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The flattops will stick up a little past the deck. I built one last winter, and I'm building another this winter. I used an N47 head on the one I did last year (I had it, and it was rebuilt). Engine runs strong. No interference problems what so ever, but then again, I used the stock cam. I'd take some measurements before you bolt the head on to be sure. Pete

I'm going to drop the bock off next week to have it tanked, and have the bores checked. If it doesn't need boring, I'll just hone it and put new flat tops in. If it does need boring, I'll probably bore it to 89mm if the bloack passes sonic testing. If it doesn't pass, I'll just bore it to 0.040 over (it's at 0.020 now) and put flat tops in. If I do bore it to 89mm, why can't I use the L24 rods, and Ka24 pistons? Acording to LEngine, the CR would be 8.87:1 (L28 crank, N47 head, no fly cut, 1mm gasket). Yes, the deck height would be -1.37mm, but does that really matter? A CR of 8.87:1 would be decent for the street I would think. Still could probably run 89 octane in it. BTW, Courtessy sells the Nissan flat tops for $49 for club members, which is cheaper than Advance auto's aftermarket ones. Pete

Hey Dan, I'm rebuilding a motor for Beth's car, and I'm trying to stay in a budget. I just got a price from Courtessy and they are around $300 a set. They don't seem to be available aftermarket. I may also build a 3L using the L24 rods I have with KA24 pistons which are cheaper. It all depends on if the block I have needs boring (it's at 0.020 over now). Decisions, decisions... If I have to bore it, I may go all the way and bore it to 89mm. Did you have your block bored locally? I found a place near my house that has bored an L28 before after a sonic test. Pete

Anyone know a good source for cast L28 flat top pistons besides Nissan? I'm looking for a 0.020 or 0.040 overbore sizes. Thanks, Pete

I guess since most every ITS Z car I've seen runs 225mm tires on 7" rims, I figured a 245mm would be fine on an 8" rim. The rim to tire width ratio is actually better runnig a 245mm tire on an 8" rim than running a 225mm tires on a 7" rim. Pete

Anyone running 245-45ZR16s on all corners? I'm planning on running 5" backspace 16x8 wheels with coil overs. Any high speed stability problems running a 245mm tire on the front? I can run 225s on the front, but I would like to be able to rotate them. Thanks, Pete

I have a set of Centerline Falcons, and they fit over my 12" Wilwood brake setup, so there is plenty of room for brakes. Because these wheels have a lug cover, they wheel mounting pad has to be raised. The Wilwood calipers I'm using protrude beyond the hub about 0.6", and with the Centerlines, there is at least another 0.5" between the caliper and the wheel. You should not have any problems runnig them on a 280ZX. In fact, I've seen at 5 ZXs running the 15" Centerlines, just look on the cover of last year MSA catalog. I found that Centerline is not very forthcoming with wheel dimensions. So they are ver conservative as far as stating that a wheel will definitely fit a particular car. The "Wheels Deals" they have are "all sales final". You can't beat the price. I paid $99 each for 16x8s. They are strong, light, and nicely polished. Al little too shiney for me. I may paint the center black or something. I don't like the hub covers either (I had a set of 15s that had a problem with the covers making a ticking noise a low speed). I found some center caps at Summit Racing that fit nice. I'll post pictures when I get them on the car. Pete

I dont' think you want the air temp sensor in the J-Pipe. Put it in the intake plenum. The temp in the J-Pipe won't be as accurate as in the intake itself. That will give the MS the most accurate reading on the air actually entering the combustion chamber. Just drill out one of the unused holes for a 3/8" NPT, tap it, and you are good to go. That's what I did for both coolant and air temp sensors. Pete

Just did a little checking tonight. It looks like this setup will work with 15" Panasports too. No room for stick on weights though. I used a Superlight IIA caliper. 16" Centerlines clear no problem Pete

Centerline: http://www.centerlinewheels.com I just bought some 16x8s from the weel deal section for $99 each Colorado Custom: http://www.coloradocustom.com They make them to order, any offset/bolt pattern. Her are the ones I like: http://www.coloradocustom.com/item_wheel.asp?item=10&series=Billet%20Series Half the price of the HREs, but still pricey Pete

Measure the inside diameter of you snowflake wheel, and if it's greater or equal to 14.5", then they will fit for sure. Pete

I run 16x7.5" rims with a +42mm offset on my 240Z using Ross Corrigan's adapters. I haven't had any clearance problems. I'm runnig 205-50ZR16 tires. BTW, his adapters are high quality units, highly recommended. Pete

This is great news Juan! Now I don't need to buy 16" wheels for the track. I can use some 15x7s I've got laying around. They also have a 14.5" inside diameter. I'll run my new 16x8 Centerlines on the street. Thanks for a nice product! Pete

IMO, if you aren't going to use it on the track, don't waste your time and money on a fuel cell. Also, you will probably loose your spare tire along the way. You can use the stock gas tank with EFI. You just need a surge tank. A LOT easier than hacking up your Z to fit a fuel cell. To me, I'd rather spend my time and money on something that will actually improve performance, not bragging rights. Just my 0.02 Pete

Yes, I port matched the intake and exhaust manifolds to the head. The way I look at it, a 50mm TB is good for close to 400HP, and I'm not there yet (maybe 300HP). Right now the 60mm TB is kind of overkill, but it's on there if I can ever take advantage of it. Pete

There is lots of information here, you just need to do a little searchin' The simple answer, use you stock 240Z tank, and add a surge tank to keep the fuel pickup in the fuel while cornering. This is your best bet that will alow you to run the tank all the way to empty. Pete

I have the JSK Wilwood kit, and I plan on running 16s, but when I get it bolted up I am going to try some 15s I have hanging around. With the Billet NDL caliper, they should fit. The 15" wheels I have have an inside diameter of 14.5". I f I go by the wilwood mechanical information for the Billet NDL, the outside radius with the 12.19" rotor should be 6.97". This gives you an outside diameter of 13.94". Yea, that's only 0.25" or so between the caliper and wheel, but it still should work. Comments? Pete

My experience is as follows: I added a 60mm TB and a new downpipe which eliminated the 90 degree bends (45 degree bends now). The RW HP when from 183 to 206 at stock boost pressure. Now these measurements were made on different days, on different dynos, so I'm not sure if you can compare them directly. To be honest, I think the downpipe makes most of the difference. There was noticable difference in the seat of the pants for sure. The turbo spools up much faster with the new downlpipe. I would supect that these mods would yeild more gains as the boost is turned up as well. Pete

I pulled the strut and control arm out together and brought them to a shop with a hydralic press. Remember to remove the wedge pin that keeps the spindle pin from turning first. You can whale on it as much as you like with a sledge, but you probably won't get it out. The press, or the removal tool will save the spindle pins. Pete

People runnig 8" rims with a 5" backspace do have coilovers. I'd go with adapters, then your wheel options are endless. I have a set that might be for sale. Also, check out modern motorsports, they sell some real nive quality ones for a good price: http://www.modern-motorsports.com Pete

19mm = ~0.75 inch. Given an overall width of 8.25", your back space will be around 4.875". Depending on what width tire you run, you will probably have problems with the tire hitting the lower spring perch unless you have coilovers. With coilovers they should clear.

This one? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MSD%2D2225 http://www.msdignition.com/fuel_7.htm They show approx. 40GPH at 80psi. Pete

Summit sells an MSD external pump good for over 500HP. I think I paid $79 for it. Pete

Yes, Rebello can build you a 3.2L. I know, a good freind has one. 305HP at the crank. Sounds unbeleivable with a Sebring muffler. I assume that it's just bored more than a 3.1L. I'll go along with what bastaad525 said. Spend your money on head work, and bore it to a 3.1L maximum. Pete

Get IC installed first, and then bring it to Avalon to get the boost controller etc. installed. BTW, Custom Tubes did my IC plumbing, and did a great job. Have him use the thin wall steel, it's a lot cheaper, and not all that heavy. That's what he used on my car. Jeff at Avalon is excellent also. Pete