut my tubes down to 4mm then beveled the hell out of my new spindle tube to ensure good penetration (double pass, stitch weld style) to the original tube and casting. If I were to do it again I would leave 10mm of original tube and not grind down the casting nub and use it as a spacer. Then make the 1st pass weld to the original tube, second pass to the casting. That is a much safer approach to take.

Also be sure to preheat your casting before you weld. The new spindle tubes heat up quick with welding and having the original spindles a high temperature makes everything easier.

[adamvann3]

Recent pic from BZF courtesy of andrewbkeller on flickr

[adamvann3]

Till next season. Packed away for the winter

[AE_Racer]

Always loved the Shiro's. Looks awesome man.

[gunmetalr32]

i never liked these cars.. but you made this car look great.. my dad has always had one..

[S30TurboZ]

That is a beautiful Z31! I've always wanted to build a Shiro.

Are you going to colormatch the hood/lip/wheels?

[adamvann3]

Originally Posted by S30TurboZ

That is a beautiful Z31! I've always wanted to build a Shiro.

Are you going to colormatch the hood/lip/wheels?

Hood is going to stay raw. Twill double weave CF is way to nice to paint match. Front end needs a re-spray in which the lip will be color matched.

I am revisiting my rear suspension in the spring and adding adjustable heim joints to the LCAs to correct caster and toe. As for the wheels... you will just have to wait what 2k12 brings

[johnnyboy110]

I love this car

[darkzschneider]

sick build Adam.

[Smurf_240SX]

Sick Z31!...

[Tle1993]

very nice looks good my friend!!

[Kingbaby]

Super clean

[adamvann3]

Been a while.

Briefly moved down to SC for work this past winter. Just brought the DD, but still had fun. I drove the tail of the dragon on my way back up in march.



View from a rest spot just over the TN border on the tail



Fast forward a few months, I had most of my hybrid BBK left over after upgrading the shiro. Instead of doing the smart thing and sell it, I re-purposed for my 86 (oh i have an 86 z31 that I have owned for the past 9yrs).

Dont have any before shot, but these are the iron 30mm calipers... they looked like hell. Took them apart and gave them a chemical bath



Sent them out and had them powder coated ford blue


Picked up some late model turbo hubs with fresh bearings and ichiba 50mm studs (ritter RBz31) and some new e-coated 350z track rotors.


Fresh rebuild and seals


Old stock


New hotness



Stock seats bolsters were all blown out and needed new bottom cushion ect... New Corbeau A4s fixed that





Since the Shiro we feeling neglected I ordered a set of wheels. Took a few months to get them, and then I left them in their boxes for months. I got sick of having them in my living space, so I built a wheel rack.

Ordering one off the internet is for the weak. Picked up some extruded aluminum cut it down to size and had it welded up.


Painted it all up purdy to match the rest of the shelving. Decided it needed some padding to prevent issues (mcmaster carr can get you pretty much anything).


Mounted some tires to the Weds. Found a set of Watanabe rs8 to add to the collection as well.



Ill post up more info on the shiro once its complete.

[Okinawandrifter87]

If there was a like button on this still I would hit it!

[z31_Law]

Originally Posted by adamvann3

Been a while.

Briefly moved down to SC for work this past winter. Just brought the DD, but still had fun. I drove the tail of the dragon on my way back up in march.



View from a rest spot just over the TN border on the tail



Fast forward a few months, I had most of my hybrid BBK left over after upgrading the shiro. Instead of doing the smart thing and sell it, I re-purposed for my 86 (oh i have an 86 z31 that I have owned for the past 9yrs).

Dont have any before shot, but these are the iron 30mm calipers... they looked like hell. Took them apart and gave them a chemical bath



Sent them out and had them powder coated ford blue


Picked up some late model turbo hubs with fresh bearings and ichiba 50mm studs (ritter RBz31) and some new e-coated 350z track rotors.


Fresh rebuild and seals


Old stock


New hotness



Stock seats bolsters were all blown out and needed new bottom cushion ect... New Corbeau A4s fixed that





Since the Shiro we feeling neglected I ordered a set of wheels. Took a few months to get them, and then I left them in their boxes for months. I got sick of having them in my living space, so I built a wheel rack.

Ordering one off the internet is for the weak. Picked up some extruded aluminum cut it down to size and had it welded up.


Painted it all up purdy to match the rest of the shelving. Decided it needed some padding to prevent issues (mcmaster carr can get you pretty much anything).


Mounted some tires to the Weds. Found a set of Watanabe rs8 to add to the collection as well.



Ill post up more info on the shiro once its complete.

dude slap on the watanabes!!

[copsloveslicks]

another bad ass z31. nice work!!

[Blue91SL]

I just have to say, your car is beyond beautiful. I hope mine will be a tenth as good as yours is.
I'm definitely subscribed for updates.

[adamvann3]

Thanks for the comments

Been busy this summer, but still made some time for the car

New Headliner


Rear window seals were getting a little gummy


Problem Solved


Wanted a better place to mount my harness. Bought, and re-fabricated a 4 point roll bar to suit my needs and had it powdercoated texture black


Trimmed the rear interior pieces, the finish product turned out really well


Much better now




Installed/tested one of my 18x11 in the back. Picture is at -11, but once I remove the 15mm spacer it should be back where I want it

[MAHALOHAWAII]

I came here for the title... So there's no case of ciroc?

[Flicktitty]

Cars looking good Adam, looking forward to seeing whats next, woulda been nice to talk to you a little more a few weeks ago.

[adamvann3]

Thanks. All I really see is getting the LXZ's on and doing a bit more driving next year. Been a roller coaster ride with Weds this summer trying to figure out to do with the unbalanced wheel. Everything worked itself out, but pretty late in the season before it was resolved. It was good seeing you and Liz this weekend, first time I really had the car at any sort of gathering or event this summer.

Ill have the car out this weekend weather permitting. Maybe Ill catch you out.

[project-D180]

niice more pics of wheel on car

[bataangpinoy]

wow. very nice z31

[adamvann3]

Closing out the 2012 season. Have some good plans for 2013


Shiro_Fall12_2 by adamvann3, on Flickr

Finally painted the lip... why it I took so long is beyond me.

[Benedict]

keep it going man. I'm looking forward to seeing it rolling around on the weds.

[brndck]

there simply are NOT enough clean z31 builds.
Yours, on the other hand, is GORGEOUS.
Kudos to you, sir.

[Homeboyx]

+1 on what ^ said.
Although I usually despise the late model z31's looks, this is definitely an exception. Clean, well put together, originality. Love it, subbed, and can't wait for future updates.

[first_choice]

I wish there were more clean Z31s like this one, very nice car. Most of these I see are shot.