Phantom

I may take you up on the offer but I need to find the right wheels first. 'Course if I find the right wheels you'll problably want a pair too? I'm looking at some 4-lug Z31 wheels (15x61/2) but I think the offset may be too much - but then I might be able to use a spacer that would work. We'll see.

So Lone Star 1 has put a magnacharger on his LS1 240Z. Look out guys!

Sweet!

True - but it also makes it more subject to failure from vibration or corrosion. The biggest selling feature on the aluminum radiators has been their reduced weight. Improves fuel economy ( I know we all really care about that), Improves accelleration (we definitely care about that) and it also helps reduce PMOI - Polar Moment of Inertia - for you crooked track guys that worry about response when you spin out. I just had a fourth row added to my stock copper/brass core and, with dual Z-28 fans, it keeps the car cool even on 100° days with the AC on. Besides, I saved a lot more weight with the aluminum block than I could with an aluminum radiator!

So when are you going to make your next trip to Ennis? I don't expect mine back until mid-September and then I still need to work on getting some wheels to mount some DR's on.

I've gotten this on about 15 attempted posts in the past three days. What's up!!! Yes - I had even logged in properly!!

Gary - Try a local hot rod shop - yellow pages. I guess you'l be needing some flares for the 12" wide slicks pretty soon too? You know - I make one run within .1 sec of your worst time and you go out and buy a supercharger. Are we getting a little competitive here?

Talk to Craig Taylor at http://www.taylor-race.com. He can set you up with a 3.36:1 LSD R200 and build you a "crash box" tranny like the NASCAR guys use that will give you a 1:1 4th gear that will run you over the 220 mph mark. All it takes is money.

I stand corrected on the covers. Good news. The correct size 3.36 gears can be had for the LSD although all are interchangable. I have already discussed the possibility of this but I just haven't convinced myself of the need or the value for my particular application.

I was talking with Craig Taylor of Taylor Racing and he indicated that an LSD R200 can accept any standard Nissan ring & pinion gear. IE - find an 87-89 R200 LSD and swap the 3.70 ring & pinion out for a 3.36 ring & pinion either from another R200 or new from Nissan. I swapped a 3.90:1 pegleg R200 out for an '88 3.70:1 R200 LSD on my '77. The housing covers are significantly different so I don't think you could fit the LSD into a standard R200 housing 7 cover.

If you're willing to run a GM auto then try the GM T56 manual. I have that in my car and the .5:1 6th gear with a 3.70:1 R200 LSD and 24.9" tires calculates out to 240 mph at 6,000 rpm. That should be good enough to get your record back.

http://www.zcarparts.com

I originally was going to get ithe expansion valve from my local Nissan dealer but got a better price from MSA. It also turns out that the headers aren't getting slightly "reshaped". John is going for some more HP for me and is having new ones built.

John, Contact me offline when you're in the area and I'll attempt to hook up with you.

If you should decide to go ahead with the LS6 install contact John@Johnscars.com. He has the motor mounts for the LS1 which is the same as the LS6 block. He already has transmission mounts for the T56 and is currently developing the mounts for the 4L60E. He has also worked out the headers, exhaust, fuel system, gauges, etc using my '77 280Z as the prototype. My 2,830 lb car has run a 13.2 @ 108 but will easily get down to around 12.4 & 114 once I can get my 60' down from 2.2 seconds. It is currently generating 311 HP & 326 lb-ft of torque at the rar wheels. Lone Star 1's is up around 320 HP. With the header and exhaust modifications currently going on with my car I expect to get somewhere north of 320 HP too. The LS6 should give you at least 360-365 RWHP. My LSD R200 easily handles the LS1 power and the old half-shaft universals did too but they're being upgraded to the Spicer 'Brute Force' u-joints for some added reserve.

Well - I'm in Arlington, the car is in Dallas in many pieces, the headers are in California, and the T56 is in Fort Worth. Determined that the expansion valve on the AC was in bad shape so, as planned, it is being replaced. The headers are going to be reshaped slightly and ceramic coated. Turns out that the header bolts had started to come loose and were starting to leak after about 1,500 miles. Goes back to the old engineering standard of always retorque all the bolts after they have seen a certain number of heat cycles. They always loosen up a bit. Won't wait so long to retorque them this time. Also had a lot of my hose band clamps work loose during that time frame. Caught them before they became a problem and got them all tightened up again. Went out and picked up a Bieffe helmet this week. Won't have to gross out Lone Star 1 by sweating into his helmet any more. Also got a head sock so maybe I won't sweat into mine either. We'll see. Looks like the car should be coming back together in about three weeks. Hopefully, I'll be back in full swing by mid September.

Bump - it's tomorrow

Loud "thunk" when you nail it quite probably is your differential mount. If you haven't replaced it in th elast 30,000 miles it should be done.

Anyone had any experience with the JSK Innovations Willwood brake adapters?

I used the original Datsun radiator but had it recored to a 4-row. Added the shroud and fans from the donor vehicle and it stays cool with AC running at 100°F in stop 'n go traffic. Keeping the engine cool has not been a problem at all with my conversion.

I know a guy in Fort Worth with a Z that looks remarkably similar to yours - and has for the past 6 years. Get after it - don't let it become a garage queen!

Cody - Can't make it. I'm on vacation that week and already have other plans for that night. Besides - the 280Z28 is still in the shop and I don't expect it out by then. How about a 12.6 for the gang?!? Also, where did you pick up your helmet? I need to get one and I don't like the prices I'm seeing.

Find out what the Camaro has for 1/4 mile times. If it's in the mid 13's or higher the Z can take it. Notice I referred to the cars. The driver's abilities can cause it to go either way. If it's lower than mid 13's, it will be close. The V-8 Z's around here with builds similar to what you are talking are running from 11.9 to 13.3 and 107-114mph at the local track. While you're at it - find out where the local 1/8 or 1/4 mile track is. For $10-$15 you can get a lot of legal test time practicing your launches. They are EXTREMELY important in the Z because of the need to control wheel spin in 1st & 2nd. If you've got the $$$ for some drag radials I'd suggest getting a pair. Back to the street racing. Not a good idea. We did it in my day back just after the invention of internal combustion engines and it is still done today. Just shows that human nature is stronger than good sense. Find the track and challenge them to a real race.

For you DFW area guys. Bobby Archer Motorsports is having an open house and race car static display on Saturday, August 9th. Go to http://www.bobbyarchermotorsports.com or http://www.viperspeed.com to read about his organization. These guys are big time in the SCCA. They have a parts store (coil-overs, struts, etc) & racers boutique (helmets, gloves, suits, shoes, etc) as well as a pretty decent shop.

Definitely keep everone posted. The LS1 block is going to become more plentiful and not so cost prohibitive as time goes on which will result in a lot more people wanting to do the conversion. I'd suggest you very, very carefully and completely document the exact dimensions and materials of your motor & tranny mounts plus the driveshaft modifications/dimensions.