RPMS

[QB] I don't think so. I believe that manufacturers are required to display horsepower ratings with all required accessories attached and functioning (water pump, fan, alternator, etc.) I believe they take the HP from the flywheel, though. Driveline losses aren't included.

I know it's pretty much apples/oranges, but a lot of guys on the BMW lists advocate Borla mufflers if you can't afford the stock mufflers. Not too much more noise, and they flow just as well. Fairly well built, too.

A plethora of ideas! I didn't realize that the Datsun mount was only $53 in the VB catalog. I still can't afford one, but at least it's something I can save for. Not like the $150 mount that my BMW needs. I think for now I'll try using a long bolt with some old swaybar end bushings to provide some small amount of isolation. I don't mind a bit of noise, as long as the majority of it is coming from go-fast bits. 120 dB of noise from a whining differential just ain't cool! Thanks for all the ideas.

I don't want to rig it like... oh, wait, you're right, I DID ask for that! Hey, I've got this hyooooge nylon wire tie (looks like riot handcuffs for King Kong) that I've been thinking about tying it down with, so your idea might be a step up! TZ, I'll try to take some pictures this weekend and you can see if 180 and 200 mounts look similar. Thanks for your generosity!

Oklahoma city ain't that far away. When do I get my ride???

Are you all BLIND? The massive thrust from the twin jet exhausts obviously overcame the structural rigidity of that car. What you're seeing is application of POWER!!!! Now, where did I put my checkbook? I've gotta be first in line at the dealership when they open up tomorrow morning...

510's have a herding instinct, Len.

I agree - go with Front Page to start. Once you know what you're doing, you can edit it and rip out the buttloads of extraneous crap Front Page puts in there. Not only is it satisfying to delete all the superfluous code that Microsoft feels is essential, but it's educational, too!

You want 4 wheel drive? No problem Look for the letters iX on the decklid of the BMW. Problem is, they weren't manufactured in the last generation of 3-series! To stay in your price range, you'd have to go back to the 1991 model year. Those are running about $8k for an excellent example. Yeah, it's expensive for a twelve year old car, but I guarantee you that you'd have a smile on your face every time you drove it. (I have to admit, I like the WRX, too!)

This is news to you? Advertised horsepower values are always crank. (If not always, then 99.99% of the time) Yeah. That's because the Ford has two more cylinders, and a liter and a half more displacement. I'll agree that the Mustang wins the "bang for the buck" category, but what the Nissan is doing with 3.5 liters is still pretty impressive. And Ford is claiming 390 at the flywheel. If local boys are getting that at the wheels, more power to them. Also, consider that imports in just about every category are more expensive than their American counterparts. Why? Because many US drivers will pay for the reliability. Not having to go into the dealer a couple of times a year is worth a 10-20% premium to many. Also, how long will the Mustang be putting down those numbers? I've had three Z's with original engines in them that had well over 100,000 miles on them (one had rolled the clock twice!) How many Mustangs last that long? Of course, that's probably because idiot teenagers owners wind the crap out of them. And you can get around this problem by eating depreciation and buying a new car every two years. Yeah, and if you bought the Tiburon, in five years you'd have a five year old piece of dog poop in your driveway. It's an attractive car, but it's still a Hyundai, with all that implies. Longevity? What's that? The Corvette is a sexy car, and I can't say much about it other than I hear repair costs are pretty high. I'd rather have a Corvette, myself. But then again, if we're looking at the used semi-exotic market, I'd take a 6-speed BMW 540i over both of them, hands down. If I absolutely had to buy a new car, I'd probably buy a Mustang GT. I know that probably sounds idiotic considering what I just wrote, but the twelve grand in savings will allow me to justify a LOT of imperfections. One of my friends has a 2001 GT, and it's fast enough, cheap enough, and solid enough to overcome my objections to American iron. Just my opinions. Them and a buck will get you a cup of joe down at the local Waffle House.

ROFLOL! TeeZee, you're one funny son-of-a-gun when you want to be!

I've got a KZ1300 in the garage right now. Six cylinders and 130 smoooooth horsepower on tap. Too bad the thing weighs around 700 lbs! I'm thinking of getting a personalized plate: FST PIG

Spank 'em till they bleed, Len!

Geez, I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Datsun 510. I understand that they're about as fun as a BMW 2002, but a lot cheaper to fix. And they ooze character! Don't they have a lot of parts in common with a Z, too? Easy to work on, cheap to fix, and fun to drive. What else could you want in a daily driver?

Man, are you jaded! Do I misremember, or does the 350Z not put out almost as much horsepower as the previous generation 300tt? Isn't it just a tad slower in the quarter and in 0-60 trials than the turbocharged car, but with a normally aspirated motor? Aren't the skidpad numbers better, too? As has been suggested, let the aftermarket tuners do their thing and see what happens. I'm sure with forced induction the new Z will be an awesome machine, but even straight from the factory floor it's no slouch. Give some credit where credit's due.

The front differential mount on my stock R180 is toast. The two parts have completely separated from each other. I don't have the money for a new one right now (yeah, I'm THAT poor). Has anyone kludged one together using JB weld, Shoe Goo, or some other stuff like that? I'm willing to try anything, especially since nothing could hurt at this stage. I mean really - it ain't getting any more broke.

Doh!

Personally, I wouldn't dump any more money into the motor until you get the head issue resolved. A good gear reduction starter is about a third the price of Vortec heads/intake. An MSD box won't keep your plugs from fouling, although they may keep running for a while longer. If you absolutely must spend money right now, I'd say to buy some spark plug anti-fouling adapters out of the "HELP" section of Pep Boys and a case of straight 30 weight oil to help a bit with the consumption. Getting new valve guide seals put into your junker heads wouldn't be all that much money, I think. Check it out.

We don't have thongs on this board because some of the members are just crazy enough to try them on and take pictures. And I believe that would break at least a dozen rules in the FCC rulebook.

I haven't met Chang. What kind of Z does he drive?

Aaw, man, that sucks! I'm sorry to hear about it. Do you have homeowners insurance that might cover at least part of it? When I lived out in the country, I had my gas powered weed eater (and God only knows what else) stolen out of my barn. Who would drive out to the middle of nowhere just to steal my crappy little weed eater? I will never figure some people out...

Lots of folks on the BMW forums are having a tough time staying away from the A4 and A6 when it comes time to get a new car. They look great inside, and they're very solid machines. MY opinion of them is that they look great and ride well, when they work. Audis have never had the long term reliability that I look for in a car. There are thousands of BMW's and Mercedes that have 250k on them (especially the older, simpler ones) but you rarely see that kind of mileage on an Audi. Maybe the sort of folks that buy them is a different breed, one who isn't so concerned with rigorous maintainence, or maybe the cars just aren't so well put together. IMHO, I love the way the Audis look and ride, but I'd never have one as a new car (unless I leased it) and I'd never have a used one as my only vehicle. Since you'll have your Z as a backup, I say go for it. But be sure to budget for repairs, and prepare for atrocious depreciation. Oh, if you haven't considered a BMW 3 series of the same age, you owe it to yourself to at least test drive them. Mash the brakes at 60mph and enjoy the feeling of having your eyeballs getting sucked out of your skull.

Hey, Bob! Ever consider a career in diplomacy?

Yep - it fits. Do a search using keywords "A/C", "air conditioning", etc. and you'll find plenty of information in past posts. What it all boils down to is, just hook up Chevy compressor to the stock Datsun evaporator, and install a bigger ventilation fan.

Man, truer words were never written. Nobody wants to hang out with a lonely stiff, and nothing sprays a healthy dose of "Mate-be-Gone" on a date like desperation. Work on learning to enjoy your own company, and others will find you magnificently self sufficient and complex. This seems appropriate: ...plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers... Of the things that I value, very few of them came to me when I was looking for them. God knows what you need, and he'll provide it when it's the right time. Trust in him, and he'll come through. He always has in the past, and he always will in the future. I know it's tough to believe, but when you're ready (Note: I did not say "when you want it") it will happen. The sooner you learn from your past mistakes, the sooner you'll meet the right woman. In a few months, when the sting of the separation has died down, ask yourself a few questions. What did you do wrong with your fiancee? What did you do right? Was she really the right type of woman for you, or did you choose each other based on physical traits? Analyzing your past relationships will show you where you went wrong in the past, and will help you make good choices in the future. Just keep hanging in there, and things really will get better. Just give God time to work.