Mikelly

I got a lift jack from my son, a tool to actually jack up and hold items while they are on the lift... Who'd a thought a 16 year old would buy me something I can REALLY use in the shop??? The wife got me a cool sterling silver Corvette Key chain, and I got some stuff for my motorcycle, as well as a novel and a new robe... Santa Brought me the C5 Vette early... The Vette got a new Hurst Billet short shifter and GMS cold air twin filter intake system! Mike

I'll get some more pics up... We've already made a few minor mods... The shifter in these cars is horrible so We put a Hurst Billet unit in... VERY SHORT! And I got a Granatelli Motorsports Twin cold air intake... My oldest stepson and I installed that! Seat of pants dyno noticed a difference... It can actually override the traction control a little now... I needa clutch kit and I've still got to do the Borla XR1 exhaust install. Mike

Pete, the SEZ... Mike

Joe, I've got the security force already on it... Mike 8)

Well, Fortunately a little mothers machine glaze and some cleaner polish and the scratches are almost un-noticable... I'll let it go... Just HOPE I can catch this before it happens again... On another bright note, I had the windows on it tinted last night and it looks gorious... AND I put the GMS twin ram air kit on it with my oldest step son... Thing moves some serious air now! Next will be putting the borla exhaust on and after that...HMMM, maybe wait for the motor to be done so I can put the headers on the new motor... This car ROCKS! Mike

Non-Driving... An individual who posesses a license to operate a motorvehicle but is CLEARLY unqualified to maintain control of said vehicle... See sub-paragraph, section C for further defenition of dumb a$$ licensed idiots below... Mike

Some non-driving, inconsiderate PRICK hit my new vette in the parking lot at work, and didn't even bother to leave a note... What's worse is I was parked at the end of a row where you could position the car in a way that allowed over two feet between my car and the line stripe for the lane and the non-driving individual STILL managed to leave white/ light grey paint on the right front corner and the impact, minimal as it was STILL moved the body panel... I can buff it out and unbolt and reposition the panel... but now I'm gonna have to re-think driving it to work... Or just live with non-driving people... Merry Xmas Mike

Z -Rex, it is also good to own cars you don't have to push (Which has been the case with my Zs for three years now...) Mike

Typically our autoX season ends first week of November and doesn't pic back up until March. If I do put heat in, I'll go ahead and do a Vintage heat and A/C setup, and have both. I may go civilized with it, may not. Just don't know quite yet... Here in Virginia the winters can hit hard in November, and I've got 5 cars, so I won't be driving the Z or the Vette in incliment weather. Mike

I would recommend slotting about 1/2 inch in either direction. This will allow you some adjustment. Use some star washers and torque everything down afterwards and you should be good. I also used Nylanuts to help with worries of loosening... Mike

Yup, I have gotten some questions from some of our membership who seem concerned that my new purchase and new interest in the new car have possibly taken away from my Zcar intentions... Yes and no. Here is the dilema I face... The Vette has a ton of aerodynamic features, like the belly pans, slick body work and the support of a huge aftermarket... The Zcar has horrible aerodynamics, as we all know, but is light. That is where I depart from selling the Z. Couple of people locally have offered me significant money for the project, and I just turned down the last offer of $4500 for everything minus the 383 stroker. Just can't seem to let it and the whole Zthing go. So you guys are stuck with me. I hope to have the car ready for paint soon. I've got two major honeydoos to complete over the next month, then money will be redirected BACK to the Z. I have since changed the mission of the car. Since I've now got the Vette, I'm not as pressed to have power windows, locks, and other amenities in the car. I may even skip the heat and a/c. I want the car to be fast, light, and look great. It will see lots of track time, and some street time. So, I'm gathering the last of my parts so I can finish up the motor... Headers and distributor are pretty much all I need. I also need a trans and clutch kit. Mike

Being the voice of reason is tough when you are Irish, but I'll try... I have dealt with situations like this several times in the past. Once, I was in a subdivision with my wife and son, riding bicycles... When two kids come ripping around a corner in a car and almost mow down my kid (Less than two inches between sheetmetal and skin), yelling obsenities at him as they drive past. So I sprint along and follow the vehicle the best I can... Of course, the closer they get to their house, the slower they go... Don't want the 'Rents to know we are speeding in OUR subdivision... So as they get out of their car, I roll up on a bicycle and get off it... I'm ready to roll when I realize these two guys are no more than 18-19 years old. I told them to come out into the street... They do so and I get nose to nose with the driver... He realizes I am mad as hell, and he starts to visibly shake when he realizes who I am and why I'm there... I thought he was gonna puddle in the street. His friend tries to be couragious and says he'll go get his dad... And I offer up the fact that I'm sure DAD would like to hear what they did... They both become VERY apologetic. Point is that if you call someone on "Their" bluff, most of them will fold. People are real tough when it is from the safety of their car, or home... However, When you confront them face to face, up close and personal, That is when the rubber meets the road. We have become a society where we have become much less personable, or considerate, and much more self absorbed. We rush around all the time, never taking others into consideration, or in being tolerant of others and their likes/ choices in life. Guns or weapons are NOT the answer... I've got a concealed weapons permit and often am found with my glock on my person. Most people would never know. I've been made upset with it on me and never drawn it... simply because it isn't something I view as an option for resolving any situation other than a life threatening (Mine or my families) situation. Because someone is an ASS doesn't mean I should pull it and flex supposed macho muscles... PLUS, the litigious society we live in would simply open you up to way too much scrutiny. Mike, You did the right thing... nothing... Suck it up and just be more aware of your surroundings in the future... and what you experienced isn't a "Texas" thing... Assholes are everywhere! Mike

What Scottie Said! Mike

The only thing I don't like about it is that hood bulge. I really LIKE the headlights! Regarding the hood: Anyone who has driven or ridden in a C5 will know what I mean... Nothing like the factory twin humps when you are looking out the windshield! Based on all the stuff I've read about the new C6, it will be lighter, which will be nice, and will scoot along MUCH FASTER. This last part is pretty impressive, since the factory stock C5s are actually running 4.7 seconds 0-60mph! Mike

Yesterday the oldest stepson and I de-bugged his Integra motor swap project. He asked if he could help with the Zcar, and of course I said yes.. We'll see. He is busy and his time is QUITE absorbed with his current girlfriend... Craig, the youngest is johnny on the spot when I need a hand... So he is a shoe in to help... No chance to test out the top of 4th... But yes, I'm guilty of hitting the top of third... I had a nice LONG stretch of wide open space and had to taste it... Mike

SO I've not really been alone in the car much when there hasn't been traffic, until today... Drove through the country out to my parents house in Orange County Virginia... And I had the chance to really get the feel of the new Vette... The car really does remind me A LOT of a larger version of the Z. You sit at about the same location, although the trans tunnel is a bit higher. The car tracks very neutral, and other thant the width, it feels and drive pretty sure footedly... I think I prefer having traction control OFF so I can actually "feel" the tires scrabbling for traction. Although, I'm certain when using it and AHS combined would result in cleaner laps on a course... I'll test that theory in spring. The new tires are not too shabby even in 33-38 degree weather... and they seem to really hook well...Even in cold... Although you can just roast them with traction control off. The gearing on this car is amazing... I can run 1st gear to 53-55MPH, and second is good deep into the 70s, might even touch 80 at redline. 3rd is good to well over 105mph. The car revs and accelerates VERY quickly and you really have to keep an eye on the tach so as not to get hard into the limiter... My youngest step son just ordered a new Gtech, so I'll be able to do some testing shortly to see what it does BEFORE I start bolting items on... I'm in love! ...And yes, I still love my Zcar... Did some more work on the radiator support mounts yesterday, and I plan to have ALL of the radiator support work complete shortly... However, the wife has put down her foot and our family room now MUST be complete and ready for carpet BY the end of new years weekend... So... Mike

Yup, hence the confusion over people calling them the "P90A Mechanical Head". I had one years ago and people continuosly called me a liar and corrected me... Until I popped the hood... THEN they would ask How I made a hybdraulic head work on my motor... It got old trying to explain the combo and the differences. Mike 8)

On the first link you will see the name for my (And Pete's) engine builder... Dave Williams is a VERY smart motor builder and intelligent man! Mike

I have two rows of 6 Four tube Four ft. long flouresant fixtures for lighting... My ceilings are 12ft. 6inches from the ground and it is SUPER bright in my garage. For a 24X32 setup, I still have plenty of room... I've got my Compressor in the corner next to the pedestrian entrance (To the left as you walk in through the Ped door), and then a 3foot by 6 foot wooden work bench. At the opposite end sits my 383 stroker on an engine stand, my fold up cherry picker, and my motorcycle headtube stand and rear wheen stand. Next is the fuse panel in the corner. Along the back wall from the corner where the fuse panel is sits a small metel shelf assembly with three 2X4 shelves. Then my refrigerator. To the right of the fridge sits a metal work table that has a lower shelf and is 3X4. I have parts sitting on both the shelf and the work surface right now. Next is my stainless roll around welding cart, which is 3X4 feet. It has two internal shelves, and that is where I keep my air tools, grinder, mig and gas bottle. Along the wall after that is an autoparts Wall organizer/grid with all my wrenches and sockets hang. Got this from an autoparts store that was getting rid of a line of tools... VERY handy. Along the next wall is a series of cabinets and shelving, both wall mounted and free standing. The front wall seperating the 12X8 roll up doors and the pedestriane door has another roll around 4X3 wooden table (one shelf) that holds my vise, bench grinder and drill press. I'm able to have my motorcylce sitting in the bay all the way to the left in the garage, then the Z, then in the bay where the lift is sits the Vette. The key is to be able to use ALL of your wall space... I think I'll be just about perfect when the stairs are built (Outside of the garage) and I have access to the second level. I had pics but deleted them... I'll have to post more on my Yahoo page.. Mike

My shop size is 24X32 and I've got an upstairs. If I had it to do over, I'd build 30X40, OR 40X60. I plan to build a 40X60 when we buy our next place... I strongly recommend you do TALL ceilings. You may come across a deal on a lift Like I did, and you'll need the ceiling height to make it work out! I'll NEVER be without a lift again... Mike

Now let's be honest here Moridin... What would be the chances that your mother would let you drive HER car to Virginia from Northern California??? If you're game... Bring it! 8) Mike

What A.G. said. Also, Search Yahoo Yellow pages for The Zdr. in Roanoke, Virginia... Give him a call and ask how he did his... 'Course, they did do a SINGLE turbo2 motor and not a dual, but still... I'd go Chevy! Punch out Maverick! Mike

OK Terry, I'm tracking with you now... For a TOE only adjustment (Which is what a lot of folks look for) that would be perfect. Mike

Pete, I'd recommend buying a head bone stock and then having the work done on it by a reputable shop that is equipped with a flow bench. Pete P. has a guy he can recommend in Maryland that is VERY reasonable. This way you will be 100% sure of what you have and probably pay about the same! Mike

Umm, THAT is NOT designed to be load bearing... The turnbuckle I had made for my arms is essentially 1 inch hex stock steel that has left and right hand 3/4 16 threads cut. Mike