Wagz

Go to your local autobody supply or online at The Eastwood Company and buy a spot weld cutting bit for your drill. I got mine for less than $10 at a local supply shop. I works great for cutting the spot welds. I just drilled the weld spots and the mounting ears popped right off.

I used to be. I worked as a parts counter-man for a string of parts houses, performance shops and a Chevy dealership. For the last 12 years I've been in high tech, managing systems development.

That Spitfire is sweeeet!!! I would love to be able to build something like that from the ground up. I would especially like to be able to hand roll my own steel body parts. Too cool.

The whining noise could mean it's low on gear oil. I would start by checking the oil level. It could just be wear and tear on synchros, etc. The slipping is most likely a worn-out clutch. You might be able to adjust it out, but you're probably due to change it out soon. Do you know how many miles are on the clutch/tranny?

Awww, man! I've been talkin' up my Eddie Bauer Expedition Type R to all my friends! I thought that Ford salesman was a little too slick!

Yup. I yanked a dealer installed (I believe) AC system out of my '71.

Pegasus - Give us a little more info. Are you running a manual or an automatic? Have you ruled-out the basics: clutch slipping (manual), low trans fluid (auto), etc?

I'm not sure about relocating the brackets. I'm sure it could be done. A lot of different seats have been put into the Z's. Everything from aftermarket seats to Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi seats. The one constant was adopting the Z sliders to your intended seats. I know I've read about improved leg/headroom in some of the posts. Do a search through the archives and you should find plenty of info.

Curt - Welcome to our twisted little corner 'O the net. In this 12-step program, well, there is no cure. But you do get the benefit of some 3000+ 'sponsers' to help you through the rough spots in this addiction.

Ahhhhh, These Christmas stories warm my heart!

I got my T56 shipped to me in Oregon from Indiana for $75. The seller had it steel banded to a small pallett. He used a service from Overnight Transportation. It worked out really well. I picked it up at a local wharehouse where they loaded up in my truck with a forklift (no hard work for me).

Zyal8er - I would love to see pics of your soft top design. I had the same thoughts about what to do regarding storing the hard top when you're far from home. I'm a long way off from needing a top on my VR (getting the engine and suspension on would be nice), but I would like to see what you've done.

Well, ...I'm here. (I think I'm a closet "f@cktard") But, I'm just barely smart enough to keep my mouth shut and ears open.

OMG! The second thread posted by Livewire is the funniest thread I have ever read! I can't believe the guy tried to redeem himself via two subsequent user Id's on the site. What an utter and complete moron!

Jared - The web pages I sent you were copied from the Research Integrations site before they took the pages off-line. The last time I checked the velorossa.com site, only the front page remained. So, the links won't work. I just sent them so you could read the text on them.

Jared - You have mail.

Jared - When the guys at Research Integrations announced that they were shutting down operations earlier this year, I 'spidered' velorossa.com. I have some very small (hardley more than thumbnail size) images of the 940Z they had on their site. I'll email 'em if you want 'em. You might email John Washington and ask if he would send you some images.

Check out this product: (Scroll down to 'Brake Guard') Z Specialties The site is clear that it is not an ABS product, but it sounds interesting. He sure endorses it. I have no idea if it really makes a difference.

That is a beautiful car!! I struggled with the decision on building a YZ or a Velo Rossa. In the end the VR won out becuase I wanted a drop-top. (I know, I know, the VR is a spider not a convertible.) Anyway, this is what I'll build if I ever get my VR done. Kudos to Ted Fisher. Very nicely done.

Tee Zee - I just looked at my email. I'll send you copies of the shots I took of yours and Nezzie's cars.

Your engine bay is looking great! It looks like you decided not to paint the frame rails along whith the rest. What's your plan for them? Are they going to get undercoating? Or am I not seeing things correctly? I have my bay down to bare metal and am platic filling and smoothing too. BTW - Your tri-Ys look great! I wish I had the $ to get in on a group buy.

Has anyone had experience with Centech kits? I talked to a guy at Zigs Street Rods here in Portland. He had nothing nice to say about Painless and said he quit carrying Painless in favor of Centech. His opinion is that Centech is a much better product. What Dan says makes sense. It's good to know your car inside and out. Understanding your wiring by doing it yourself is a good idea. My only problem is not having all that good of understanding of automotive wiring. Thats why I was looking for a leg up by using a kit. Maybe I'll just by a book, a fuse block and a few spools of wire...

Here you go: G.I. Joe, Barbie and a 300Z It's a fairly big .avi file. I think there's a zipped version there too. This PlayStation commercial plays off the Barbie/Z commercial. Although, they're driving a Rustang. Pretty funny. Army Men

Pete - I am gladly following your plans for sub-frame connectors, but I'm doing my best NOT to follow your lead on project timelines. However, if my wife doesn't let me play in the garage soon, I'll easily use a decade plus to get this puppy on the road... I saw the solid blocks under the front of dhans' car but, I didn't notice the cinder blocks in back. Scary, man!

Welcome to the club David! I bought my '71 240 a little over a year ago and was only planning to clean it up and put a Velo Rossa kit on it. I was going to leave ALL of the mechanicals stock. THEN I DISCOVERED HYBRIDZ Now I have a fresh 355 SBC, T56, Coil-overs, 5 lug upgrade, Outlaw brake upgrade, all new poly bushings, Painless wiring kit and a Velo Rossa body kit... all sitting on my garage floor. Talk about getting in TOO deep. Major scope creep here. I got my car stripped and on a rotisserrie with one sub-frame connector in. Unfortunatley, I haven't been able to work on it for almost 3 months. So, there she sits... Best of luck on the project! (I wish I had dipped my car. I hate stripping paint and undercoating) -Marc