[Which radiator to recore]

Yeah, I'd like to go with an aluminum rad, but by the time I import it into Canada, it will cost me substantialy more than $200. Just to give you an idea, an Autometer Boost gauge that sell for $50 US goes for $125 CAD. I'll call around to a few speed shops today just to find out for sure, but I think the recore will be the most economical route.

 

By the way, which size of Griffin rad fits best in the Z (240)?

 

Thank's all!

 

Nigel

[Which radiator to recore]

I have to decide which of the two radiators I have to recore for my 240Z Turbo. I have my original 240 rad, and a 280ZXT rad. The ZXT rad is much bigger than the 240 rad, but it won't see any more air flow. So, is the extra capacity ZXT rad going to be worth the extra effort to install?

 

BTW, I'd have the 240 rad recored with 3 cores if I use it.

 

Nigel

 

[ May 08, 2001: Message edited by: Nigel ]

[water cooled bearing]

Bump

[water cooled bearing]

When I get my T3/T4 built for my l28, I'm wondering if I should get a water cooled bearing. Is it worth while or not? Is there even enough room for the plumbing with the stock manifold? I checked the archives, but I can't find any discussion related to this topic.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Nigel

 

[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited March 30, 2001).]

[TECII, Haltech, SDS, WolfEMS, SpeedPRO? Agh!]

20% off SDS? Intriguing. Just when I thought I had finally made up my mind...

 

Anyway, here are the links as promised.

 

The retailer advertising the complete TECII system for $1699 is Racer Parts Wholesale. This link will bring you directly to their TECII page:

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/electro1.htm

 

As for the link to the TECII Wintec software download page, here it is:

http://www.electromotive-inc.com/downloads/

 

Select the file called "Version1.16"

 

An e-groups forum on tuning the TECII has recently been started at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElectromotiveTECII

 

And the forum at Vishnu Performance that I mentioned earlier is open to users of the TECII on any car, not just Subarus and Miatas. The moderator of that forum is none other than Shiv Pathek(sp?), a writer for Sport Compact Car (ever read about the TECII installation on a Subaru Impreza? That's him), and one of the most knowledgeable TECII tuners that I've come across.

 

After having seen the Wintec software, it's hard to imaging tuning with a little LCD screen. Kinda like giving up my computer for a typewriter I particularly like the engine monitor screen, where you can view the outputs from all the sensors in real time. And, of course, there's the data logging capability with up to 27 hours of recording time! I guess this is for when we're racing at Le Mans. But seriously, I have to think that this would be a valuable tuning tool. You can do a run and then see exactly where you're running too rich or lean, where you can add or take out some timing, etc.

 

Anyway, I've never used any of these systems, so I make no claims of one being better than the other when it comes down to actual car performance. I like the promise of getting my car up and running quickly with the SDS, but I'm a techno-junky, and the TECII gets me all excited

 

Hmmmm....

 

Nigel

[TECII, Haltech, SDS, WolfEMS, SpeedPRO? Agh!]

Well, if you look at the SDS website, the base price for the EM-3F is $1300. Plus, you have to buy about $300 in sensors and stuff. That's only $100 less than the TECII. If you got a special deal, then great, but if you compare advertised prices, it's not such a bargin. And that TECII price I quoted is for everything (but not engine specific mounting brackets and such).

 

Any one of these systems will make your engine run and run well. I've only ever considered the TECII and SDS because they seem to be the two most popular systems. The TECII does have several capabilities that the SDS does not and when I compare advertised prices and see the TECII for only $100 more, I'll probably choose the TECII when the time comes.

 

Nigel

[TECII, Haltech, SDS, WolfEMS, SpeedPRO? Agh!]

I found an on-line retailer selling complete TECII systems, with Wintec software and your choice of trigger wheel and map sensor for $1699. I think this is close to the SDS system once you add on all the extras you need. I don't know about the others. You can also download the Wintec software for free from Electromotive's 'secret' web page (no more stupid, expensive licensing agreements!). Unfortunately, I don't have url's to either of those sites here at work, but I'll get them over the weekend and post them on Monday.

 

I've played around with the Wintec software (don't have a TEC II yet) and it has a lot of interesting features and looks pretty straight forward to use. Plus, you can share your .bin files and data logs with others for comparisons. A good forum for TECII can be found at www.vishnuperformance.com. Go to forums and select vishnu engine management. Vishnu Performance sells TEC II kits for Subarus and Miata's but the subjects discussed in the forum are typically universal to all cars running TEC II systems.

 

Sorry if this is old news, but I just started following the forums on Hybridz.

 

Nigel

[Defective Metal Head Gasket!]

This past weekend I finally got around to taking a close look at the metal head gasket I got from Motorsport Auto. The holes for the cylinders are oval!!! It's not obvious just by looking at them, but put the gasket on a block, and you can't miss it. I measured them, and the holes are slightly over 89mm by slightly under 85mm. That's more than 4mm out of round! I'm not building some exotic F1 engine, so I've got to call Motorsport today and send this gasket back.

 

Weird!

 

***UPDATE***

 

It turns out MSA sent me a stock $22 head gasket for an L24. I've never seen a stock Nissan head gasket before, and it is made of metal, so that's why I didn't clue in right away that it was the wrong part. Anyway, it's all sorted out now and the correct gasket should be on its way soon.

 

Nigel

'73 240Z (L28 Turbo - if I had the right head gasket!)

 

[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited March 13, 2001).]