Team-BHP - The Zen Modifications Thread

Hi guys, I am a proud owner of a 2005 ZEN Lx. I bought it 2nd hand a year ago from a relative of mine as i knew it was a well kept car and I was in need of a 2nd car. Anyways the time has come for my car to get new tyres. I just wanted to get advice from the forum about a few questions I have which are as follows:

1) Should I upsize to R13's? Will I have to modify the suspension and shockers if I upsize to this size? As I know the earlier zens were equipped with factory fitted R13.

2) Also will fuel mileage and passenger comfort be affected if I upsize?

3) Are alloy wheels available for the Zen in both R12 and R13? I am more interested in trusty brands like Neo etc rather than cheap chinese imports.

4) The car is used on broken roads 50% of the time due to the bad condition of roads in and around the hills of darjeeling (thats where I live). So is and upsize to R13's recommended for someone like me. And Also should I go for Alloys?

My heart says Upsize to R13's with Alloys, but considering the usage of the car on bad roads, my head says stick to R12's and maybe R12 alloys. So could someone make suggestions please.

Thanx guys,

Amrish

Quote:

Originally Posted by amrisharm (Post 2914748)

Sticking with R12 gives you a better chance of a comfortable ride on broken roads as you can go for the "taller" 140/80 tyres, which are not available in R13. However, availability may be an issue as most cars on the road today have R13 or above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amrisharm (Post 2914748)

3) Are alloy wheels available for the Zen in both R12 and R13? I am more interested in trusty brands like Neo etc rather than cheap chinese imports.
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My heart says Upsize to R13's with Alloys, but considering the usage of the car on bad roads, my head says stick to R12's and maybe R12 alloys. So could someone make suggestions please.

Thanx guys,

Amrish

Yes, You do get 12" alloys, although you have very limited choice. In 13" you get much more options. I have 12" plati alloys on my Zen. I got them at 10K for 4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezydrive (Post 2940281)

As a ZEN owner for the last 1.45 lac km (10 years), my advise simple would be:

"If you want the peace of mind, stick to 145/80 tyres on 12" rims"

These tyres are best suited for ZEN's suspension, particularly on bad roads.

Hi I am using 12" Alloys with 155/70 Michelin XM1+ tires..Car runs pretty well, as good as stock,infact handling is better than stock..No harm to shocks and steering smoothness !

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick17s (Post 2940576)

Hi I am using 12" Alloys with 155/70 Michelin XM1+ tires..Car runs pretty well, as good as stock,infact handling is better than stock..No harm to shocks and steering smoothness !

That is a wrong downsize, Overall dia. (OD) becomes less and the car oversteers. I was using that size earlier but later on shifted to 155/65 on 13" rims.

145/80 R12 -OD 536.8 mm

155/65 R13 - OD 531.7 mm

155/70 R12 - OD 521.8 mm

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezydrive (Post 2941400)

I dont think so, because before installing the tire, alloys I read on tbhp forums that 155/70/12 is a good upgrade and do check this link out..

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecal...?action=submit

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezydrive (Post 2940281)

145/80r 12 give a decent ride , but not the ones That gimme confidence on the highways.

I had 155/65r13 for 1000kms only to throw them away in exchange for Bridgestone Potenza GIII 165/60R13. Rims are 5J

Driven 2.09L kms since then and I have no complaints

I am planning to get our Zen modified. The aim is to change it completely so that it does not look like a Zen at all, but more like a Beetle.

My budget is 1.5 lac. The entire body of the car has rust and needs to be repaired.

Can someone point where I should begin?
Any recommended places in Pune?

I've been thinking of this for quite some time and also did a rough "trial" of the same.
I am contemplating swapping the locations of indicators and parking lights in my type 1 zen. I am also thinking of using LED DRLs instead of the old tungsten filament parking bulbs. The issues and questions I face are:

1. Wattage of the 2 types of bulbs and their holders are different - parking lamp 5W [T10] and indicators 21W [bayonett type]
2. Direct swap of the indicator bulb with its holder and wiring to the parking lamp housing is not possible due to the different holder configurations. Which means that I have to look for a T10 type 21 W rated bulb [or a 21W T10 LED substitute] which will fit directly in the parking lamp socket, and I only need to rewire it to the indicator wires. But, is this [21W T10 bulb] available or will I have to make do with the 5W by adding a series resistor?? [This will be necessary to prevent the bulb from going kaput, besides ensuring that the rate of blinking more or less remains the same!]
3. What is the wattage rating of ready-made LED DRLs available in the current scenario? If they are 5W, then I could just wire them to the parking lamp wires. Also, I am looking for a type that will fit inside the rectangular slot of the indicator lamps in the front bumper.

I know these are too many [??trivial] pre-conditions, but any help in this matter will be appreciated. Thanks:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen2001 (Post 3000263)

I've been thinking of this for quite some time and also did a rough "trial" of the same.
I am contemplating swapping the locations of indicators and parking lights in my type 1 zen.

Check my previous post. What you are thinking has been done before by them. Check their facebook page. There is a number. Call him and give him my refrence, he might be able to help you.

Pramod

I have come to the zen party a bit late. I am probably the last bhpian to start work on one. Finally got hold of a nice zen. So.....

Please can someone let me know where I can lay my paws on an exedy clutch. Regular or stage one will do. I have looked around. None seems to have one. Put in an mgp clutch and its ok. But I would like to put in an exedy