tech-Z-004

HyperSprite Tech:

Elbow pad using stock 2005 knee pad for the 350Z

Disclaimer: HyperSprite.com is not responsible for damages you cause to or with your car during or after performing this modification.
While we feel the modification is perfectly safe, you are responsible for the outcome.
Please tune responsibly.

Everybody knows one of the most obvious shortcomings of the 350Z is the lack of a proper elbow rest on the center console. There are a few different solutions offered, this is the one I came up with and seems to work very well.

First I ordered a drivers side knee pad panel from Performance Nissan (direct link ), they had the best price at the time that I could find on the internet.
It came in and looked like this.

The pad is held on with plastic studs that are melted onto the panel from the back. I used a drill to remove the mushroom heads from the eight studs and the pad fell away. There is no need to go all the way through the panel, just go deep enough to take off the heads so you don't risk damaging the pad.

This is what it looked like after separation, obviously the knee panel is toast.

I then used a motor tool (it's not a real Dremel) with a sander to shave down the studs and alignment pins.

I then used 3M double sided tape to attach it to the flip door.
This pad can be attached in a few different places, the picture shows where it worked out best for me.

Considerations for attaching it:

Where does your elbow normally fall and what is it's position through the shift range. I have long arms, so I placed the pad exactly where it needs to be that I don't have to think about it. My elbow just falls there naturally. I was surprised the next morning after I did this mod because I had forgotten all about it and there it was doing it's job without me thinking about it.
You will notice mine hangs over the brake cutout a little bit, make sure you don't go to far out or forward and that one side is supported or the pad may start to bend over time.
Make sure you can get to the flip door button

The color match looks great in person, the camera flash just brings out the contrast better than the sun.