"Lekker" (z34nismo)
12/09/2014 at 10:55 • Filed to: None
3
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"Lekker" (z34nismo)
12/09/2014 at 10:55 • Filed to: None | 3
| 17 |
For a whole year I promised not to buy anything for my car, I stopped myself from even hanging out with the guys that mod their Z's because it was just too damn tempting. The car is expensive enough as it is, why spend more money on it?
Fast forward a year from then, and here I am getting frantically checking the tracking information of the stuff I ordered. Ordering tools, doing even more research on more parts and tunes, etc.
Pictured: Stanley Tool set purchased from amazon
So how did I end up spending even more money on it? Well I can safely say it is thanks to Oppo. While a member of this community (and granted, a lot of life experiences in the last few months as well) I've learned a lot, and among the most important things is to love who you are and what you want. More particularly, to be happy. This brought about a series of changes in my personal life that made me remember how much I love cars and how happy they make me, how happy they make people.
Pictured: A friend and I at AutoX
So I took it upon myself to become the car-nut my dad remembers me to be, the kid who used to make exhaust noises through straws just for fun..
After spending a while doing some research and waiting for the best financial moment, I pulled the trigger on my first two mods for Tasha:
The first one being the shift knob, and it was already a slight frustration. When I ordered it I also opted in for the 3-day Manufacturing and express shipping, which all together put the build + delivery time at less than a week. That was The monday before Thanksgiving. Fast forward to last night, after multiple emails to the manufacturer and delayed delivery from USPS.. I finally got it last night. So of course, like a kid in Christmas, I run outside to try and install it. Just to find out the Nissan department who assembled that particular piece, were the biggest jerks I've ever met. There was so much lock-tite on the threads, I ended up destroying the old shifter in order to get it off. I literally spent 45 minutes trying to get it off, ended up using a towel and vice grip for 20 minutes and wrestled with it until I was able to unscrew the original one. So worth the hassle. Now it feels different, it feels new, it feels mine.
So of course, I couldn't stop at just a shift knob. Before that even arrived, I ended up ordering an exhaust. Which thanks to my luck was also delayed. The manufacturer rang me up the day they were supposed to ship it, telling me the one unit they had in stock had a defect so they had to manufacture another one. Great. Waiting, again. They say it'll be a week more; that was two weeks ago.
So now this sits in my living room, waiting for me to install it... calling my name... but I has no tools!! Since I moved from AZ to KC with just what I was able to fit into the car, I had absolutely no space for tools. Now here I am waiting for tomorrow to come around so I can spend my afternoon getting dirty, on the floor, with a pal, working on a car.
And while all of this was happening, I ended up getting a G27 wheel for some racing games, and I'm building a rig with a buddy of mine so we can race online together. All because we share the passion for something that isn't even a living being, because we enjoy the act of driving just for the drive.
TL;DR : Thank you Oppo for reminding me that cars are a true source of joy which become family, and for being such a friendly place to talk about these things without prejudice or feeling like someone is always trying to up you. Enjoy your ride, it's yours. Do you. Love the beast, I know I do.
Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 10:57 |
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Once you start it is hard to stop!
How does it sound with the exhaust? Notice any changes in power?
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Lekker
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
12/09/2014 at 11:03 |
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Yeah it's like crack, except legal.
I'm installing it this week, so I'll post a small write-up on it once I'm done :D!
briannutter1
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 11:22 |
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Yeah, I have the sickness as well. My moto is "you never lose money unless you sell it". I'll be keeping my old c5z longterm and doing everything I can to help it keep up with the new C7z etc. I think this is the primary reason why you see so many old guys with old Corvettes.
Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 11:25 |
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My old Z says, hello!
That is one very nice looking Nismo!
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Lekker
> Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
12/09/2014 at 11:33 |
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That is one good looking Z, always loved that body! And thanks! :D
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Lekker
> briannutter1
12/09/2014 at 11:34 |
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I would have to agree with that, I plan on keeping this for a heck of a long time. I do want a C7 too now that you mention it..
Meatcoma
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 13:52 |
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My wife really wanted a 370Z. They had a Nismo at the Nissan in Lawrence, but at the moment it is above the budget. Another year or two who knows.
Where did you end up in KC?
Stephen the Canuck
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 14:56 |
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That shift knob, where did you get it?
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Lekker
> Meatcoma
12/09/2014 at 15:05 |
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I love the lines of the Z, always have, all models and generations are pretty much gorgeous in my eyes.
I'm by the Legends at the moment since it's right next to work. Are you in the area?
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Lekker
> Stephen the Canuck
12/09/2014 at 15:07 |
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Here , you basically order it however you want it. Note they are model specific, not sure if it has to do with the thread or length, etc.
Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 15:44 |
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Aw, this makes me miss my 350Z. I might get a 370 though as a second car. Doubtful, but a possibility at the moment.
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Meatcoma
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 16:07 |
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I'm down southwest of there. S of lawrence about 15 min. I do make it up to Cabelas, NFM and Hollywood now an then though.
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Meatcoma
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 16:08 |
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You working at Cerner?
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Lekker
> Meatcoma
12/09/2014 at 16:12 |
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that would be correct
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Meatcoma
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 16:17 |
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How is that new building? I remember when they were building it. I also remember when the old Cerner building in the grandview triangle was owned by Meryll Lynch. Been here all my life.
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Lekker
> Meatcoma
12/09/2014 at 16:27 |
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The building is very nice actually. The opened the North tower earlier this year, although there's a very heavy separation between associates in different towers.
So you work at Cerner as well? Or did you mean KC
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Stephen the Canuck
> Lekker
12/09/2014 at 18:19 |
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Thanks. They don't show one for a Cruze, but I'll see if I can find one that will match.