Mikelly

TV And sound systems were installed in the family room... The Amp came in last night and MAN this whole "Media Room" thing is awesome! Mike

Well honestly, I'm stuck on computers for the simple reason I don't like the controllers that the gaming consoles use. I have pedals and a wheel set up with my PC and I like it... Call me resistant to change, but my kid had a PS2 wheel and I couldn't use it at the sofa or in his room... Just didn't like the whole "Clinch Knees together" thing. And the realism of the games I play is by far better for SCCA/ NASA similation types of racing. However, the software designers have all but abandoned us PC gamers... Mike

Well honestly, I'm stuck on computers for the simple reason I don't like the controllers that the gaming consoles use. I have pedals and a wheel set up with my PC and I like it... Call me resistant to change, but my kid had a PS2 wheel and I couldn't use it at the sofa or in his room... Just didn't like the whole "Clinch Knees together" thing. And the realism of the games I play is by far better for SCCA/ NASA similation types of racing. However, the software designers have all but abandoned us PC gamers... Mike

#1 Jamis Dakar Pro Mountain Bike with Fox Lockout Shock, Hayes Discs, King Wheels, SRAM Xo Drivetrain, Mars Elite Fork with Lockout, weighs 25#s ready to ride with computer. #2 Giant CADEX Carbon Hardtail with 2X9, King Wheels, Magura Hydraulic Johny Ts, King headset, MARS Carbon Elite Fork with Lockout... Weighs 22# #3 Giant 1996 CFR Team frame, Campy Record 10Speed Carbon/ti grouppo, Custom wheels, Carbon Easton Bar, ITM Millenium Stem weighs 17+#. My wife and 16 year old also have road and FS mountain bikes. I used to be a cat three roadie and amature regional mountain bike racer. Never entered a mountain bike race I didn't podium. Where at in Tennessee? I have family in Johnson City (Boone Actually!). Mike

Never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad to be back to work... I had a lot of things on the list of honey-dos.... And got a BUNCH of them done and most of the siding on my garage, but I didn't TOUCH the Z, other than pulling measurements and ordering parts for a hopeful better solution for the rear control arm failures we have experienced. Man, I'm truly blessed. The new assignment has two different customers with two different issues to work, and I've been able to assist both significantly within three days. AND I set my hours. I'm home by 3:30 most days. The list of honey-dos... I finished triming out the much awaited family room for the wife, installed a new bathtub upstairs, installed an insink-erator, did 1000 square feet of vinyl siding and did the sofets, installed gutters on the front of the garage, and dug peers and installed the posts/ framework for the first landing to the second story of my garage! On top of that, I installed a 52 inch rear projection screend LCD TV (HDTV) and installed JBL Surround sound Dolby 6.1 speakers in the walls, burying the wires and routing them through the attic space. I'm waiting on the Kenwood 6.1 amp to be delivered... The down side is that I didn't get much time in riding the bicycles due to the strain on my knees from the ladder work (Siding, gutters and Sofets) but I did manage to get three rides in on the motorcycle and I managed to get the corvette airborne once at over 70MPH and hit 140mph twice... Back to work! Mike

That is a bit rich for my blood. However, I did e-mail him... In hopes he has others... Might have a line on a used LS6 block for $300... Mike

So my engine builder was preparing the block for the build on the Vette motor project when he found a long crack in the main oil Galley at a web intersection... Further review caused much more concern and we ended up tossing the block completetly... So Now I'm on the hunt. Anyone have any leads on a bare LS1 Block? I need one ASAP. Mike

Water hose... Works EVERY Time. We've had this issue before to... and trust me, the water hose kills the mood like nobodies business! Mike

Kyle, that is the real issue... Overcoming the dreaded CGs of the early Z. DOn't waid into those waters haphazardly. Make sure you test every aerodynamic change you make in small incriments. Zcars have been known to do some very funny things at speed with the wrong aerodynamics. In 1999 I did several passes with the aid of a State Trooper friend. My car was a 74 260Z. It was powered by a 383 Stroker Chevy with a 6 speed. Car had a 3:73 lsd in it, MSA front airdam with brake ducts, a Jim Cook Racing whale tail, MSA lowering springs, and Koni Red "D" series struts. It was flared in the rear and was running 265-50-15s out back, with 225-50-15s up front. I also had a flat bottom aluminum fuel cell and some WIDE and FLAT frame rails that I welded in. Those rails hung down 2 inches below the floor pans. I made passes in the 145-150mph Range with LITTLE effort. I pushed the car into the 160s and CRACKED the rear whale tail at the seam along the hatch. However, the car was very stable. I suspect that if the rear tail had come off the car, I'd have had my hands full. However, it does give some indicator about how much downforce those whaletails generate! Mike

I'll grab it as well... We're using a Thunder Racing (http://www.thunderracing.com) 224/224 kit in the Vette motor build, using forged pistons and Rods for a potential future SC install... I just read in this months issue of CHP that they just tested 4 LS1 Intakes, Including the Weiand and the FAST intake... I'll keep my Z06 model instead, especially after that read! ! Mike

They look very similar to the seats my kid is thinking of buying from Pep Boy. Only comment or recommendation I'd make is to get them in a cloth velour finish... They will be VERY HOT in summer if they are of the "Carbon Look" finish... Buddy of mine has some in a Mustang and commented on the burns he gets from them, especially when wearing shorts... Mike 8)

Mike AKA BrokenBolt just stole my thunder. Everything he said, including the comment about the crappy design of the Zcar fuel system, is 100% true. You don't want to run a dead head style regulator, and running the system through an inexpensive cooler is IDEAL in dealing with presure spikes, surges, sudden drops (Which can be very common in early Zs) and aids in preventing premature wear on pumps. We HAVE had a lot of pump failures over the years, and Holleys seem to be the favorite "My pump Died on me" pump. But I[ve expereienced it with Mallory and Carter was well. So, my recommendation is get yourself a "GOOD" return style regulator, run a nice return line back to the tank, and use that nice surge tank you welded up as a (LARGE ) vacuum can! Mike Kelly 8)

This very thing happened to me when I was running an RCI Aluminum cell in the first Z. Scottie GNZ eventually bought the cell, but the cell wasn't the problem, the plumbing/ setup was. You have one of a couple of things happening... The cell is either getting to hot, causing gas to BOIL in the lines, which is causing the cell to expand and contract, or you aren't getting enough air into the system, causing vapor lock. First thing to do is drive the car with the cap off. If the same thing happens, then it isn't air, but heat related. I'd go that route first. However, and truct me here, I almost burned my car to the ground because of this, If you are using an aluminum cell, and your mufflers are running to close, you will get lots of extra heat when there isn't much airflow moving the heat that is radiating from the mufflers. Heat shields will help, but you want them as thick as you can have them made. Mike Kelly 8)

I did this same thing on a 1918 German 8MM Mauser Rifle that had been cut down for use as a deer rifle. I used a semigloss finish and it turned out very similar to yours, Aux! Mike 8)

BWD, I own (And have for 15 years) Glocks, and now own the Model 27 .40 cal Mini. They are great guns, but like any gun, require respect. When I was at the federal law enfrocement academy in Glynn County, Ga. we regularly had accidental discharges of firearms. There is a HUGE misconception about police officers when it comes to three things: Firearms, Driving, Physical Fitness. More officers have accidental shootings in the first two years, and then in MID-career. The first is obvious. A new officer gets in a hurry, shortcuts and makes a mistake. The second is less obvious, but more dangerous. The more they handle guns day in and day out, things become to routine. One phone call, interuptive conversation, or distraction breaks habit, and the whole process takes a wrong turn... Then ... BANG! Happens a LOT more than is usually reported! Mike 8)

You won't win any brownie points with the tree hugger/ granola munchers, but otherwise, nah. Mike

You, that would be correct... three bolts per side... They slide right out from the frame rail! Mike

Times change and so do people. This is exactly what I fear may happen when My car is back together... Driving my Vette on an almost daily basis, getting used to leather, very nice accents, on demand power and some of the best balance and brakes on the planet, I'm affraid the raw and harsh setting of my Z will be a turn off instead of a turn on... But we'll see. I'm still enjoying climbing on my ZX9R and hammering the back roads on it, and that thing is a torcher rack compared to a car. In a perfect world we'd all be able to have a stable of cars to tinker with, and build and keep to ourselves. But our world isn't perfect and sometimes the toys come in step, one replacing another. Scottie, We've met in person, and I've enjoyed your company and the hospitality of your family, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say not having a Z, doesn't mean you are dis-owned... You've paid your dues in spades... They've come in 10 second passes over and over and over again! Gonna miss the car, but I'm glad we'll have your expert knowledge base around to bounce ideas off of! Mike 8)

The pics Tim referenced in his above thread are of my Q45 setup. Tim was nice enough to set me up with the axles after I sold my R200 CV adapters and axles to another member here. I had gotten Mark Icards old Q45 R230 rears (Two of them) and a set of CV adapters for even swap of my R200 LSD from another member, then found yet another guy selling the drive shaft, drilled mustach bar, front mount, and a couple other ods and ends for the R230 for about $75! I hope to get it all mocked up and done soon... I'm still in search of a pair of 27 spline companion flages though... And I gotta say this... Tim's axle setup is the bomb, and his adapters are in my opinion one of THE BEST out there. I think he should put this complete package together and market it! I think he has a hit here! Mike 8)

John C. The usage fo the car is for track events, and the car is pushing a Hi HP V8. Mike

OK, so here is the deal... I've got Mike Gibson's 12.19 inch 5 lug brake setup up front and I've got some disk brake mounts for the rear and a variety of different five lug rotors. I'm also contemplating buying Juan's setup for the rear. Here is the dilemma... I've got Outlaw 4000 series calipers in 1 3/43 piston configuration. I've also got some Wilwood 1 7/8th & 1 3/4 differential bore calipers. I've ALSO got a set of Wilwood Dynalite Single piston Calipers... So what should I put on the rear??? The single Piston calipers would be the natural choice, except the LOOK ( ) Very small on a 17 inch wheel setup. I've thought about picking up a set of Outlaw 2800 series calipers for the rear and just using those with the 4000 and getting rid of everything else... Running the stock 85 ZX Turbo Rotor on the rear, which is an 11.25 inch solid rotor. What do you guys think I should do... Using the ZXMaster and 2+2 Booster with a Brake Lock and Wilwood proporting valve. Mike 8)

Olie05, This car is a purpose built drag car that Stony will be tooling around on the street. Nothing wrong with that. The goal is obliterating the 1320, not rowing gears and enjoying the scenery! Stony, I like the approach... You have a plan, a goal, and you STUCK TO IT! To Kewl For SKEWL! Good Job! Mike 8)

Well, unfortunately that mentality isn't just with 350Z owners. That same kinda attitude runs deep in the import, Mustang, Fbody, Vette, and most other crowds... There is always a turd in the punchbowl at some point in time. What it boils down to is EGO... There is a very strong rumor running around my area that my Vette is Supercharged, which it isn't. But NONE of the "Fast Guys" will line up with my bone stock Vette. I think it is funny as hell. However, They want to talk trash and then if you dust one of them at a stop light grudge match while in your Wife's Taurus, they won't even acknowledge you for it. Punks! I say let them stay in their little happy safe world... Be nice if we could add them to the Lawyers and Insurance Agent pool! Mike 8)

I'm thinking two Suzuki Hyabusa Motors, one in the front, one in the rear... Mike

I think Tim's setup is an LT1, which has some significant differences. Mike