Sparky

I have a bit of a soft spot for E30's so it's nice to see a clean and obviously cared for example, very cool project.

shame to see it go, but I know the next form of motorvation will be kickass and inspirationally clean. The 'ol L28 will live on though in other peoples projects. Oh yeah, I'm interseted in the fuel rail and turbo setup.

Hey Dave! I went to 6 different bookstores and had just about given up all hope when I went to the local grocers and just happen to find the last one sitting on a shelf at the check out line. Its warm and snug in a envelope and should go out this afternoon. Once it's on its way I'll send you a message.

lol, I would love to hear how he tells that story, you should get it on video! ha! yeah, 360 without any cones, and not only that, but it was the fourth or fifth fastest first run of the day with the spin! I tried to calm things down and smooth it out my next runs but was 6 seconds slower on my second run the next three runs I got all my time back plus two seconds. for my B-day last year my Girlfriend gave me this: http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=8492 lol, that was the spin on my first run, I must have made the photographer crap his pants because he was RIGHT there! still smiling.

Yes sir, that was me. I'm still unable to express my thanks to Chris for offering his car to me that one day. What a rush, what a ride! At the time it had been four years since I last drove a Z and about five years since my last AutoX, it was without a doubt the motivation I needed to get through that final push on my own turbo Zed. One day I hope to return the favor.

Is Chris under your employment now? P.S. Dump that Corona and get some Pacifico or Victoria...yum yum!

Its really easy, and you can do it by yourself with no problems. I dont have pictures from when I did mine but a close examination of the gasket, window and car should let you know just how it goes together. on the early Z cars you use a rubber gasket, no sealer should be needed. first, set the gasket out in the sun and let it warm up. while its warming up go to your local hardware supply store and pick up some clothesline rope. (the smaller diameter) now you can substitute and kind of cord really, but I like the clothes line because its cheap, soft, and you can get it anywhere. once the windshield rubber has soaked up as much heat is it can, take the rubber and press it onto the windshield, gentle tap a rubber mallet around it so it seats properly. Take the clothesline and push it into the out channel of the rubber gasket. only go around one time. put the ends together in a place thats accesable, I chose to put mine on the bottom, this allows you to push down on the windshield while you seat the bottom channel first. set it back out in the sun for a minute while you prep the car. NOTE: some people swear that you must install the SS trim while the windshield is out of the car, I found that with a new gasket this was not the case, although it probably would be easier to install it now, I was worried about it popping out and damage the paint. (this was my first and only time installing a windshield.) Next, prepare a solution of dishwashing soap and water, more soap that normal as you want a super slipper surface to help seat the gasket. Get it all over! dont be scared to make a mess. take the windshield with gasket and do the same thing to the channel. you could take the clothesline and soak it for a bit if you wanted to to help keep things wet and slippery. now your ready to install. be sure to have your plastic windsheild installation tool at the ready. I also used a cotter pin puller (a metal hook with a blunt tip) to help pull the gasket into place this little tool has been a multipurpose life safer! grab the windshield and set it into the frame. take care to make sure that the bottom of the gasket is as close to grabing the lip on the frame as possible. start pulling the cord slowly while down on the gasket, what your looking for is for the cord to pull the lip of the gasket up and over the metal lip on the frame. Your cotter pin puller would be of great assistance should the cord not set the lip into place. GO slow, be patient, be aware of every surrounding, but pay attention to the amount of lube you have, do not let it dry out...bad mojo. while you are doing this it would be wise to push both sides (inner and outer) of the gasket down into the frame while gentle pulling it to the sides, you want to make sure that the gasket is stretched evenly across the entire windshield, it will bunch up and leave you slightly short on the bottom corners if you dont watch it. once you get the bottom set, move onto one side. its the same process, lube, pull the cord, set the lip. on the sides its very easy to grab the outer edge of the gasket and inner edge and pull it toward you (and maybe slightly down) and into the frame, the glass will stay put while you do this but the gasket will move slightly, its not a big deal so dont worry that its not going to seal. it is vital that you seal those corners properly, you do not want water to get behind the gasket and sit down in the channel. repeat on the other side. lube, pull, set, pull stretch. once the bottom and sides are set, its should become slightly more difficult to pull the cord, but, the lip will settle into place without much assistance because the windshield is now 75% set and is trying to seat itself into the top of the frame. whalla! its really very easy, I originally paid the glass company to come out and do it but they chickened out at the last moment offering me a bunch of BS excuses as to why they couldnt do it. They gave me a heck of a deal on the glass because of the "inconvenience" so I just said what the heck, couldnt be that hard. sure enough it wasnt. an hour later I had both the front and back glass set with no help. go for it!

Awesome story, I almost felt like I was there! A long time ago I bought a Yakima rack for my 240Z, one day, one day soon I will be strapping some snowboards to the top of my car and heading north....I've been waiting to do that for years.

Hey Dave, I'm going to head to the bookstore in just a moment, I will pick you up a copy. PM me with your address.

Latest picture of my dirty turbo 240Z

No doubt, I have an extra set of swats that I will throw some DRs on after I sort every other problem with the car. Drivability and reliability is number one right now. Car is already on coilovers (non sectioned) I will be sectioning the struts this winter and adding some illuminas. Wheel and tire upgrade is already in the works, along with 13" wilwoods. It's been hard to resist turning up the boost a bit but I know my tune is crap, I dont want to risk breaking anything just yet. Picture below is from my backroad test drive last night. Its hard to pass up a drive when its 75 degrees and near perfect outside. Nahhhhh, really? I know you don't have any experience with breaking internal stuff and yes, Turbos are addictive...but It's one addiction that I'm perfectly ok with.

Nice score Phil, Flip it and get some forged pistons in your ride!

..I can't seem to get any traction in 1st and 2nd gear and alot of smoke comes off the tires. whats wrong with my car? still in my clutch break in period by another 100 miles but damn I just couldnt help it. 2k clutch drop and the thing instantly hits the limiter while the tires start thier initial ascent into the atmosphere. 2nd gear comes quick and is more of the same, a slight lift on the accelerator and she hooks up, scooting along quit nicely. Even with all the dramatics Gtech indicates 6.12 0-60...not bad for 5 PSI and a pig rich map. Lots more potential in her. Already I'm driven to turn that boost up....lord help me.

well, at least it was a girl car! Happy 21st...I remember mine...kinda

thats the sweetest 620 I've ever seen Phiz, Awesome job!

wha? is that mechanical fuel injection?

Are you speaking of Michael and his very nize red ZG-type flared Supra? I've spoken to him a few times about my conversion, very nice, and very knowledgeable, he even offered to help tweak my fuel and ignition map when I'm done with my conversion.

One of the big problems with E85 is the hype that soccer moms and the bandwagon riders spew forth every day. E85 burns a little cleaner, but you have to burn more to make the same power, around 25% more is what I was told...its all in the BTUs. Not only that, but it takes fuel to plow the fields (if its bio based), it takes fuel to plant the crop, fuel to fertilize it, fuel to water it, fuel to harvest it, fuel to transport it, fuel to refine it, and fuel to transport it again to the local outlet, the key words in the future of fuels is "embedded energy." same thing when you try and select materials to build a "green" or "sustainable" home or office...where was it made, how was it made, etc etc. when it comes to long term reliabilty future fuel source, E85 is not it. Thats my opinion of course... That aside, I will be converting my car into a "flex fuel" vehicle of sorts. the haltech has a dual map feature that I intend to take advantage of by running my turbo Zed on E85 most of the time. I don't intend to put many miles on her, and she is not my main vehicle. The alure of lower EGTs combined with a more affordable higher octane fuel and the cooling properties of E85 on the intake charge make it right for me and my hobbiest application. It will be some time though before my conversion happens, my injectors will simply not do, my turbo technology needs an update, and I must swap out my steel fuel lines for an anodized aluminium version. My tank has already been coated to handle E85, and all my mechanical bits (fuel pump, pressure regulator, rubber hose) is already up to spec.

Thats excellent advise. ask me how I know. cha-ching!

geez thats a sexy beast! looking mighty fine!

give me a few minutes to post a picture of my car, I've been running a modified front plate on my daily driver for three years now with no problem. The Z on the other hand, has been on the road for less than 100 miles with the modified plate. It gets a bit more attention than my four door accord, so the plate mod might not work too well on it we shall see! EDIT: here is the photo:

Very nice two40, looking real good! I'm curious how much you would want your wheels too.

Several people in Italy told me that they had been banned from some highspeed motorways...but never told me where. I just spent some time seaerching the mighty interwebs for real life resources and surprise surprise, I could not find any. Just talk here and there about germany considering a ban of "city cars" incuding the smart fortwo. Seem we are are only as good as our sources. And believe me those things can move on the motorway, they are all over Italy and Italys Autostrada but they seem less than stable at higher speeds. I would seriously consider buying a fortwo or forfour in the next few years if i'm still in the position that i'm in now. Sadly though, I dont think the forfour is ever coming here though...at least not according to D.C.

check out the picture of the trunk lid. Extreme rot! The car looks like its made of bondo...chances are the entire car was just as rusty as the trunk lid so the threw tons of FG and filler all over it, slapped on a new paint job and installed a cool engine.

smart cars are great if you live in a large and dense city where you dont really need to see any highway time. While some people in Europe use them as their only transport, they have been banned on some highspeed motorways. I've driven a Smart forfour and must say they are really nice, fun, and zippy enough to get out of its own way. As far as saftey is concerned, check out youtube for the smartcar crash test....it does surprisingly well, the occupants however......