Leon

Oh, so you would be "that guy". Nobody likes that guy...

All good questions! You're correct, the biggest reason for the switch to the 151s are the air-bleed screws, with a little bit of "newer is better" mixed in. The 151s had a few minor changes besides the air-bleeds compared to the older carbs, with aux venturi fastening being one of them. The main reason for getting the TWM is the quality of the manifold. Cannons have 3 rod ends (for the main throttle rod) which never seem to be drilled along a single centerline. I've also removed a few pieces of nasty casting flash from mine. The difference here is that the TWM has 2 rod ends (less susceptible to binding) and no balance tube. The balance tube is great for equalizing vacuum levels which steadies the MAP reading for the Megajolt and also makes the setup more forgiving regarding barrel-to-barrel variations. However, this equalizing of vacuum inherently leads to cross-talk between cylinders and mixture-robbing. For example, take an L-series with a 240* intake valve duration (assume 120* lobe center). The #1 piston is approaching TDC and the #1 intake valve opens at 30*BTDC. The engine spins until 90*ATDC at #1. Since our firing order is 153624 and each cylinder is 120* apart, the #5 piston approaches TDC and the #5 intake valve opens at 30*BTDC (BTDC relative to #5 piston). However, 30*BTDC at #5 means that the #1 piston is only half-way down its bore. What this means, is that at least 2 valves are open (with longer durations, you get 3 cylinders into the mix) at the same time (#1 and #5 in this example) with the next valve opening near max lift of the previous valve in the firing order. With a large balance tube in place, the two cylinders will interact with each other. As you can imagine, this cross-talk can make for "funky" (technical term ) dynamics, with possibilities like cylinders drawing from each other. Sorry for the overly-technical explanation... I've actually not measured the difference in runner length yet but that's not as big of a deal since that can always be played with by varying air horn lengths.

My entire point here is that I don't have a problem with the content of your message, but with your delivery. Condescension and trolling are best left at ZC.C. I try to hold online conversations like I would face-to-face ones. If you walked up to a group of guys hovering around T-Bone's car and proceeded to say what you said in the manner you delivered it, you think that would go over well? Gollum said it well, I'm in agreement with the "get the car working and enjoy it" philosophy. At that point, you'll learn strengths and weaknesses which will guide you into the proper direction. If/when T-Bone028 decides that his engine is under-performing and he is no longer having fun - which is the whole point since he's not building a top-tier race-car from which every .01hp must be extracted from - then will be the time to re-evaluate his plan. For now, enjoy yourself, T-B. Triples are a ton of fun and the process of setting them up can be both very frustrating but very rewarding.

Dude, you need to start your own project thread on this! That is AWESOME!!!

Have you looked at McMaster.com or Fastenal?

Strange, looks like Mazda still calls it an MX-5 "Miata" to me. The NA, NB, NC designations make more sense, and are similar to the Z actually (S30=240Z/260Z/280Z). Yes, and strangely enough the new Miata felt even more cramped than the old one. That could be a function of the NA having old seat foam and also the fact that I haven't squeezed myself into many Miatas. I think I said earlier, I did go on an autoX ride-along in an NB and it really impressed me. Seems like a fun, toss-able, and surprisingly torquey (nicely geared) car. I've sat in a few NC Miatas over the years and just never got comfortable in the driver's seat. Or... are good enough to not require improvement.

Somehow I've ended up with a third set of triple Webers... (thanks to TJ and Superdan) The carbs are 40DCOE151 and will be replacing the 40DCOE18 set that is currently on the car. The intake is a TWM and I'm unsure on whether I'll run it on this car or on the L28 going into the other Z. It's a tough call since my MJLJ uses MAP to sense engine load which makes the Cannon favorable, since it has a built-in balance tube. My 45s are also sitting on a Cannon but that manifold has been port-matched and had the linkage modified. Decisions...

Wow, and are you the God of Zs? Go back to Zcar.com.

Nice! You can always paint the blue ones black...

Looks great! I'm thinking black silicone couplers would look a bit better than blue, though...

Mine is an AP2 as well. I sit the lowest in an AP1 and highest in '06 and up AP2. I think it's a function of how old the foam is, plus the '06+ got different seats. Otherwise, the AP1 and AP2 are identical in size. Not sure what you guys mean about MX-5 vs. Miata, since they're the same car. It's like trying to differentiate an S30 and a 240Z. Miatas do seem like a fun sandbox though, if you can fit.

Sweet! Good job following through on the project. Very cool!

Sure thing. Seems like he builds quality engines (unlike what I've heard about the Datsun Parts guy).

Nice! Welcome to the club. You've got a lot of work ahead of you, but hey, it's all in the name of fun, right?

There are no more new S2k's, and even then, you could get a new one for $30k a few years ago. I believe the Mazdaspeed Miata was about $25k. For what S2k's go for as used cars, it's an amazing car for the money! Mine is completely stock and I don't feel like I need to change anything on that car, besides dropping the seat down. It's still raw, yet way more refined than the S30. You're right, I haven't driven many and it's because I don't fit! At 6'2" and 200lb, both the S30 and S2000 give me some headroom issues, but the legs fit great. The Miata attempts to decapitate me while holding my legs hostage at the same time! I fit OK in the passenger seat, but the top has to be up. The Miata just does not have a good driving position for my body, whereas the S2k almost fits me like a glove. Shoot, the S30 is spacious in comparison to both of these cars! I LOVED driving the E36 M Coupe. I still want one... The M3 is a jewel as well. However, the E36 will eat cooling systems and suspension bushings/shock mounts so care must be taken to purchase one in good shape and to keep it that way.

Seconded.

http://datsunspirit.com/?page_id=333

Les at Classic Datsun might be able to help.

Cross-posting isn't allowed here...

Nice! It would be interesting to compare maps once you've finished tuning.

Interesting... Any Ortiz newsletters on this?

I will say that the E36 M Coupe is also a fantastic car and reminds me of the S30, except with a lot more refinement. I almost got one but maintenance and price drove me away. I haven't driven a Z3 Roadster so can't comment there. Now that I think about it, an E36 M3 fits the bill great! Find a '98 and call it close enough. I'm 6'2", 200lb and fit nice and snug. I sit a bit high though but there is space to drop the seat down an inch with custom brackets. I've had no issues with heel-toe downshifting, you have to realize it's set up for heavy braking rather than heel-toeing on the daily commute (which I love to do anyway ). Now Miatas are just absolutely tiny, no way do I fit in those!

It really doesn't matter. This isn't an F1 car. A tiny change in unsprung weight isn't going to be noticeable. The valving of those dampers is not that accurate, and again, this is not F1.

Let me know, because I'm coming with you!

This is, unfortunately, the reason why I went to 16s. Tire options are very limited in 15" and smaller rim sizes, as you've noticed. Getting a summer performance tire close to the stock diameter is pretty much impossible unless you go to at least 16" wheels. Luckily 225/50-16 is a common tire size and it fits my Z without rolling using 16X7 Panasports, which I'm guessing have a slight positive offset (+6mm or so). I've been searching for wheels to put on my other Z, but it's tough to find 16" rims that look "right" on the Z and have the correct offset. If we had better tire options, I'd be all for getting 14s and 15s.