Phantom

I know what you mean. There is a red T/A in this area that is unbelievably quick. i watched him disappear from in front of me one day - wishing all along that I had the LS1 to see just how fast he really was.

Ever since the first day I got the LS1 Z out of the shop all the GM F bodies, Corvettes, and Mustang GT's have left the road - except when I'm driving the Jeep or the NA '83ZX. It's like they know when the LS1 is on the prowl and all go home and hide in the garage. Frustrating - very frustrating.

A few more weeks of driving time and things seem to have settled in nicely. Other than the syncho problems in 5th & 6th and the AC not being able to keep up with the Texas heat the car is doing great. Starts right up every time. Engine temp runs right at 180-190 no matter what the driving conditions. OIl pressure solid mid range on gauge. Have figured out how to get in to 5th & 6th with no grumbling so cruising at highway speeds is a real pleaseure at 1,500 - 2,000 RPM (60-80 mph). Fuel economy seems to be settling in around 19 MPG with combination city & highway, drive easy and then romp it. Garage is filling up with parts I haven't had time to get started on. Front and rear urethane suspension bushings, full body seal kit, front and rear strut tower braces & AC expansion valve. Would probably help if I'd get the hatch lock replaced so I can open the hatch, too. Going to try to get the car on a chassis dyno this week to get some real engine performance numbers. Guess that shows where my priorities are?

I understand the frrustration. I started out a bit starry-eyed thinking my project could be done in 8-12 weeks. If I had been thinking months I would have been a bit more realistic. The car ws in the shop just a few days short of 11 months and it will have to go back in for another 4-6 weeks next month to have some "adjustments" done. Hang in there. Oh yes - cost? Take what you originally thought you could do it for and multiply it by 2 1/2 and you'll be close to the reality of the situation.

JOhns Cars, 800 Jaguar Lane, Dallas - Call John Radevich at 214-426-4101

I know - John went through about 7 sets of headers and now the ones on the car are 'specials' that will have to be tweaked one last time here in about a month. Lone Star 1 was able to use the stock manifolds on his 240 but somehow I doubt if that will be much comfort for your Z32 conversion. All you can do is shovel it in and see if it clears.

Just read a post somewhere else on this forum - reading too many posts here lately - offset for stock 240Z was 15mm. I personnally thought it wa 10mm but 15mm also would make sense. Offset moves the wheel toward the centerline of the car.

Know that area well. Had a minor problem there on my first 280. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks.

Gee - and I thought it was the sleek good looks and sex appeal.

I love 510's. Always wanted one of them to play with like the Z. Kind of the Japanese version of the mini-cooper (but bigger) in my mind. Your's was a really sweet looking car. I'll bet it was a blast to drive. Wonder how an LS1 would fit in it?

I'd just go ahead and move the R200 mount about 3/4" higher on the mustache bar and you'll address two problems with one move.

Jim, The one I have has the members that go back to the firewall actually bolting to the horizontal cowl lip right under the trailing edge of the hood just to either side of the hood latch. In other words, the bolts run vertically instead of horizontally and the brace attaches to a horizontal member rather than a vertical.

Thanks for feedback guys. Guess I'll look for the cracks in the paint. In the meantime I'll install the strut tower braces and just keep enjoying as a daily driver with the "occaisional" full throttle bursts.

Thanks Guys. Looks like at some point I'm going to have to consider the coil-overs and rolling the fender well lip. Anyone got a spare baseball bat?

I'm running 225/50-16 Yokohama S306's. I hate them. Can't keep them balanced. H rated Dunlops I used to have had better traction.

Go to http://www.autodesk.com. Search around a while and you'll find "Volo View" It is an autocad based software that will allow you to view the drawings. Download is free.

Gary - you're my hero bud. Go get them.

Does the rear disk brake conversion change where the wheels mount in relation to OEM? I have Center Line 16X7" wheels with 0 offset and am running 225/50-16 Yokohama S306's. They will slightly rub on the fender well lip on hard bumps or heavy cornering. Nothing serious but the tires do rub. Maybe the disk brake conversion moves the tire mount slightly closer to the center of the car?

I've read a lot of comments about chassis reinforcing for the V-8 installs. My '77 280Z currently has absolutely no chassis reinforcing anywhere. I've got strut tower braces that I haven't installed yet but right now there is nothing. I've been driving it with the LS1 & T56 for about a month now and haven't noticed anything bad happening. Someone want to chime in here and convince me I need to do something?

For some reason I was unable to pull up the picture. If you are talking about the front strut tower brace made by Top end Perfromance - http://www.racetep.com - then yes - it will work with an LS1 conversion. Can't vouch for any of the others. I've trial fitted mine and it just barely clears the oil filler cap and the dipstick tube has to be bent outward just a bit for the dipstick to come up through the hole in the corner gusset between the cross member and fire-wall brace on the passenger side. Othere wise it looks great! I'll post a picture when I finally get it installed.

Ain't it a bugger being the first one to do it?

I did two things. Initially I put an offset bend in the sway bar to move it away from the u-joint a bit. Later the R200 got relocated a bit higher to help with wheel hop and that gave the u-joint the clearance necessary without having to bend the sway bar.

Spot, Have you thought about talking to Jerry about the turbo motor he's had sitting in his garage for his car for about 5 years now? I think he may be giving up on that car and would sell the whole thing for a reasonable price.

OK - bring the "killer Hemi" down to the DFW area and we'll see how well it keeps up with my Z. It does have a Camaro motor in it. My first new car was a 340 'Cuda and I can tell you now, it was pure fluff compared to the LS1 Z.

Careful Spot - I made the car show - but my car didn't. Seems to be my life story - all work and no play. Seems to be a conspiracy afoot. Ever since I got the LS1 on the road all the playtoys have stayed out of sight. couldn't even get a C-5 going this morning. He hid from me.