Mikelly

Glad you're here. You young guys are what keep us old guys hopping! I think once you have done your research and found out all the info you need, you will revise your approach to building your project and STILL be happy with the end results! Most of us guys who have had 400HP z cars have been able to pretty much OWN the streets in our respective locations... I'd shoot for something in the 400-600HP range, take a LOT of driving school instruction, and learn how to get around a track with that much HP! Paul Mumford's Viper from this years Challenge (SCC) is an excellent example of what you can do with a well built vehicle if you know how to drive it! Good luck and welcome! Mike

My issues with the T56 have nothing to do with its ability to withstand 500Ft.# of Torque or 540HP. I had a T56 in my last project Zcar. It is still in my garage, as I've sold it but need to ship it out. The T56 is, in my opinion after having one, not the best option. The reason I say this is two fold: Gearing. The need for TWO overdriven gears is still baffling to me. Weight. The weight of the flywheel, and transmission combined is fairly substantial when considering your options... A regular Tremec 5 speed or T5 is about 45# less in weight... That is fairly significant. It is funny that I've reversed my original opinion of this transmission as Jim Biondo tried to convey this same opinion to me in 1998 when I was building my first Z! I was just too hard headed to listen! Mike

Cheap upgrade that LOOKS NICE... Well done Alex!... Now about that Turbo RX7 motor... Mike

Guys I'm researching my options for my 500+HP 383 stroker setup... T56 - Been there, done that, don't want to do it again... T5 - Only a custom setup would live with that kinda torque although I'm all ears... Educate me. Richmond - Holly COW.... ESSSSPENSIVE! Although the ROD-6 is very attractive for the gear selections... I've been told that you CAN get the 5 speed in a much broader gear range than shown in Jegs and Summit, but I've not asked Richmond directly... Plus the external rails might be an issue with the trans tunnel... TREMEC TKO & 3550 - Well The 3550 isn't the most potent, but doable, but the TKO would certainly live in the car... Again, Cost is a factor, but not as expensive as the Richmond option... Others??? Mike

I've got a 1989 240SX as well, and did some research online a while back. The most popular swaps are the RB and the Z31 V6. I considered doing the GNX powerplant in it, but since my 15 year old JUST GOT his learners permit and will be driving within the next year, I guess I'll let him destroy, 'er I mean Learn in this car . When he is through "Learning to be a good driver" in this car (Stock motor and auto trans) I'll either rescue it or salvage the rear and disc brakes from it... GNX would be a beast in that car... Mike

Well after going back and re-reading the poster's goals, and intended use of vehicle, I'd like to point out a few issues here... Power windows and door locks and might I assume custom audio? This does not make a 1000HP race car. Still sounds like mass confusion and to much time reading Sport Compact Car. If this is gonna be a show car with the rare track day thrown in, and a car driven on the street most of the time as originally posted, then 1000HP will not be doable. My recommendation is to go out and buy yourself a Supra TT and be done with it. Then you will have a good starting point for atleast 700HP, with all the power options you crave. Had this discussion with my oldest kid over his Honda project this weekend... Don't build a (Fill in the blank of the car you have) to be like the car you want. Buy THAT CAR and improve upon it. You will come out leaps and bounds ahead of your current plan. Mike

Al, I'd also check the sendor because that gage should give you a bit more warning. That is an extreme situation... Mike

At minimum you will need to upgrade the axle choice to CVs. The rear will work, but you will be one-wheeling it, since the rear is an open unit. The trans will be your issue and even if you find a NISMO 5 speed, they aren't holding well under the torque loads you will be puching. Not sure what James or Jeff are running on their turbo'ed inlines, but I'd check with them since they both have extensive time dealing with the Z and turbos. I'll move this to the Driveline section for you... Mike

I'm no personal fan of the stock, unmolested Z, but thta car is worth what he wants IF it is exactly as claimed. I've seen them go for much more. If I wanted an all stock Z, I would be getting on a plane to go see that one in person. Damn, did I just say that? Mike

John, Well that is EXACTLY what I was wanting to see... I want a pair. Now, since it doesn't look like I'm getting my Gnose back soon, how about whipping me up on of those real quick like??? (I'm joking of course... Take your time! ) Mike

...Man I'm tired, sore as hell all over and I've STILL got a pile of rock to move... The guy did a heck of a job burrying my trailer (Actually poured the gravel up the drive, but then poured the rest in front of the trailer!). I had to dig out the front pad area 6-8 inches deep in preperation for pouring the pad to connect the existing pad to the sidewalk behind the house. I've got most of that dirt dug and moved, and about half the gravel spread around. Turned out nice, and when I'm done with it the place will look nice. We opted for the light brown river stone. Man I'm beat... Mike

Lighten Up? 'UM Not trying to be hard on you. Just trying to give you advice. Have fun. Mike

John, Can you mount these on a factory hood and post some pics? I'm on the fence, and want to see what the Carbon units look like before I order them. Mike

I hope he won best costume!

Well I'm glad you are back... Do some research here... There are guys here who know all about "Adjustable Horsepower... Adjustable Boost" as you call it. Seriously, Go back and read my posts. You really need to rethink this thing before you spend a ton of money and make obligations that may or may not be unrealistic. As for the T56, I'm telling you, I have one I'm boxing up this morning to send to one of our members here... THEY ARE HUGE! You WILL NOT get one of these into a Z WITH a front wheel diff and tranfer case, No way, No HOW. Not diss'ing your idea, but Like ScottieGNZ and JohnC, I'd hate to see you embark on a journey and then abandon it two years down the road. Search this site. We have a LOT of knowledge collectively, and some VERY SERIOUS builders with VERY SERIOUS cars here... Most with engineering or racing back grounds... Mike Mike

Well Having also spent a lot of time on road courses, I agree that the HP is way betond managable, and forget being smooth. However, My idea of a decent setup wouldn't allow a T56 to last in my perfect Z. I'd be running 14 inch slicks in the back in a nice medium gooyear or Bridgestone compound and my car with all safety gear, fire system, full of fluids and ME in it would probably tip scales at closer to 2900#, and based on what I know of the C5 Vette and Viper ACR race teams, the T56 just won't cut it... I'm also looking at Doug Nash and Jerico as other options for trannys... I'm also open for suggestions! Mike

I had pics of OZ's Truck, but lost them on a hard rive crash. He and I chat regularly, and he trolls here quite a bit. However, I think he was using an Auto for that particular setup since he was building it for 1/4 mile duty. I'm still researching, but I'm swaying towards a Tremec TKO 5 speed RR package. Mike

Skirt... She turns heads everywhere when she dresses up... I know Pete, I know... I'm SOOOOO LUCKY! Mike PS... I AM!

The wife just called me at work. Seems the nice man driving the dump truck was quite smitten with her (She was dressed in office attire, and cleans up QUITE well) and he just couldn't handle the thought of HER out there helping ME spread the gravel so He just slightly tipped the bed and spread about 2/3rd of the gravel 2 inches deep down the width of the drive ALL THE WAY to the area where I need to dig down for the additional pad... God bless him ... And thank god my wife is a looker! Looks like my back will be spared some of the pain afterall! Mike

I stand Corrected... Then Speak American-ised Non-hoodspeak! The Kings English, modified for the modern 21st century man will do just fine! Mike

Well for a sobering thought for the day... We have a member here (Few of you even know him!) who has a twin turbo chevy in his Datsun TRUCK producing about 800HP! Now, I don't know if the original poster is for real, just a young guy dreaming of building the ultimate beast and reading way to many magazines while mainlining Jolt, OR trolling for substance... However, I'd recommend that we all keep an open mind... And if it were legal, I'd have mounted a .50 cal LONG AGO for those rush hour sorties! Anyway, Back to the REAL technical part of this idea, I'm with John. Having done a BUNCH of research on getting as much HP as possible out of a powerplant and then putting it into a Zcar. The T56 WILL NOT do for a couple of reasons... Size being one, and the target HP rating being another. Scrap that. Next, In order to do ALL WHEEL DRIVE, prepare to completely remove the trans tunnel and redisng aroung THAT mod. 3rd, Scrap the idea of a 1000HP Twin Turbo RX7 powerplant being had cheap. They don't exist. If you are serious, IF you have a real source to tap on cash with, and if REALLY want to do this, I suggest you get a business plan together and start this thing from scratch as a hobbie/ business to write off on your taxes. Work with some sponsores for advertisement and track everything after you work these technical issues... I've built two cars with the help of sponsores and Uncle Sam... Mike

...You folks can rap all you want in SFB. I don't want or need to learn more useless slang. In my little part of the world if a person sounds like a hoodlum, dresses like a gangster thug, and acts like a gangster thug, then that person must BE a gangster thug, and shall be treated likewise... I hate ebonics and the whole violent urban 'THANG, I don't care if it is the SHIZNITT or not! We have a language in this country. It is called ENGLISH... I suggest we all use it... Mike

To add to this... Pete P. Loaned ME the Factory Hing that I loaned to John, since I'm short on time as of late. Bottom line is that this is an OUT OF PRODUCTION PART and if you ever plan to hang a Gnose on your Z, You might want to get in on this while we have a source to make them... John, I'd set up a PAYPAL Account to make it easier for folks to pay, and help facilitate that impulse buying nature I love so much! Mike

Yup... But... THERE'S MORE! We are already planning to shop for LAND in one of two locations to build... You guessed it! Another BIGGER Garage over the next few years! I'm gonna shoot for a single story 30X50 or 40X60 unit with 12 foot ceilings to accomodate a lift and a Dyno Bay... Yup, I SAID a DYNO BAY! This will be a longer term plan, but I've already stopped two realitors from giving me their "Clients" offers in the last three weeks... Frankly I'm affraid what someone would offer, so I've just cut short their offers by saying I'm not interested and it isn't for sale. We'll likely be moving out of this place shortly after Craig Graduates High School in 2006, so We'll be buying something within the next 2 years with the intent on having the garage DONE at the beginning of his senior year so we can just have a builder do our dream home... One of two locations, but might expand the search if I change careers... Mike

I'll have to post some finished, well MORE finished pics (Is it ever really done?). I need to do corner trim on the exterior, plus gutters and finish digging a 14X20 section 6 inches deep for the rest of the concrete pad in FRONT of the garage. But I need to get Tom's tranny boxed up and shipped out first... Mike