Wagz

This isn't the first time that engine (or one like it) has been on EBay this year. I thought It would be a easy/cool conversion, but I was afraid of the rarity of spare parts factor. David - Are you seriously buying it?

Man, I've always loved the 6 series. Definitely and LS1 candidate. Do it, do it, do it! Someday, I'll find a nice 6 like that or an 840/850 and do an LS1 conversion...

Shweeet! Great tip, Dave! I'm making an order.

mj - I just gotta say... beautiful job, man! I love the lines. That Miata windshield frame works beautifully. Are you running a convertible top? I'm curious about the fit of the side windows agaist the windshield frame too.

Drewz - I got out and took some pictures tonight. Here are some shots of the cuts made on my car. Hope these help. Top frame from inside showing doubler. another cut shot shot from the front left 3 inches from windshield edge fiberglass header cap in place.

My Velo Rossa install manual says the cut behind the windshield is done using the 'doubler' as the guide. The 'doubler' is the second level/layer of metal inside the car right behind the windshield. I just cut mine last week. It seems like it was a little more than two inches, though. I'll take some pictures and post tonight.

Thanks Dan. Did you happen to see the post/question I had regarding cutting wheel wells? I think you have dealt with something I'm doing. I may PM you later if you don't see it.

What is Gravel Tex? Type of undercoating?

Yep, I had intended to build in a recessed battery tray too. However, the fuel cell takes up more space than I had intended. So, I'm going to have to surface mount the battery. I am thinking about mounting it between the strut towers with a cover in the same way Fiat Spiders have their batteries mounted.

Finally cut the top off the 240 and set the Velo Rossa front end on the Z to see how it looks: Starting to take shape: I started cutting the wheel well openings per the instructions in the VR install manual and rembered a post I think Dan made regarding finishing the tabs: Dan: I remember you posting (I think) that when you cut your opening for your YZ flares you didn't weld the tabs, but used aluminum tape. Am I dreaming that? If you did do that, what was the advantage/disadvantage vs. welding all of the tabs?

Thanks to a little inspiration from Chip and his fuel cell mount, I finally got my lazy tail out in the garage on Saturday and did some work on the Vello Rossa: Frame: Test fit:

The only 'pre-made' re-inforcing kits I've seen were available through John Washington at Reaction Research and Eric Nyerlin at ZParts.com John's kit was designed to compliment the Velo Rossa and his other convertible kits and is bracing inside the car that runs along the top of the rockers and connects to the rear strut towers. Eric's kit was intended to go with the Hollywood covertible kit he sells and is a combination of internal/external bracing. I copied Pete's sub-frame connector plans and am installing more bracing on top of that. Lot's guys just simply cap the existing frame rails and add strut tower bracing and/or roll cages.

A quick search will turn up lots of info on this question. The short answer is a T56 from a '93 to '97 LT1 will bolt up to older SBCs. However, you will need a special flywheel (they're available from a few places) and the newer clutch setup. The '98 and later T56 will not bolt up directly to the older style SBC. There is a company called Weir Hotrod Products that makes custom bell housings that can mate either style T56 to the older style blocks. Do a search in the drivetrain section using 'T56' or 'T-56' and you should find lots of good information.

Bill - On SBCs it makes a difference only with respect to angle or straight plug heads. You can get the Thermal Tech headers here

Good post, Chip. Your just gave me a great idea to solve an issue I was having with mounting my fuel cell!

Looking great Chip! I wish I had soda blasted my car. I considered it then decided to grind off the paint myself. Bad decision. What is the cut-out and fab work in the spare tire well area? Fuel cell and battery? ***EDIT: Nevermind. Just saw you post in the chassis section about this. ***

Why not? Just becuase it isn't 'our kind of car'? They're doing the same things we did as kids and still do now. The only difference is in what they are working on. Mind you, I'm talking about the kids that are making mechanical changes and actually trying to learn something as they go. NOT the kids slapping on stickers, neon underbody lights and other crap. Although, there are lots of rodders from the past that spent a lot more money on frenched tail lights and tangerine paint jobs for their '49 Mercs that I don't like either, but they are still considered 'rodders.' They are into cars from their generation. Just like we are/were. No, you and I won't consider them classics (EVER) but, the kids today will. They will be nostalgic for cars from their youth, just like we are. Like it or not, they ARE going to be classics to these guys. My dad will never consider a '68 RS/SS Camaro to be a classic, but he believes a '41 Willy's certainly is. It's all in what you consider 'your kinda car.'

Lots of sources for block huggers coated, chromed, etc. but this is the least expensive I have seen that are coated. Thermal Tech I'm considering buying these myself. I believe a few guys on this board have used them and are happy with 'em.

Well, I'll state right up front that I'm not into rice. Well, not completely anyway. I'd still take a WRX STi, but I'd remove the ridiculous rear spoiler. Most newer 'rice,' like you said, is 'just not my kinda car.' There was a long debate months back about what, exactly, is the definition of 'rice.' I think most guys on this board would agree that the guys tuning their Civics, Sentra SERs, Lancer Evos, etc., etc. ARE the hot rodders of the next generation and don't deserve to be ridiculed. Personally, I don't consider these guys 'ricers' or their cars 'rice.' I have to respect the 'kids' (I'm really not THAT old) who are taking the time to learn the intricacies of fuel delivery, turbo charging and high tech engine management systems. They are building/modifying some REALLY cool rides! They do have my respect. 'Ricers' and 'Rice' to me, are the posers that have no clue about what is under the hood, slap 'R' and 'V-Tec' stickers on their base-model Ford Focus, spend idiotic amounts of money on crap that does nothing but make the cars a visual eye-sore. On top of it all, they usually claim to be drivers of legendary skill. These guys definitely DO NOT have my respect. my $.02

- I know that Victoria British advertises the Energy Suspension Master kits. I have no idea how much they want for 'em though. - Ross (Modern Motorsports) has em, but he is advertising $190 for the kit. - Top-End Performance advertises them for $159 - Strickly Z advertises them for $170. It's a trade-off between cheap(er) and fast... I got mine from Suspension.com

Here's another option: LSD Brace email Dave at: v8-240z@juno.com

Ahhh, I see. Yeah, if he doesn't actually have the title in hand, I think he has to file for a lost title first, get the title in the mail, then sell the car. It'll take a month or more and cost him some $.

I don't know about Texas, but I did this in Oregon without a problem. The guy I bought my 280Z from had never changed the title to his name. He had the original title signed-off by owner #1 and a hand-written bill of sale from #1 to #2. #2 wrote a bill of sale to me and gave me the signed-off title. I took it all to the DMV and they didn't even blink. I have the car in my name now.