Project350z.com Nissan 350z Autocross build and setup

Looking for another 350z

Chris Hammond — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 15:29:20 GMT

The time has come

So long my friend, V3 lives in Florida now

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 15:37:08 GMT

The car is gone! Good luck Chase!

STU 2003 Nissan 350z For Sale–Project350z V3

Chris Hammond — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:39:38 GMT

SOLD!

2003 Nissan 350z Touring $9000

Well, the time has come for V3 of Project350z.com to be put up for sale. Before we part it out we will post the car as is, with all the autocross bits installed and attached. If the car doesn’t sell in the next week, we will likely start removing all the autocross bits and putting it back to as close to stock as possible. The car is available in St. Louis (Wildwood) Missouri. If you are interested in seeing it, give me call. (Chris: 314-325-0127)

Pictures available on Instagram

Videos available on another Instagram account

350z at the Wilmington Summer and Blytheville ProSolo

Chris Hammond — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 23:18:44 GMT

So the 2016 ProSolo series is nearing its end, with the final two events of the year being held within 6 hours of the house, I entered both. The Wilmington event turned out to be another disappointing one for me, not because of the location or people, but simply due to my lack of ability to drive this car lately.

2016 Wilmington ProSolo #1 and the 2016 Spring Nationals ProSolo and Champ Tour

Chris Hammond — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:44:14 GMT

So here we are, another month has gone by since the last blog post, time for an update here on the status of @Project350z.

TL;DR: Crap

So at the end of April I headed to Peru Indiana for the Gateway Autocross Association event at Grissom, I stuffed 4 tires into the 350z and headed on my way Friday afternoon.

The 2016 Autocross Season So Far

Sat, 23 Apr 2016 00:21:33 GMT

So it has been a while since I’ve had the time to get a blog post up here, so let’s get started.

After the last post, the car was almost ready for the Dixie National tour, held in Cecil Georgia, but there was some final prep to do. I took the car down to Solo Performance to corner weight and align the thing, with good results.

Weekend progress on the 350z

Chris Hammond — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:13:53 GMT

It was a good weekend on the 350z, I made progress on pretty much everything I needed/wanted to do to start the 2016 season, with only the corner balance and wheel alignment remaining. Those are scheduled for Monday at Solo Performance.

How to drop 40lbs from your 2003 350z, new seats!

Chris Hammond — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 23:14:25 GMT

This weekend I spent some quality time finally working on the 350z before the upcoming autocross season (Dixie Champ Tour is coming up quickly).

In prep for STU I want to see what kind of weight I can get out of the car, I really don’t know if this car (2003 Touring) can come anywhere close to what my first one (2003 Enthusiast, 3075lbs) weighed, or even the second one (2004 enthusiast, 3062). I have yet to get it up on the scales, but I assume going into this that the car is heaver than both of them. The power, heated, leather seats that came with the car, along with the potential extra stereo equipment, and electronics for the VDC mean the car likely weighs a good bit heaver than the previous cars.

350z Setup and Modifications for SCCA Autocross STU class

Chris Hammond — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:41 GMT

We’ll try to keep this list updated with current modifications, and a list of past modifications as well as we build and compete our 350z in the SCCA STU autocross class.

Vehicle

Year: 2003
Make: Nissan
Model: 350z
Package: Touring

350z with XXR 531 18x11

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 01:03:51 GMT

Earlier today I took the leaking wheel/tire to Solo Performance Specialties to take the tire off the rim and take a look at the wheel and see what the damage really was. After popping the tire off the wheel we quickly found that the wheel had a repair attempted both inside and outside of the wheel, it actually looked like someone had taken JB Weld to it.

Tracking down no FM reception in a 2003 350z Pioneer avh-x3700bhs

Chris Hammond — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 23:41:23 GMT

When I picked up the 350z in Chattanooga back in November, I figured out that the radio wasn’t great, the sound was weak, and it didn’t appear to pick up any FM signals whatsoever. Over the Xmas weekend I decided it was time to rip into the car to remove the stock Bose amp and subwoofer (behind the driver’s seat) as well as try to tack down why the FM reception was non-existent.

The first step was to get into the subwoofer location behind the driver’s seat, a quick screw driver inserted into the panelling to pop the cover off. pry and then pull it off. Once I removed the cover, I quickly found that the stock Bose setup had already been removed, I figured that might be the case, but wasn’t 100% sure until we pulled the cover off. While in there I took the time to clean up some of the stray wiring that was in there, some exposed wires, and some live power wires that simply had electrical tape wrapped around them.

After working on the (lack there of) Sub, it was time to rip into the dashboard. I’ve done it so many times on my prior 350zs that it is straightforward and fairly painless to do. The one thing that gave me trouble was disconnecting the wiring harness from the center console where the harness powers the hazard, and seat warmer switches. I ended up pulling the panel up and off of the emergency brake in order to get to the plug for the wiring.

Once I pulled the plastic for the console out of place I dug in behind the stereo itself. First thing I checked was to see if the antenna wiring was plugged into the head unit, unfortunatly it was, so that wasn’t going to be an easy fix! I tracked down some wires from the stereo by pulling down the manual from the Pioneer website.One thing I did find was there is the “mic” for the handsfree bluetooth setup was plugged into the “wired remote” port on the back of the head unit. I unplugged that, but unfortunately couldn’t plug it into the proper MIC input as the jack was the wrong size. I plugged the mic back into the W/R port and started playing around with the headunit to see if I could get any stations tuned.

While digging in the center console compartment I found a wireless remote for the stereo, thinking that might work with “options” better than the touch screen I try to start using that, with no success. I checked the battery in the remote, and found it was a CR2016, but the remote said it took a CR2025, so I grabbed a spare and popped that in place. Ends up, that didn’t work either, no matter what I tried I couldn’t get the remote to work. Until I once again unplugged the mic from the “wired remote” port, one I did that the remote started working properly. So apparently whomever installed this radio, the wiring was done incorrectly on the MIC, and that was causing problems.

I went ahead and left the MIC unplugged and put everything back together in the car. I immediately tried to tune FM, and found that I could actually tune to a specific station, where previously I was only able to scan, and with the lack of signal previously, the scan would continue until manually stopped by switching input sources. I still wasn’t able to get a clear tune on a station, but when I pulled the car out of the garage to reposition where it was parked, I did find that it started to get a signal to a local radio station here.

So it looks like the ultimately problem with the radio may just have been the miswired Mic, we’ll see, next time I drive the car, how things play out. It might be a while though before I get back out in the Z, it has turned cold here in Missouri and I don’t plan to drive the car too much in below freezing temps, due to the abuse on the tires.

Missouri Safety inspection exhaust hole, fail

Chris Hammond — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:14:28 GMT

Follow up to the failed emissions and safety test earlier this week. Last night I got under the car again and checked for leaks, found that one of the gaskets I hadn't touched was leaking, so I tried to cover that up with some exhaust tape.

350z and Missouri Safety and Emissions tests

Chris Hammond — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:06:29 GMT

The car failed Missouri safety and emissions testing today. When I pulled out of the driveway this morning something happened up front, on the brakes, one of the wheels locked up, "SLIP" and "VDC" lights came on and wouldn't shut off. Restarted the car, got out, checked for anything noticeable and drove down the road to the gas station. At the station I decided to plug the OBDII scanner in and sure enough, it was throwing an ABS code.

Washing, Waxing and then Cleaning 350z Headlights

Chris Hammond — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:57:03 GMT

This weekend, being what is likely the last warm weekend of 2015, I decided it was time to wash/claybar/wax the 350z. The weather was beautiful, I spent most of Saturday afternoon performing the first two steps, washing and clay bar’ng the car. The car was pretty clean, but there were some decent cone marks/residue on the side skirts from the previous owner, most of the time spent with the clay bar was there, though there were various other locations on the car that needed attention as well.

Introducing Project350z V3

Chris Hammond — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 00:48:18 GMT

Earlier this week, Dave from SoloPerformance.com and I headed down to Chattanooga to pick up Project350z V3. A 2003 Nissan 350z Touring model, with 145k miles on the clock. The car was purchased from a fellow autocrosser, and is primarily prepped for SCCA’s STU class.

Project350z V3, coming soon?

Chris Hammond — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 20:52:21 GMT

So the time has come, I am currently car shopping again. I’ve been threatening it for a while now, but with the 2015 Solo National Championships going on this week, and a few other life things figured out, it is time to make the 2016 autocross season happen!

So a few details. I’m once again looking at early 350z’s, this time around I’m not looking for a daily driver, this next car will be built specifically for autocross and a fun weekend toy, with some daily driving here and there (thankful I have a short commute). I am looking for the perfect car, how do you define that? Well, in an ideal world the perfect 350z for me would be

Project350z #2 is gone :(

Chris Hammond — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:46:22 GMT

Well, the car was in my hands for almost three years (2 months shy), that is longer than I've owned any car since the first Project350z left my hands in September 2006.

One day perhaps I will own another 350z, it isn't in the plans right now, but never say never I suppose.

2004 Nissan 350z Enthusiast model for sale, Half Moon Bay, CA (SOLD)

Chris Hammond — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:24:16 GMT

(SOLD)

The time is nearing for when the 350z must be sold, so if you are interested hit me up 2004 350z Enthusiast, <75k miles, currently sits stock other than a K&N CAI and a Plenum spacer, and a grounding kit (installed by previous owner).

Also has a receiver mounted to the rear bumper that I use for a bike rack.

The car is well maintained, looks great with lower than usual wear and tear of an 8 year old car.

I also have the suspension still in boxes, see previous posts for more details, but TrueChoice Koni DAs up front and SA Koni Sports in the rear with springs/perches for the rear. This will be sold separate from the car, unless the buyer wants it for additional $$.

Car is located in Half Moon Bay, CA, and available for purchase at $9,000, if you want the suspension throw in another grand and you can have it all.

BSP 350z Suspension Parts and Exhaust for Sale

Chris Hammond — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:59:54 GMT

Alright the time has come to part with the parts. I took some time this evening to take photographs of what I have and what I am trying to sell. Right now I am trying to sell everything locally so prices don’t include any shipping. If I don’t have any interest locally I’m willing to ship the coilovers/springs/shocks but only as a package.

Sway bars and the exhaust are way too much of a hassle to try to ship, so those are local only. (Local in the San Francisco Bay Area, if you’re somewhere else in California and want to drive here, feel free).

Cash Only, no checks. Paypal acceptable for a hold, but cash must be delivered in full before handover of the parts. All parts located in Half Moon Bay, contact me at z – at – christoc.com for more info.

All parts are sold as is, with no warranty, and unknown mileage. I can tell you I put about 10k on each of them (except the control arms and the Cobb bar), but am not sure what they had prior to me.

I’m also still selling the 18x10” Enkei RPF1s over on my other post.

350z BSP Suspension $1200

$1200, All four corners, no sway bars.

Front Suspension
TrueChoice Phase 4 coilovers
650lb Hyperco Springs

Rear Suspension
Unknown brand spring perches
Unknown brand 500lb springs
Koni Sport Shocks (standard off the shelf)

350z Sway Bars (Hotchkis Front/Rear $200, Cobb Front $125)

$200 Set of Hotchkis Front/Rear Adjustable Sway Bars, no bushings, no end links (I used the stock ones)

$125 Cobb 35mm Front Sway Bar (bushings included, but no end links)

Injen Super SES Dual Exhaust $500

$500 Used exhaust, works and sounds great. Center (longest) pipes are about a year old, replaced with brand new reinforced pipes from Injen. Everything needs a good cleaning, has your usual scrapes from a lowered vehicle, but overall in great shape. No clue on mileage of the other parts. Includes bolts (except for the catalytic converter side) and extra hanger arm to mount on the car, but no rubber hangers

350z Control Arm v2 from SPL Pro Suspension SOLD

SOLD I didn’t use these, they weren’t legal for the class I was running, but I was told they are V2 arms, and that the ball joints needed replaced. You’ll need a nut for the ball joint as well.

More photos of the parts at at (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chammond/sets/72157628769483291/)

Undoing the modifications to the 350z, suspension and exhaust

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:00:07 GMT

So what did you do this weekend? Did you spend two days under your car? I basically did, well more like 1 day, but it was broken up over an afternoon/evening and then the following morning after I ran to get a new “nut” that I needed to finish things up.

Why was I under the 350z? Well, removing the fun parts of course. I planned to remove the front and rear Hotchkis sway bars, along with the TrueChoice Phase 4 Konis (front) and the off the shelf Koni Sports (rear) along with springs/perches. Though in order to deal with the rear sway bar I also ended up pulling the Injen Super SES exhaust system off the car as well and put the OEM exhaust back on.

Read the whole blog post for the time lapse video

Undoing the BSP 350z

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:04:51 GMT

This morning I began the process of converting the 350z back to stock, or close to stock. Mike Lane over on the east coast requested the control arms/custom bushings that I have on the car, so he sent me his original OEM set. A couple of months ago I actually tried to remove the arms on my car so I could lube them up and try to get rid of some of the excess noise in the car, but I wasn’t able to. One of the nuts on the upper strut mount was stuck and no matter what I tried I wasn’t able to get the nut removed.

I picked up some tools from the local Ace Hardware in Half Moon Bay to get that pesky nut off, and this morning when I got started, things didn’t go well. I managed to break an extension I was trying to use, then I managed to break the bolt extractor as well! I was not a happy camper, though I decided to try one more thing, a better quality extension and turning it by hand. After that nut was removed replacing the control arms was nice and easy.

So the first parts of the car are back to stock, I’m shipping out Mike’s new control arms early next week, and hopefully they will see some autocross action soon!

For Sale (4) 18x10" +38 Enkei RPF1 w/ 710s

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:36:14 GMT

Asking $1600 local (delivery extra, I have small vehicles so transport is a pain). Currently located in Half Moon Bay, California, just south of San Francisco. It looks like 2012 will be a no go for me (no budget to get the car where it needs to be) so I am going to part ways with my beautiful 18x10" +38 Enkei RPF1s. The wheels currently have 18" 305 Kumho 710s mounted, plenty of tread left, though not competitive nationally, great for local/regional events.

Mounting a video camera behind your car

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:46:54 GMT

Today was the first event in the San Francisco Region’s slush series. I decided to head out and try to dust some of the rust off, and last night decided to build a camera mount for the car. After seeing the GoPro HD Hero2 launch video, I decided it was time to try to start getting more interesting video.

Earlier this week I attempted to do something interesting with video on my bicycle for www.bicycletips.com but the video turned out pretty bad.

For the 350z I wanted to try to get the camera up and behind the car. Not just on top of the car, but a couple feet back and above the car. So I got the building, really I didn’t build much, just assembled some parts that I had, and that I picked up from the local Ace Hardware store here in Half Moon Bay.

350z with a white stripe

Chris Hammond — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:10:33 GMT

I was looking around at Flickr today and happened to check out my "photo stats". The most viewed photo for the day (having just started according to the Flickr servers) was this photo

I kind of liked the white stripe on my old 350z. I’m still thinking I will wrap this one, but the stripe got me reminiscing.

What do you think of the stripe? Yay or nay? Add a comment below and let me know!

You can find a number of photos of the car during the striping process at 350z White Stripe

2011 Solo Nationals Sunoco Fuels Pick The Winners Contest

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:36:25 GMT

For the past few weeks we’ve been putting together this years rendition of the Solo National Championships Pick The Winners Contest. The contest unfortunately hasn’t run since 2008, due to a number of things, but for 2011 it is back, bigger and better. This year’s contest is sponsored by Sunoco Fuels and co-sponsored by Off Line Racing Gear, AeroCatch Hood Kits, Driver Element Race Equipment, Fat Cat Motorsports.