New Owner 2004 6MT 4-door

[downshift]

Hi all,

I'm Josh, just bought a 2004 6MT ZHP Jet Black. I work at MIT as a mechanical engineer.

Long story short, I'm 22 and I've wanted a ZHP, specifically a sedan, since I was 14. I've searched craigslist thousands of times but I almost always didn't have the money or the timing didn't work out. So, I finally bought what I've always wanted.

For now, I'll be doing maintenance and minor cosmetic changes; I replaced the front lenses with Khoalty and replaced tail lights with Khoalty smoked, same with the side markers. I'm doing a cooling system overhaul myself this Sunday, and I'm replacing the used OEM shift knob with another OEM. AC belt and serpentine belt too, but thats about it.

Eventually: I would like to add cage, brakes, coilovers, LSD and a few other items.

Also looking into a lightweight set of wheels, as the 135 will be my snow wheels. Taking suggestions...

Josh

[san]

Welcome Josh!
This thread should help you regarding wheels-
Apex ARC8 17" vs. 18", Offset, and Tire Size Questions

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=14392&share_tid=16922&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ezhpmafia%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Fs howthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D16922&share_type=t


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

Welcome. Let's see her!


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - anonymous E46 fanatic

[fredo]

Welcome, man. +1 on the pics.

[danewilson77]

Josh, welcome.

Nice teaser thread. Already starting....

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[BMWCurves]

Welcome! Post some pics of your car when you have a chance.

San already posted my thread on APEX ARC8 wheels. They're not for everyone, but I have nothing but good things to say about them. Definitely a solid option.

[johnrando]

Welcome. Agree, pics please


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[downshift]

Thanks for the welcome. Here are a couple of photos

293732937429375

[BMWCurves]

Looks good! You should consider refreshing the lower grille. Either replace it (more expensive, will fade in a few years) or spray paint it (cheaper)

[SWO Daddy]

Welcome! Refreshed headlight covers always makes a huge difference.

[Lorenzo]

Welcome and Congratulations!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GoGators]

Congrats on the purchase, you wont regret it most of the time!

U of F mech-e out!

[Adi]

Welcome, and congrats on your purchase!

Please keeping posting pics for us :)

[Vas]

Welcome

[ELCID86]

Looks good! You should consider refreshing the lower grille. Either replace it (more expensive, will fade in a few years) or spray paint it (cheaper)

Yeah, they are actually supposed to be black! Though most are not...

[johnrando]

Easy to remove and spray paint with a high gloss black. OR, like I did, I just masked everything off and painted in on the car.

[RedAtom]

Looks good Josh!

[downshift]

Thanks guys! yeah I'll definitely remove the grille and paint it. Also planning on adding the black kidneys, matte, but who isn't...haha. I'm most excited for the full coilover setup and roll cage. A year or two down the road I will lease a new car, at which point this will become a dedicated track car. Also trying to decide between an LSD or a drop-in mini spool just for drift days, and keep the doff open for track days. With really sticky tires, and no added power to the stock motor, i'm not sure I would notice the difference.

When I was driving an E63 AMG on the track, I definitely noticed the LSD working, which we had spec'd in Germany, but that had 690 lb-ft...

Josh

[704sw]

Looks good! You should consider refreshing the lower grille. Either replace it (more expensive, will fade in a few years) or spray paint it (cheaper)

Every spray painted lower grille I've seen has chipped super easily. I went with (gasp) plastidip and it came out quite well.

[downshift]

293822938329384

[johnrando]

Every spray painted lower grille I've seen has chipped super easily. I went with (gasp) plastidip and it came out quite well.
Hmmm, mine has not chipped at all.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

Every spray painted lower grille I've seen has chipped super easily. I went with (gasp) plastidip and it came out quite well.

Mine too. I think I'll PD it next time (soon).