Brad-ManQ45

You appear to have vacuum related problems. Verify that your servos are getting vacuum.

Love it!

This summer I went and got my emissions tested (OK, but only after trials and tribulations because the new tester didn't input data correctly) Had to do the test again - had shut the car off, but it wouldn't start. Let it cool for 20 mins and it started right up. Now this was after only having a fan blowing into the engine while the emissions test was run the first time, but I have come to a stop light in the summer and pushed in the clutch, and had the engine die - only to fire up 20 minutes later. When I heard it start to stall I tried pumping the pedal to keep the R's up but no go... Is there an ignition problem here (heat related)? Fuel pressure is fine, so I can't believe it is vapor lock.

I beg to differ on the spoolup issue. When my turbo went south, I had the stock turbine clipped and a S-Trim T4 compressor put on. I start spooling about 200 RPM lower than stock and it comes on quicker. The concept of the "SPORT TURBO" offsets the larger/less restrictive turbine section with air that is moving a lot faster from the compressor (greater radius). In this case it was close to an even match as to the give and take. Please note that I am runnning a complete 3" exhaust from the downpipe through cat and on back - haven't done the downpipe yet! Not only is the air moving faster it is a lot cooler than the stock compressor. The S-3 Trim is perfect for the 300-350 range. I myself got it because I wanted to raise the boost and not intercool or change injectors. I keep the same characteristics I had before the change. I also got the water cooled center section. This was all back in '94 and I've got over 40K on it since - and it has spiked to over 15 lbs on several occasions w/o pinging - thank God for the detonation sensor!.

I used to have a 2.5" exhaust and 2 chanber Flowmaster setup (for about a month) - I took it back and wend mandrell 3" w/UltraFlow and haven't looked back - much quieter AND quicker. I'd stay completely away from glasspacks - those louvers stick into the flow either way...

I have no problem at all with your documented observations. I was merely passing along knowledge that has already been shared on numerous posts, possibly from other sites as well. The gentleman that said he LOST boost had a bone-stock setup. I myself have a T3/T4 S3 Trim compressor and clipped stock turbine section. I spool up quicker and a bit lower in rpm than the stock turbo setup and have a good top end (not great). Since I am not going for larger injectors or changing anything else, I felt that the combination would work well for me and it has. I still say the combination of 3.90/4.10 rear gears and the T-56 would make 1st gear almost ridiculously short and you wouldn't get much boost. Yes I agree that tires would have an influence, but how many people are going to go with an overall diameter much bigger than stock? Thanks to all for sharing their experiences - thisis what this site is all about!

I'd stick with a T5 if I were you for the following reasons: Don't have to change the rear gear and don't want to (unless you can find a 3:36 instead of a 3:54). Turbos like LOAD. People have switched from a 3:54 to a 3:70 or a 3:90 and actually LOST acceleration because the turbo doesn't get enough load in the lower gears! The fact that you are building a stroker should help with the low speed (off boost) torque, so there is no need for a steeper first gear - or even lower overall gearing (reference the above point) The first gear would be practically unusable (too quick) - and this is WITHOUT going to the higher numerical rear gear you were contemplating. THe higher numerical ratio the set of gears has, the less strength (the teeth are narrower). Drag racers in the 60's and 70's used to put 4:88s in their cars and they didn't hold up like the 3:50's and 3:70's. The gearing w/T5 and 3:54 or 3:36(especially) gears is pretty spot on on the expressway. Plus, I have always thought that the torque from a turbo motor is not the instantaneous sort that CID results in and hits a little softer in a drag racing scenario - which is why you were concerned about using DR's - right? With a compressor bypass/blow off valve, you will get boost again quickly, but not the hard hit of torque in shifting like you would from CID torque. KEEP THE TURBO LOADED and you'll be a lot happier. JMHO Brad

Rhodes and Crane make hydraulic lifters for taming bigger cams. They basically "bleed down" at slower speeds where oil pressure is not as high. I suspect that a larger oil hole is part of the equation, but I believe the Crane design also had some sort of a flapper valve for oil control purposes. The Crane seemed to be a quieter design IIRC. Another advantage of the larger oil hole would be the "anti pump-up" feature at higher rpms (which would tend to limit the valves opening/closing action and thereby limit rpms). Having said all of this, if you are using the stock cam and getting all the way to redline, I wouldn't open up the oil hole... JMHO based on the very little I have gleaned over the years. Brad

Thanks for the replies guys! I've got a ZX shop manual around someplace, so I'll see what the line problems may be. I think I want to do this one. Which Shane? (Got his username?) Brad

I've been thinking of investigating this one a little further. Nearly the same width and length as my '75 tank. Remove the spare tire well on the early z car. Would probably have to use the straps/mounts from the ZX and do some other adjustments. Why you ask? Well, with all the power, I wouldn't mind having a little more weight on the rear for traction purposes, and the additional gas capacity would come in handy if I were to take a trip, especially since I'll be putting in a hefty V-8! Anyone looked into this? (Or am I breaking new ground here?) Does anyone out there have the two different tanks to compare side by side? Any other considerations I haven't thought of? Thanks, Brad

I thought that the LT! computer couldn't use a MAP sensor for boost. How will you control it?

Acually, the '79ZX was ~50 lbs LIGHTER than the '78 Z...

I'd like to interject some data here if I may about the compressor wheel. It DOES make a difference, especially if you clip or go to a more flow turbine. The larger wheel will move air faster, having a positive effect on the slower spoolup from the turbine change. This is the basis for a lot of the sport turbo upgrades - you keep the same basic spool characteristics as you are providing for more air and top end exhaust flow.... I have a T3/T4 S-3 trim compressor and clipped turbine, and I actually build boost a little earlier than stock, and get a lot more oomph up top. Since I wasn't planning on going to larger injectors, this seemed to be the best combo for me (as recommended by Turbonetics) and I'm happy with it. When the local Z service put the turbo on and upgraded to a 3" exhaust, they said that it was the quickest stock injector '83 ZXT they had had in their shop. The owner had a dyno'd 622hp stroker '83 in the shop (at 24 lbs boost) and gave me a ride (at 19) and all I can say is WOW! He sold that one and built a '72 240 w/525 HP 383 that he said was just BRUTAL! Enough...

I'd put the PCV back in the system. When you are boosing with the turbo you may tend to draw more oil from the crankcase.

Someone emailed it to me.. far as I'm concerned this thread should be deleted. sorry

This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages... The following verse is from the Quran, (the Islamic Bible) Quran (9:11) For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace. Note the verse number!!!!

Having been on the wrong side of a '75 Lincoln Town Car running a red light ot a '75 RD 350, I can tell you I haven't seriously considered riding a bike on the street for 28 years. Thank god for quick (and correct) reactions - an off-duty cop was accross the same intersection and was able to see the whole thing coming (I couldn't), and thought I was gonna die. Turns out that when he ( the car driver) slammed on his brakes after popping over the hill, I immediatedly whacked the trottle open and went limp. Accelerated to where my left leg was just past and above (started to wheelie) the left front fender (he was coming from left) and tore the bike (totalled w/4700 miles in 40 days) out from under me. The bike did all the damage to me. The cop saw my karate outfit and green belt (on my way to class) and asked me if it hurt. I told him I was trying not to think about it and he (like an *******) said "that doesn't work until you're brown belt". Well it turned out it did work for me, and he showed up in traffic court to testify against the big shot taking his maid to the bus stop (late). I had to wait for about 1.5 hours in the emergency room at the hospital while they called the orthopedic guy, and they kept monitoring my blood pressure and heartbeat. One nurse commented I was is VERY good shap (not any more!), but then I was running 5 miles a day, taking karate and, swimming and working out at the time, so I just got her number and started dating her... I will have to admit I was considering getting a bike to ride around in a group until this post....

Congrats Mike! I am looking for my next best opportunity right now, having stated a company and developing the software, then leaving and going with another company - unitl the new development was finished, when they let me go. I am very glad you found the company you are with and hope I can find something equivalent here around Atlanta! Brad

Why not use the 350 pistons and go with a longer rod? You DO want good rods don't you? Grumpy - is there a reason this shouldn't be done? IJWTK...

JMHO but the dizzy is the only thing that COULD cause the erratic miss, and also the erratic advance problems. I don't know what is invlved with swapping the '82-83 unit in, but definitely replace the one you have with a good one.

I bought a Millermatic 175 (240V) model MIG welder then took classes at a nearby Tech scool to learn how to weld. Wanted to make sure that I wasn't limited in what I would be able to weld (within reason- 240V gives a litter more flexibilit on chassis enhancements/trailors), and put a circuit in the garage/basement for air compressor and welder (won't be using both at the same time). I am about to start on the rotisserie so that I can do the floor pans and subchassis connectors. I LIKE welding. Won't use flux core.

~50 lbs less for the ZX over the '78 280z. I have researched this thoroughly...

ZX weighs less & more aerodynamic. With springs, shockds and bars will handle comparably & ride better. Turbo will steer nicely. Zx may have t-tops. Z looks better (I have both)

I have an '83ZXT that has bars, Eibach and Tokico illumina struts and it rides nicely and handles well now. Of course I have a '75 project car which will get a V8, but the springs Tokico Blue and struts on it made it ride much harsher that the ZXT...

I'd be interested...