Phantom

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.

Vintage Air is a good resource. In areas where it is hot and sticky almost any price is a good price for AC! Please note I said 'almost'.

I have AC in my LS1 equipped '77 280Z. The alternator is mounted low on the drivers side and the AC compressor high where the power steering pump used to be. The compressor is a Japanese compact design unit that fits beautifully - but that's on an LS1 - not an LT1 or sbc. Get creative with your belt routing and where the components / tensioners are mounted.

Heck no. Can't go to the track when the 280Z28 is in the shop - I only get to be taunted by all the muscle cars that go hide when it comes back out on the road. BTW - 3 tickets in 40 years of driving should indicate I'm not too much into the "reckless endangerment" idea - just don't like knowing hte other guy really can look down his nose at me.

Them's fight'n words Podner!! Go get him Gary!

OK guys - you're digressing - back on the subject here - remember -we're talking about MY misery. I don't want to hear all the details of your love lives - or lack thereof!

So when my loved one dies I can have them incinerated and turned into the engagement ring for the replacement?

I'm with you all the way Lone Star 1!!! I mean - Zcar, LS1, Texas - what more could you ask for?!?!?

Thanks for the input guys. I had ruled out the 280Z turbo rims because the BFG site had recommended 6.5" - 7.5" rim width for the 235/60-15's and the Zx rims are only 6.0" wide. As long as it can hold on at 120 mph I guess we're golden. Makes me a bit nervous, though.

back to top ???????

Old car - everything worn out. Since you have done the bushing thing that leaves your steering rack, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel alignment, struts & springs. YOu really can't go wrong refreshing everything because it is all due anyway. Do NOT, however, replace struts unless you replace springs too. Old springs (sprungs) will wear out a new set of struts quckly. I put new springs on my '77 that were supposed to lower it very slightly and they raised it 1" because the old springs had sagged so badly.

Gary, a +10mm offset is about .020" over 3/8" so that would move the edge of the tire almost into the suspension if you've got just over 3/8" clear now. I'll keep looking. Just need something as inexpensive as possible for now. Snowflakes? What are those?

Thanks Mike! Now if I can just find something used!

ZFAN - what wheels are you running your DR's on? I need to find a pair of 15x7's that'll fit he 235/60-15's under my stock wheel well.

I'm planning on getting some 235/60-15 drag radials. CAr is '77 280Z with standard 4/4.5 lug pattern. Figure I need a 15x7" wheel with a 10-15mm offset toward the inside of the car. Any standard Z wheels that will do the job? I'm looking for minimum investment here.

You can also take a stock LS1, upgrade the injectors & PCM, and add a procharge and have a very streetable 500 RWHP. If you want to bore, stroke, twin boost an iron block motor you can have a very real 1,200 HP. Depends on what you're looking for and how much you want to spend. That's how we beat the Russians in the cold war - we outspent them!

LONE STAR 1 - I was over at Arlington Motorsport Racing today. They said you had them do your ECM? Have you had anything else done there? What do you think of their service / workmanship? I told them that I thought you definitely had your tranny problem fixed after the 11.9 last Friday. BTW - they quoted a 450 RWHP procharger, installed and tuned, for ~ $5,700-5,800. They indicated that they had done at least one LS1 conversion in a Z. Have your heard about it? I thought we had the only two in the area? Someone is sure keeping it quiet.

Actually it kind of like paybacks. Someone does a good job for me and I let them use the car to help in their business promotion. It's the old - 'you scratch my back & I'll scratch yours' routine. It is very effective - and - in the long run - will save me money.

Yesterday it was a T/A, a Z28, two Dodge Stealths, and an AMG E55. This morning it was just a C-4 'Vette. None of these guys have been around when I've been in the LS1.

Go to http://www.ChipsByAl.com and click on 'Project Vehicles'. The 280Z28 is featured.

Adam- Go back to SDS and ask them for dealers/installers in this area. There has to be somebody and they should know who they are. also - you might contact Z Club of Texas and see if anyone in that group has knowledge.

Actually a funny story goes with my knowing that. I was bringing my two (young at that time) sons home from church one day and the car kept dying. It would suddenly just quit and we'd coast over to the side of the road. Checked spark, checked fuel flow, etc. and everything would always check ok. I'd get back in the car and it would crank up only to do it again a while later. When I got home I started tracking the fuel system back to the pump and then noticed the wiring going up through the floor of the car. Pulled the pasenger seat full forward and lifted the carpet to see a pair of bullet connectors for the fuel pump leads - and one was a little loose. My younger son had been sitting on the deck behind the passenger seat with his feet on that carpet. Whenever he figeted he wiggled the pump leads and shut the car down! PS - that's also a great place to put an anti-theft kill switch .

HICKL - In the 280Z the wires to the fuel pump are on the floor right behind the pasenger seat. They go down through the body at that point.