AKWIKZ

I will of course be joining you guys at Pavillions. Unfortunately, the Skyline will not be there. As of last Thursday it has been sold. In fact it is being picked up for transport to it's new owner in Utah today. Don't worry, I will only be without a toy for a couple of weeks. I have already purchased a new project and will pick it up next month. You guys are going to love it. Brian

Just to update you guys on my fuse popping issues. I had combined my switched power wires into one connection with a 10 amp fuse as most do in these swaps. Anyhow, I kept popping fuses at irregular times and without any type of consistency. At Raffs suggestion, I picked up one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-ATC-FUSE-BLOCK-6-GANG-BRAND-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ42613QQihZ020QQitemZ300197321389QQtcZphoto I ran each wire seperately on it's own 10 amp fuse and it has worked perfectly. It also cleaned up the harness quite nicely. I would suggest this to everyone as it is an inexpensive way to avoid this type of electrical problem in the future. Brian

Joel, I always thought we were kindred spirits and now I'm convinced. Red is my absolute favorite. And you guys want to hear something interesting? Seeing it in person the red appears to be extremely close to the red my Skyline was offered in back in '73. I am now curious if this was an intentional link to it's history. Probably not, but it's a cool idea. Brian

So I'm heading up to Chandler to take the wife and son out to dinner. We're heading up the 347 and guess what pulls up next to us? Yep, a GT-R. I actually had to use my 4 year old sons digital camera for these as it was all we had in the car. My wife was kind enough to take them. And here is a video as well; This is the second one I have seen in the last month. The last one was titanium colored, but I think it looks better in red. The driver was being very easy on it. But I did manage to hear it as he left a stop sign and it sounded gorgeous. He was pretty cool about the whole thing as I drove along side him for a fair bit to get the pics and video. Brian

Good comparisons. The FD is without a doubt even more rare. Problem with that one is that it is so unique that it's following is very small. Granted rotary guys are as rabid a breed as you will find. I have always been impressed with that cars performance on the track, but can't help but wonder if it's popularity was hurt by the impression of fragility. I know the big joke I've heard about RX-7's is that the factory tool kit consists of 3 new apex seals and some chewing gum. As for the Supra, it's funny that you mention the Mustang comparison. I too have heard the sterotype of it being a straight line car. I wonder how this happened as when the car was first tested it clocked one of the fastest sloloms in C/D and generated .95g (or there abouts)on the skid pad. Makes me think that people's "mods" actually made the car slower around corners. I see very few Supras at the local track. And usually they are not at the roadcourse but at the dragstrip. But they are in deed very fast down the quarter. The NSX is a bit complex in my opinion. In many ways it mirrors what I think will happen with the GT-R. When the NSX first came out it was nearly $60k, and this was the very early '90's. Granted it was every bit as exotic as anything from Italy. All aluminum, mid engine, and the first use of variable valve technology (VTEC) in a production car. But that was a lot of money for a Japanese car in a time when the Japanese were still not seen as equals to American or European cars. Still, people paid out for them. And Honda was able to sell them here longer than Nissan, Toyota, or Mazda were able to market their halo cars. Even though it was not really on par with the others in stock trim, it offered buyers something different. Personally I think American buyers are quite willing to shell out $70-$90k for a Japanese car. This is not the popular opinion these days but I look to the NSX as proof. So long as the GT-R delivers on it's performance promise I think there will be plenty of buyers. And this is why I have been so pro GT-R in other posts. I have been following all of the current events surrounding it and it looks to be delivering. It's been on sale in Japan since December of last year and a few privately owned ones have been independently tested. Edmunds.com was given one on a cold day and pulled a 3.3 0-60 and an 11.5 quarter, on their second try. Two dyno runs on two different cars have also been posted that resulted in 473hp at the wheels on the first one and 455hp at the wheels on the second. I honestly feel that with these kinds of numbers Nissan will find 1500 buyers per year. Others have made the comment that the complexity of the computer system is going to limit the tunability of the car thus impacting it's performance abilities. It's a fair enough assumption but not in line with reality. The GT-R's computer has actually already been cracked by the Japanese tuning company Mines. And this is actually a lot faster than the aftermarket replied to the R32 GT-R back in '89. Once the car is released to the world markets there could already be aftermarket support. As to how many will end up on American tracks I really don't know. Japanese owners seem to be running them like there is no tomorrow. It remains to be seen what the mindset of American owners will be. I do know that it has already set incredible times at Tsukuba and Suzuka in independent tests. I'm quite interested to see how things turn out here. Brian

I'm not arguing that there are not equal or better performing cars for less money out there. You're right about that. But they actually are somewhat exotic, technically. The U.S. got a total of just under 10k Mk IV Supras. Less than half of those were turbos. And about half again were six speed. So that makes only 2500 cars to go around. Now, take into account that a fair many of them probably ended up wrecked or as race cars and that number is deminished further. So, for those Supra enthusiasts out there finding the car they dearly want comes down to paying out the cash. A rational mind like yours would say "next" and find a better way to spend the money. But as we have seen car ownership is not always rational is it? If it were, no one would buy the $150k plus cars out there. Brian

I don't see how the Supra's value was hyped. It was, and still is, a fantastic performer. The reason it's value is still so high has far more to do with the relative rarity of the car than any "fan boy" hype. Compared to it's peers such as the C4 Vette and Z32tt, very few Supra turbos were sold. The six speed twin turbo is the more sought after one that still commands the higher price tag. And rightfully so as production of these was actually cut two years shorter here in the U.S leaving the majority of cars out there as auto or 5 speed. Even so, every version of the car was fantastic. Even though it is also considered a heavy car. Spectacular power, especially for the early '90's when it was first released, beautiful styling, and Toyota reliability. Because of these factors finding an unmolested version just compounds the price issue. It's similiar to finding an original 510. An un-modded 510 in good shape will bring as much or more than a fully built SR powered one these days. Again, it's supply in demand that drives the re-sale prices of a lot of cars. As for the GT-R, production has been set so that the U.S. will most likely get 1500 per year. This fact alone could keep the re-sale high for quite a few years. If Nissan is able to keep the waiting lists full, you may find people asking quite a bit for their used ones. Overall production will be the eventual determining factor though. I can't help but wonder if that 1500 per year figure was set due to the idea of keeping demand high as opposed to actual production line limitations. Brian

This happened at work yesterday. I am a contractor with Cox here in Phoenix. My company has about 20 employees here. Anyhow, we work all over the Phoenix area. So yesterday morning a co-worker Dave asked if I might be anywhere near a job he did the day before. I checked my route and found I would in fact be less than a couple of miles from there. He then tells me that he left a ladder at that job and asked if I would try to get it for him. No problem, right? Well, Dave then informs me that he left that job because the customer became verbally abusive with him. Okay. So, at about 2 p.m. I pull up to the house. I call Dave and he verifies that he left the ladder in the car port. I don't see any ladder there. "Oh well. The guy probably took it. I doubt he's going to give it to you. Thanks anyway." Dave says. "Well, since I'm here it can't hurt to ask. I'll call you right back" was my response. I go to the door and the customer answers. His two sons are right behind him, probably 6 and 10. So I introduce myself; "Hi sir, I'm Brian with Cox Comm. I had a technician here yesterday that may have left a green 6 foot ladder behind by accident." The guy replies without any hesitation; "Nope. No ladder, nothing like that." "Really? Are you sure? He was a bearded gentleman with glasses. He would have used the ladder to get in the attic entry in the car port." The guy starts to get short with me and says; "I told you, there ......" At this point comes the good part. He is cut off by the younger son who says; "Yeah Dad. The green ladder you told us to put in the shed." The guy tries to stop him by saying; "That was a different one." "No Dad. Remember, you said to go put it away right after the guy left" Obviously pissed off, the guy goes to get the ladder. As he hands me the ladder he tries to cover by claiming he thought the ladder belonged to his land lord. "No problem sir. Thank you. Have a nice day." was my reply. I did all I could to keep the smirk off my face but as I walked back to my truck I started laughing my butt off. This schmuck was sold out by his own kid. It's good to know that his kids are getting some proper manners from someone, even if it's obviously not their father. All that for a $50 ladder. I just hope the kid didn't catch too much flack later. Brian

Mike, My personal persuasion does not take anything away from my point though, now does it? I've never said there are not other great cars out there, just that for me Nissans happens to make me happy. And are you really going to tell me that during the time you owned a C5 that most of your Corvette buddies would ever consider owning a Porsche or GT-R? I am doubtful. Remember, I grew up around Vettes. I learned how to drive in a C4. And not one of my fathers friends would ever consider owning anything other than a Vette. There are people out there that are open to different types of cars, but there are just as many, or more, brand loyal types out there. I am by no means uncommon. That is all I have tried to point out. As for you not paying out $92k, I doubt Nissan will have a problem filling your spot. I guess we'll all see in about a year, won't we? Brian

Mike, Come on man, I'm just messing with you. It was an easy way to prove that a car can be heavy and still be both loved and competitive on a track as we all have heard you raving about the abilities your Porsche has that were apparently lacking in both your C5 and BMW. As I see it, there is a much smaller difference in the 200# gap between 911 and GT-R than there is in the leap you took from 3200# C5 to 3600# 911. So I still find it comical that you are the one knocking a car for it's weight. You have to at least give me that. As for me, I really don't care. I never questioned Porsche when they released a 3600# 911. They are the ones with umpteen years of car design and racing experience. Who are any of us to say we know better? The car flat out performs and has done so for over 40 years now. Is Porsche going to just throw out a product without concern? Not a chance. I see the same with Nissan. The GT-R has been a world class car since it's introduction in '69. Each model of GT-R has stayed true to this. Yet people want to say Nissan is taking the car lightly now? Not a chance. The weight is a non-issue. As even you, Mike, have pointed out most owners of the new GT-R will not be visiting a track. And the ones that do will most likely do just fine. And I seriously hope you are not throwing me into your generalization of "fans" throwing up pom-poms. We have been good natured in most of our exchanges so far and I hope to keep it that way. My knowledge of the Skyline and it's history is far more than superficial and is not in any way contingent upon me purchasing a new GT-R. I very well may. If I decide I want one, there is little to keep me from doing so. But there is just as much possibility that I will simply keep playing with the "lesser" classic Skylines. I am not as intrigued with owning newer cars as others are. I have always enjoyed the classic body lines with a modern drivetrain as my primary toy. But that is just me. I am by no means the pre-eminent expert of the Skyline, but rest assured aside from Alan (HS30-H) I probably have more personal experience with Skylines than any one else on this site. And this makes me far more than just a "fan". Brian

I'm sure you're right. As I've said before I just find humor in the fact that Mike is calling a car "fat" while he himself is driving a car that has been called the "fat" supercar for over a decade now. The 911, especially the all wheel drive ones are all over 3400 pounds. A difference of 200-300 pounds suddenly makes one car "fatter" than another? Especially when said "fatter" car can outrun, outcorner, and outbrake the other. Kind of amusing when you look at it that way. Brian

Funny you still mention that the GT-R is fat, Mike. Have you seen one in person yet? I only ask because I have. And I will tell you that it looks completely different in person. I live outside of Phoenix in a town called Maricopa. Nissan has their test facility here and I've seen numerous test mules driving around. About two weeks ago I was driving home and there was a new GT-R just sitting in line at a stop sign. Even though the car was going the opposite direction I stopped dead in my lane and just stared at it for almost a minute. I was door to door with the car and it actually looks much smaller when you see it in person. The angles on the car really work differently on the eye. No argument it has some heft to it, but once you get next to one personally you might not see it the same way. And as for the other comparisons, I still maintain the same stance. A Vette guy will buy a Vette, a Porsche guy will buy a 911, and very few people will seriously entertain a Z06/ZR1, 911, and a GT-R on an equal level. But that is just my opinion. Brian

It's a scam. Don't do it. As much as you may want that quad, I can assure you that you will only lose your money and get no quad. If by some means it is legit, there should be no problem with you seeing the bike first hand. Brian

So I pulled the plugs. All are pretty fouled. I am probably running way rich. I will turn down my fuel pressure and go from there with new plugs. And it looks like my #1 coil pack is broken. It apperently still works, but it has blown out some "goo" from one side where the case of the pack is split open. What is the best NGK iridium plug to run on a relatively stock R33 RB26dett? I have found some info but I'd like to gather all I can. Also, anyone have a spare coil pack they will sell? Thanks (And no, I don't think this is related to the fuse issue. I'm going to run the main wire seperate from the others on it's own fuse and see what happens.) Brian

Guys, As the title states, I'm having a problem with fuses. I have a 10 amp fuse inline with the switched power feeding the computer main wire and the four assorted wires. It seems to randomly blow out. It will work fine for a while, then will blow out repeatedly when I put new ones in. The wire is 10 gauge running from the battery through an aircraft style switch, so it bypasses the stock wiring completely. Is 10 amps too small? Or should I seperate the main wire from the smaller ones and run those on another fuse? I think I fouled the plugs today as well. I was driving around having a great time smoking the tires and such then the car died in fifth gear (due to the fuse). The car was still in gear as I coasted to stop. Would the injectors keep firing due to the fact the engine was still turning (from the fact that it was still in gear) even though there was no spark? I ask because after I got it to run again it now has a very slight miss at low throttle. Thanks for the help. Brian

Thank you NY Giants! (yes I am a bitter Chargers fan) Brian

Those are Nismo N1 turbos. If they are bushing then they are R32. These are more or less comperable to HKS 2530's, but without the bearings. They will put down 600hp. I would spend another $300 and just get the 2530's though as $1200 for non-bearing used Nismo units seems a bit high. I would offer him no more than $800 for the pair personally. And only if they are very tight. Brian

Push style clutch. Definately an R32. All R33's have a pull style. Brian

I said it before and I'll say it again. I love my Chargers! Nobody gave them any chance against the Colts. All of the experts kept saying that the Colts loss in week 10 was due to their loss of key players. Well, no one can say that now can they? We had no L.T. and no Rivers for most of the second half and the Chargers still won. Not to mention the absolute worst officiating I have ever seen. The officials flagged the Chargers for simply breathing! There were so many phantom calls against the Chargers that were absolutely blatant. I certainly hope the league reviews this officiating crew because they have no business working. The Chargers will have their hands full with the Pats and don't need biased officials in that game. I can't help but wonder how many people are going to still insist that the Chargers have no chance next weekend. But if I were the Pats with that porous run defense of their I'd be really worried right now. Any how, GO CHARGERS! Brian

I must admit that the best players on the Patriots payroll are the ones wearing the officiating uniforms. Last nights game combined with all the B.S. in Baltimore shows just how preferential the league can be. The Pats are good, no doubt, but they are given ALL of the calls and have been for the last couple of years. I freely admit as a Chargers fan I'm still pissed about last years no call on the Pats at the end of the game that ended up giving the Pats the win. But I look forward to seeing how "great" they are now that they will have to face two AFC playoff teams. Personally I think Jacksonville will tear them apart after they roll through Pittsburg. And if they manage to eek through that game, my Chargers will most likely be waiting for them. And I'd love nothing more than to see that. It may seem like wishful thinking, but look at this; The Pats are the oldest team in the league. Their stadium is open to the elements and they have a questionable running game. If another team, or the elements, can minimize the aerial game the Pats become very beatable. And as long as the ref's don't screw it up too bad I think any of the AFC playoff teams, except Pitt, can beat them. Brian

Providing that the tensioner did not fall completely out of the mount, you can get it fixed without pulling the timing cover. I used two long philips screw drivers. These are the 12" Craftsman ones. You can lower the chain down upon itself until it's sitting in a "pile" inside of the timing cover. Then use one driver to support the tensioner from underneath and use the other to guide it into it's hole. Once you have it lined up, don't try to push it back with the driver, pull the chain up slowly which will apply the pressure to push the tensioner back into place. Now, this technique will in fact also work even if the tensioner comes completely out. But it's much harder to do. I did it once. I used an extendable magnet to put the tensioner back into alignment and then did as I said above. It took a lot of tries but it can be done. Brian

It does not look like it's a T-top actually. It looks more like a split moonroof set up. I've seen a few Z's with them over the years. If you look closely, none of the actual structure is removed. The sides look intact so none of the pillars would need to be touched. Only the middle section. That's an easy fix. Brian

Damn, you need to call me when you do these things. I just saw the post now. I would have been there had I known. So how did it go? Brian

Even though it pissed me off to lose to the Packers a few weeks back, I can't help but cheer for Favre. The guy represents a love for the game that is rarely seen anymore. You can really tell that all he wants to do is play. He's not worried about the money or endorsements, and is even jovial when discussing his records. One of which is most INTs. None of it seems to interfere with his play. Along with L.T., these are the types of athletes that I wish we would see more of. Brian