1 tuff z

Installed the Vataloni Californian mirrors today, fired it up, got a few gallons of gas then drove to drop off "Jade" [not sure if the kids have decided that the name is final but we're getting close] at the exhaust shop. Current exhaust is stock manifold, stock downpipe with a v-band welded on the end. They'll run the pipe from there to the Ansa tips I had restored and call it a wrap. Pick it up Thursday, do as much as we can over the next 2 days and premier it at the ZCCR all import show this Sunday. Don't think we'll get the interior finished but... pics from the exhaust shop-before like this one

Put in too many hours this past week-took Thurs & Fri off, my friend Jim [old Army buddy] came to visit from Minnesota-he's a car guy too. We worked on the z many hours from Thurs thru Sunday. Fired it up Friday [after determining the points were bad-thanks to Evilz and Cygnus for their diagnostic help] and took it for a quick drive up our street. Brakes feel pretty good-car is very loud as there is no exhaust yet [just the stock manifold & downpipe]. Speedo does not work-seems to be the drive worm gear in the tranny is slipping-aargh! Need to put the interior together, exterior is nearly complete-will post some pics when we get it washed. Using Integra seats & the 240sx seat belts but, of course, since they are not OEM they're not a simple bolt in for proper fitment. Glass guys came and installed front & rear windows-nice work and didn't bugger up my new gaskets or the ss trim!

I'd give Blake a call and see what he says. It would seem by going to Kooks you're somewhat reinventing whats already been done. If I were him it would make me happy to sell another set [believe he ordered sufficient bends to build at least 20 pair, which is what I'd have done]. Think we have the bugs worked out so the next pair should be spot on. We also have some dyno results and the installation instructions have been used & updated so I would not anticipate any surprises.

We have about 10 days until the ZCCR show we'd like to premier the z at. Gonna be tight. Got some emblems today, insured-registered-licensed it yesterday [was a bit nervous as it was purchased over 3 years ago, out of state title and wasn't sure if-with NY dmv it would all go through ok]. Installed the taillights & trim, exhaust tips back from powdercoater and laid on the new Ansa decals & stripe. Haven't touched much on the interior except for replacing the old, faded and ugly multi-colored butterscotch interior. Earlier this week we tacked the headliner, windshield header and a-pillar trim. Had pulled black from a parts z a few years back and it all went in pretty well. I've tasked my daughter Emma [our youngest] with the chronological album to document the resto from start to [someday] finish-for the show. She's the most creative in our family and best suited for the job! Old Army buddy arrives today for a long weekend visit and I know that we'll get a bunch done with him here [thanks Jim!]. Glass guy is coming tomorrow afternoon to install front & rear windows [son Alan is cleaning the stainless trim & windows as I type this]. Punch list; Headlight install, heater hoses then rad fluid, put in some gas, buy battery [then crank it over!], install door lock, door mirrors, heater control panel, steering wheel, clamshell, carpeting, seats, door panels, lock knobs, trim tranny tunnel for 5speed clearance, install series II console, interior trim panels [need to check that all the lights, etc. work ok before buttoning it all up], drive to exhaust shop and have exhaust bent. I'm certain I'm missing a ton but think that covers most of it. Wish us luck! Ansa tips restored [need to touch up the orange a tad] New [used] black vinyl going in, then headliner... Alan and his friend Patrick wrestling with the headliner Gas tank with ss straps

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Josey, I'm running a q45 diff which is the same ratio 3.54 and it works much better than the 3.9 I used to have. Primarily use 4th & 5th at the track [Watkins Glen]. Turns about 1600rpm at 60 and 1800rpm at 70 both in 6th gear. DP

If we could have a do over then I'd personally do the following; Have the oxy sensors bungs shipped [but not installed] then, drill holes & weld in best position/access/clearance for my z delete the v-band connector on headers shorten or angle the collector [primarily the right side] more toward the tranny weld a 3" to 2.5" transition directly to the shortened collector and v-band at the 2.5 end [better clearance in the trans tunnel] sell my entire old 304ss exhaust and go aluminum after the 2 to 1 junction using a b-v-band connector [losing a few pounds] Isn't hindsight great?!

Ran the Z Mon-Tues this week at Watkins Glen Intl [WGI], got to run the short course Tues afternoon and passed the 18,000 mile mark on my LS1 swap. The Z consistently knocks down sub 2:20 times on street tires seeing about 145mph on the back straight before I chicken out and jump into the brakes! None of this would be possible without HybridZ!!

Ran around Watkins Glen yesterday and today for a track event. This afternoon we ran the Nascar short course-was a blast and the old Z had zero issues either day!

My heart is a little happier! Turned 18,000 miles on my LS1 swap today while running the short track at Watkins Glen International [WGI]. This afternoon the organizers decided to run the nascar short course. I had run it twice before but was able to get into a nice groove today and had some fun as well. Great two days there and no mishaps with the old Z!

Great pics, did you have any printed in large size to matte & mount in the garage or man cave?

Did he mention anything about the header gaskets that are part of the deal?

Some updates-we've been doing some work [finally] on the green z again. Summer break will be here shortly [kids have their finals this coming week] and we can really dive back in. In the past 2 weeks we've tackled the rear suspension and are ready to compete it's install. Next will be diff, driveshaft, gas tank [got the ss straps correctly 'bent' and rubber straps adhered. Need to paint the tank and get new hoses so she isn't a leaker. Then onto the rear brakes, bolt on the wheels and get her back on all 4's again. Install head & tail lights, front & rear glass then, finally, tackle the interior. Here are a few pics... Emma [our youngest-nearly 15 told me that a bunch of black stuff came out of her nose when she blew it the other day-after painting the wheel wells...guess I should have given her a mask. She & Alan [nearly 17] did a great job painting! At some point in it's life the original tank was taken to a radiator/gas tank shop in Florida and I believe they added that strange drain you see in the lower right corner. Not sure why. Tank is in pretty decent condition - just needs a bit of paint to look pretty.