Mikelly

Here's to another 50 Terry! Mike

They sure are, which is even more maddening... There are a BUNCH of known failure issues on the C5s in T1, which is why they're getting the snot kicked out of them by the Viper and why they're getting moved to T2 next year... Scca finally got enough buyers to commit to building/ fielding the new Z06 next year, so all the 2004 and older C5s and all the NON-Z06 specific C6s are getting bumped to T2... huge shuffle in the platforms is in the works for many of the classes next year... Don't buy a used race car, or build a new one before things shake out with SCCA in November. Mike

Yup, this is exactly what Dodge's Guidance was when I inquired about installing a piggyback computer on my Cummins. They said it would void the warranty (Anything NOT specifically sold by Dodge) and that the void was linked to the VIN. If I sell the truck, the shmoe that buys it gets my bad decision... Mike

Yup, which is why we built my LS1 to make the peak power around 6K with a reev limit of 6750. The plan was to be able to spin the motor to about 6500 and shift, keeping it in the meet of the power band without dropping off to much. It's still hard on a motor running constantly at those RPMs... Friend of mine running in the SCCA Runoffs this year has an LS6 motor in his 2002 Z06. He missed a shift at Memphis and in the dyno session the following week they noticed about 12HP Peak loss... Further investigation showed broken valvesprings on two cylinders. Granted, that was a missed shift, but from what he's telling me, they go thru a LOT of valvesprings in T1. And they are spinning those motors up to 7200RPMs for 30 minute races. Mike

And the PRCs aren't having the failures the 912s are experiencing (and associated bent pushrods) with the guys over in the RR section on Corvetteforum. Mike

By that argument, Then you should look at the risk you're taking street racing, which will be much greater if you're caught... Damn, you made me reverse my previous post... Bottom line is you have to weigh the rewards and the risks... And being enlisted, you've got a LOT to lose... Your car is just one of the many things at risk... Mike

Absolutely gorgious car... Simply amazing... Mike...

As usual I need to caveate my statement above... You can spin it that high, but for how long... You can extend that lifespan with the right parts geometrically, but you'll still break them. As comparison there's a TSB out on valve springs in the new LS7 motors in the Z06... They're chewing up springs when sustained high RPMs are experienced. Doing a few dyno runs won't hurt it... 12 30-minute track day sessions will kill them in a hurry. Mike

That there is the beauty of the LS platform V8. And JonM. the extra 500HP typically breaks valve springs... LS based motors aren't known for being gentle on the valve train above 6500RPMs. Mike

You're not the only one this has happened to. I've read on several sites where guys have taken their cars to the track to race them, only to receive cancellation notices in the mail with PICTURES of their car (with tag on it) at the track... Recommendation is that once you get to the track, pull the tag OFF the car and don't put it back on until you leave the track... Or discuss with your agent another agreement... All insurance coverage does not include racing at the track... Mike

Ah, I've missed some of his updates... Well sounds like he got beat by a well engineered RX8 with extras! Mike

Well lets see... I bet you could search many threads and find where many of us (Yes most of us) have run through the gears at a little stop light to stop light action. I'm not advocating street racing, but know how it is to "lose control of that impulse". Bottom line is to pick your battles and your times to do battle... And if you get caught, well what all these other guys are saying is true. You'll likely lose the car, and have serious fines, maybe pull some jail time, and god knows what the military provost marshall will do to you... If memory serves me, I believe the 350 in this particular car isn't a real beast of a motor, which might explain why he beat you. The RX8 with a mild boost kit runs pretty quick, and probably turns low 13s to mid 12s, depending on the setup... Mike

Things to consider are parts... The Zcar, if done properly is gonna cost you... Simple as that... If you're doing a well setup track Zcar, Add the parts for Coil overs, big brakes, and all the other mods needed to make it capable and competitive. In the ITS ranks the BMWs have been beating the Zs in most regions for the last decade. Bottom line is parts to make the Z competitive aren't cheap. The Bimmer, yea it'll be more expensive to buy new parts for, but has a lot more used parts on the market. They are great cars and can be made to beat the snot out of many higher end cars. It boils down to what you like... And the BMW in anything prior to the 46 models (2000 and newer) were very reasonably light... As a comparison, My wife's 1997 328is four door sedan is about the same approximate weight as my little 2002 M Roadster. The E30 and E36 cars are reasonably light off the showroom floor and can be lightened to easilyt dip below 2500# for track duty. I think it boils down to preference. If you have both, and can afford it, Do both! Then you make the choice! Mike

I like the looks of the car, the paint, and the spoiler. What I'd recommend to anyone selling their Zcar is to make sure the mods done to the TOTAL PACKAGE meet the price. We've seen on here many times cars with big brakes, coil over suspensions, roll bar/ cage installed, major rear diff/axle/driveline upgrades and power out the wazzoo go for around the same "buyit now price". This car is clean and certainly worth about $10K. But it is for the most part, unremarkable under the wrapper. Mike

There is some truth in the concern over the "bubble" bursting... However, What my investment broker, CPA, Attorney, and others in the business are telling me is that (and this only applies to the Washington DC area) the market will bottom out for us come next spring/ summer. We were very fortunate in getting out of our house quickly, as we'd already BOUGHT the other house... We got a lower price for our home, but we got the "asking" price. One way to look at it is that if you buy in an inflated market, plan to sell in that market. We bought and sold right on the edge of the slide downward, and we took advantage of it. The previous owners had their house on the market for 5 months before we made an offer, and they had lowered the price from $569K to $539K. We payed $519K for it. In comparison, we could have gotten $379-389K for our house a year ago, and only for $344,900 for ours when we sold... The other factor is the price range. Houses under $400K are less impacted in our area, and the lower that price, the less the impact. If you look at the homes we were looking at when we bought our house, all in the $800-900K range this past spring, those that didn't sell have seen major reductions... Up to $150K. Right now is the time to buy, not to sell, So Jon, you're in a GREAT position. Wish you would look out this way in Va... Mike

Send me an Email at dat74z@yahoo.com if any of you Z folks would like to get together... I'll be there from today thru next Thursday, and returning home next Friday! Mike

So lately we've been getting hammered with spam ads, stupid posts and nonsense. We knew we'd draw some more "New" members when the pinks show aired. We didn't know how DUMB some of the posts would be. This post serves warning to idiots, posers, and morons in general. We Don't spoonfeed our members... Never have, never will. We do not tolerate stupidity... Never have, never will. We do not tolerate people coming here and preying upon our members... We're here first and foremost to educate and learn. If you're a new member and you haven't done a search on a specific, and commonly discussed topic (how will you know unless you use our rather robust search engine?), I guarantee you will be hammered, humiliated and your post will end up in the "tool shed", where tools go, to await their boxes... Get the jist? Look, we want new members with great, new ideas, questions and motivations. We want you to challenge us, as well as yourselves... But do us all a favor and leave the stupidity on your side of the screne? At least until you feel us out to see what we accept... Mike The Administrator at large...

Just got back from a weekend getaway for our 5th wedding anniversary. Rented a cabin off the BlueRidge Parkway at mile marker 16. Royal Oaks Cabins. Did their romance package with rose pedals everywhere, champagne on ice, candles, chocolats, "mood" music, and other "stuff... The drive out was amazing, the weather today on the way back was excellent, and the wife was mucho impressed with the sentiment... Strongly recommend if you want to get on your spouses best side, to do this... The in-cabin hottub and fire place was a very nice touch! Place was about 17 miles south of Waynesboro and five miles from Wintergreen. While we were out that way, we stopped in at the BMW/Porsche dealership and looked at the eyecandy... The wife sat in a 2007 997 TT.. And we both agreed that something of that caliber would be in our future, and not so distant... My little M-Roadster may end up for sale VERY soon...The dealer claimed they have a customer who is looking for one in the color and condition of mine... Hmmmm..... Mike

Gee, would me being able to mount a .50 cal on the hood of my dodge Cummins so I can clear traffic from my path during commutes be cool? Crispy might have a bit to much THC in him right now... Time to change the bong water dude... Mike

David, You work for Castrol? HotDAMN!!! Can you get me a hookup on some TWS 10W60 for this damned MCar? Mike

Plus, the quality of these wheels is Average. I've owned 4 sets of centerlines in the last 15 years and they are "OK". For $350 PER WHEEL, I'm guessing you're real close to a Custom CCW wheel price ($1800). I'm thinking about BBS wheels for my track Z, and I'm not planning to spend more than $1600... All the sudden the "average quality" Centerline, with its limited selection and style doesn't sound like such a deal... Mike

Bigger question is why the belt got tossed. Check the alignment of the pulleys and then I'd also go ahead and replace the t-stat just for peace of mind. Since the belt was tossed, I'd inspect (Actually, no. I'd personally replace it) it for tears or damage. Mike

The big difference I noticed in the C6 I drove is that it actually "feels" smaller, which is a HUGE PLUS. The C5 is a boat of a car. It takes up way more space than you think, until you see one inside the lines of a parking space... The C6 feels smaller, and is a little, and feels like it is overall a fair amount stiffer. Otherwise, it's standard C5 fare... Brakes, suspension, sense of power/speed. Biggest downfall is the plastic-ish interior, which GM should have done a better job on... It's only slightly better than the C5, which had WAY to much F-body in it. Mike

And my guess is that if you asked those "experienced" employees, they'd have similar comments about those in academia... To each, his own. However, This young man could start earning a real living while deciding which move to make next, and with the experience gained and knowledge earned from that perspective, he'd have an even better ability to decide on which path to take. Mike

There are some good opinions and advice here... That said... Go out into the work force for a while. You're 22. You need a better understanding of how things work outside of the classroom. I've got a lot of "credits" under my belt, and I own a company, have managed a lot of folks with PHDs and I can tell you that I'll hire a person with more practical skill than education any day of the week. Getting an education is commendable. Putting it to use and applying it with every level of technical skill, as well as common sense approaches will win the day, the job and the career. One without the other, is iffy... But I'll take experience over education any day of the week, and so will every other employer I know. Mike