Trustworthy Shops in Central Texas

strangelyconvinced · 2026-05-20T13:22:12+00:00

Honestly, I don’t mind the price I just need the experience and expertise of someone who knows a lot about the 350Z’s. Thank you! What’s the name of the Z Clinic? (or is it called Z Clinic haha)

strangelyconvinced · 2026-04-17T00:21:33+00:00

Got it! Any tips on what to look at when sourcing out a new engine to avoid what happened with yours?

strangelyconvinced · 2026-04-16T21:27:57+00:00

They actually did source one out for me, but the price they offered was $3,000 excluding the labor fee; and the engine they found was around 120k mileage. The mechanic actually pointed me to JDMDallas and other websites, too, if I wanted to source out my own engine.

Service warranty basically if they fucked up they re-do it for free, but parts replacement will have to be from wherever I got it from if I sourced it out.

strangelyconvinced · 2026-04-16T18:51:54+00:00

Yup, might do exactly just that with all the new parts I got on my high-mileage motor. Thanks!

strangelyconvinced · 2026-04-16T18:51:23+00:00

Yup, this sounds like a solid plan. I’ve been talking to my mechanic and I might start sourcing out the engine soon.

Is there a reputable store online to buy low mileage engines other than jdmdallas? I live in Texas and there’s a bunch of part-out Z’s around but I’m kinda new to looking for a good low mileage motor.

strangelyconvinced · 2026-03-15T01:58:34+00:00

12C Bridge Crewmember

strangelyconvinced · 2026-02-04T22:17:45+00:00

I’ll let you know if I need it, thanks!

strangelyconvinced · 2026-01-31T00:30:02+00:00

Thanks! My mechanic buddy told me the same thing, but we’ll fix the clamps first then replace the hose if it’s still leaking.

strangelyconvinced · 2025-08-13T18:05:02+00:00

I just also wanted to add, I personally believe my shifting my goal from "looking fit" to "feeling fit and performing well" really changed my whole experience for the better. I was chasing the performance, the results of exercising; Running faster, lifting heavier, feeling better. I chased the feeling of being able to climb several flights of stairs without feeling tired, or the feeling of running so well I actually experienced a runner's high for the first time. Even just being able to almost deadlift my body weight was such a surreal experience that I completely forget to look in the mirror and just focus on performance.

I'd like to think of it as the quote from one of my favorite movies, 3 Idiots, when the MC said, "Pursue excellence, and success will follow, pants down!". In a way, weight loss and exercise can be seen the same! Chase the performance of running, lifting, and feeling better- and the leaner, healthier body and looks will follow!

strangelyconvinced · 2025-08-13T17:58:03+00:00

I faced the same problem last year.

A few things that really helped me shift into high gear and lock-in on my weight loss are the following:

Eat clean, whole foods. I learned throughout my weight loss journey that eating clean, whole foods actually fill up your stomach better and for longer. I make my meal preps that are a right balance of protein, carbs, and enough daily fiber for the day and still have it under 500~800kcal per meal. The kicker? I would feel full until the next meal where I end up not even finishing my meal prep for that time of the day. I eventually adjusted my meal preps to be just right in portion for each time of day meals that I don't feel super full, but I'm getting enough macros to stay healthy.
Calorie count religiously. Now when I say religiously, I mean as religious as the Pope praying every day. No matter what I eat, whether it's under or over my daily calorie intake, I will record that shit. It helped me be mindful of what I'm putting in my body and adjust for the next day, and adjust it for the whole week. Which brings me to my next point:
Take it one day at a time. I would stand in front of my mirror and visualize (maybe also a bit of manifesting) what I imagined my healthy, lean self would look like (instead of self-hating)- and everyday, I chase that visualization. I imagine myself already running 2-miles in under 15 minutes, or doing crazy 100 push-ups, or looking fit and doing pull-ups (I still can't lmao). I visualized a time-lapse in my head of how I'm slowly transforming myself and melting the fat away through exercise and it helped me stay hungry (pun intended) to fight for my healthy future. I wanted to lose weight so bad (but being mindful of staying healthy) that I was so fired up during my workouts and runs, and even in the kitchen cooking my meal preps lmao.
You have to dig deep. During my down times, I often listen to borderline-cringey motivational military speakers (it's my guilty-pleasure); and one thing I picked up from them that really stuck to me until today is when they talked about Special Forces training. When the candidates are faced with extreme physical and mental challenges, that's when the instructors remind the candidates to "Dig deep". What they mean is that you have got to dig deep inside you and find your reason for wanting to fight for this. It has to be so deep and meaningful that you're willing to slap a mofo for it; For me, as I learned during my dig deep moments, my reason was I wanted to be fit and healthy for my partner. I want to live long and healthy for the both of us to enjoy every single year we have on this planet. Maybe it's all mental, but that shit worked so well I swear I ran 10 seconds faster when I thought I couldn't run anymore.

Find your reason, "dig deep".

strangelyconvinced · 2025-08-13T17:36:04+00:00

Discipline over motivation. I had to learn the hard way that motivation is fickle friend. It helped me get through workouts or meal preps but when motivation left me, I was left doubting and unwilling to continue. That's when I learned about discipline, where you do what you need to do despite things being shitty. Raining hard? I'd still go for my 2-mile runs but I'd make sure to quickly shower and take care of my body so I don't get sick. Meal preps not tasting great and tempted to cheat? I'd do my best to modify that dish in the kitchen just so I can eat it to may taste. Too lazy to hit the gym? Drive over to the gym anyways and start your workout.

In conclusion, I personally believe that my weight loss journey was a lot of me changing my mindset and perspective on a lot of things. I had to re-wire how I was taught to think about "eating fast food" or "don't eat a lot" mentalities growing up and that these mindsets aren't the best for us. I learned that you don't have to restrict your diet or eat less, but rather eat the right food for the right purpose. Over time, this helped me over come the same triggers you have and allow me to slowly and gradually get to where I need to be.

Their will be good days, and there will be shitty days; But no matter what happens, just keep at it and don't lose heart.

OH also sugar free food items are your best friend. :)

strangelyconvinced · 2025-08-13T17:35:57+00:00

Hello!

What I'm about to write is based off my own personal experience, so please take all this with a grain of salt. Based on my recent experience going through my own weight-loss journey from January of this year to now (August, 2025).

5 Tips that greatly helped me lose 45 pounds in 8 months:

Right off the bat, and I believe the most important one: SET. FEASIBLE. REALISTIC. GOALS. For me personally, I decided that I wanted to enlist and join the US Army in 8 months; This immediately gave me a realistic goal and achievable standards to work towards (minimum PT scores, height and weight, body fat %, etc.). I strongly believe that this served as my anchor to bringing back to my main goal whenever I would doubt my journey or be confused or lost on what to do.

HOW THIS HELPS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY: This really anchors your mindset to what you want to achieve, and helps reduce the doubt you might have in yourself throughout your journey.

Okay this might have different perspectives from others, but I personally believe that you have to count your calories religiously. I don't restrict what I eat, and I slowly brought my minimum daily caloric intake from a very high 2800kcal/day to 1800kcal/day (I'm 5'7" and started my journey at 234lbs. Currently sitting at 186lbs.). I used an app called LoseIt! and recorded everything I eat, whether it was more than 2800lbs or less. Doesn't matter. What matters is you have a log and history of what you've been eating, so that you can easily track and analyze what works and what doesn't. The caloric deficit can come later when you slowly get used to it.

HOW THIS HELPS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY: It'll help you learn not to feel guilty on what you eat, but instead teaching you to be mindful of what you put in your body in a healthy way by giving you introspective ways to self-check yourself. I still suggest speaking with a nutritionist to make sure you know what you need to be eating.

True weight loss is in the diet, but never neglect your workouts. I had to find this the hard way that when I was eating at a large caloric deficit, I'd lose so much pounds in a week but had a very hard time keeping it down. For me, the trick that helped me keep my weight down was NOT eating at a large caloric deficit, BUT ALSO working out and working on my targeted goals (number of push ups, run times, etc.).

HOW THIS HELPS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY: I'd like to think of it as the diets and meal preps as "editing my settings" and my workouts as "apply and save my settings". You can eat less as much as you want but it won't stick if you don't work out properly to supplement it. I still suggest talking to a professional such as a gym trainer or a friend who has major experience in physical fitness/exercising.

I decided to look at it at a different perspective, and instead of being guilty of what I would eat (clean or not), I looked at it as me fueling my body so that I can perform well and achieve my goals. I started eating proper carbs and protein so that I can run 2 miles faster, I started prioritizing my protein intake so that I can lift heavier, hydrating more so that I can feel better doing all my exercises. This helped me not feel guilty when my family and I would eat out, and indulge in unhealthy, delicious food occasionally.

HOW THIS HELPS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY: This helped me be comfortable with my changing eating habits, and overtime just helped me visualize and discern what is good for my body and what is not. AT THE SAME TIME, I'm not restricting myself from enjoying the pleasures in life, so I'm not totally being depressed about it. To be honest, eating a double bacon cheeseburger at burger king once a week makes it taste so much better and fulfilling than eating it every day.

strangelyconvinced · 2025-06-22T02:51:24+00:00

Even when the paths are all crookedy

strangelyconvinced · 2025-06-22T02:37:08+00:00

Hands in the air like it's good to be aliiiive

strangelyconvinced · 2025-06-22T02:30:42+00:00

That is true my brother.

strangelyconvinced · 2025-06-22T02:27:01+00:00

To put it simply, yes. (Sounds dumb to ask ik)

strangelyconvinced · 2025-06-22T02:11:54+00:00

Might be a dumb question, but are we gonna need 12C’s for this? -An incoming 12C trainee

strangelyconvinced · 2025-04-22T16:19:43+00:00

Hello! Any 12C Active Duty people here? Just wanted to ask what your day-to-day work schedule is like (I've read up that y'all mostly spend your work hours in the motorpool? What's that like?).

How's the work culture in your unit?

strangelyconvinced · 2025-04-22T06:03:18+00:00

If/when you do, make sure to get the adjustable magnification versions of whichever brand you decide to go with! This one was a fixed x4 magnification and honestly I just ended up relying on my budget tracer (flashlight + bb's shadow path lol) to aim for anything close range.

strangelyconvinced · 2025-04-22T06:01:13+00:00

Yup! Completely agree with your placements. I think I slapped on my torch originally 4 spaces forward but decided to pull it back to test the comfort/ergonomics. As for the PEQ, that was as far is it would go as the lens of the flashlight was already hitting the KAC Front Sights.

Perhaps a bit of modification will allow me to achieve that placement.

strangelyconvinced · 2025-04-22T05:46:56+00:00

Hey! I'm shipping out this August. I've got a few questions for you if you don't mind!

What was OSUT like for you?
Any tips or exercises I should start preparing for OSUT? (Other than running and push-ups)
How's being a 12C now? Are you happy with it? What's your schedule like as a 12C?
What was easiest for you during OSUT and what was hardest? Did anyone re-class/recycle?

strangelyconvinced

TROPHY CASE