maichor

Thanks. We used to live South of Dallas in Cedar Hill. We will probably move back to the North end of Dallas in a year or so. If we do, the car will come with us and hopefully it will be done.

No, I looked for months and never found anything other than custom wheels which are very spendy. Complet Custom Wheels are the cheapest, but still nearly double what you pay for these wheels. You can find plenty of 15 X 12s or spend the money, but really, how wide of a tire do you want? Manufacturer recomments 11" width for 335's, but they will fit on the 10.5" wheel. Also, remember that wheels are measured at the bead seat, so the 10.5" wheel is actually 11.5" wide on the ouside edges. When My tires die, I will probably go with 315's.

Actually, the dash is not done. I completely scrapped the dash and have a fiberglass dash from John Washington. This style.

I know my case is different because I retain the stock setup, including the stub axles. Only the inner CV slides. I just hope it was all worth it. http://photos.yahoo.com/maichor75104 Look under newest photos.

My album is full, so I posted some here: http://photos.yahoo.com/maichor75104 Look under "newest photos" for a recent engine bay shot. There are also some pics of my messy welding on the diff mount change from R200 to R230. I should have some more and better pics of the completed rear suspension after this weekend. Brakes etc. go on the rear for final time now that the diff is in.

Well, since everyone seems to be posting their swap progress and I enjoy reading them, I thought I would include one on my LS1 conversion. My wife and son just took a week long trip to Utah to visit her sister. It was hard being a bachelor again, but I did make some progress on the car. I work Mon-Fri until 6pm and Sat. until noon. Then it is time to work on honey do's and hang with the fam. I usually get about 1hr/wk on the car but I spent all of Memorial day on it since I was alone. 14 hours straight, no food, just water. So, here is where I stand now. I replaced the diff with an R230 from a 300ZX twin turbo. (remember I am running 240SX rear suspension and cv shafts.) I made aluminum radiator mounts and mounted the stock LS1 fans. So, here is a list. Velo Rossa Kit from John Washington 2001 LS1 and T56 six speed 300ZX twin turbo viscous limited slip with 3.7:1 gears Custom Moser axles 240SX rear suspension complete with 5 lugs and e-brake with Energy Poly bushings 300ZXtt aluminum calipers, Brembo rotors, All stainless lines, Motul fluid and Porterfield pads New bearings, ARP studs, Front suspension is a Carrera coil over setup with stock spindles and Z31 five lug hubs and Toyoat 4X4 four piston calipers and Brembo rotors Tires are Michellin XGT's from a viper. 335/35/17's on 10.5" Mustang Cobra R wheels, and 275/45/17's on 9" wheels in front Tan leather seats are from a 2002 Miata. Gauges are stock 2001 Camaro as is the fuel tank and computer controlled cooling fans. Power effects exhaust. Pro 5.0 shifter, Granatelli MAF, Street and Performance headers, alternator and pulleys, except ASP underdrive pulley. Howe aluminum radiator. Ford Thunderbird PS I haven't installed these items yet: LED tail lights and signals, H4 headlights Dual custom roll hoops 3.5" diameter Flip top Le Mans gas cap Blah, blah, blah. All I need to test drive is a custom driveshaft. I know it sounds like a lot, but I am entering my 4th year on the project. Left to go is wiring for lights, radio etc. and the rest of the body and interior work. But, I am too anxious to have it done, so I will probably farm out the body work and paint if I can afford it. Any donations? How 'bout someone sign me up for that Overhaulin' show. I wouldn't mind if Chip Foose messed with my car.

When I was trying to decide where to mount the 240SX suspension in my 240Z, I used a plumb line from the apex of the rear fender and the tires were nearly 1/2" off center toward the front, I think they just built that way. The wheel well slopes off to the rear which makes it look even more forward. When I did the swap, I moved it all back 1/2".

Oops, I hope that that guy Jeff Sagan, doesn't see what I have done to my car I got my car specifically to do the Velo Rossa kit. To me the 240Z was just a donor. That was until I took picked one up. Like others have said, I think the stock 240Z is beautiful. But, if they are so valuable, how come you can still find people giving them away. I found a Z car online and went to see the car. The guy was meeting me in Waco from somewhere near San Antonio. I was driving down from Dallas to meet him. He called and said the rear end was smoking and said I could have the car if I drove down the extra hour. I did, but felt bad for the guy. The car wasn' t a rust bucket, but had some rust and several other problems (i.e. Brakes, wiring, exhaust, etc.) So, I game him $100 and he gave me the title. I tell the story because even in its rough form, I saw the potential. The motor sounded like a vintage Ferrari and the springs were shot and so the car was riding low. That said, the car smelled, had holes in the floorboards and was scary to drive. So, making the Velo Rossa became my hobby. And, I just have to say. Every time I go into the garage, I drool with anticipation for its completion. I am beginning year 4 on it. It won't be long now! And, as far as "more money than brains", I would wager that a ground up restoration of a Z would come out to be more money than I have spent on my project. I use my brains to save money. I use parts from other cars, or build my own. Prior to this, my fabrication skills consisted of watching my brother weld my shock mounts on when I broke them off my Jeep. I have learned a ton from this and gained an appretiation for the car. Who knows, I may just do that restoration back to stock glory someday. Not on this car though. Nothing original will mount back in the car!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2480263250&category=43957 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2480358523&category=43957 I got my wheels from the guys on the second link listed. Good price for these wheels.

Hmmm. Not the best way to do it. You can pick up an angle finder that has a magnet on it at Home Depot for a few bucks. Here is a good link about how to do it. Some of the drawings are for a 4X4 with transfer case, but it is all good info. http://www.6states.com/service/drivelines/learn.html

It's not the the bigger rubbers that add the weight, it's all that extra air in those huge tires!

Looks fantastic! I also run the same wheels on my Velo Rossa. But, I went with the chrome. I got mine on Ebay from a place in Florida. OEM replacements or replicas, something like that. The car has been rolling for a year, but I have been replacing everything on it before driving it. I just need to get the my custom driveshaft made and I'm finally going to taste the LS1 power! Still have a ton of body work to do. Anyway, here is an old pic of the wheels with 335/35/17's

I wanted to start a new topic here with links to other good threads on the subject since it seems to come up a lot. Also, I have been reading up on the R230 here and was still unaware of a few things. For example, I wish I knew the the early VLSD in the Q45 pre-97 was an R200 but used 6 bolt flanges. I had my rear suspension completely finished until I got the R230 from a 1994 300ZXTT. Here are some good threads that explain some things. http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=30930 http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=33565 http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=33325 http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=30475 Also, I posted pics here under the driveline album: http://photos.yahoo.com/maichor75104 And here with some more description and observations. Note, three bolts on top rear cover of the R230 and two on the R200. http://www.geocities.com/maichor75104

Looks nice! Also looks like you may have to cut some more to get rid of the rust. Keep up the good work!

I hate to say it guys, but I'm pretty sure you both have R200 VLSD. Every R230 I have seen has the 6 bolt configuration, and no, 6 bolt style ends will not slide into your diff. You could have someone machine an adapter, or look elsewhere for the diff. The infiniti diffs in J30's were VLSD but of the R200 variety which looks the same as the R230 except that the 230 has 6 bolt shafts. They do not swap. Q45 3.55 and 300ZXtt 3.7 are the same spline and the largest, then the 300ZXna 4.08 I think? and J30, and the smallest is the R200 from the 240SX's which I believe is also 4.08. The problem is, all of these diffs will have the orange Viscous Limiteds Slip sticker, and most have the same rear cover except newer R200's and they cases look identical. Sorry

This may be the wrong forum, but putting in my LS1 has meant many custom application fittings and lines like fuel, PS, brakes etc. So, here is my plug for speedway. I personally like them better than Summit or Jegs. They don't have everything under the sun, but what they do have I buy from them. If you guys don't have a Speedway Motors catalog, you should get one. http://www.speedwaymotors.com I have been using them for my project over the last few years. They are AWESOME! They have very quick turnaround, excellent customer servece, good tech support and a no hassle return policy.

I was up way too late, saw a pair of 6.0L heads on ebay for a fair price and bid. Bad news is that I won. As far as I know, these would lower compression and make for a good forced induction setup, yes? Problem is, I don't really want to tear down the motor and don't have 5k for the supercharger or turbos. What do you guys know about this? I should read up at LS1tech.com, but maybe you experts could give me some quick advice as to what to do with them. OR, is anyone planning a swap like this for the LS1 and wants use them now, instead of me holding on to them for a couple of years before I get around to it.

BigE, it was actually the other way around, the motor was swapped into a non Z06 FRC, so technically it is not a Z06, but has all the wheels, badges etc. to make it look like it. He was the fasted car there that night. I rode with Gary- LoneStar1 before he went w/ magnacharger and my comment to him was that I could never shift that fast. I think Cyrus still has the fastest times for LS1 with t-56 in a Z. Anybody else running better now? I haven't been around lately.

How young are your kids. My son is 19 months and he loves the garage. I plop him in the seat and he drives while I tinker. He sometimes hands me tools which means he grabs a wrench and bangs it on anything really shiny, usually my new chrome wheels! I work 9-6 most days and 9-9 other days. I work most Saturdays and don't do the car Sundays. I certainly understand your dilemma. I have 3 and 1/2 years into this still probably have 1 more year to go. Still, I love the time I get to spend in the garage with my son. So, if it doesn't sell, take heart, it is a great project and a beautiful care. Keep the dream alive! On another note. Any body looking for a killer project, this is it. My Velo Rossa is still very rought. The rear tub is black gel coat, front is white. But you should have seen all the cars keeping pace on the freeway trying to get a look when I towed it down here when we moved. People drool. John Washington has made a beauty in the VR. Just go for it. It is probably the cheapest kit you will ever find and probably the most eye catching. Good Luck!

Those already sound like real times. I can't wait to see what you do with slicks. Auto tranny looks like a winner at the strip for the LS1. Fastest Z06 at the track last time I went was an automatic. . .he ran 10.9. Maybe you can beat that with a little more tweaking. By the way, he had 2 stage 150 shot of NOS., you don't. You go boy!

Starting price is a killer deal, but what is your reserve?

I have some pics of the build-up at photos.yahoo.com/maichor75104. The drive axles are actually longer seeing that the 240SX is much wider than the 240Z stuff I had before. I shortened the the subframe 1" to move the diff off center to pass. side and give me a little fender clearance on my 335's. The axles do not have different splines on each end and were custom made by Moser by mailing an example and giving them the new length. The reason they do not have to have different splines is that the hubs on the S14, (240SX's) and the Infiniti J30, Q45, and 300ZXtt are all interchangeable by removing 5 bolts and bolting the new ones on. So I am running Q45 hubs which are the largest, I believe same as 300ZXtt. My brakes are J30, which bolt up. I could not get 300ZXtt brakes cheap so that is still an upgrade available. I wish I could give exact length for the axles, but unless you narrow the subframe, yours will be different. Plus, my measurements and other info are buried in my files somewhere since we moved. I promise to do a writeup and give some updated pics, but not till next month. Aslo, you need about a minimum of 3" flare to fit good sized tires. I am running Viper tires and have nearly 5" per side of flare (Velo Rossa kit), but you could fit 275's or 295's with 3-3.5" As far as discussion, I have replied in some threads on the drivetrain forum, but I haven't given a step by step. Again, soon I promise!

So, how much? for the hats and brackets for superlites?

I said it before, but you are flyin' through this swap! One question, where did you get your upper radiator mount? It looks OEM Camaro? Or is that just a pretty piece you made yourself?

What you see on the website is not exactly what the finished product looks like, but it is very close. Yes, it still attaches to the frame, but it is also welded all the way along the front edge to the stock cross member. I have also strengthened the frame rails all the way to the back of the car. I am really not too concerned about the frame rail fatigue, I think I have added enough support in the area to handle the weight. Nearly 50% of the weight will still be on the stock cross member because the new cross member and the old are now one piece and the new rear member is also supported on its own. I guess time will tell, but in my opinion, I have done a lot of overkill on the strengthening of the unibody. I still have to add the roll bar, but I have subframe connectors, rocker panel support, tunnel support, frame rail support, strut tower support etc. I have added more than 100 lbs of steel to the car, but lost ~100lbs by losing the roof, fenders hood etc, and changing them to glass. Once I get it on the road I am very curious to find out actual weight.