Mikelly

Andy, Yup, bought it for $800 and sold it for $1300! Happiest two days of a boat owners life... Buying it & Selling it... Not in my book though. That boat was cheap and a lot of fun, and the family enjoyed it. It was just to small. So we are shopping for something much larger, in good shape and a steal! Randy, I'm gonna get some ZXT nuts for the new Stub axles. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Andy, 13 years ado I would have made that mistake...and did. But not this time. No, this time I was over in Bosnia working during a war, and these F**kers I hired to do it were MY SPONSORS (At the time)!!!! Dumb asses. Anyway, now I know. On a positive note, I sold my boat today, making about $500 more than I bought it for a year ago, so the extra cash is gonna be nice... Just have to spend some of it on the axles and getting them drilled... and getting Scotties adapters... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Scottie, Count me in. Need them asap. Mike Kelly ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Took tiday off work to finish up the five lug hubs on the rear, and I figured I'd go ahead and pull the stub axles and set them in a drill press I have access to to finish them up. Pull the first one which was most of the way done and... Nut had been cross threaded when the guy I used to associate with did the rear disc swap over for me from the wrecked car I had... Check the other side... Sure enough, both had been crossthreaded. Ya know, the guy knew I was gonna be driving this car at high speeds... Son of a bitch. Now I'm ordering some stub axles from Zbarn and I'm just gonna send them out and have them drilled and checked properly. Bottom line, unless you can 100% trust someone else to do the job right, just do it yourself. I'm glad I checked it, but pissed at what I found... Mad Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Terry is right. Most of us who run rear disc are running the 280ZX master cylinder. AS for the trans, I'm using the stick 94-97 GM T56 Clutch slave cylinder & Tilton 7/8th inch Clutch Master KIT for my 383-T56 combo. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

I'd suspect it is vacuum related... the doors on the unit actually are vacuum operated and you have a dashpot with about 6 vacuum lines coming into and going out of that unit, which sits right under the heater controls. Mine hasn't worked since I got the car in 1996. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

What size is currently on it? If you are just trying to fill the wheel well, you are gonna have to figure out how much of a diameter you want the wheel to be, then check with tire manufacturers to see what aspect ratio you can go with and which width. You won't get it exac tbut you can come fairly close. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Just got my order in and the CV axles were TurboZX units, but the 5 lug hubs they sent weren't the 85-86 model I have thought I requested. I'll have to call them Monday. Other than that, the experience dealing with them was great. They worked with me on shipping it and got the payment squared away even when my Visa company had screwed up my access to my card and blocked it (Still don't know why it was done, but it is fixed now!). So all in all, my experience was pleasent! Just need to swap the hubs for the right ones. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

I just got a delivery of 40Ft (Yup that is no typo...Forty feet!!!) of 1 5/8th .132 tubing from S&W for a whopping $129 delivered! I couldn't find anyone who would deliver it to my door, and prices elsewhere were through the roof! Now I start the cage in earnest! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Damn John... I did not know this. I'm not disputing it, but I had 265-50s on the back of my car on 8inch tires.. I didn't notice a problem with zero toe, but I'll take notice when I put the 275-40-17s on the back on the 9 inch wide wheels... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Plus you have to remember that turning higher RPMs does not equate to making HP or Torque. My car makes good usable torque from reasonably low RPMs, but not so low that it will be undrivable out of the corners. Also, if you go the V8 route, you can take advantage of a host of roller valve train goodies that will rev MUCH faster than the traditional inline six valve train, making peak HP faster. Let me pose this question, do you think a motor will have more longevity if it makes all its peak HP at 4500-5500RPMs or if you have to turn the motor up to 7500RPMs? I know for a fact that the Nissan inline 6 motors are notorious for destroying harmonic balancer/ crank pulleys at revs above 6500RPMs... Broke many of them myself. To me, and every engine builder I have ever worked with or planned an engine build with, you gain nothing by having a higher reving motor, if you can get to the same HP in a lower RPM range, which is what you essentially get with the V8! My $.02 on the subject... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

EPS, Check Pete Paraska's thread on oilpresure and oil pans further down this topic list. The conversation covered this very issue. You need an adequate pan with the appropriate windage tray, baffles and trap doors arounf the pickup tube. My system uses a remote filter made by Catnon, an accululator with electric solenoid made by canton, and a Moroso 7 Qt pan with the above mentioned goodies {windage tray, scraper, trap doors, baffles) in it. I never got lower than 10PSI in my motor with a hivol pump. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

A few of the companies list tires in that size. I used to be a huge fan of the BF GOodrich comp TA Z rated tire, but have switched over to the Bridgestone RE730! They have a wide selection for cheap, but you must go 16 inch or higher!@ Check www.tirerack.com or go to the manufacturers site for more info I'm going with 245-40-17s on the front and they are 10.3 inches wide, where as the 275-40-17 I will run on the rear is 11 inches wide. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Before someone asks here... Someon contacted me off line to ask about the bushing that will connect to the crossmember, it is being machined now. That is the easiest part of the process. That hardware, minus your crossmember bolt, will be included with the control arms. We project a 1 week turn around on these from the time we get them inhouse, but that time may be shortened, we'll have to see! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Jamie, You and I may be able to do some "Other" business as well. I'll discuss it with oyu when you come look at the cars... You may walk out of there on Saturday with no oney out of pocket...and two Zs. I'd absolutely let you powder coat some of these for me for a free set... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Pics of the Control Arms Are up!!!! See new post above! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Guys, Go here for pics of the control arms: http://photos.yahoo.com/dat74z2001 The control arms are adjustable a total of 1.5 inches, 3/4 inch in each direction (While staying within the safety spec for the heim Joint and adjuster!!!). and here is the way pricing will work: the set of control arms plus a set of adjustable TC mounts (For much needed adjustable caster) shipped to your door for $400 (price for each Arizona Z arm is $235 each, just for the arm). The only catch is that you must send us payment in advance and there will be a core charge (yet to be determined) if you cannot send us your control arms and TC rods in advance. However, this will get you the best on car option for adjustment of caster and camber. Look for pics of the rear control arms and TC rods soon. Please, Please, Please, give us an accurate count for the numbers of folks who need these so we can plan for stock. We don't want you guys to tear your cars appart and wait while we do these, but finding straight control arms is getting hard! I believe (and Mike/SCCA can verify this) that the other style Mike SCCA and I are making only adjust to about 3/4 inch total adjustment, which doesn't give nearly the camber settings... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk [This message has been edited by Mikelly (edited February 01, 2001).]

I'll post a link to my site and put the control arms out there when I get it done up. Stay tuned! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

I'd call Midway Engineering (Centerforce) and ask about power limits for that clutch. I know a lot of people in the Bowtie world HATE the Centerforce product line, and I'm not thrilled with their prices. However, Linginfelter used this clutch in his Sledgehammer Corvette, you know the one that hit well over 200MPH.... I don't think (And I could be wrong) that clutch is the problem. I'd check with Centerforce and also bleed the system per the instructions that came with the kit. Get all the air out of the line. I suspect that or misadjustment of the master cylinder is the issue. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Randy, Will do. I hope to be there this year, but realistically (With the wedding and honeymoon to St. Croix) won't make it until the spring of '02. Hopefully by then I'll have some lap days at Summit Point, VIR, and Road Atlanta. I'm also hoping a buddy of mine (Former sponsor) can get me on the track for one of the CarGuy weekends at Atlanta Motor Speedway! If I get to a few tracks and get a few tripple didget extended runs at an oval track I might feel better about running it WOT through the desert! I"m also doing a bit of research for a possible Salt Flats run! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Swatt, Rest assured... the tone of this board will not change anytime soon. It is this way for one reason, mutual respect of everyone here. Global harmony in the Zcar community would be ideal, but I'll settle for my own private idaho right here! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Alsil nailed it. No need for me to cover the 5 lug conversion guys. Do EXACTLY as he did on his documentation and you are good to go! Good Job Al! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

OK, OK time out... First, I don't want people to think that I'm beating up on Mike/SCCA. Pete P. and I have discussed this at length and here is my personal view point on information and making money off it... Mike/SCCA has a lot of time invested in researching his products. You know how much money he makes off coil over kits??? Trust me, it ain't much...about equal to the cost of shipping. Mike Has some real world experience put into his product choices. Now, me on the other hand.. I'm cheap. I like deals, I'm addicted to them and if I can get a steal on something or fab something up that works on my own, I'm as proud as a new daddy. When I need info and I know Mike/SCCA has it but won't give it up... I get frustrated. Does that make him a BAD GUY...NO, Does that make me any less frustrated? No. He is being a good business man, nothing more, nothing less. Sounds like the tech article referenced above is covering the bases. I'll check it out and if it hits the mark on what I did and I can add no further value to it, then we'll all just reference that one and I'll finish up on the fuel cell tech article for the magazine! And for the record... I just spent $900 buying brakes from Mike/SCCA. You know why? Jim (BLKMGK) covered it in his post above. Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Something else to factor in is that you can get a brand new GM crate motor with 255HP and 300Ft# torque for $1200 with a 12 month warranty. You would still need an intake, carb and all accessories, but still, that is a brand new motor WITH a WARRANTY. Put some nice headers, bigger cam and nice carb on it and get much closer to 300HP for little cash... Buying a junkyard motor is like going to Vegas without the show girls and airfare... Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk

Sent Mike SCCA a check for $900 today. I didn't get the 13 inch units though. I spoke with a guy I know who has done the SSC on 11.5 inch Wilwoods and he hasn't had a single problem with his brakes fading. I think the 12.2 inchers with the Outlaw 4000 calipers will be sufficiant based on what I'm being told by folks running this event. Thanks to those who chimed in in the previous thread! Mike ------------------ http://hometown.aol.com/dat74z/myhomepage/auto.html "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk