gvincent

Hi, I searched JDMwerks of Ebay and searched and read all the threads on the Tokico spring/shock packages and them being too low. I am not buying the Tokico Springs just the Illumina shocks themselves for $399 with free shipping. This is the best deal I could find on Illumina shocks. Do you think I am making a mistake buying the shocks from JDMwerks? I have a set of Blue lowering springs (both linear?) that MSA used to sell as their own that I haven't put on the car yet. I see the Tokico Illumina shocks are a good choice but has anybody run the MSA Blue springs with the Tokico illumina combination before? I am Installing a 95 Trans Am LT1/T56, Griffin aluminum radiator, Lincoln 2 speed fan so judging from what I have read so far I am only adding a little less that 100Lbs to the weight of the car. SO should I buy the Tokico's from JDMwerks? Keep the MSA Blue springs? or sell them and buy the Arizona Z springs? Project Money is starting to get a little low. Thanks all, Greg

I know there are definately differences between my 78 and 76 especially in the FI harness, also part of the front lighting, underhood relay chassis, AC wiring, etc. harness coming through the passenger side firewall. Also the FI fuel pump relays are located in different places if I remember right. Greg

http://www.baddogparts.com John (Gnose) is the owner and roostmonkey (Brad) makes the parts. Great stuff, Great guys! Greg

Deja, I am just getting started on my LT1/T56 project, I have a 95 Trans Am that I will be stripping in the next couple of weeks, If the instrument harness is something you need and something I don't need I will give it to you. I do not plan on using the Trans Am dasboard, I only want to use my stock 76 280Z gauges and maybe a couple of aftermarket gauges on a pillar pod. I currently have the stock 280Z FI harness completely removed and have removed the complete front harness, I have the JTR book but am not 100% sure what of the many wires to remove and incorporate into the LT1 harness yet. There are so many factory splices in the 76 280Z harness that I am totally confused at the moment. So I have the 280Z harness all tagged and set aside for now putting off the wiring for the moment while I prep the engine bay and pull the LT1/T56. Thanks, Greg

Some of the most ugly cars I have ever seen! They can't possibly be street legal! what's up with the 8ft exhaust pipes?? Sounds like a bunch of chain saws! I suppose this must be the japanese version of Pimp my Ride???

Piston, I have been following this thread and I guess I am about a month or so behind you in progress on my LT1/T56 install. But I have been Bookmarking like crazy all these threads because it is the wiring and the programming that scare me the most. I have my 260Z FI harness completely removed and have removed the front harness that goes through the passenger side firewall as well. I have opened it up am trying to figure what I can delete from the harness. So far the only obvious wires I removed were the Red, Brown, and Green twisted wires that went to the old coil resistor/terminal block. I am going to get Staples to plot/print me a big poster size version of the 76 280Z color wiring diagram to see if I can figure it out. Too bad there isn't one place to go and find a list that tells you what to keep and what to cut by color combination or wire# the Lights.turn signals etc are obvious it is the other stuff I am a little intimidated by right now. If you take Tim240z's offer on the FSM and tunercat maybe I can borrow it from you when your done? Thanks, Greg 76 280Z with 95 Trans AM LT1/T56 some time this summer!

I know roughly were they are in the attic and might go up there tonight with a beer or two and start digging through boxes of pictues. Stay tuned, I know I have them somewhere. Greg

Hey My first Hybrid Project! A 1968 VW Bus with a Buick GN turbo in the rear, Used an adaptor mounting plate kit from Kennedy Engineering, (Had pictures of my van at their place hanging on the wall back in the 80's) A cross flow radiator from a Lincoln to keep it cool. Kept that thing for 8 Years refining it as I went along, Full blown Camper with off road suspension, Made 2 cross country trips in that thing and it made it through Baja as well! Could do wheel stands. Used to eat starters every 6 months and transaxles every 2 or 3 years. I need to dig out the old pictures and scan them. I still miss that thing! nothing like passing people at 90+Mph in a VW bus going uphill!!! Greg

Awesome! and I applaud your efforts in making history. You guys have made us all proud of this spectacular acomplishment. I can only say I didn't realize what exactly you guys were really doing and didn't really follow it, but now I know and I will definately donate to a second round of testing. This was an incredible feat and was only possible because off the fantastic members here who unselfishly constantly offer their knowledge, services, money and time to the benefit of the whole HybridZ community. My Hat is off to all. Thank you for making this the best Site on the net. Greg

I have a 2000 SILVERADO 4X4 Ext Cab Z71 with the 5.3 motor, I bought it new, and it now has over 140K and I have replaced the following items: Front Brakes and rotors at 84K Rear Brakes and rotors at 96K Rear U joint at 54K and again at 104K but that was the dealers fault. Passenger window motor. That's it in 7 years!, the dealer never lubed the replaced U joint because it was supposed self lubing type but was replaced with one that had grease fittings but the person who did the lube and oil change never lubed it because it wasn't supposed to have a fitting, they replaced it for free. Needless to say I am very happy with the truck, It will need a water pump soon as it has been seeping out anti freeze at about a cup every 2 months since December, but it was too cold to swap it out until now. Greg

I would love to see those pics of the engine bay and the "Small" Mod to the fender when you get a chance. So are those side pipes custom made? What size pipe inside and out? Thanks, Greg

SERIOUS PUDGEY! I have never seen a car that clean in my life, It's looks better than brand new!

How did you install the side pipes and are they custom? There is a couple of threads on sidepipes already, but all had some problem clearing the frame without hanging too low. Also being a bit restrictive if using off the shelf sidepipes due ti interior pipe size. I love the look of sidepipes! Greg

My Hybridz project 76 280Z has a sunroof, it came that way, yeah I know all about it being a no no, but here on the east coast finding a rust free body is very scarce, I am doing a lot of welding bracing to the frame and body and I'm going to keep the sunroof there at least for now, it doesn't leak and the car won't be a daily driver when done. Will I weld it shut someday? maybe, roll bar? Hmmm, also maybe, but it is not going to stop me from finishing this project! Pics are in my gallery Greg

Wow more pictures! Beautiful car what's in it? 570Z?? =5.7L = 350? Greg

I have been debating this for awhile, the Power brute can be had for around $500 (I missed he group Buy last November!) and I have been keeping an eye out for CLSD's which have been going for $400-$650 recently on Ebay but Can be found in Junk Yards for around $350-$450. I think the Q45 would be nice but the parts to put it in aren't It will be one of the last things I install so I will keep shopping.

Thanks Clive, You are still way ahead of me. I have been watching your updates and it looks good! I still need to buy a bunch of stuff, for biggies I need Headers, Shocks, Shortened Driveshaft, Power Brute or an CLSD R-200, LT! programming, and an exhaust system. Hopefully by end of July () Greg

Thanks guys for the responses, I will go ahead and weld some sheetmetal to close the brace where it is open and fill in the ear openings or just seam fill the edges of the ear openings. M1Noel, thanks for the suggestion with a crow bar on clearincing the reverse light. I had my tunnel shaping stone shown in the 4th pic ready to bang away but I like your idea much better. Yeah I lucked out on this car, it is pretty damm solid, except for some sheetmetal work around the battery tray and on the passenger side hood hinge area there was no rot, Very small surface stuff along the passenger side frame rails but no holes. It came with Baddog type rail reinforcements already welded in. Greg

Cut off the old transmission mounts to make room for the T56. I hope I cut off enough but I would like to keep some strength if possible. Jason did a nice job welding in new sheetmetal in the battery tray area. I started prepping the engine bay for paint.