Mikelly

Sounds like the right one... Mike

If it is NOT the anniversary edition (All White Turbo car) then GRAB IT! That is a good price... Mike

I believe I've made myself clear on this topic James. We DID get grief from MANY people back in the day, and We HAVE shown a great deal of diVersity on this site. As I've stated before, I make no apologies for what we are currently doing. If it suits you, then great, glad you stuck it out. If not, Good luck on your projects. We can't make everyone happy, and I for one am tired of trying. Mike

Guys, those who ordered control arms have been waiting patiently and I appreciate it. Here is the scoop... I oversold one set of TC Rods, so I have included my personal set for one of my cars. However, I'm waiting on some parts from SCP still and will be doing an overnight order BY MONDAY if UPS doesn't stop in today. I finally got my drill press issues fixed today and drilled our the clevis brackets and some of the TC Rod holes today, and will finish those up tomorrow. I'll send the parts that are ready to go out By Monday/ Tuesday which should consist of TWO full sets, plus a set of JUST control arms... I can send the TC Rods to the rest, but I'd just as soon wait and send the rest in complete packages since it will be cheaper per package. Please re-send your mailing addresses to me since I deleted ALL of my indox by mistake... Don't ask... BRAIN FART! Mike

Exactly ANOTHER problem we have on the site... TOO many people NOT posting in the right forum... Look guys, we understand that folks find the site or start their project and they get REALLY excited and start typing without thinking, because they are excited. This happens all the time and what do ya know, someone asks about window regulators in the Chevy forum, or Brake questions in the Turbo forum... Now read what I just typed and then ask yourself how we got there... Members need to take it upon themselves to police themselves... We don't provide spoons or feeding times here at HybridZ... We provide a WEALTH of knowledge for THOSE who CHOOSE to put forth a little (Honestly guys, just a little) effort. Mike

Jim Powers, You are in titled to your opinion. However, you aren't looking at things from "Our" side of the fence, which is what matters most to me. We're not trying to run off those who take a bit of initiative, do a little research, and impliment the search functions or ask members off line. I answer about 40 PMs or e-mails per week offline. I prefer it that way. Also, this site is a free service provided out of pocket. Anyone is welcome to go start their own site, just as we did back in 1999. Simple as that. We made this site for "US" and then opened the door for everyone else to come in, provided the rules "WE" deem necessary are followed. I liken it to ME inviting YOU to my house, and then YOU telling ME how to behave in my own home. Not gonna happen. We've been fairly even handed by and large, and the fact that we've taken drastic measures as of late should NOT make you wonder what is going on with US, but what is going on on the site. Seems that the moderators and admins are getting too much of the blame, and not those who have taken us to this point... Sorry but I am not gonna sit back and let this site go into the toilet and neither is ANY of the other moderators. It is called accountability. Act like a jerk and you get jerked (Not calling you one specifically Jim! ). We recently banned a kid and then asked him to quit begging to get back on the site. The kid turns around a week later, calls me some choice four and five letter words and then demands to be let back in... Does that sound like the way to endear yourself to the admins and moderators? This is the exact type of crap we have been dealing with for MONTHS and we have to stop it and hold those accountable for their behavior. So we're here because of them... You want to be upset or have an opinion, that is your right. However, the mods and admins didn't just arbitrarely do this. It has come over a period of months and you have SOME of the membership to blame for it. Yell at them, not us, and not in public. We want folks who want to stay to stay. If this process is to painfull for some, then maybe they are better off on other sites. It is THAT simple. We're not asking anyone to leave, just to follow the rules. We'd like to be able to continue on as things are right now, but we will rachet it up another notch or two if we must. Mike Kelly

After almost 7 years with BAE Systems, I'm moving on to a new company, new assignment and new job location. After the fiasco last year that was such a horrible experience, I was given several pay increases, and several new opportunities, as a sort of reward for the hell that was my HR investigation. However, this summer my most recent boss (A SUPER Gentleman I enjoyed working for) resigned, went back to his old company, and took my resume with him. Since he is the VP for his company, getting me in the door for an interview was assumed, and took very little time. I will now be working as a senior consultant for the Intelligence Community oversite staff working congressional issues. The benefits with the new company are better, position is much higher within this company, and the pay increase is a 22K jump over my current pay. I'm also getting a signing bonus. Crazy... Who'd have thought a kid from a trailer in Orange County, Virginia would get such opportunities? Can you say really cool Zcar projects? Speaking of which, the clock is ticking... I've talked to the paint shop and the chassis shop about the Street Z project car... September 15 is the closing date on selling the projects... Midnight the 15th and they go OFF the market and the street Z goes to chassis jail, and then on to paint jail! Mike

Only way you are going to get rid of the side markers is to fill them in. Use some light gage steel from the back side of the fender and tack weld the cut pieces and then fill the outer area with body filler... That is your best bet... You could use fiberglass matting, but I'd weld it if you have access to one so you can get a better fit, stronger finish! I've done this on both of my cars... Mike

In motorcycling we have a saying... Dress for the crash... In automotive "Sports Car" driving I liken a decent cage and safety belts to the same intent... None of us PLAN to be involved n a crash. The day my 74Z was rear-ended in January 1996, I was in rush hour traffic in side Washington DC's Beltway, and the 6000+# plumbing supply truck that hit me had no intention of doing so... Fortunately my car was "Dressed for the crash"! I had to cut the car in two places to reduce loading on the chassis, and the cage was loaded to a point that is was twisted. When we cut the car in the rocker panel on the drivers side the whole car phyically sprung outward at both ends several inches... That was how much the metal had been compressed from the impact... Yet the cage held. It boils down to what you want to do and what you "Think" is warranted for a Zcar, which is a MUCH SMALLER car when you are sitting in it. My personal preference is to have one, but then again, I've seen how poorly they do in accidents first hand! Goodluck! Mike

There are a few things to consider: The Zcar is a pretty GOOD chassis for stock configuration. It is only when you had stiffer springs & bushings, larger swaybars, Stickier & wider tires & wheels, and adjusted suspension settings that you run into problems. Look at a Zcar that has been autocrossed extensively with the above mods. You will notice cracks in the paint at the top of the A-pillar, and back by the rear hatch above the rear side windows and vent. This gives you an idea of just HOW MUCH chassis flex a Zcar gets. In 1993 I had a 260Z that was straight as an arrow with NO rust in the car. We did a full rebuild of the suspension to race it in SCCA Solo2 and by that winter the car showed signes of stress in the above locations. This was with a mild L6 motor, cam'ed, and a header, running a 4-Barrel carb setup and with the ussual ignition mods. The car was no high HP king. That fall I had subframe connectors installed and we did a paint job on it, filling in the seem cracks with bondo and blending it all in so you couldn't see the imperfections. THAT car was totalled in 1996, and by then I had also added a 6 point cage. The car was a regional champion car in the VMSC car club and had MANY autocrosses over a three year spread on it, plus a couple of summit point driving schools, as well as a trip to Road Atlanta with Car guys. You couldn't see the seems, or the locations where bondo had been applied to cover the cracks. The car had been hit from behind and forced into another vehicle and the crash was devestating to the unitbody at the front and rear. However, the "WHOLE" of the car, behind the front struts and in front of the rear struts was in tact. I cut the bolt in cage out of that car and had it X-rayed before installing it in my White V8Zcar. It was perfect, with no signes of stress. I'm now a HUGE fan of Sub-frames and a cage in ANY Zcar because of the reasons above. I think the added strength really helps the chassis regardless of the powerplant. The forces applied to the chassis from the suspension mods really can impact the whole of the car. Mike

To answer your question Jay, We have ways of dealing with those we ban. We have the ability to prevent you from even viewing the site, as at least two of those who have recently been baned have found. Bottom line is that if people can't seem to follow the rules then they need to go the hell away. It is that simple. I've also wondered why it is that someone hasn't started an RB site, or an L6 technical site of their own... Similar to what we have done here, but specifically geared towards those with the same interest. Mike 8)

Davy captured my thoughts exactly. Interpret them as you wish. Bottom line is, as stated before, our origins are what they are, and I will NOT make apologies for them. The focus is on consolodation of the forums, the strict inforcement of the rules, and the re-focus of our intended goals, which were captured perfectly in Pete Paraska's Mission statement, and some of which has been transfered to rules that will be held to bear for all of our membership. Again, I hold no ill will to those who modify the L series motor... I sponsor one for christ sake. My point was that we have some problems with some of our membership and we need cooperation from our membership in ferreting the problems, and the problem children out. We also DON'T need 29 forums. We're talking about getting back to a more basic, but not totally stripped format that will make a little more sense. And yes, I personally DON'T see the need for an RB and an L6 catagory. We could combine them. That is my personal opinion, and as another member pointed out, due to the popularety of the swap (Due to the BS movies out) we are attracting a BUNCH of POSERS who have no interest in our goals. Are we focusing only on V8 swaps? Hell NO. HALF, No OVER HALF our moderators and adminsitrators DON'T have V8 swaps. What should that tell out mature and loyal followers? I don't think I have to explain it to them. Mike 8)

I like the discussion here... One of the reasons I threw it out to the masses. You guys can tell by the tone in our recent posts that we're getting pretty fed up with some of the behavior displayed by some (And certainly not the majorety!). I'm not against modified Lseries motors, turbo Lseries motors, or other TYPES of motors, Nissan or otherwise, and our intent was not to make it a strictly V8Z website. The focus and intent is to get back on track with our purpose of this site. We're open for more discussion... Mike

John, I've got a number of VERY good friends who are "L sixers". My comment was that there are other places on the web for those specific discussions and I'm not sure that they fit the mold here. Does that mean folks aren't welcome here? No, not the case at all. We're talking about moving the discussion topics back to the direction of the original goal of this specific site. Further, We have a problem with how things are going right now with regards to some of the "types" of membership we are attracting. I'd not expect you, Doug Carrow, Jamie T. or other serious members who contribute so much technical info to bail because the RB or L forums disappeared. Mike Kelly

...And to take it a bit further and give you guys a heads up, We're moving in a direction back to our roots, which will likely do away with some of the catagories that are not, in the opinions of the admins and moderators, "Not within the original intent" of HybridZ. This will likely put off some, and out-right drive others away from the board. However, we are a V8 ZCAR site first and foremost. All ways have been, and always will be. There are at least three other sites where one can find any and everything related to the L-based or unmodified Zcar, and for the "Nissan powerplant" only crowd. MOST of the problems we've suffered in the last year have been from those younger members, and those new to Zcars, but not new to BBs on the web, yet to lazy to read the rules and understand that This site isn't a free for all. Quite frankly, we're tired of babysitting! Mike

Guys I got the order in from SCP and it has several things on back order... I'm giving them until the end of the week to fill the heim joint order, then I'll order elsewhere. Should have this resolved and all of the arms out as soon as I get the female left hand joints in. I also need to pick up a drill press this week, since mine is broken. Mike

CarGuyChuck, Sorry to come off so strong, but we're pretty tech oriented here. We get lots of inquiries about projects like you describe, except some guys really are under the impression that they will be able to race on the track and drive it on the street. Guys don't think about fire systems, roll cages, window nets, safety harnesses, tons of other "Little things" to make a race car a race car. Glad to see you are well grounded and just want the "Look". Check with NASA or Carguys to see what you need for track events. Mike

What John Said... Doing a bolt in ROLL BAR will NOT make it club legal for any of the groups I'm aware of. Are you truly planning to "RACE" it or just do instructional "Track Day Events"? You need a plan and you need to stick with it once you put it to paper. Mike Kelly

THose who ordered the last of the last... I have modified the arms, and I'm waiting on SCP to ship me the parts needed to "Build" them and the TC Rods... I broke my drill press on OZ's set and am gonna have to buy one... Should ship ALL OF THEM by next Friday. Tracking numbers WILL follow to each person individually. Mike

Well I found the materials to complete another set. So Ed and Jeff have dibs on two pairs, I've got a pair going out to Oz in Reno (Previous order) and that leaves ONE SET of fronts left and they won't include the TC ROd. So $300 for a set of control arms to who contacts me first... That will be then end of the end... Then I'll just ride off into the sunset... Mike

Seriously guys, I'm calling it quits for real. When this new consulting position pops I won't have the time to do these with the loss of my Fridays off and the half hour longer commute. I checked stock this morning and I've got enough for TWO more complete sets of contol arms and TC rods, and then that is IT. I won't be making anything else for Zcars, and I won't be updating my business license info when it expires this time. Making these control arms has been bittersweet. I have enjoyed working with Steve Carlson and Ian Lewis for quite a while and will continue to assist them when possible. But quite frankly the hassles I've had to deal with, and the Zcar aftermakret in general have depressed me to a point that this was coming any way. Quite honestly I could see myself getting out of Zcars if I could unload mine for a reasonable price, but that won't happen. I'm going to check with Jamie Taylor and see if he wants to keep making them, and if he does, I'll turn over everything to him. If he doesn't, then that's it. I see a C5 Vette or a TT Supra in my not so distant future! Mike

Guys, Unfortunately for you, and fortunately for me, I have accepted a position with a new company that will be a substantial financial gain ($20K+ raise over my current salary), but will also take a little more of my time. I'm officially (For real this time, I promise) closing shop for good on the control arm gig immediatley after the supplies I have on hand are gone. I have enough poarts to do three more sets of control arms and one set of TC ROds and then it's GOOD NIGHT GRACY! It has been fun, and I appreciate the chance to make these... Mike

Yes, and You can always excuse yourself from the dance... Further, Len Call me a Nazi again, and I may excuse you myself... I bleed red, white, and blue and I take a great DEAL of offense to your comments. The rules are the rules and if they don't suit you, then don't play. Mike

$1200 installed? Thank GOD I can fabricate... Maybe I'm in the wrong business. People actually pay $1200 for installation of these?? I'm pretty sure I've got a reciept somewhere of when I had a car done for me about 6 years ago and I paid $180. Pretty sure. And I can honestly say I wouldn't charge $1200 to install Pete's design Sub-frame in a car... Man... Mike

THat is a very interesting alternative for guys who don't have the skills/ tools to work with metal. Kyle, How long did it take to onstall that kit and what does it normally run... I've got boxed steel subframes in both my cars, but this is interesting none the less... Mike