boodlefoof

I agree that the MM 135 is an excellent machine, as is the 175 if you plan to do more frame and thick metal welding. If I remember right (I could be wrong), the WeldPak 100 is a flux-core welder without gas capability. My personal experience is that flux-cored welding makes a lot more spatter (to clean up) and is harder to dial in (heat wise) for thin sheetmetal.

Yeah, that is a really good price. I agree that it sounds almost too good.

I've gotta get me one of those walking chair things!

And now, the theme from the show "Rawhide." = )

Welcome! Datsuns make for great project cars. Good luck starting your new project.

How's your ignition timing?

Sweet engine Grumpy! One question: did you try any pulls with less timing? I was under the impression that the Iron Eagle heads actually performed best with around 36-38* total advance. I'm not an expert though, so there is likely another variable in the equation that I'm missing.

could always cut out the entire frame structure and build a complete spaceframe chassis to replace it, then graft the body onto that. That's what I'm doing.

That's right! I had the name on the tip of my tongue too. Ah memories.

I agree with jmortensen.

I used to be a big fan of the cartoon many years ago. I even got into an RPG with some friends based on it many years back. I just noticed that your signature pic looked rather reminiscent of the Veritech (I didn't put 2+2 together when I first read your username before). Then I saw that your avatar as well and that looks a bit familiar. I forget the character's name though.

Hey 280ZForce, Here you go! http://www.geocities.com/boodlefoof/Project_Racer-Zroof4.html http://www.geocities.com/boodlefoof/Project_Racer-Zfiberglass6.html http://www.geocities.com/boodlefoof/Project_Racer-Zframe.html

So far my unique features include: (1) the lowered roof and raked windshield; (2) handmade fiberglass body; (3) custom spaceframe chassis. Soon to have: (1) Complete custom suspension; (2) awesome drivetrain; and (3) hopefully top 200mph!

Also lots of threads about this car on pro-touring.com and corner-carvers.com

Cool site. Hey Veritech-z, you wouldn't happen to be a Robotech fan would you?

I've used 24ga. for patch panels. Really easy to form, and seems to be pretty close to the factory sheetmetal (at least where I've been patching). Just be careful to avoid blow-through when welding.

Falconer V12! ; )

racerx7 - I didn't reference any books on composites when putting together the custom bodywork on my car... I just talked to as many people as I could who had worked with fiberglass. As for lowering the roofline, I just planned it out and started hacking! Now I'm working on the frame and suspension and I can recommend Herb Adams' "Chassis Engineering." It is a good read.

racerx7 - you would use the foam just to sculpt the shape over which you would lay the fiberglass. Once you've made your dash, you would cut out the foam. I can't say how the fiberglass will hold up that long though... you'll have to ask me again in about 20 years.

aw man! Some guys have all the luck!

Shift, I've toyed with a lot of different ideas, ranging from a turbo flat 6 to a 32 valve Gen I small block Chevy to a Viper V10. Currently, the plan is for a Chevy LS small block of some sort. We'll see what funds allow... I'm also playing with the idea of hanging a pair of turbos on some home-made 180 degree headers. It will be wide enough, even with the V8. The upper section of the front snout is 33'' from rail to rail. Also, the upper rails are low enough (only about 15'' above the lower rails) so that the cylinder heads will be above those rails. I plan to mount the engine directly to the firewall with an engine plate.

Yup, I've got a thread a few down from this one (or it is at the time of typing this). This is a full frame that will replace (and therefore require cutting out) the entire floor and inner body support structure though. You could mount the C5 front suspension with a less involved frame.

schwinggg! Now pop that sucker in there!

Justin, what you're talking about is certainly doable but it will involve a lot of work. I'm going to be using C5 front suspension pieces on my 240-Z, but I am also making a custom spaceframe for the entire car to accomodate the suspension. Olie05 is right, you can't just drop the Z body onto the C5 running gear. The wheelbase is too long. You'll need to separate the front and rear suspensions and mount each separately. I'd suggest ditching the C5 engine/suspension cradles and simply use the rest of the suspension pieces and make custom mounts on your Z body. You'll have to put in a bit of extra bracing for the upper control arms, but it can work. Read up and do a lot of planning before you start cutting and welding. Go in with a plan.

Zedhead, thanks for the offer. I'll let you know if I find any. If not, I might have to PM you about it. Now that I have the parts it is just amazing how much compliance there is in these factory rubber bushings! ON3GO, thank you! Yeah, when I first started chopping on the car to lower the roofline (see http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=101672&highlight=chopped ) it was a little scary... But then I told myself, "well, I only paid $150 for the car... so if it completely falls apart it's no big loss!" When I went to cut the front off, I didn't even have to think twice about whether or not I wanted to do it.