Brad-ManQ45

There are a lot of drag cars that have very small high winding engines in heavy cars (class racing) that utilize a heavy flywheel to get the right amount of torque transferred to the wheels off the line. The use of a light flywheel is actually a detriment to these cars. (I'm talking like a 283 in a mid 60's Impala or something bigger, running 4.88 pr higher gears, that spin up to 9 or 10k here. Light cars with big engines definitely don't need a heavy flywheel, though a heavier flywheel will make the car more tractable on the street (think throttle like an on/off switch for a light flywheel and much smoother transitions with heavier wheels.....). For a pure drag car with whatever engine in one of our Z's - go LIGHT!

don't do it.

Generally, it is a poor workman who blames his tools, however, in the case of welders, a good weldeing machine is a lot easier to get a quality weld out of. There are so many variables when welding - heat, wire speed, is the metal properly cleaned, if thick - too thick for a single pass...In short - it is up to the person welding to make a good weld. The MM135 was most assuredly NOT the weak link in that Baja Bug problem. If the actual weld failed, that is a result of bad welding prep or technique. If the metal around the weld failed, but not the weld itself, the it may have gotten too hot or been poor quality metal.

Only ZXT's came w/15" wheels - snowflake or swastica. iron cross = 14"

I think the speed sensor is tied in with talking betty - I recall a post either here or on another forum that once the sensor section was replaced, both his cruise control and Betty worked again....

www.autobod and http://www.autobody101.com/ Both have forums and resources. Take the time to browse A LOT!!!

Thanks for replying guys. I have picked up that some of the imports actually match rpms on some of the cars/SUVs that have the sport shifters that toggle. It is my understanding that the overrun clutches take a beating when downshifting manually. My question was hopefully aimed at tranny experts that can answer whether or not it is possible to do this without harming the tranny. I am hoping that the combination of electronic tranny control and MS will allow manual downshifting with few downSIDES...

Yes, but you will have to swap out the speed sensor for your cruise control - and I believe it also has something to do with the talking lady...

Congratulations!

This is where I would say that there is no such thing as a dumb question, except that I HAVE heard some dumb questions - like after I got run over by a Lincoln TownCar (leg) when on a motorcycle and someone asked if it hurt.... No joke. Very rarely will anyone on this board deride an honest question, or anyone for asking one - I consider everyone here a class act in that regard. We are all happy to help - even if the help is in the form of "maybe you shouldn't try doing it yourself" - a situation that has sprung up occasionally. I remember one case where someone asked how to remove a carb from a V8 engine - no kidding! I will have to admit that I responded by saying that if he couldn't look at it and see how, he should let/pay someone else do it....Notice that I did not deride him. You didn't even come CLOSE to asking a silly question - glad we could be of help.

This is old news ans been hashed out before. My take: Anyone with a built 383 that says only 370 HP is a liar to start off with, so I wouldn't have trusted a dammm thing they said or did.

I would think a T-66 and an .81 AR turbine with P trim would do nicely... With the size of the engine and torque available, I don't think you need a BB unit at all, and can get a 360 degree thrust bearing journal type turbo and be plenty happy.

The actual plot of air use would look like a stretched or elongated or italicized S instead of rising in a straight (diagonal) line, then horizontally to redline... Basically, it means that surge is not quite as much of a problem with some of the bigger turbos as the diagrams imply, and that when accelerating, the path will be more toward/in the efficiency island. If you have a copy of Hugh MacInnes' TURBOCHARGING, you'll know what I am talking about. Hope this helps...

Seafoam...

Hi guys. A lot of cars out there have either paddle shifters or a shifter position that 'toggles' either up or down one gear if put into a 'gated' position. I have a question about these transmissions: I know for instance that usually, one of the worst things you can do to a transmission is downshift it manually. Have the manufacturers made changes to the transmissions that have the above capabilities, or does the powertrain control module prevent the shock loads from the negative effects of downshifting through the gears (perhaps automatically speeding up the engine to match rpms)? Hoping ya'll can enlighten me. Thanks, Brad

I purchased the 12 speed 20" swing DP from HF on sale for $339 and then had a 20% off coupon. I have been extremely pleased with it. There is no runout and it has a LOT of torque. It's great for drilling holes in square tubing and other metal, which is exactly what I bought it for - I tried using a little bench top for it but that took forever. I have drilled holes in quarter inch and half inch mild steel with no problems and no sweat - except hefting the pieces. I would agree that for a mill or lathe that HF is probably one of the last places to look, but for a drill press, assuming you do your homework, you can get a good buy on something that works well for its' purpose.

I have also heard that the Miller is a great helmet.

I've had good luck with both of my HF AD helmets. Get the one with the replaceable battery...Mines the Bl.ue Flame one. I have the other model also, that doesn't have the replaceable battery. They'reeboth going strong after 3 years.

Great news! Looking forward to pics and progress reports...

So Garretts' gone from talkin' smack to spankin' people! Excellent results Garrett! Look forward to seein' you at SEZ.

Which TCI converter did you get? Already got the 3800 stall part...

Agter I saw Warren's car, I knew that mine had to be white....

Congrats on having the stones to do it yourself. I too am going to paint my '83ZXT white - totally. I am currently building a paint booth and fabricating a fresh air system for the paint process. Before I paint I have one rust through area that needs a patch and the windshield area has some rust. Will have to remove all glass and door handles, bumpers, etc. before painting. This will be my first time also - glad I picked white. What paint did you use?

You may have to roll the fenderwell a bit. I am thinking of using some 14x7 Western Cyclones (0 offset) and 234/60's on my ZXT (road car/daily driver), and it looks like I'll have to roll'em. I currently have 16x7's with 336/60's on it, but have ~20mm positive offset and it is fine, but a wider tire and less offset could cause problems. Since I am about to repaint the car, I will go a head and roll the fender well lips and not worry about it any more.

240zwannabe: You weren't very clear on who is the owner of the '78 - you ar your buddy? You also haven't stated what your goal is for the car you will be building. If your grandfather wants the car out of the garage - what will you do with it? I personally wouldn't put 240 suspension pieces on a 280 - Datsun made 280 pieces (struts, etc) bigger, because there is more weight for them to control. Help us help you by clarifying what your goals are and what all your options are as you see them.