jhm

Update on an older topic.... I replaced the hatch struts in my car with similar product. Strong Arm lift support (P.N. 4777) on eBay...."http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230563336866&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3AOU%3AUS%3A1123". Turned out to be a good product at a good price from a great vendor. Had them on my doorstep TWO DAYS after ordering! Really made a difference, compared to my old worn-out struts. They worked OK until I installed a BRE spoiler; after which they were completely incapable of holding the hatch up. The new struts do a great job popping the hatch up when opening, and pulling it shut when closing. All mounting hardware was included, and it was of decent quality. Highly recommend to anyone else with weak hatch struts!

My (lame) attempt to emulate Ferrari-red.

I may be misunderstanding you; but if you're talking about replacing the diff cover gasket, it takes about as long as it takes to remove and reinstall the diff. I'm not familiar with any technique that allows you to swap gaskets w/o first removing the differential. Once the diff is out of the car, the cover unbolts and comes off (w/ a couple taps from a rubber or plastic mallet) pretty easily. You might be tempted to try to remove the mustache bar with the differential still in place, but that will probably become more trouble than it's worth (if it's even possible). Probably not the answer you were hoping for. On the bright side, now you can do all that other rear end maintenance (that you may have been putting off for a while) at the same time!

Can't believe your wife didn't appreciate the throaty rev of an LS1 as much as you do!! Mine doesn't either. Nice progress...keep the updates comin'!

Sorry...no experience with that wheel or vendor. HOWEVER, 12.5" seems pretty small. Will likely block your gauges and increase your steering effort. Are you sure you want to go that small? You've probably already done a thorough product search; but if not, check out Grant and APC wheels. HUGE selection of nice wheels at great prices. Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know. Good luck, and be sure to post your results so everyone can benefit from your experience. r/John

Yep...you should be able to use the S30 half-shafts (if they're the 4-bolt style to mate up with your 280Z companion flanges). You may have some possible length issues, depending on if/how much you've lowered your suspension. Due to the extra width of the R200 (especially on driver-side), there's a risk of the half-shaft bottoming-out during suspension compression. May not be an issue, depending on your particular set-up and intended use. I found a ton of good info in the stickie at "http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/49194-differential-cv-lsd-hp-torque-r160-r180-r200-r230-diff-mount/". Good luck! I'm in similar situation as you (maybe 6 months behind)....currently in the process of gathering the necessary parts to do the swap. I'll be watching your swap with much interest!!

Good info, good advice...thx!

"I run those aluminum/delrin eccentric bushings, front and rear, with stock shock towers and suspension. I am lowered 1" via springs and I measure between -1.3 and -1.6 degrees of camber all around. This is on my 280Z with the bushings maxed out.. I like the change they made to the car. Feels a bit tighter or stable, and turns in better...could be a phantom effect though as I have no numbers to back it up. I switched from Poly to these. I always run zero toe up front and have the rears set with BOTH bushings maxed out and don't know the rear toe number. It should be factory spec, or at least where it was before the bushings." Dave- So you really noticed a difference with those bushings? I've been thinking about getting them, but have read mixed reviews on them. Maybe I'll give 'em a try....the best price I could find was $50 for a pair, from Wolf Creek Racing ("http://www.wolfcreekracing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24:suspension-a-brake-parts&catid=18:suspension-a-brake-parts&Itemid=33"). I've already gained a fair amount of neg camber in the rear just by lowering, so I'll probably start out by trying the bushings in the front. Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions or additional advice you may have. Did you need that special wrench they sell to adjust the bushings, or were you able to get by with standard wrenches? Thx much! r/John

Delorean- Sounds like you've got most of the big parts needed to do the swap. You may need a different pinion flange, depending on which R200 you've got. See this thread for clarification: "http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/75675-r180-to-r200-pinion-flange-question/page__p__720437__hl__%2Bpinion+%2Bflange+%2Bswap+%2Br180+%2Br200__fromsearch__1#entry720437". Don't know what you're currently using for forward differential mount, but it's pretty common that you have to flip the mount around in order to mate correctly with the R200 forward mounting bolts. Hope this helps. Good luck with the swap, and be sure to post your results...always helpful to hear what worked and what didn't work. r/John

Nice-looking exhaust....more unique than the more common dual setup. I've always been partial to the looks of center-exit exhaust systems. Glad to hear the Holley solved your intake problems.

Matt- Sorry for not responding...didn't see your thread until today. It sounds like you've got the problem licked, but if you run into any other suspension or drivetrain issues, John Coffey of BetaMotorsports is a wizard and always happy to help with technical info/advice. He's also very quick to respond to e-mails and phone calls, which is really nice. Good luck. r/John

"JHM, he already has the car, he is just curious what he could get back from it. I concur with 240zip, you'll never get your money back as money, just as enjoyment. I know I'd never get close to what is in my car out of it, not for 40 years at least." Oops...my bad. Guess I got excited at seeing another new Z enthusiast. Zlove, nice car but ignore everything I said!

Nice find!! Rust free is HUGE...jump on it. Things like the R200 LSD and air dam are nice bonuses too. Interior is easy to fix. Should be a nice ride and a fun project for you. GL.

If I recall correctly, there's a 5- or 6-pin plug in the center top of the firewall in the engine compartment. The prongs can get corroded or the plug itself can even come loose. Try checking that connection and cleaning the prongs. And yes, the wiper relay is mounted on the right side of the passenger foot well (along with several other relays). For a free FSM, check out this website: "http://www.xenons30.com/reference.html". That's right....FREE! Can't beat it with a stick!!