-89 Piazza Turbo HBL - Kaizen Racing Project 2

[Piazza_man]

Awesome update mate, sounds like you’ll have a little time up your sleeve to to get those shocks in. The 5 lug conversion will be interesting to follow too

[Nismo]

Hi guys! I just recognized that I haven't posted my film of my Piazza doing the "Night Run" here. You might have seen it in some of the Facebook groups though as I've tried posting it everywhere!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-4q3C_3lqc&t=8s

Please like and subscribe to my Automotive Media channel called Lift & Coast!

[Nismo]

Latest news for the Piazza is that it's started to drive like crap. Significant loss of power, and the engine sounds like a lawnmower, and misfiring or something like that. So that's just great news just as I am gonna put it away for winter. I don't even know where to start looking for the problem...

[Piazza_man]

Sounds like an electrical problem. Check your spark plugs for any ceramic insulation cracks, have an electrician check your leads, and distributor, etc. Some of this stuff can be visually inspected, eg check the leads are properly connected to the plugs but if you’re still scratching your head then go to an auto electrician.

As I can’t hear this sound in person, could it possibly be the exhaust manifold has separated slightly from the head which needs tightening (provided the stud/s hasn’t broken off). Remove the heat shield to have a better look and listen to where the sound is coming from.

As a precaution also check the condition of the engine oil in case you have a cracked head and getting water mixing with your oil. It probably isn’t that because you would have mentioned the engine is also overheating.

[Piazzish]

Post a video of it!

[Nismo]

Well winter is slowly passing by and I've been making plans all season long!
During these dark and cold days I have been stocking up on parts and modifications that will begin to take place sooner rather than later...
Some stuff I've been loading up: GReddy boost gauge, GReddy oil pressure gauge, GReddy Profec B Boost controller, TRUST 4-point seatbelt, TRUST GREX shift knob, Spax adjustable front shocks, Nissan Z31 wheel hubs and looking after more Skyline R32 brake components to finish the 5 lug conversion. Gonna be an exciting year for the Piazza hopefully!

[Piazza_man]

Definitely keep us posted on those mods.

[Nismo]

Let's throw in an updated version of the To-Do list!

[X] Kakimoto or HKS muffler - DONE!
[X] Custom stainless exhaust - DONE!
[X] Add front lip - DONE!
[X] Fix leaking rear windshield - DONE!
[X] 40mm Zoom lowering springs - DONE!
[X] Re-do window tint - DONE!
[O] Fix radio - Halfdone!
[X] New gold line stripes - DONE!
[X] Correct spacers mounted - DONE!
[X] Quad lights - DONE!
[X] Wax and polish - DONE!
[X] Change spark plugs - DONE!
[X] Change ignition cables - DONE!
[X] Change thermostat - DONE!
[X] Rust fix in trunk - DONE!
[O] Japanese backup light speaker - Halfdone!

[ ] Fix squeaky panel
[ ] Paint wiper arms
[ ] Fix gasoline gauge
[ ] Fix steering bushes
[ ] Fix hood latch handle
[ ] Fix heating/cold air
[ ] Adjustable Spax shock absorbers front - NEW!
[ ] New belts and pulleys (is it called that?) - NEW!
[ ] Custom Aero Discs carbon look - NEW!
[ ] 5 lug conversion Nissan Z31 wheel hub - NEW!
[ ] Nissan Skyline R33 brake calipers and rotors - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Profec B Boost controller - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Boost gauge - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Oil Pressure gauge - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Oil Temp gauge - NEW!
[ ] TRUST 4-point harness - NEW!
[ ] TRUST GREX Shift knob - NEW!
[ ] Cat for exhaust before inspection - NEW!

[Piazza_man]

Nice mods so far and starting to look really good. Be sure to post some more pics along the way.

[Nismo]

"I don't post often, but when I do it's about damn time!"

So Japdays 2022 at Mantorp Park, Scandinavias biggest event for japanese cars is over for this year and as usual you found me and the Piazza there!
I also got to meet Jan from Norway who actually took his Piazza XL from Norway and came over!





Now let's see what's been done so far to the Piazza this season!

To begin with I had to get the car through inspection again, and I tried the easy way and went to a station with my stainless exhaust mounted as it was.
Unfortunatley they didn't like the missing cat and the sound of the exhaust... The headlights were also foggy and not sharp according to them.
So the same friend that built the exhaust first hand helped out and fixed the cat - CHECK! Then I screwed a dB killer at the end, screwed down the headlights to the max and went back. It was a close call, but the inspection guy let me through with some wise words and passed the car!



The Piazza then got a proper big service with new belts and pulleys. Also managed to enhance the black paint on the valve hood.
Changed the ignition cables, distributor cap, spark plugs and fuel filter as well to see if the engine would run smoother, but it didn't.







Finally got the new adjustable Spax shock absorbers installed in the front! Back installation is still on the to-do list though.


Then I got to the wiper arms, resprayed them and converted them to hook mounts to be able to buy them anywhere.



Installed Veilside shift knob, Bomex horns and a Raid steering wheel that I found in the boxes in my storage!



Then just before Japdays I finally found and changed the weatherstrip for the sunroof! Wohoo!





Also got featured in one of Swedens biggest motor magazines!





After a proper cleaning and waxing I love this car more than ever!

[Nismo]

Time to take a look at the never ending To-Do list as well!

[X] Kakimoto or HKS muffler - DONE!
[X] Custom stainless exhaust - DONE!
[X] Add front lip - DONE!
[X] Fix leaking rear windshield - DONE!
[X] 40mm Zoom lowering springs - DONE!
[X] Re-do window tint - DONE!
[O] Fix radio - Halfdone!
[X] New gold line stripes - DONE!
[X] Correct spacers mounted - DONE!
[X] Quad lights - DONE!
[X] Wax and polish - DONE!
[X] Change spark plugs - DONE!
[X] Change ignition cables - DONE!
[X] Change thermostat - DONE!
[X] Rust fix in trunk - DONE!
[O] Japanese backup light speaker - Halfdone!
[X] Paint wiper arms - DONE!
[X] New weatherstrip list for sunroof - DONE!
[X] Adjustable Spax shock absorbers front - DONE!
[X] New belts and pulleys (is it called that?) - DONE!
[X] TRUST 4-point harness - DONE!
[X] TRUST GREX Shift knob - DONE!
[X] Cat for exhaust before inspection - DONE!
[X] Raid sport steering wheel - DONE!

[ ] Fix squeaky panel
[ ] Fix gasoline gauge
[ ] Fix steering bushes
[ ] Fix hood latch handle
[ ] Fix heating/cold air
[ ] Custom Aero Discs carbon look - NEW!
[ ] 5 lug conversion Nissan Z31 wheel hub - NEW!
[ ] Nissan Skyline R33 brake calipers and rotors - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Profec B Boost controller - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Boost gauge - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Oil Pressure gauge - NEW!
[ ] GReddy Oil Temp gauge - NEW!
[ ] Steering wheel spacer - NEW!
[ ] New paint on side mirrors - NEW!
[ ] New oil on gearbox and rear axle - NEW!

[Nismo]

I've decided to try and post with some more regularity this upcoming season instead of collecting a lot of images and info and do bulk posts!

So since I put the car away in november it has been patiently waiting in the winter storage and I have been fidgeting with other stuff for it, such as making up unrealistic goals regarding looks and tuning instead of planning what really needs to be done on it to keep it rolling!

First project I'm gonna share with you is the new rear shelf speakers. They are a set of real JDM goodies that I found, bought and imported through Japanese Yahoo auctions. As usual it ended up way more expensive than I thought with shipping, taxes and customs charges but damn it, these rare goodies never shows up and I'm bad at waiting...

The model is called Pioneer TS X-33 and is a Carrozzeria model, made for the rear shelf, and has a flat plexi side that can is backlit with blue or green diodes. I am rebuilding these with RGB LED strips instead, with color controller!

These are pics from the auction:




And this is how they could possibly look like!





I have started the disassembly and there's a lot of cleaning to be made!









Keep checking in for more updates on these bad boys!

[Piazza_man]

Keep the updates coming in

[Nismo]

So the speakers are assembled, connected and tested! They both work!



Bought a HKS SSQV original BOV from a friend that's gonna get a polishing treatment as well!



Went and bought a Recaro seat really cheap last week, and now I just have to find a fitting seat rail for it!



Loads of more stuff coming up! I am gonna pick up my car for the season this Saturday! Happy and nervous at the same time, as I haven't checked it at all during winter sleep... :o

[Piazza_man]

I’ll bet you are itching to get in the car on Saturday.