PETEW

I am new to this so I figured I would ask this question. I see a lot of guys running the 2mm head gasket vs 1mm. Is there a reason for this? My machinist said he would prefer that we use the 1mm to keep the head as close to the block as possible to help with heat quench. Are there clearance issues, that I am missing?

Tony you have a PM.

OK. I change my previous answer. After talking with my engine builder, it is worth getting a longer rod. I never said that I knew it all. Looks like I am getting 240Z rods. Thanks guys.

You can go to Top End Performance. They are selling both 1mm and 2mm steal headgaskets for $185. They are cometic gaskets I believe. Here is a link: http://www.racetep.com/nissan.html

Does Thagard modify stock turbos, or only sell new ones? I thought he only sold new turbos, but I have been wrong before.

It looks like a nice piee from what I see. People always want to say it is junk because it is inexpensive (notice I didn't say cheap). I find nothing wrong with saving money for a good product. Thanks for the heads up. I will be making a purchase in the near future when I get my engine back.

Any of the custom forged piston guys make pistons for the longer rod. Some people have also had stock pistons shaved for the difference. I am going forged just for safety sake.

Wow! Talk about a can of worms. I might as well have asked "which is better Ford or Chevy". There was a lot of good info out there but also very different opinions out there. I think I tend to be with the people who think there is not enough difference to waste your time. 2.65 mm will not make enough difference to run out and find different rods, to me. Better to spend money else where. Thanks for the help guys.

Hey guys I am trying to figure out why the change from 280ZX rods to 240 Z rods. I understand the 240Z rods are a little longer (1/10th of an inch), but can that little difference really do anything. I know chevy guys will increase thier rod length 1/4 inch or more for better detonation absorbtion, better high rpm runability, etc. But they are changing a decent amount in length. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth my time and money going to find some 240Z rods before my engine builder goes ripping into my block and rods. I am trying to this right the first time, so engine reliability will (hopefully) not be an issue. Thanks.

That was a very cool video. I knew the skyline would take the R1 from the start. Launching a bike is very hard to do, and the skyline is AWD. You could see the bike was starting to catch him, though.

Paz8, where are you located? I live just outside the lehigh valley. I live near Lehighton. I am hoping to have my car on the road one day. Maybe we could meet. I would love to see someone else's work.

If you build up a L28T motor, you can go with a higher compression ratio. There are plenty of guys on this forum that are running 8:1 compression ratio and putting 400+ to the rear wheels. It is all a matter of building the motor for it, fuel and spark control and a good intercooler. I plan on increasing the compression ratio on my car to kill the of the line dogginess when your not flooring it.

E-mail sent to you evil.

Viola, Your Pm box is full. I am interested in some of the parts you have for sale. I would like a price on the Momo steering wheel, 500cc injectors, short throw shifter (which tranny is it for) and miata pod. I was wondering what you are doing with your motor? Is it ok, are you selling it, parting it out, or....? Thanks.

Evil I am interested in the car, as well. I think that is a pretty nice car for the money. You said it is located in NY, correct. If you could provide any more info on the motor, and car, that would be great. Thanks. Jersey, are you going to be running the Z at Media any time soon. I would like to see your car run and show my buddy how the Z goes with a turbo motor. Thanks.

I just asked a similar question about forged pistons not too long ago. I was told basically that the Z motor doesn't do well with higher compression and high boost. If you are looking for the highest power than keep the compression low. If you are looking for a streetable ride than bring the compression up a little. I think most guys are at 8.5 or lower. I am going to shoot for 8 to 1 compression on my motor and have my head cleaned up significantly. Here is a link to my thread. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=113942

These idiots have been hacking away at the trees in my area in Pennsylvania, too. Man these guys just chop away what ever they want. I have seen some beautiful trees get destroyed.

You gotta love this place. Good people doing nice things for each other. Hell I would trade stock rods for German chocolate any day. Great to hear everything working out.

Thanks for the write up guys. Braap I am actually looking to buy a set of forged pistons, so I figured I would spend the money once and get a set that work best for my type of application. I have seen a lot of guys buying flat tops and I was wondering what type of compression they were running and did they have to do anything special with the piston if they are running an aftermarket cam like the isky cam I will be running. I will also have the head ported some and have all new parts for it valve job, blah, blah, blah. I wish I could afford your work, but I think you are out of my league. I have been told that turbo performance cams are not like NA cams in requiring pistons to have large valve reliefs. Is this really true? I have a chance to buy dished JE pistons (at stock compression level), but I know that off boost response is reather anemic. I also understand lower compression alows higher boost levels, but I am not after a car that only has great top end but nothing else. To me that is a worthless endevor. For some guys it's all about the big numbers, but that doesn't always make you faster. I am looking for a sleeper car that will be decent at the track, fun on the street, and make people say what the h-e- double hockey sticks was that! Simple right.

Joe, THe car will be a multi purpose car. I am looking to use it on the street some (not a daily driver), drag race it, and use it for some track days. I just know by todays standards the 280ZX turbo motor compression is ridiculously low. I figured if I bump it up by a small amount it wouldn't hurt me from boosting too much, but also help a little with off boost response.

Hey guys. I am wondering what compression ratio most guys are using for thier Turbo motors. I was wondering if most are staying with stock compression, or are bumping it up to a higher compression for better off boost response. I am looking at building a motor that will have around the 400RWHP mark and am unsure if it is ok to go up to 8 to 1 or if it is better to stay at stock. I have a rebuilt p90 head with an isky cam, SDS for fuel and ignition controls, large downpipe, and 3 inch exhaust. I just need to figure out what pistons and what turbo to use and I should be good to go. Thanks for the help guys.

What is the major difference between the Pro mig 175 and Sp175? I know there must be differences since the SP model is double the cost. If you look at thier specs, though, they can do the exact same type of welding. Is one the retail version and the other the proffesional version? Thanks for the info.

Firs off, you have a '77 280Z so it will have an electric fuel pump already. It comes with the fuel injection. The money you have to spend could be spent on a ton of things, but what is most important to you. Do you like to go fast in straight line or does the cornering thing do it for you? Z's always like lowering springs, bigger wheels (with modern rubber), better brakes ( like changing rear drums to disks), etc, etc. There was a guy here who used to build junk yard motors (naturally aspirated) and make them high 12 second cars. I can't, for the life of me, remember his sign on name. I am sure someone will know who I am talking about. If you are handy it will save you a ton of money. Oh, and the stock fan should work fine, unless you start making major mods to the engine. I hope I helped you out some, but tell us some more specifics and that will help out with some suggestions. Good luck.

DavyZ I shouldn't say I hate them. That is a bit strong. I just would like them to be a bit larger. I know I saw some pics of ZG flares that were wider (I think on JohnC's car). I was thinking that they were the original Nissan versions from the racing days. Maybe not, I've been wrong before.

Don't think there are alot of options for 16" either. I have 16 x 9 on my car and 245/45 is about all anyone makes. I would love to put a 275 series on the rear but it really isn't a option. You need to move up to 17's it seems.