Chaparral2f

I finally started pulling the engine out of my '84. God, there's so much room in there I maybe shoulda built a big block.

Mike, I've had a bad attitude ever since the Japanese made it possible for any kid with a little money, and no brains to get a high performance bike and splatter themselves all over the landscape. , I can't understand how a person can think they're safe wearing a two hundred dollar helmet, cut offs, and sandles. I agree with you I won't ride with them. Any time I fell down, it sure wasn't my head that was stuck between the bike and the pavement. (Even though people who know me might disagree ) I was a patch holder (1%er) for a lot of years, and have a real problem with Rubs and their ilk who strut around their designer cutoff levi jackets while bad mouthing the people they don't have balls enough to be. I'm sure that you get them on sportbikes too. I didn't mean to spout off, now I'm just another old phart, but old prejudices die hard. Nothing, personal. Joe

OK, Harley riders do have an attitude. But a lot of us got that way from years of putting up with the jerks:puke: who think that they're bikers as soon as they push their shiny new bike into the back of their shiny new dually pickups. They may think they are scooter trash, but being a biker instead of a motorcyclist is a right that you have to earn. If you think a tool kit is a credit card and a cell phone, you're just another Rub. Go home and leave me to my beer. Oh by the way, I can't remember the last time I saw a tatoo that said "Kawasooki" or what ever. Any complaints? Just let me know as soon as your rice rocket gets a hundred and jkfifty thousand miles on it, like my stinky old Harley. Oh yeah one more thing, doesn't it seem kinda strange to be complaining that a Harley needs constant work on a website dedicated to Hybrid Z's?? Like I said, Its a Lifestyle, not a Fashion Statement. Oops. sorry, I just kinda have shall we say, a "strong" opinion, and I'm too old to go out and get in bar fights anymore. Joe (ex-Iron Wheel MC 1%FOREVER)

You may try for a used gold wing, I think, they're pretty inexpensive. But I don't know much about Jap bikes. I like Harleys, I've owned one since I was 15. (That was 45 years ago) The real expence isn't the harley, its buying the motor home to tow it behind.

Great!! Sign me up for one

Gosh the only ones I only drooled over the ones in the blue er..yellow er... green... the ones in the water

Has anyone had experience with a Proform electric water pump? I'm running one, and I don't have the foggiest notion how to hook it up. I would like it to be thermostatically controlled, with a manual overide. Can I hook it up to the same kind of temp sensor as the fan? Will I need a thermostat? Where should I put the thermo switch? I was thinking in the head, where the stock chevy temp guage sender goes. thanks Joe

Saw these: (1)Save a Tree...Cut A Bush (2)Would you drive better if I shove that phone up yourA$$ (3) Whatta you know Another A** H*** in aBMW

That's what I was afraid of. Too bad, they were a really good yard. Thanks for the info though. Joe

Does anyone know if All Z Auto and Truck Recycling in Gresham Oregon is still in business??

Now you've done it! Just when I thought I had the paint decision made, you've got me back to trying to decide what color to paint my ZX! That is truly one great looking car you got there, Joe

As usual, the Hybrid Z gang comes through with the best of advice. thanks for letting me vent. I feel sooo much better now.

Engine finished, nothing to do but install a dipstick, and add oil. Sounds simple enough. Only thing is, my engine came with no dipstick. So we go down to the local "speed shop" and tell them what we have. (80/85 350 block passenger side dipstick) A few days later we go back and pick up our order. The old tube is lying on my workbench, and is about 8" long. they sent me is about 28" long and a different outsice diameter. I call them and am told that it is the correct one. I reply that I've never seen a dipstick that stuck up higher than the injector stacks. AARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!! The block casting number is 14010207 and the stick is on the right(passenger) side. is there something wrong wiith me, or my engine, or did the counter people just fail Special Ed?

Just finished my turbo 350, and now its on to the front suspension. I found a Mustang ll clip that I can score cheap. I hate the strut towers in the Z31, and would like to loose them so I can tip the front end and actually get to the sparkplugs. Also I think I could run wider wheels with the A frame suspension. I'm not worried about doing the work, I just don't know if it would be worth it. I change my mind abut doing this swap about every ten minutes, soI could use some feedback. Joe Z31 355 sbc 410hp 400 ftlb twist KB flattop pistons L88 alum heads full ported comp cams 292 magnum Vertex mag Kinser Injection (as soon as UPS gets it here)

Before you install that Vette rear end, could you put it on a scale and tell me what it weighs? The Jag that I am thinking of putting in weighs about 300 lbs. My Z31 is already aws heavy as a tank, so i am on the look out for any components that will lighten it up. Thanks, Joe

Arnold beating up on Jessie? I think you been watching too many movies. Les see now, we got a bodybuilder and a navy seal hmmmm

I have a friend who races sprint cars. A few weeks ago he was looking at the 350 I have been building for my Z31. One thing led to another and we decided to work a deal, My engine and a set of SQHD rear ends on air ride and some other truck parts for his backup engine. I was getting rid of stuff that I no longer needed, and he was getting a sweet engine for his El Camino. His engine was complete from the Kinser injection to dry sump oil pump, and was making about 680 hp at the flywheel. Anyhoo, just for old times sake, I went racing last week end with him. We were going to do the trade the following Monday. Just to make a long story a little longer, on the fourth lap of the main, a rod let loose, and sucked the whole bottom end out of my friend's engine. It wasn't pretty. Needless to say The backup engine was no longer available. At least I've still got my 350 it just makes a couple hundred hp less than his.

Phantom, Fine job, I've tried it all. including replacing the seats with cardboard boxes filled with helium balloons, and stuffing the doors (after removing the inside panels, and all the glass) with more balloons , but now I'm having trouble getting the tires to touch the ground and I have to tether the car to parking meters with a rope. I could tie my grand mother (a tiny little old lady)across the hood but she most likley will get cranky after a couple of hundred miles. I can't remove anyof the balloons because I am a true believer in airbags for safety. Please advise. Joe

I have an '84, and haven't had much luck finding anything for it. Kamanari makes kits, I think, but it looks like I'll end up just building my own. Hopefully there will be someone else on here that will be of more help. Joe

Just be sure to know exactly what you want when you go to buy your headers. I just went through this, got my blockhuggers from Thermal Tech Coatings. they were ceramic coated, for D-port angle plug heads. When I tried to buy them locally, all I got was blank stares and huge price tags . Try these people. The service was great, and the headers are really good quality. Oh yeah, thier prices are really good. [/url]http: http://www.thermaltechcoatings.com

I know that it shouldn't be too hard to find the stats ( lap times), if I wasn't so lazy, How do you think the Viper would hold up against something from the early '70's like for instance a GT40 mkII? Both race prepped, and running on comperable tires? Or just for the sake of discussion, a small block GT40. Or even the new GT that ford is selling. Although I admit that I don't know anything about that one. i was just owndering because there is a place in the UK that builds replicas of the 427 mk II for about $40 or $50,000.

I bought my headers from Thermo Tech Coatings too. The price was great, and the people were REALLY helpful.

Thanks so much, you guys have taken a load off of my damaged mind. I guess its time to start buying steel. Joe

Thanks for all the feedback:) . The car will be stripped to the frame except for the dash. The doors will only be left on if they are needed to add stiffness. I'm not too worried about the rotiserie being strong enough to hold the car(I sppent a couple years working as a welder, and still have a wertification). My main problem is if the top has enough strength. thanks again. Joe

Does this sound feasable? I have been thinking about building a frame with XKE front suspension for my z-31. The engine is basiclally a detuned sprint car motor (580hp/625 lb tq est.) I need the car to be really stiff. Not being the type that likes lying on my back for months at a time, I want to build a rotiserie, but a 300zx is heavy, and mine has T-tops. I don't want it to fold up if I turn it over. Does anyone know if a t-top body has enough stiffness in the roof to handle being flipped? If I leave the doors on will it give the body any more strength when I turn it over? Thanks Joe