Team-BHP - The Zen Modifications Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N (Post 3405587)

I have decided to get the car a new life - I am talking about the '96 Zen.
So, the following will be done:
1. Complete body work with patching to get rid of the rusting all over the body.
2. Denting and Painting both inside and outside. Will paint in silver (since that is what the RC book states) inside and outside.
3. Changing of electrical wiring
4. Removal of engine bay components and fitting it back after painting
5. Suspension overhaul - new parts to go in
6. New brake pads
7. New windshield and new ORVMs
8. New carpet and mat inside.
9. AC needs gas and perhaps some overhauling. The gas is the old type and rare to find.
10.Power windows and central locking

Looking for some good graphics which can be put during the paint process and give it a better look -something that the missus will like
Please advise.

Im also in the same boat. Will get '99 carb a new life which is now 1.05L on odo. Summer is the best time to get it done!

-Denting painting
-New rear bumper
-New seat covers & steering cover
-Rack-Pillion replacement as there is HUGE play
-AC Servicing
-Some Rattles

Rest all is perfect. Still almost OEM cylinder compression and get about 13-13.5 in city and 18+ on highways ( all without AC) always on Shell regular :D

So, my 1996 Zen is now at a garage for complete restoration. There is rust all over which needs to be treated and patch work required in many places.

I checked and to my surprise found that the smartcard does not have the colour specified.

This means, I can change the colour of the car? I think so, unless someone here tells me otherwise.

I will post some before-after pictures in a month's time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N (Post 3421254)

I checked and to my surprise found that the smartcard does not have the colour specified.

The smartcard does not have colour information written on it. Not sure about the electronic data that it has on the chip. Please ensure it, I am sure the vehicle colour information must be somewhere in the RTO records.

Goodluck for the restoration. The jelly bean surely deserves it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saket77 (Post 3421267)

My Cedia smartcard does have colour information written on it.
For the Zen, that field is blank.
The earlier RC book photo copy also does not have any mention of colour anywhere.

Strange, isn't it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N (Post 3421847)

My Cedia smartcard does have colour information written on it.
For the Zen, that field is blank.
The earlier RC book photo copy also does not have any mention of colour anywhere.

Strange, isn't it?

Yes, that is strange & new for me. All vehicles we have owned have colour information on the RC book. However, the smart registration card (with electronic chip) does not have colour information, at least physically written on it. Not sure about the electronic data it might have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anil Vincent (Post 3344436)

The Zen's exterior design even though two decade old, it is mostly preferred to be left as it is in original state, however a little bit of interior spruce up can give a whole new dimension to the drive feel and owner ship experience, here is how we got the Pocket Rocket's interiors redefined to remain head to head with new generation guys on the track.

Sorry for being OT.

Is this car in Cochin ? Are you the owner ??

Had pulled over in a narrowish road to let cars from the opposite side cross me. Bigger cars like Innova crossed me without an issue. However, the driver of this particular car had different plans- he wanted to show off the FFE and accelerated hard from standstill leaving a 2 ft long straight line cut on my cars' rear door and fender with the right ORVM. Image below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N (Post 3446008)

I have to ask. How easy would it be to get rear seat belts installed in the car? I don't have them in my car. :(

Good going. About the rear seat belts, I think they must not be difficult to install, esp. when the car is already undergoing restoration. Just get a pair of rear seat belts for the Zen and get the correct measurement of where the holes are to be drilled for the fitment from a newer Zen. The retractor units are placed in the boot of the car and the other side in which the belt hooks is fixed to the chassis under the rear seats in the middle. Also, the newer Zen had a child seat belt too. If you feel the need, you can get them installed too.

A peek into a newer model Zen (MPFi ones) will give you exact idea about the fitting and measurements.:)

Regards,
Saket

Edit: Just a piece of some useless advice - In case you plan for those steel monograms for the car like the MPFi Zen, then please place them at the right place on the hatch. Most of the restored cars I see on roads have the 'Zen' & the 'Maruti Suzuki' logo at the upper side of the hatch, just below the rear windshield, which is the incorrect place. They look completely out of place in my opinion.

Posting some pictures of rear seat belts of Zen as some FMs had requested for it for getting them fitted during their car's restoration.

Kindly let me know if you guys need more angles and if you need pictures after removing the rear seat bench. I was feeling a bit lazy to remove the bench but in case these pictures are not enough, please let me know:

I am planning to start off on the modification spree on my 2003 Zen Vxi.
I would like to start with the seats first as it is my urban and office ride. I spent almost two hours every day, so I need the seats to be very supportive and comfortable.

Any pointers on getting replica sports seats in Bangalore or Swift's seats into Zen?

My zen MPFI has suddenly developed an intermediate problem in cold weather after running a km or 2 the rpm suddenly increases like the accelerator is depressed fully without an increase in speed.

Since it is intermediate I am not able to replicate I showed it to suraksha bomanahalli They said they have to change the clutch for which they gave a estimate of 9K Last time i changed it was around 5 years bak and it was just 3.5k

I agree the time may have come for the clutch to be changed but i was surprised at the price quoted for changing the clutch. on the board the price is given as 1033rs they said they have to change the flywheel pressure plate etc which all adds up to 9k Is this right ?

Something does not sound right to me.