Mikelly

Lets not lose site of why we are there... Fact: Saddam claimed not to have chemicals and bombs that have since been located, and or used against our troops. Fact: Saddam sent representatives of his Government to the UN to claim they had no such chemicals or munitions. Fact: Saddam has repeatedly tried to put this whole thing back on the US and Bush, saying it is about oil, Not weapons and support of terrorism. Fact: The Anthrax that was propegated to facilities in the USA came from one of only three possible locations in the world. Iraq was one of those possible locations, and the US is another... Fact: Saddam's money and resource trail leads DIRECTLY to supporting terrorist activities to INCLUDE the attacks on 9/11 and the Bombing of the USS Cole. Fact: Saddam signed agreements back in 1991, 1994, 1998, 2001 and has since gone back on EVERY SINGLE resolution or agreement, outright lying about what he would or wouldn't do, in hopes of gaining relief of the embargos against him. Fact: In 1989, 1990, and 1991 Saddam authorized the use of bio/ chem weapons on his own people, and on UN and US troops within the region. Unfortunately for me, I was working a watch office during one of those attacks and got to witness the initial reporting from UN personnel on the ground during the attacks by Saddam on a Kurdish Village. Those reports and images will go with me to my grave. Fact: Our own federal government allowed ALL of this to go on until the attacks of 9/11/01. I simply DO NOT understand how anyone could deny that this effort is justified in ANY way. So to anyone out there in Web-land, I respectfully say to you that we'll have to agree to disagree. When you can refute the points I've brought up, all of which have been reported in the media, I'll pour out some more... The REAL evidence is classified, but proved to me three years ago that we would be here today watching this unfold again. This dictator has created this situation, been given over a decade to do the right thing, and now the USA is being labled the bad guy Yet again... And what about our Allies in the UN?? The French??? They have a MAJOR stake in keeping Saddam in power. There are multimillion dollar contracts at stake that the French Government have on paper with the Government of Iraq, combining to total into the billions. Those contracts include providing ALL of the infrastructure for the Iraqies once embargos are lifted, but ONLY if the current government is left in place. Communications, Water and sewage, desalination plants, power grids, roadway engineering, railway engineering, you name it, the French have a contract on it. The French interest in the Iraqie people has NOTHING to do with their wellfare and everything to do with economics. The Russians would have backed us if we had gotten our heads out of our asses and given them the support they needed with the Chechen rebel issue, which by the way is their OWN version of a terrorist take-over. Had we given support, Russia would have troops on the ground right now supporting us, make no bones about it. The Germans and Australlians are tapped. Their issues are simply that they have been stretched too thin. Yet, even though the Ausies are strapped, they sent what they could with the intent to send more re-enforcements because they know if they come under fire, we'll save their bacon! Should we focus on other areas of the world? Sure we should. Korea scares all hell out of me. But guess what? They already have nukes and HAD them before they stopped further developement, only due to the presure we put on China to get them to comply with UN resolutions in the first place. The media is pissing in the wind on that one. Yea, they could potentially hit us. They won't. We allow India and Pakestan to have nukes, and THAT should worry those in the heartland equally as much. So, now that you guys got me on my rant, lets just not forget that Republicans put us in there in the first place, Clinton let Saddam treat us like his "Monica" for 8 years, and now the Son of the man that drug us in there (*Which I believe we should have been in the first place and should have FINISHED IT*) is gonna finish up. This isn't politics boys and girls. This man is a terror, a doer of evil for ALL of the world and he is solely responsible. Those of you who have to blame someone... Go out and protest... Protest SADDAM. With WAR will come Peace! Mike

Funny thing about the people protesting war is the fact that they don't understand that this Jiihad is not against anyone supporting the republican party or the federal government of the United States of America. The people we fight in Iraq and elsewhere in the world hate Americans, Even self absorbed, peace loving liberals like the actors and performers listed above. The futility in protesting a war... Lets SEE how much attention WE can attract to US. It has nothing to do with the war. It has EVERYTHING to do with face time. I say BOYCOTT these people and the media entertainment they produce! Mike

Well I got another surprise today... Seems I over-paid the engine builder and he is sending me a check back! My total for the short block is now at $1400... WOW! Even by my standard that is CHEAP! Mike

Oh trust me, it only took driving my GMC pickup with a V8 in it for a few months to decide on pulling my worked over L6 and dumping a V8 into it. That was 5 years ago and I haven't looked back! There is no replacement for displacement! Torque is king! Mike

Here is the logic behind the V8... I have a total of $1700 in my shortblock with forged Hbeam rods, forged pistons, fywheel, new crank, balancer, cam degreed and installed, new freeze plugs and cam bearings... and total internal balance... $1700... That is with some serious machine work, a screened 4 bolt block, with ARP studs and bolts everywhere... I couldn't do that to an L6. No way I was gonna touch a RELIABLE 500HP for $1700, and that price included $600 labor for someone else to assemble it all... No banging against the L6. It's just pure economics. Mike

What I like is the quote "All the cool kids in the LBC have been rollin' hard with these lights since they were released from the secret government lab sometime last year"... I think this is the biggest heartburn I personally have with the import movement/ scene... Bunch of kids trying to act tough and cool... Stupid really... I'm getting old... Mike

John, I'm using a set of Dart Aluminum (Conquest) heads that are 76CC chambered, 215CC Runner, and the Cam is an Isky Hydraulic Roller with advertised duration of 292/284 and lift of 530/550. The intake is a Cutler aluminum FI intake with 1000CFM TB running 42# injectors... The rockers are 1.5 roller, and I'm using Kmotion Springs. This is basically the same 383 stroker I had, but with a stronger bottom end, six inch rods, and the fuel injection. I'm gonna run a Holley Commander 950 on it. I'm projecting over 500 HP at the flywheel and may take the motor to a Dyno for setup, mapping, and proper tune before it is installed in the car. Mike

Well when I get home tonight my 383 stroker Shortblock will be back at home, assembled, balanced, cam degreed, and ready for the oilpump, pan and head... I'm getting closer to throwing the car back together... Pete will have his 406 stroker back as well... Should be very interesting... Mine is a Bowtie Block using: Scat 9000 Crank ($219 New on Ebay) Eagle H-Beam Forged Rods ($289 New on Ebay) Wiseico Forged Pistons & Rings ( $339 New on Ebay) CAT 153 Ring SFI Flywheel ($119 New on Ebay) Fluidamper SFI 6.25 Inch Dampner ($125 Used on HybridZ) Isky Cam and Cloyes True Roller Chain from previous build... Right now I have $600 in the cleaning of the block, clearancing of the rods, Balancing and assembly of all parts... So I'm about $1700 into what is hopefully a bombproof 500+HP Shortblock. Mike

Well I'll be staying in the same field, and I have two interviews this week, one on Thursday and one on Friday. I also have interest from two other companies... Location and pay are issues, but benefits are key as well... Tim, I'm with you on the Grass is just another hue on the other side... I'm very fortunate to have the job and income I currently do. I also have a pretty good gig here... Just would like a change IF it is reaosnable to do so. Mike

Jeff, The reason he SHOULD ask is because most of us have done lots of these conversions and if we can save him some effort, then why not ask? This isn't your average website... I also want to echo Mudge's comments about NOT using a cross drilled rotor. Vented rotors are mucho better on the front... Solid rotors suck in general. Hell my 1990 Civic even has vented rotors... Small, but vented! Mike

Well I've decided that I'm gonna be looking for a new Job elsewhere in the Government/ Consulting arena. I've had my name cleared from last years issues, and I'm doing a good job now. However, my current customer is going through some changes and our contract is being merged with two others and I won't be on the "Prime" contracting team. For managers that can be a problem... So I'm going to be interviewing with some other companies this week... After 6 years with one company I guess I'm due a change, No? Wish me luck guys... Mike

Sure do... They won't fit if you use the 88 V-6 FourRunner caliper... and I'm not sure, but some of the other later model calipers are gonna have issues with those wheels... Good luck... Mike

Jay, Yup we went to Sawgrass... I didn't like the boats they used, but it was a fun diversion after several days either in the room, on the phone, or stuck in traffic. Miami/ Ft; Lauderdale has some BAD traffic... Made me miss DC, which has only happened one other time... and that was Atlanta traffic. Mike

...I just did my taxes and I'm geting back about $2200 within the next few weeks, but man my head was hurting this time... Just wasn't getting a few of the errors fixed that the software found... Unfortunately the $2200 won't be going to the Z. It will be going to the family room project... THAT will help when I refinance... And THAT saving will be dumped into the Z!!! I'm going to bed... Mike

These are steel flares that should be brazed/ welded on. The rear sets run $400 and that is pretty much what it would run for me to sell them... The price break is for the set of four. The size of the box and additional shipping from them to me and then to you is what is the issue with cost... Mike

Nope, but they are steel which means that they won't crack. 4 steel flares for $700 is high, but VB sells them for $800... I give them at my cost when I sell them... Mike

I just ordered a set for one of our members and when I swapped the two sets into one box I noticed that you would need a minimum of 9 inches with LOTS of spacer behind it. I'm thinking a 10 inch wheel with 5 inches of back spacing would be perfect. My 9.5 inch cobra R knockoff wheels were 9.5 inches and I used a 1/2 inch wheel spacer for the white Z. That was a perfect fit with the tire just getting in under the lip of the wheel well. Those flares are really nice, but not cheap, even with my discount. As Ralph and I found out, turn around time is also an issue. VB won't ship out large items directly to a customer for me. They send stuff to me, which then has to be reboxed and sent out from my place. This costs time and DOUBLE the shipping charges. I actually lost money on the last set I sold. So, be forewarned, a set will run you $800 plus shipping from VB, or $700 plus shipping plus an additional week turnaround from me. Mike

I'm so glad to see you did it Alex! You will NOT be sorry. That is gonna be one hot ticket... Len, you take mustard with your crow??? Mike

...And it was hectic. My wife was busy every day from 9-4:30 and I had dial-in meetings to attend until Lunch time, so I really didn't get to spend much quality time until the last day. We did manage to get an airboat tour of the everglades and got to see some gators in the wild. Also, with it being spring break, everywhere was packed with drunk college kids, which is cool if you are a drunk college kid, but uncool if you have to deal with them... I think I'm getting old. Hell, I didn't even go to any of the strip clubs to kill time... I did however go by the ferrari dealership on Sunrise, and I went by East Coast Choppers, which was a way cool place if you are into the custom bike thing. I'm thinking a full custom might be my next project, as long as I can do it without buying anything Harley... Got home yesterday morning (after we got bumped up to 1st class) and finished out wiring the garage. I now have interior and exterior lights, power and all my stuff works except for the outlet dedicated to the welder... My brother inlaw wired it 220 and it is a 110 unit. I didn't know he had wired it such and I made the mistake of firing the welder up... Now it won't fire up and smells like something burned... I hope I can get replacement parts... Anyway, other than that debacle and a a set of shelves collapsing due to excess weight, the shop is nearly "Finished" in the downstairs. Next, we'll be finishing out the family room and hanging stairs on the outside of the new garage so I can access the 2nd floor to store parts and bike stuff. Long week, and I'm glad to be home. Mike

You're only making 297HP at the wheels and you run 11.7s... Dude you should be MUCH happier. The 1/4 times are what you need to focus on... Trust me on this. Another 100hp won't get you that much further down in your times... Mike

Nope, Sure didn't. They stiffed me. However, my brother inlaw came out and we hooked up all the lights and most of the fixtures... I'll be in Florida from Tomorrow until Next Saturday, So They won't be doing it this week. Mike

OK I"m PISSED... F'ing Va. Power NEVER bothered to even call... I dropped a section of my fence and left the garage (With all my stuff in it) open for them.... NEVER came and NEVER called... Mad doesn't describe how pissed I am. Mike

These are 17X8 with 5.75 back spacing I think. I'm running 245-40s and could likely squeeze some 255s under it with rolling the fender lip.. MIke

I smoke.... CIGARS! Really Expensive ones!!! Oh, and Jim Powers, You captured it for me. Although I voted that I don't smoke MaryJ and don't care, I do care. I've NEVER smoked pot. I got my TS clearance when I was 20, and before that I was a park ranger. I lived out in the country and had a fear of my parents catching me doing bad things, so I stuck with booz, something they could at least relate to from their youth. I just think that making Pot legal and taxing it would solve the mystical issue of it being "Cool" which would mean it would be MUCH LESS available than it is now. That said, Something else would take its place. However, Pot is NOT harmless... Paint it ANY COLOR you want to rationalize it, but it is NOT harmless... Many of the dopers I knew from the music business, and know from the car scene Drive WHILE HIGH on a regular basis. This is NO DIFFERENT then driving while intoxicated from booz. So, rationalize it for yourself all you want. It is a HARMFULL drug. Jim Powers, YOU DAH MAN! My $.02 Mike

We can support a visit that large... Yea, the nieghbors will love me, but we can do it! October, we'll plan another bash then! Mike