Mikelly

YUp, gonna be hard to hit this moving target... I had a guy offer to buy my project off me YESTERDAY and asked what it would take to sell it... I told the guy that My 383 Stroker alone with the standalone FI would be over $8000 to duplicate. I started adding up quickly what it would cost to duplicate my custom adjustable suspension and tranny setup plus the Q45 rear setup and came to the quick reality that my rolling chassis and parts would cost over $15,000 to duplicate... I about passed out... I simply told the guy flat out, $15,000 would be a good figure and NO I'm NOT KIDDING... Dead silence on the other end of the phone... It's real hard to put a worth on your project. My stepson has a 1995 Civic with an LS/ Vtec Swap and body work, nice wheel/tire package and decent paint and wheels... He can't get $7000 for it. The key is to find someone who wants THAT CAR with THOSE MODS... What's it worth is VERY Subjective... Good luck! Mike

Actually BLKMGK's Car has little bling to it... He upgraded wheels, and did some carbon door and trim panels on the interior, and installed some audio gear... Everything else has gone into upgrading to a single turbo, standalone efi managment, electronics for the turbo managment, fuel upgrades, 4 inch exhaust upgrades, and a new head/cam setup... It is a clean car... But $60,000 is a bit much! This was his ballpark estimate to another buddy of mine! Mike

Defenitely use a thermostatic switch on the cooler... I agree that depending on the vehicle and use, it may never get hot enough in the oil to warrant it. However, I had TWO zs that ran very hot (Had a mechanical gage with taps into the pan to verify.) and required coolers. Mike

I'd use the 300ZX rear differential and axles... And use everything else from the 240Z. Use some axle adapters from Ross or Tim240Z, and buy osme five lub stub axles from Ross or have yours drilled by a local machine shop. Doing a complete 300ZX suspension swap would be a pain in the butt... Putting in the Live axle from the firebird would be a pain in the butt, and only really the way to go in ultra high HP conditions and drag only apps. Mike

Wetsump has the traditional oil pan and pump assembly and a dry sump uses a very shallow pan (clears the rod and crank throws and that is about it) and has an external pump and tank assembly... most race cars use them. ZR8ed, My recommendation is to use a Canton Mecca Accusump (http://www.racerpartswholesale.com) and a GOOD multi-trapdoor oil pan designed for road course stuff in conjunction with your oil cooler. Get the accusump with the electronic pre-luber. Mike

Well we're all contributing to the problem. Let me explain... Three years ago I thought the T56 tranny was IT. Had to have one, if you were building ANYTHING with a V8... Not so anymore... Things change and so do parts options and selections... technology advances and so does the use of parts... Same thing happened to the SCARAB Z idea... For its day, that was THE way to do it... Until JTR came along... Now days the LS1 is THE engine... come two years from now THAt may change and by then HALF our members have sold their projects due to personal reasons, and 1/4 completed their projects and moved on... Meanwhile you have a few mainstays who will try like hell to beat Pete Paraska's 11 year record for project implimentation! (Hahahaha I crack me uP!) So you see, unless someone is going to maintain and update the data, it will ALWAYS be outdated, which in some cases WORKS for those building THAT combo and not the latest/ greatest... confusing I know, but I don't think building a database will work due to the amount of time required to keep it updated... Mike

Yup, 300ZXtt 2nd Gens are turning 3400+# on the scales.. They are heavy cars... We have a member here by the name of BLKMGK and he has a 10 second 1995 Supra... he has close to $60,000 invested in it. That is no mistype... SIXTY THOUSAND dollars to run LOW 10 second quarters and turning 630+Hp at the wheels... and he is STILL in the 10s... So as Jamie says, learn a lot before you spend a dime, and keep your expectations more realistic... and obtainable... Mike

Again, I know it gets old, but refine your search... Lazyness has no rewards on this board. Also, Hop over to http://www.jagsthatrun.com and BUY THEIR manual on the Z swap...lots of the info spelled out in that book is still apllicable to this project! Good luck and welcome aboard! Mike

I'm biased, But you can't beat the LS1 powerplant in a high mileage C5 Corvette. YOu can pick them up at auction for about $14-15K, and they are comfortable, well appointed and make over 300WHP and haul down 27-29MPG... Want more? Do a heads/ cam/ header package and bump it up to 400at the wheels with STILL knocking down in excess of 25mpg, leather, ac, removable top, and all the power tricks... I love my Vette! Mike

Well, Not all women are like that, and there are enough guys out there who treat women bad to tell the story from both sides of the fence... Bottom line is to find someone who likes you for who you are, can provide for themselves, and who has a life of their own. If you hook up with someone who doesn't have these things, Then Run FAST AND FAR. My wife left a marriage of 17 years, most of which the jerk cheated on her. He left her for a girl half his age that he busted for drugs (He is a local cop and a retired Marine MP) and was subsequintly cought with having oral sex in the back of his squad car... The guy's a real piece of garbage with a badge... Anyway, My wife gave up her rights to his military retirement just to be done with the whole thing, and it was HER insistance that we get a prenuptual agreement. I own all the property and all but one car, but I trust her. I know that she would never do anything to betray me. The only thing I could ever see her doing is something for her two boys (17 & 20) if she thought they were truly in trouble, and that is why we don't merge our money... Nothing stronger than a mother's love, and her boys know how to work it, to a point... So we keep our money seperated and different accounts. There are good women out there... Just just have to find the right one... I found early on that being someone's night in shining armor gets dull after a while, and all those particular specimins are looking for is a free ride... there ARE women out there who have no insterest in that life. Mike

Yup! That's Paul Cangialosi's site! HIGHLY recommend this guy! Build quality is second to none and service is superior! Prices are VERY good as well! Mike

Hahahaha! Oh Christ that was funny Rick! Mike

Well heck... Good question... I don't really know... I'll have to check! Mike

Mark, http://www.fivespeeds.com is a Gforce Vender that builds Gforce equipped trannies CHEAPER than Bubba offers them... And from my research, BETTER too! Mike

Yup, you know it's sad but true... Sorry, Metallica ringing through my head... Anyway, The T56 will not handle the extended use/ abuse of 400+ HP. What John says and Mark experienced is true... I've been talking with Paul at http://www.fivespeeds.com about rebuilding my T56 in my Vette with road race strength shafts, and better syncros/ shotpeened gears... There are a few companies out there building options for the LS1/LS6 platform... I'd check with Paul, or Keisler, or contact Richmond Gear about the ROD 6 speed or 5speed trannies.. there are PLENTY of choices out there if you want to row your own... And again, I'd search into a Fivespeed... The T56 unit is HEAVY! Cheers! Mike

My Buddy has a saying... For every "Hot" single chick out there, there is a guy who is happy to have gotten rid of her! Dr. Hunt, you will be a far better, much more well rounded man on the back side of this ordeal... Just getting through it is the issue... Head up, shoulders square, and keep thinking positive things... Live "I'm positively going to prosecute her ass" and "I positively hope she gets hit by lightning, or a mack truck!" Yea, think positively! Good Luck! Mike

Uh, I ain't touching that with a ten foot pole... Women are far superior to us mortal men... some choose not abuse the power of the nookie... Others abuse it for the absolute power it is... We spend 9 months breakin' out... rest of our lives trying to get back in... Don't think so? Then why has science gone to the billions dollar effort to invent a blue pill that is in high demand and short supply?? Men have lost fortunes and toppled kingdoms over the power of nookie... 'nuf said! Mike

Well this also happened to me at the ripe old age of 22. Best medicine I could have had to the time. Now days, it would devistate me and I truly don't want to be in your shoes Doc. Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. Don't do what I did. Pursue prosecution of her. Theft is theft regardless... If you can prove it, take her to the matt on this one. I love my wife, and I trust my wife, only so much. House is in my name, seperate bank accounts, and cars in my name. We have a prenuptual agreement too... All of this is stemmed from my first true love walking off with everything, cleaning out my savings, stealing a credit card I had gotten for her, and leaving me to pay off a student loan I signed for her to go to school... Burned me on trust forever... Keep your chin up, and focus on your son. Hopefully that bitch will burn in hell. Mike

Pop-N-Wood, The kid asked for advice since he is "At a cross roads" and is "Asking for our advice". So how did this thread deviate from his original post??? We're giving him food for thought, some insite into what potentially happens in one's life through the decisions they make, and the avenues they take in life... Last thing we need is another bad one... enough of them to go around... Mike

Yup, good comments... I applied to one vacancy when I was 21 and there were over 200 candidates who showed up for the written and physical testing. I was one of 6 officers who were selected for hire. I turned them down upon learning that they would not honor the salary agreement for the first 6 months, as I would be considered on "probation". I told them I wasn't planning to take a salary cut of $18,000. Pretty much confirmed for me that you need everything in writting from the beginning... I stayed with CIA... The example of $60K+ to work in OceanSide California, or anywhere in southern California needs to be tempered with the cost of living... My guess is our young friend here is not paying $1000 rent for an appartment... I know when i was looking at employment options when offered a job at the USA network back in 1997, I came away from my little experience with stickershock. It costs a LOT to live in sunny southern california. Oh, and FWIW, The CIA extends application offers to less than 2% of all those who inquire... less than 2% of all those applicants are hired. Talk about a tough organization to gain acceptance from! The original poster mentioned he is a "Shooter". I'd highly recommend getting yourself evaluated on your intelligence, phsycological stability/ evaluation, as well as physical ability. This will tell you if you qualify before you even go through the headache of jumping these hoops! It takes a lot more than being a "good" shot to become a member of a swat or Instant Response team... Every officer that went through the federal police academy HAD to pass the range with Marksman certification... Sharpshooter was awarded to 40% of my class with 12 of us being eligable for Swat status based on our shooting alone... Which, as our instructors told us, means nothing without the above areas being passed as well... Phsycological evaluations remove most candidates from consideration for Swat or other alternative operations teams. Remember, City, state amd goverment agencies work like businesses. They are putting a gun in your hand and telling you to make a mortal decision to shoot someone and kill them, potentially injuring or killing others. They open themselves up to a liability that is unfathemable. Therefore, not just ANY good shooter gets the chance to pull the trigger for real! Mike

I had two chamber flow masters on my 383 stroker and it was almost unlivable on the street due to the resonance in the cabin... Not sure what I'll go with on this iteration, but an X-pipe will be used in conjunction with something quieter! Mike

So on Saturday I was in a snit over a stuck line on a hydraulic release bearing on my vette when Jamie rang me up. He was in the area, had just picked up a 300ZX R230 differential and wanted to do a little comparison. He knew I had TWO Q45 differentials I'd gotten from mark Icard, and wanted to sit them side by side to sww how different they are... So I said Sure "I need a break anyway!" I'll post the pics tonight, but there is one thing for sure... These two differentials are ABSOLUTELY different in exterior size. The case on the 300ZX R230 is for sure larger, and accomodates a lot more sensors, including ring gears for ABS. The unit appears to be heavier too! This should resolve any dispute or dicsussion about this topic any further... I know the Q45 has the R230 230mm ring gear, but maybe the difference is in the LSD type or the carrier on the 300ZX unit is larger. Regardless, we now have a definative answer. The 300ZX unit looks physically wider as well, which may impact axle length, which is something to consider when fabricating axles. Pics tonight! Mike

FIVE??? Uh Davy, I met your wife... She deserves a metal! Cheers and congrats! You making a football team, or maybe a pit crew? Hahahaha! Mike

Let me give you a look from the other side of the fence... I've got a degree in criminal justice. I also was the youngest candidate to go through and pass the federal law enforcement academy's basic 8 week training course and their advanced course, at the ago of 20. I've worked as a park ranger, local police officer, a local police volunteer and federal police officer. From the time I was 18 until I walked away from law enforcement as a career at the age of 22, I thought I had found the right career. A career in law enforcement can be a noble cause. It can be very rewarding if a person is of the mind that they are truly in it for the right reasons. "To Protect and Serve the Community" is what it says on the doors of most police cars, or somewhere on something displayed to the public. If you can remember that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty, and that we all do things out of stupidity and sometimes honestly don't know we are breaking a law that may be on the books, and if you can use the scales of justice theory to apply fair and balanced judgement on when to apply those laws, then I'd say go for it. However, the older I get, the more I think about becoming a member of the ACLU. There are to many police officers in this country who simply do NOT fully understand the laws they are supposedly enforcing. To many of these clowns are to busy getting a freebee from the local fast food joint, or impressing that pretty young girl with his machismo BS. They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely and I see it every few days or read about it somewhere locally. It is hard to remember that you are hired to PROTECT AND SERVE everyone. EVERYONE... Far to little oversight is provided to keep these clowns in check. I left law enforcement after being offered careers in Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and Chicago. I had been working with a youth squad in Washington DC, collecting the underaged hustlers and prostitutes off the street, getting in touch with their families, buying them bus tickets and sending them on their way... Only to find them dead in an alley right back 9on the streets two or three weeks later. I found myself becoming cold to the world around me, and I was forgetting why I was doing this job. I also was fortunate enough at 22 to be able to have another career with the agency handed to me. My hair was longer, and I looked much less like a cop and much more like a college student... One day a cop came to my house because a neighbor complained that I had been speeding up and down the road in my car.. It was up on blocks and all four wheels were off... I was preping it for a track event... this cop saw a long haired young guy with an attitude and he just dressed me down... He ripped me appart verbally and threatened to arrest me. I took his badge number and that of his car, and when he left, I called his boss, the Sherrif. I met with them three days later and the officer formally apologized, and was written up. That officer and 7 others were eventually arrested for breaking into toystores at Christmas, and steeling $100,000+ worth of merchandise... There needs to be reform. Law enforcement officers need to be hired under extensive back ground checks that continue periodically. They need to be made to file a financial disclosure form to make sure they aren't financially in over their heads, which tends to force them into a life of lost morals and over-use of power. There needs to be reform to keep officers honest. Are there good cops? Sure. But I'd wager a bet that there are more bad cops than good... How bad is subjective. But my view is that we have a set of laws I have to live by... Those who play this game from the other side fo the fence are required to play by them as well. When an officer makes a stop, I have my rights, as do most other citizens (Convicted Felons give up many of their rights when they leave jail). Problem is that most citizens don't know WHAT their rights truly are or when an overzealous officer has stepped over the line. So now lets look at the lifestyle of a law enforcement officer... Do you know that cops suffer the HIGHEST rate of divorce and also suffer the third highest rate of suicide as a profession? Used to be second highest. but another profession (forget which one, slips my mind right now) bumped them a few years back... Dentistry used to be number one... But take comfort in knowing that being a cop can kill you. You will eventually marry a woman and have a family. Most likely you will get divorced from that woman because you will work through the holidays, your kids birthday, or your anniversary. You will be in divorce court and then you will be seriosuly strapped for cash because $500 a month will go towards child support. Guess what? You will probably hook up with another woman and you stand a good chance of divorcing her as well. Your potential cycle of failed marriages will continue for a host of reasons. On top of that, you won't make much of a living unless you are working lots of hours in overtime, which means you might be able to afford to pay that child support, but won't have much time for nothing else. Quality of life goes out the window and you will know little else except work and sleep... feeding to the issues I mention above. Now lets talk about all those children you will likely father... They will grow up with a daddy that is a "COP", which will be cool all the way through Junior High. They will miss you and will buy the bogus excuse of "Daddy has to go catch bad people" for a while... But by the time your kids are in high school, they will be hip to daddy's real purpose in life... And it won't be pleasent dealing with them once they find out. Pretty grim picture I painted in this book I'm writting, Huh? Law enforcement can be noble. Make no bones about it, there are some really good hearted men and women who do this job, and who make themselves a target every day by strapping on a badge and a gun. But make sure it is for you... Check your ego at the door, and figure out if this is something you will be able to survive and do, knowing that you are there to protect and serve us all... Mike

One of my riding partners has the Element Team edition, and the only bad thing we could knock it for was looking to damned good! That bike gorgious... Oh, and we knocked it for not having bearings on the pivots... Only bushings, and they didn't retrofit the 2004 roller bearing upgrade to previous year models... Scot was replacing the bushings once per year, and had to do the bushings once just before we went to Moab in 2002 and again when we got back a week later... Mike