MJP (Eastern Auto) Blog

IMSA Z

2011-12-30T13:36:00.001Z

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

2011-12-23T20:06:00.003Z

I've just revised our MJP Shop Link so that iPhone (and similar Smart Phone) users will automatically see a phone friendly display with suggested "Product of the Day" in each of three categories.
The full Shop with Books, DVDs, Clothing, Models and a full arcade of other shopping is still available to browse from your main computer.
Last minute shopping and New Year bargains from our Amazon Linked Store Front. Look out for some spectacular Boxing Day bargains.

Nuf Zed Lives Again!

2011-11-21T00:05:00.001Z

My old supercharged 280ZX now up and running again. Congratulations to new owner Hubert!

And on the road setting up the Emerald ECU:

New Shop Feature at MJP

2011-11-20T00:53:00.000Z

I've recently created a new extension to our Amazon linked Shop products. You can access the new area here:

MJP Shopping - all Products!

Give it a try and don't be afraid to explore - you can find anything from an MP3 download to a new Plasma TV!

Another great SWB Twin Turbo Targa on Pistonheads

2011-10-25T11:57:00.000+01:00

A nice SWB with all the toys and respectable horsepower. Red and black leather interior. A bargain at £3495. Now available to view at MJP - call 01277 374201.

Pistonheads SWB TT Z32 Targa

Wide Body SWB TT Z32 For Sale on Pistonheads

2011-10-11T19:09:00.000+01:00

This interesting looking SWB Twin Turbo targa Z32 is being offered for sale by a colleague on Pistonheads. A huge spend to make a fine looking car - bargain price for the specification:

Now available to view at MJP - call 01277 374201.

Drag Challenge History Made at Shakespeare County Raceway

2011-10-11T17:16:00.000+01:00

The Z Club Drag Challenge rose to a new high at Shakespeare County Raceway this month when we ran an all Z eight car Bracket Eliminator for the first time ever in the U.K. Competitors posted their dial-in times and then ran to advantage or handicap on the tree against their opposition.
Winner on the day was Steve Kiddell in his injected twelve second 240Z. Steve just pressurised the consistent Jon Billings in a 260Z into his first break-out of the day. A hard won final!

Picture courtesy of Ingrid Chesworth at SCR

S.E.K.Z. Group Returns to Halfway House in August

2011-08-15T12:51:00.000+01:00

After several months away doing other things, the S.E.K.Z. crew returned to their usual "noggin and natter" meeting at the Halfway House.
Previous meets had included the outing to North Weald Drags and representation at the excellent Matching Green Car Show in July. We love the Matching Green Show with its cosmopolitan mix of old and new classics and great family fun-day atmosphere.

Charles Leekam took delivery of his new Z32 SWB (far left), Tony A's SWB TT in matching white (the new black), Geoff Jjordan's Z32 TT and my own 350Z Stillen SC.

Nice line-up at the Halfway House - August 2011

First Ever Z Drag Elimination at North Weald

2011-05-12T15:37:00.000+01:00

Our first shot at a proper Drag Eliminator went exceptionally well this last weekend. The eight car field went through three rounds to determine eventual winner John Palmer in his Hybrid Z 240Z which packs a Lexus Soarer 1JZE twin cam, twin turbo punch!

The eight qualifiers


The two finalists!

For a full report see http://www.zclub.net

S.E.K.Z. at North Weald Drags - 8th May

2011-04-27T23:27:00.000+01:00

The next meeting of the SEKZ Group will be at Round 2 of the Z Club Drag Challenge.
The venue - North Weald Aerodrome.
The date 8th May.

This meeting is pretty special as we have been granted permission to run a mini Z Eliminator! The fastest eight (or sixteen if numbers allow) Zs and ZXs will be paired off at the end of the day to determine the true Drag Champion of the Day! Do you have a quick Z? Think you can see off the opposition? Can your 500bhp Z32 see off the challenge of the Hybrid 240Zs? Be there if you care...and dare!

Early start required as signing on numbers are limited. You need to be a Z Club member (but special membership rates available on the day). You need a crash helmet, your driving licence and the money to sign on and run - plus the car to live up to its promise. Anything can (and will) happen in Drag Challenge - the Z Club way!

MJP Web Site with added Gallery!

2011-04-08T12:39:00.000+01:00

I've updated the MJP (Eastern Auto) web site with a customer's gallery (includes others...) - go to www.mjpauto.com, click "Gallery" on the LH side to open a new tab. Galleries are by model code and hosted by jAlbum.net.

If you would like to include your car in the appropriate gallery, send photos and details to mike@mjpauto.com and I'll try to include them in a future update.

S.E.K.Z. Meeting 3rd April

2011-04-02T01:10:00.000+01:00

The S.E.K.Z. Local Group will be meeting at the Halfway House, Herongate, Brentwood on Sunday 3rd April. This will be the last Halfway House meeting for a few months.
In May we will be attending the North Weald Drag meeting and participating in Round 2 of the Z Club Drag Challenge series.
In June we are going down to Surrey for a barbeque meeting at S.E. member Phil Hyett's place. (see Phil's 240Z engine install using our new cold air induction kit below)
July sees our annual visit to the Matching Green Car Show.
So - no more Halfway House until August! Take this weekend's opportunity to visit - bring your mum. She'll love it!

S.E.K.Z Meeting 6th March 2011

2011-03-03T00:03:00.000Z

The members of the S.E.K.Z. Group will be meeting at the Halfway House, Herongate, near Brentwood this Sunday from 12-00 midday onwards.
Some members will be attending the Goodwood Breakfast Club pre '73 Historic Car meet at 8-00am and then making their way in convoy up to Essex for midday!

Bye, bye 'Nuf Zed

2011-02-22T23:49:00.000Z

My IMSA 280ZX has been tucked away in the garage for far too long waiting for me to complete the supercharger upgrade. The car was previously turbocharged and completed in 1993. It last moved under its own steam nearly ten years ago! Here it is off to a new life in France where it will be completed and returned to its former glory...

MJP Stores Further Refined

2011-02-16T23:13:00.000Z

I've lifted and rationalised all the MJP Store components into one handy web site which, incidentally, has recently been updated with loads of new products.

For books (read about the new GT-R - recently released publication) , DVDs, games, model cars (like the great 370Z RC model below), Cool Art mugs with a Nissan theme (check out that mad 300ZX!) and a range of clothing featuring Top Gear, Humour and some great bands go to MJP Store.

If you want to shop for our great range of Nissan car parts - Datsun and Nissan Fairlady Z and ZX, 200SX, GTi-R, Skyline, Silvia and the great new GT-R, then go no further than MJP Parts Shop. Don't forget that this On-Line Store is only the tip of our parts iceberg - if you don't see what you want, call 01277 374201 to discuss your requirements!

MJP Stores

2010-02-11T20:48:00.000Z

Check out our links to the new MJP Stores. We have selected some great products which are Nissan or motor related for you to buy on-line - we just took the hard work out of browsing for you!

MJP Book Store

MJP DVD and Console Games Store

MJP Models and Mugs

MJP Autoparts Store

SEKZ Meeting May 2009

2009-05-04T00:55:00.000+01:00

S.E.K.Z. Meeting at the Halfway House, Herongate 3rd May 2009

Been a while since I added to this Blog, but the turnout at this month's Halfway House S.E.K.Z. Meeting has such great cars I had to share it! General view of the back row above with classic Z31 ahead of Z32 with 240Z peeking out behind. In the background and left, my 350Z, another Z32 and a 280ZX - covering all the bases model-wise!

Below - behold The Beast! Highly modified and customised 300ZX by Jason Farrow. Well known in the Club circles and winner of multiple awards.

Immaculate late model 280ZX - always a pleasure to see one of these increasingly rare cars out on the road - especially when as sharply presented as this. More Z32s in the background.

S.E.K.Z. Meeting at Elite Direct 9th November

2008-10-25T21:25:00.000+01:00

If you have a Z or ZX, then get yourself down to Elite Direct in Rainham for the Z Club Open Day - nothing but Zs either posing or getting their boots massaged by th eprofessionals.

Super special deals on wheels, tyres and alignment services on the day - call Claire at Elite to discuss and pre-book. 01708 527205.

Meanwhile, check out the great juxtaposition of old and new between modified 350Z and old school 240Z at a recent meeting at Thurrock Services.

S.E.K.Z. back for 2008

2008-01-14T17:09:00.000Z

After my enforced lay-off in hospital at the end of 2008, I'm pleased to announce that the South East and Kent Group meetings have resumed at the Halfway House this January. The first meet drew a good turn-out for the time of year and we shared the car park with a batch of AC Cobras (mostly kits I guess), a '64 Mustang and a '64 GTO Pontiac.

2008-01-12T15:55:00.000Z

Lots of changes since our last posting. The 350Z now boasts new colour scheme of graphite grey over blue to blend in with the carbon fibre stuff. Carbon fibre mirror covers and A-post trims have been added.

Wheels are upgraded to Volk GT-C, 9" x 19" front and 10.5" x 19" rear. Shod with Toyo tyres. Lowering by Eibach sorings and new shocks from Tokico D-Spec range. We tried a Sustec front underbrace, but ground clearance was too compromised for U.K. roads!

Blitz R-VIT provides more vehicle information from the OBD2 port and Blitz R-FIT allows the fuel delivery to be modified - particularly useful for smoothing out the over-rich top end. Nismo titanium gearknob, Stillen short shifter, carbon weave gear gaiter and carbon cluster trim add to the interior - more to follow.

Bluetooth Adapter for 350Z Now Available!

2006-08-09T00:18:00.000+01:00

The answer to your hands-free problem in a 350Z - the BlueTooth Adapter.
This little device slides into the integral phone cradle and will communicate with your BlueTooth phone immediately. Set the adapter as a paired device and every time you come to the car with your phone you will be connected. The voice commands and steering wheel controls all work and the stereo automatically mutes on incoming calls. Conversations are relayed via the cars speaker system. Only suitable for U.K. models, not imports. N.B. '06 owners should get this for free as part of the package!

Recent price reduction makes this even more affordable!

Buy with confidence (and at discount) from the MJP On-Line Shop.

S.E.K.Z. Meetings

2006-08-08T23:51:00.000+01:00

June, July and August meetings have come and gone - two at the Halfway House and one at the Matching Green Car Show. The Group was well represented at all, with particular items of interest illustrated by the photos:

In June, this superb GT40 replica was there for a photo shoot before everyone else turned up!

Zs scorched in the sun at the Matching Green Car Show - a great family day out with a very cosmopolitan selection of modern and classic cars of interest on display.

At the August Halfway House, my latest impulse buy puzzled SEKZ members who thought they knew their Z31 300ZX - this 200ZR is probably unique in the U.K. Two seater manual version, manufactured 1988 for the Japanese home market only. It comes with the R31 Skyline Rb20DET engine as standard - this one has been used for street racing and drift in Japan and has lowered and uprated suspension, K & N induction, Kakimoto exhaust and front mounted intercooler. 16" American Racing split rims with black centres complement the "stealth" look and the interior is stripped to the bare essentials. Trusted members came back smiling after testing it down the local by-pass!

Next Z Club meeting 13th August at Santa Pod Raceway - Round 5 of the Z Club Drag Challenge at a Run What Ya Brung.

Next SEKZ meeting first Sunday in September - call 01277 374201 for venue.

Stillen supercharger update

2006-05-02T13:58:00.000+01:00

The MJP (Eastern Auto) 350Z has just received a Stage 4 upgrade which consists of smaller drive pulley to generate a little more boost, Walbro 255 fuel pump, bigger seventh injector and revised piggyback timimg computer. The butt dyno is impressed with the results, but judgement is reserved until actual dyno figures are achieved or the combination is tested in the real world at the track. As always, traction will be a limiting factor, but we are waiting patiently for the Volk GT-C wheels to become available again to upgrade the rubber (probably to Nitto 555).

The Stage 4 upgrade is only available to existing Stage 2 or 3 customers and completely removes any implied engine warranty! The kit is rated at +143 flywheel bhp over stock.

Photo courtesy of The Z Club Magazine. Also shown at Santa Pod are Frank Marino, Z31 300ZX Turbo and the late Gavin Balmer in his awesome Chevy engined Z32 300ZX.

HSCC Round 2 - Cadwell Park

2006-04-30T15:35:00.000+01:00

Camera shy Matt Bannister poses after a second win this season. The demanding Cadwell Park track proved ideal for the quick 240Zs, with Charles Barter qualifying on pole with Matt only a few tenths adrift alongside.

At the start, Matt held station with Charles through the first left-hander to gain the inside line advantage at the second. Charles fought back with passion, but eventually over-cooked it in an overtaking attempt at a point where Matt was already 110% committed. Charles dropped back significantly, eventually recovering to seventh place. Matt didn't have it all his own way from there on, having to fend off a pack of squabbling Lotuses led by Rory Stockbridge (Europa) who finished second overall.
Charles' son, Julian, was second in Class B in his TVR 3000M, followed by Tony Ellis in a Mazda RX7 and Dad in fourth place in class. Paul Stafford in the third 240Z finished tenth overall and fifth in class.
Next outing for Round 3 is at Brands Hatch on Sunday 7th May - this will also be the May meeting for the SEKZ Group, so look out for all models of Z in the car park. Early birds may get one-make parking on South Bank - look out for a gathering of Zs at the entrance and tag along. Come and meet the drivers in the pits and get to know the cars at first-hand.
Matt Bannister is sponsored by MJP (Eastern Auto), the winning team. Other sponsors include D.J. Road & Race Services, Jet Wheel & Tyre and A & L Services.

S.E.K.Z. Donington HSCC Report

2006-04-03T18:15:00.000+01:00

Donington - HSCC Round 1

Congratulations to Matt Bannister on a fine win in the wet!

At the first round of '70s Roadsports for 2006, the SEKZ's very own Matt Bannister won in fine style. Qualifying in damp conditions on the front row of the grid, the 240Z was producing consistent 1:26s.
Keeping a wary eye on the weather was the order of the afternoon - the rain clouds were rolling in interspersed with patches of sun. In the end Matt went out on normal dry tyres, a decision shared by the majority of the field.
At the start, lined up alongside Richard Thorne in the big Morgan V8 and with Julian Barter (TVR) and Rory Stockbridge (Lotus Europa) looking for the gaps to squeeze through. Matt made the perfect start, easing away from the Morgan progressively into Redgate. He lead the race from there in a beautifully controlled fashion despite worsening conditions. A mid race challenge from Julian and Rory was handled with a new maturity and Julian later spun off while pushing the car too hard to keep up. Stockbridge finished a creditable second in his first outing with the Lotus and Barter recovered to seventh, fighting through the midfield contenderd!
The other 240Zs of Clive Foskett and Paul Stafford finished 13th and 14th respectively (4th and 5th in Class B).

S.E.K.Z. Halfway House 5th March 2006

2006-03-14T11:36:00.000Z

A bright sunny day brought a great range of Zs out of hibernation. A small selection in this photo shows 240Z, 260Z, 280ZX and 300ZX Z32 all present, headed by the HSCC 240Z of Matt Bannister who was getting some mileage on his new engine before the season opener at Doningto Park on 2nd April.
The Z Club Drag Race Challenge gets underway soon, with a preliminary test meeting on 19th March at Santa Pod. See http://www.zclub.net for details of this years rules and dates.

Photos this month courtesy of Charles Leekam, SEKZ member and 300ZX Z31 owner.

S.E.K.Z. March Newsletter

2006-03-04T23:34:00.000Z

The S.E.K.Z. Group move back to the Halfway House, Herongate, Brentwood for the March meeting. 5th March at 12-oo midday in the top car park - plenty of room for your pride and joy!

Reasonable food, good company, noggin and natter.

Picture shows detail of the 2006 350Z due for release in the U.K. this month - detail changes include revised lower front valence, new headlamps, new side front reflectors, more aluminium detail on interior trim and 300bhp engine from the GT4 limited edition. Available in coupe and roadster.

S.E.K.Z. Group in Kent

2006-02-06T07:40:00.000Z

Four generations of the Fairlady Z range at the S.E.K.Z. Meeting, Grasshopper Inn, Nr. Westerham - Sunday 5th February 2006.

S.E.K.Z. Meeting

2006-02-05T23:37:00.000Z

D'Arcy - the new S.E.K.Z. Group mascot - don't be fooled by the cute look - he could devour your Z in an afternoon...

S.E.K.Z. Group February Newsletter

2006-02-02T00:16:00.000Z

S.E.K.Z. Group Meeting - 5th February - Grasshopper Inn, Westerham Road (A25) - see maps for route. 12-00 midday start.

This Z Club Local Group covers the Essex, Kent and Herts area for members to meet on a regular monthly basis at venues in the locaal area. Usually a good number of Z and ZX cars attend allowing exchange of new ideas and technical tips as well as the usual gossip.

Later in the year, the Group will visit Brands Hatch (twice) and Snetterton circuits for rounds of the HSCC '70s Roadsports Championship in which several Datsun 240Zs compete very successfully. Our our local group member, Matthew Bannister, is often at the head of the field in his 1970 240Z.

For details on how to join the S.E.K.Z. Group and receive our monthly newsletter, e-mail mike@mjpauto.com.

2006-01-30T22:01:00.000Z

The MJP (Eastern Auto) 350Z in development - current mods include:

Stillen front fascia, side skirts and rear valence.
Wings West carbon fibre rear spoiler - single centre pedastel type.
Hybrid carbon fibre bonnet.
Street Scene grille.
Now Stillen Stage 4 polished supercharger, intercooled with chargecooler system. Samco hoses and Python-Loc clamps.
Koyo aluminium radiator.
Stillen engine damper. Stillen strut brace.
Stillen Hi-Flow air intake system.
Stillen twin exhaust system.

Brake Pro drilled and grooved rotors front and rear with Hawk pads.
Eibach lowering springs. Tokico D-Spec adjustable shocks.
Evo-R blue LED markers and wing emblem enhancers. Carbon fibre scuff plates. Carbon fibre mirror covers. Carbon fibre radiator closure plate.
Short throw shifter with Nismo titanium knob. Aasco lightweight aluminium flywheel with ACT Street Organic clutch.
Autometer boost and A/F gauges in cubby. Blitz R-VIT and R-FIT. Origin b2 camera detection system.

All these items and more available for the 350Z from MJP (Eastern Auto)
+44 (0)1277 3742019-00am 'til 6-00pm most days.
Fax +44 (0)1277 374986.

E-mail mike@mjpauto.com.

Web site at www.mjpauto.com and On-Line Shop www.mjpshop.co.uk.

See more about 350Zs and all the other Z and ZX family at www.zclub.net.