rturbo 930

Let's see what they look like after you clean them. I like the pattern, but I'm a little worried they're past the point of fixing - mostly that one seat bottom. I can understand that you want to build the Z for yourself, which is why I mentioned making your own, since it would be your own personal touch on the car. I didn't really get what you meant by 'elbow patches' at first, but I think I've got it now. Kind of like what's on this seat on the bolster, right? That could be a clean way of patching them up. Give it a shot.

Honestly dude, I think I'd try to reupholster them. It looks like someone pissed themselves in the one on the right, and if you have any hopes of getting a girl to ride in your Z, that's gonna be a show stopper. I don't know what your budget is like, but MSA sells kits for ~$250 that will do both seats. If that's too much, get some automotive fabric you like, and try doing it yourself, if you have a sewing machine available. You can use the old upholstry as a guide to cut out the new fabric. Your first try may not fit great, but IMO it'll be better than what you have. BTW, are you driving it on salted roads? Your pic of the Z out in the snow has me worried, lol.

I don't think he updates his cardomain page much anymore, but I did manage to stumble on his thread on pro-touring.com. http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/107091-quot-Mechanix-Menace-quot-An-LS7-motivated-chopped-and-heavily-modified-1973-Datsun-240Z

^ A fully carbon fiber hood and hatch would be awesome. Appreciate you taking the time to post the whole process on here, I had no idea it was so involved!

Check out http://garagejournal.com/forum/

Lol, ya think? Tony, the oven in my grandmother's house is probably of the same vintage, still works fine, even the clock! The clock on my parent's oven (from about 1984) went out ages ago. I just find it remarkable how quickly people will decide to toss out something that likely needs only a simple repair. I also find it remarkable how cheap every new product feels. I read a post on another forum today about the great customer service a gentleman had from a window company, after they had replaced another of his 10 year old windows. My parent's have a commercial property with original windows... 180 years old. I'm sure they're not as well sealed as his 10 year old windows, but they're still doing the job of keeping shit on the outside from coming inside. And you can repair them yourself if they break.

Well, let me ask you which you would enjoy more. An LS powered Datsun, or a stack of cash? Personally, I'd forget about the money and just enjoy it. IMO if someone is buying a car for the investment value, they're buying for the wrong reasons.

I actually prefer older things in general. My DD is a 1986 Jetta GL. My dad bought it slightly used, and it made its way down from my mother, and then to my father when he retired his 280z, and finally to me a few years ago. It currently has ~514k on the clock. It starts every single time... on the second try (need to get that sorted out). It has a few issues, but for the most part, it has only needed oil, although it is getting to be time to do some more major work on it. The motor was torn down and refreshed 5k miles ago... the rings were in need of doing, but the bearings were absolutely perfect. The trans is next, and probably the fuel system too. But overall it has been extremely reliable. Took it through inspection last month, and it passed with flying colors - I'd be willing to bet that in the long run, it's greener than a Prius, more reliable, and more economical. Doesn't apply to just cars either. The dryer in my basement looks like it's from the 60s. It's a little quirky, but still works fine. Actually, I could make a pretty long list of things I'd rather have from when they "made them like they used to."

Well, I had a couple thoughts on this, but I decided this comment sums it up a lot better:

+1. You need to put more effort into selling your product. Looking at the pictures that you did post, it looks like neither the front nor rear flare lip follows the shape of the wheel very well, which really just makes it look poorly made. The front flare bottom where the body line is looks wavy, too. Maybe the pictures are misleading, but from what I'm seeing, it doesn't looks like a high quality piece, at all. I do like that it's something new though, rather than the same thing done over and over again. I had the same thought.

I remember your project, good to see you're still working on it. I guess you never got to use your intake manifold?

Been a while since any updates, hows your motor coming along?

+1 for Firefox.

Actually, they do. 77-79 71Bs had a .864 5th gear. http://www.rhdjapan.com/kameari-super-close-gear-set-l-type-fj20et-hr31-zenki.html

Weird, you'd think that being the same trans (FS5W71C) the internals would be the same, but OSG would know better than I do. I still find that strange, though. I really don't know about the bell housing. If the KA and SR bell housings can be swapped, you would think an L bell housing could be put on the SR trans too, but I really can't say. I'd really like to see someone take apart a KA and SR 5spd and compare the two. Edit: http://forums.nicoclub.com/ka-vs-sr-tranny-t391988.html Apparently the input shaft is slightly different - From the last post:

Nope. Honestly, I haven't had a good feeling about this guy since day one. More often than not, "you get what you pay for" rings true. And his prices seemed way too low. If you receive your hatch, post up some pics and let us know what you think of it. And of course, pay the guy.

That's odd, everything I've read online suggests that it should fit. Maybe the guys on Nicoclub would know more?

What makes you say that? COMPATIBILITY NOTES: Compatible Engine: SR20DET (FR) Compatible Transmission: FS5W71C The 71C is the SX trans, and aside from the bellhousings, they are otherwise identical, from what I've read. Take a look here http://forums.nicoclub.com/diy-swapping-sr-bell-housing-to-ka-transmission-t278158.html

Well it isn't cheap, but... http://www.rhdjapan.com/os-giken-close-gear-kit-5-speed-nissan-sr20det-fr-main-shaft.html

If only I wasn't broke...

18s are going to look ridiculous, and there's also the weight penalty. I'd get something 16x8 to 16x9, put some 225s on. Not sure what your power goals will be, but no point in putting on more tire than you need. 24-25" diameter should fill your wheel wells up nicely. Edit, didn't read thoroughly, if you're putting on ZGs, a 9" wheel should fill it out better.

That's great that she can be saved. Do you have any pics of the damage?

Coilovers gets my vote. And I'm thinking the R180 may not be the right diff for your needs.

A short while back, we had a site crash, and lost I think it was a week of posts and a month of pictures. You posts may have been lost in that crash. Edit: Posts from the first week of September were lost.