FastFloridian

Thanks. I’m certainly no pro driver so maybe a little less ultimate track car build. Definitely want fun, safe and reliable. But I’m trying to build the best thing I can, no cutting corners when it comes to performance. So trying to put in a solid racing suspension, brakes wheels/tires and a good amount of horsepower.

Yep, dash is coming out, and wasn’t expecting to be under there too much yet, lol. It’s getting hot in Florida, already in the 90s, so I’ll be working on the new dash soon and fitting my digital gauges to it inside the nice cool house shortly 😁

Got brake and clutch master cylinders off, and booster off. Booster bolts were a pain. I hate working under the dash area. Need to clean up a few more things then wash and prep engine bay for paint.

Car had a cage already when I bought it. I’ve got a front strut brace that also ties into the firewall (apex), and braces on the inside of the fenders I’ll be welding on soon (apex also). Debating whether I need to beef up the frame rail or not since I’ve got the cage. Below is a pic when I bought it last year that shows the cage a little.

Got the front suspension and sway bar off today. Fought me a little bit, but impact helped a lot and had to take a sawzall to the toe arms, but it’s all out.

I’m hoping to get some work done on the car this weekend. So close to being done with tearing stuff down and ready to add stuff. Just got this dual master cylinder kit that I hope I can make work. It’ll let me adjust front/rear brake bias in the car.

Thanks. Glad to see someone running something that wide. Car looks fun, good luck at your next event.

Looks good. What width tires are you running and what’s the width of your wing? I’m a long ways from my build being complete, but those are two things I haven’t decided on yet.

Wow, good catch, I was in the weeds just typing data and didn’t notice. I was thinking of 6,000 rpm’s and thats what the calcs were based on. Not 100% on tires yet, but thinking 19s based on clearing brakes and tire selection, but 18s are possible but smallest I can go. Calcs on speeds were based on 19s 26.67” tire height

Graphed some trans and diff gearing options along with my current speeds at Sebring and some theoretical speeds for my build. Apples and Oranges on the cars, but the thing should be faster both in corners and on top speed. I might be a little optimistic on my theoretical speeds, but had to give it a shot. Thinking of option 3 as I get some use of 5th gear.

The TKX looks like a good transmission. Playing with gear/speed calculator I think the 3.3 rear end gearing is the way to go. Nice Z by the way, love the color

This is some great info, thanks for sharing. I’m looking into transmission upgrades now and I haven’t sourced my diff yet. Any thoughts on diff gearing, I’m going back and forth between 3.3 and 3.54. I’ve a big brake kit so I’ll be running 19” wheels, so I’m leaning toward the 3.54. You got me excited on the transmission now, I was kind of lost. Was thinking of a TREMEC TKO, but I’ll look into what you were suggesting. Thanks again for the info.

Got the engine on the stand. Ended up having to take the clutch off to fit, nice and easy to do with the engine out. Still needed some spacers to clear the flywheel. I’ll start looking into clutch upgrades and a lighter flywheel. Bought some furniture dolly’s to set the transmission on so I can move it easily. Got a small garage, so need to rearrange stuff as I work. I’ve got a track day at Sebring next weekend so it’ll be a few weeks before I can work on anything. Probably start taking apart front suspension and subframe and get engine bay wiring out and cleaned.

Got some good progress this weekend, finally pulled the motor and transmission!!! Exciting milestone, this is going to open up a lot more stuff to work on. First time ever doing that too, this build will have a lot of firsts for me.

Interesting point. It’s got a cage already, going back to the rear suspension tower. Might not need to do much with the rails. Just got the last piece for my front suspension, spindles that work for the Apex track attack suspension and accept 370z wheel hubs.

Got some time on the car today, everything is prepped and ready to pull the motor/transmission. Will be a few weeks before I can get back on it though. Pulling out the shifter I discovered a lot of wiring wire there touching the drive shaft, smh. Good thing I’m re-wiring this thing from scratch. Did a mock pull, hooking up to hoist, found out I need some thinner shackles, couldn’t get chains on. Looked at the frame rails too, only a little rust on one spot, but they are banged up a bit. I think I’ll cut out the rusted section, about 8”-10” or so and get the bull dog rails. I’ll order that after I pull the motor.

I see bad dog has done heavy duty frame rails, and those can fit over OEM, I’m liking that option, any thoughts?

Thanks for the advice. The passenger side rail near the back definitely needs attention. I still haven’t decided what to do, been going back and forth with a repair, or possibly replace all of them. I know Apex sells a set that looks decent, hadn’t put too much thought into trying to make some myself. If I do a full replace I definitely want something beefy.

Test fitted the other fenders and bumper, I’m liking how it’s coming out.

Sounds like the car was meant to be, and you struck gold on the wife. Looking forward to some pictures.

Fenders came in, I’ll get some more pics this weekend. Doing a track day at Sebring on Saturday, getting that driver mod in.

Thanks for sharing. I like the lower front fender brace, and some good ideas under hood and hatch.

Unbolted the driveshaft today, not enough play to get it out, but should come out when pulling the engine trans I guess. Picked up my first welder, going to practice for a few weekends then try and weld these fender braces in.

Rear Quarters are done.

I got some updates from John at ZTrix on my fenders, almost done and looking good 😁