dhp123166

What was offered as opinions was rendered moot by a fact that was originally given by myself in the original post and was ignored by the responding posters. Doesn't make them bad people that need to be defended. Jeez. I explained that I have these wonderful Jet Hot coated headers. They have been installed for years now... I have owned my Z for over a decade and know a little about sources of heat in the engine bay. The implication in my original post (that no one got) was that "because I have drastically reduced my underhood heat, do I need the heat shield?". I'm already bored with this.

Why can't it be done to intake manifolds? If the rod is not the same shade big deal, that's not really part of the casted intake anyway...I can't paint it because then it does not fit in the guides. I already tried that. Painting an intake manifold is almost but not quite, powdercoating is a little better. It's gotta be chrome and it can be done. While I'm at it, I'll do my extra fuel line too...

Hello? In my original post I wrote that I have jet hot coated headers. Jet hot coated headers... JET HOT COATED HEADERS. There is nowhere near the ambient heat that comes from the stock exhaust manifold or even uncoated headers. We do well to read everything thoroughly and with total comprehension before we spout our opinions...

I am thinking of doing this. Anyone have any pictures they would like to post? Challenger, I'm looking in your direction!!!

I searched and did not find anything but I probably was not too thorough. Anyway, 280z NA with jet hot coated headers. Do I really need the stock heat shield???

Flat black is the way to go!! I just got mine done in flat black lacquer and it is boss! I can match out of a rattle can! No more being anal about the condition of my paint!!! YAY!!!!

This is why hip hop sounds like it does because there is going to be no way for anyone to repackage and tidy it up for mass comsumption without it being obvious where it is from to begin with. And they sample the hell out of everyone anyway so they are lacking in the originality department as well. I just don't listen...

There was this band "the Verve" whom had a hit with "Bittersweet Symphony" in the early 00's. Then it came out that they had used a sample of a symphonically rendered Rolling Stones song as the melody of their song. The Stones sued, won and consequently the Verve broke up. Later Keith Richards was asked in an interview about the incident and with an attitude of disgust said that he did not feel "flattered" by their usage but just "ripped off". I found this highly ironic as the Rolling Stones blatantly pilfered nearly all of their early catalog from obscure and not so obscure southern American blues musicians. I guess being a junkie must make one lose ones sense of irony. And this is why the Rolling Stones get my vote for "WORST BAND EVER"...

Further info... 95.00 each, fully enclosed unit; ballast and bulb. Installation is easy as regular fog lights. 90 day manufacturer warranty. 35 watt light and here is the best part; 3 amp draw... In California these are not legal for street use but since they are driving lights, their use is entirely discretionary. I have a twenty mile commute from my place of employment to my residence down a poorly lit country road and these are going to make that a helluva lot safer...

I just installed a set of 4" fully enclosed offroad HID lights on my 280. I got them at Kragen Auto parts and hung them right below the front bumper mounts. I was /am a little apprehensive about messing with my OEM headlight assembly. I have never had a problem with them and I do not want to start now. These lights are freaking bright...

There's a complete set of JDM's available on Ebay. You should just buy them and then you have a spare!!!!

Okay, so my car is basically done. It's where I want it to be and all there is to do is routine maintenance. I just looked at one of those shaved and painted intake manifolds and the lightbulb went off in my head , " I could do that ". Help, I can't stop!!!! Of course I would powder coat mine instead of painting it...

That's what I did years ago after the same thing happened to me. I just wired in an aftermarket relay and everything has worked hunky dory for years...

This shimmy has been driving me bonkers!!! My wheels are dynamically balanced, and everything in the front end has been inspected and is satisfactory. A few months back I discovered that if I top off the master cylinder past the "max" level the problem seems to be rectified at least for a little while. This leads me to believe that one of the brakes is grabbing or something at a certain speed ( if that is possible). The shimmy happens when I am traveling at around 45- 50 mph and am turning to the left. Replace master cylinder, brake booster, bleed the brake lines, what should I do???

Down to 2.13/ gal. in Ventura, CA. All bubbles eventually burst.

I bolted a sheet of steel to my shaved rear panel to skirt the "bumper" laws. Check your states Vehicular Code before making any questionable modification. California's has some pretty wide parameters vis a vis; lighting and bumpers,

Ventura, CA. : $2.35/ gal. and falling... Driving is fun again!!!

MSA just started selling a kit consisting of two aluminum caps that fit over the caps which top the master cylinder. The kit costs $34.95 and does not include the clutch cylinder. I was at the junkyard and in a flash of inspiration remembered the wheel caps which came on the standard rims of the first gen. 300 ZX. Lo and behold it's a dead fit, at least on the plastic caps, I am not too sure about the metal ones. Just break off the tines which keep it pressed into the rim, clean it up, shoot it with a little clear coat and mount it with a dollop of RTV. Total cost; $6.00

Put in a higher rated fuse...

I have owned a '76 280z for twelve almost thirteen years and there was never any question about getting another vehicle. Yes it is my daily driver... I have only ever owned one vehicle at a time and with the Z I have learned mechanical skills. It is set up for hell I don't know, if something looked or acted cool I would put it on. I guess I have gone up to the stage two or three of suspension mods that are listed on this site. It has taken this long to get the vehicle where I like it, and I have to redo some stuff that I already did. I look at other dudes and their rides and they did a better job and in shorter time but that is what's great; no one is keeping score... I guess I got lucky with my car from the get go; I purchased it from the original owner; no body rot, no accidents etc. You boys with exhaust issues; get a BRE type spoiler and change your weatherstripping and see if that does not help or solve that issue... This L-6 motor is an efficient design and with proper care will run forever. Most of my mechanical components are on lifetime warranty at parts stores. It is so friggin' easy to work on that car, I open up the hood and there is enough room to throw down a blanket and have a picnic. With a modern front wheel drive car, forget it; plastic covers, electronic sensors, zero tolerance to work with, but it is still the basic internal combustion engine, so why do I need the bells and whistles? You boys with sound issues, put on a glasspack or two and see (hear) if that does not solve your problem. Modern cars are a hoot but I would not want to own one. First and foremost they're priced out of reach of the working man and I am not going in the credit hole with a vehicle that costs as much as a house downpayment. They have no "soul". I have probably lived in California too long but modern cars are just dry, sterile and they all look the same. I am happy with my Z and thankful for this website...

Here are some general pictures of the motorcycle mirrors I use for my rear views. They work awesome except when open the doors the end of the mirror can collide with the window weatherstrip. That's such a small negative for all the positives that these provide. Phone cam is the best I have, sorry try to enjoy!!!

Those look really tight. Not so sure about those "Lambo" rear view door mirrors though. Haha, just kidding...

These panels will fit early 280z years, probably 75-76. I just redid my door panels and used a 240 Z passenger panel. It fit snug as a bug in a rug. I'm glad I redid my doors and am not even contemplating 500 a pair for these.

I use Suzuki motorcycle mirrors for my rear view mirrors. Using self-tapping screws they bolt to the A-pillar. They were like $80 each new retail but this was before I ebayed. They look trick and they do not wilt at high speed like most other after market mirrors. I'll post some pix eventually...

Here is my stereo installation which I have spent years perfecting as new ideas popped into my head; Sony head unit; 1000 watt amp driving 1 x bridged 10" sub/ mid bass and 2 x 5 1/2" high speakers 800 watt 2 ohm amp driving 1 x bridged 15" sub speaker 2 x bass capacitors 1986 Nissan Maxima 90 amp alternator to power it all. The thing that has taken a while to perfect is the installation. The amps and caps are mounted behind the drivers' side rear wheel well. Once the plastic wall trim is removed there is a lot of room back there to play with. I turned my spare tire well into a bass box. It is sealed and loaded with rock wool. I could probably use a more powerful amp to really make it sing. I do not need a spare however I do carry a tire puncture kit... The 10" bass speaker is mounted in a tube and nestles under the dash in the passenger foot area. The acoustics under the dash are fantastic, there are alot of things up there for sound to be reflected off of. My 5 1/2" highs are mounted from the ceiling. The speaker boxes are some roofing pipe insulator thing I got from Lowes for 4.99 each. The thing is they are a spot on fit for that size speaker. They slip right in between the headliner and that metal lip that runs along the roof line. I had them in the doors for years but that is really not the best placement as my leg blocked the left one. This placement works great, there is no interference with field of vision or physical impairment either. Here are some pix;