Weekend Update:

Scored some OEM Ambient Lighting Kit off of eBay for ~ $90 and tackled the install this weekend. I had this mod on my old G, and had actually outsourced the install. Kinda cool to tackle it myself this time around, and it was fairly straightforward with the provided instructions. I wasn't able to get any decent pics, but I love the subtle luxurious feeling they provide. Took this opportunity to detail the interior as well.This car has come such a long way.



OEM Ambient lighting really helps to set off those Monaco seats at night!

This reminded me that my OEM analog clock doesn't light up either. Off to eBay to secure a new one as I don't have the time/desire to open it up and solder LEDs. Bleh, it's always something.

Working on trying to secure a drop-off time for the headlights with my local retrofitter. Once headlights are complete I'll be able to install the following:

• New Headlights (obviously)
• New painted OEM Sport Bumper + Lip
• New OEM Headlight Support Brackets
• 3D printed mounts for Z1 Intakes
• Z1 Aluminum Undershroud
• (Reinstall) OEM Radiator Shroud

Looking forward to it, it's definitely been a few months in the making.

 

My fuji just came off with the creation of this message...

 

That's actually good fortune, that it fell off just by looking at it. Now you can glue it back on solid so it never comes off.

At some point years ago, I took a hot iron to the posts on the underside, and glued all around them. That doesn't mean the posts won't snap someday, but its something better than nothing.

 

Funny story is that this is an emblem I got from a cover I bought online. When I took off the Fuji to glue it crumbled like Grandmas cookies. I managed to put them all together then bathe them in glue where it held the shape. Lasted for 1 year and while taking the cover off she said deuces. Fell on the floor and shattered.

 

Shame that the Fuji's are plastic and mounted using tiny pins while the "hamburgers" are metal and held in place with thick metal tabs. JDM quality vs. USDM penny-pinching at its finest.

 

It really is a shame that the Fujis are just held on by tabs- wild seeing how many covers on eBay that are missing them. And the ones that do... well sellers are wanting close to $100

One interesting alternative that I came across is the Q50 Hybrid motor. These engines are 3.5HRs just like my G, so I'd assume they should fit (although interesting they only have 4 mounting bolts not 5 like the Gs). The shape is a bit more interesting than the Gs, although the hybrid stick would need to go. Could look pretty cool in a black or partial CF theme, plus every example I've come across has the Fuji emblem intact. Haven't see any G owners with this cover so I'd be taking a slight risk to try it out. Any thoughts?

 

That's a very cool looking cover. If you can make it work, then worth the effort IMO.

 

seems like it would fit without modification. I think the center bolt is required since it would let in air (or maybe that was only on the 3.7s?) can't remember. so you might have to plug that underneath.

 

I wonder how well the cut outs align with the actual intake tubes?

Is HYBRID raised (or lowered) in the mold? How easily can it be filled/sanded and painted?

How would it look with a FSTB?

Could the FSTB actually obscure the HYBRID? That would be nice.

Are there any vertical clearance issues good or bad with a FSTB?

 

Looking at the bolt pattern, I think a FSTB would obscure the Fuji.

 

That's one interesting cover. I would initially cut past the initial black line to keep the "alien" shape cover. Interesting find.

 

Build Update:

Been a while since I've had some free time to update the thread, progress as been slowed by a combination of work + kiddos birthday's these past two months. In a previous post, I noted how my analog clock was not working- well that bugged me considerably and so I set out to get it fixed. Should be an easy thing right? Well....

First I tried replacing the related fuse, but unfortunately that didn't work (had low hopes as other electrical items on the same circuit were functioning fine). With that crossed out, I scoured eBay for a replacement clock as I know the LEDs are prone to burn out. I ended up scoring a brand new clock for ~$100, a little pricey but I'm a sucker for BNIB OEM parts:



So fresh and crispy new!

Install was a breeze. Excitedly I started up the car.... and got nothing . No lights, and the little buttons don't move the analog hands either. My guess is that it's not getting power, sigh always something. Work started to heat up so troubleshooting this issue went on the back burner. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears...

On a much happier note, I was able to score a Q50 Hybrid Engine Cover on eBay for $50. The cover arrived last week, and I quickly got it installed. Thankfully, it's a perfect fit with absolutely no modification required on my HR motor (makes sense since the hybrid is essentially a 3.5HR with an electric motor). I was very curious on how this would look in the G's engine bay, but I gotta say I love the sleek vibe it provides compared to the original "boxy" shape:



Wild how much of a different vibe this cover brings...

Initial thoughts:

• All of the mounting points line up perfectly, and the Intake tubes seamless fit into the new cover. It also looks world better without the silly orange cables for the electric motor. Me likey
• Unfortunately it looks like a FSTB will obscure the Fuji Emblem. I'll either need to forgo this mod or look at relocating the Fuji (seems like a pain as I'd have to fill in the now blank area)
• While I don't hate the silver/black paint theme, it invokes a bit too much of General Grevious (for those Star Wars nerds like me) IMO - a new paint scheme is mandatory.
• The hybrid emblem is "raised" with little clips that attach it to the cover

I'll have to mull over how I want to refinish it. Currently I'm thinking of swapping the silver parts for a gloss black (perhaps with some flake to match the moonlight grille) but not sure what to do with the "hybrid emblem". I can look at getting it filled in, but that might be a PITA. Alternatively I could get it carbon skinned and perhaps use the "G35S" trunk emblems or an Infiniti decal to finish it off. Plenty of time to think about options, but for now I love the updated look.

 

re: Clock, when time permits, if you have a multimeter, check for continuity between pin 3 (clock connector) and ground (bare metal). Pins 2 (illum (+)) and 4 (clock (+)) are two separate circuits under separate fuses. For both the clock and the nighttime illumination to not work leads me to suspect a potential ground issue.

 

Good review on the cover, Deep!

It looks great with your long tube intakes.

 

Appreciate it @ILM-NC G37S - I do finally have a free weekend so I'm hoping to tackle this. I do think there's a ground issue as I also only have one map dome light that is lighting up.

Thanks @Rochester ! I'm a fan of how it ties in the Intakes as well. Really wish Zeetoys was still around, as that yellow oil dipstick is starting to really bug me...