Mikelly

Spoke to soon... Pistons are going to be drop shipped from manufacturer... That was two weeks ago... Ugh...

Not me...

Block will be in tomorrow via FedEx. Things should start happening pretty quickly... Mike

2006 Dodge Cummins Megacab 3500. They are absolute beasts and very stable. I don't have to use tow stabilizer bars when towing my 24ft. 10K pound trailer loaded to the hilt with car and gear... And I knock down 22-23mpg when driving it without a load. If you're going open trailer, assume you will need something with minimum 5K capacity. They trailer alone will be in the 1500-2000 range. Add the car (call it 2750) and a tire rack with spares for the trailer and car and you are at capacity or over it. Add fuel cans with gas or tools in a tool box and you'll want to have something that tows closer to 6K. All that said, I will never buy another STEEL car trailer. Spring for the aluminum if you can afford it, and you will thank yourself later. Mike

You guys all make valid points... the most valid of them is why I should be starting a blog. Maybe I'll get that started over the next few weeks. And Rags, at the rate HZ is going, as are so many other enthusiast sites on the web, there's no guarantee this one will be here in a few years...It's why I copy off all my content regularly. Mike

I have sold cars to people overseas... I have sold large items to people over seas... The first thing you need to do is belly up to the keyboard with a TON of patience and be prepared to sell them on the fact that A: You are not a scammer, and B: You are a serious buyer with serious funds. Be persistent and also assure the prospective seller along the way that you are willing to jump through the various hoops in order to make the transaction and close the sale. I already expect to sell Sasha Grey to someone abroad when she is running and shook down. If you know how to navigate the waters, it shouldn't be painful once all parties come to the sense that a deal is legitimate and realistic. All that said, I have a $1950 check sitting on my counter right now from a CRAIGSLIST buyer who wanted to buy my pistons for $450... And he questioned why I would be interested in talking with the postal investigator about the fraud he conducted... Unfortunately, people like this guy are the reason people like you are going to have an uphill battle. Mike

I'll be there with the wife doing nothing... Anyone want to hang out or have recommendations of things to do... Ping me offline. Mike

It has nothing to do with GM/Chevy motors. I've owned Datsuns (22 of them) since 1987 and I've had Datsun motors shyte the bed too. There are a whole host of LS motors that have run many many thousands of miles. My C5 Corvette was a fine example of a car will with over 120K miles on it when the motor finally let go on the racetrack due to a broken rod bolt. 120K miles of hard driving... No this was a different kind of failure. Much like the last motor, it boils down to assembly. Both were assembled by people I "trusted" to do a good job, and both failed me.

These came in for my "EGAY" motor... I am awaiting the block, pistons, rings and head studs. I hope to have a motor together in the month of may.

You done good getting out... Sorry for your setback, but I'd trade mine for yours, and I know that doesn't help when trying to sort what happened. Good luck with a fast and speedy recovery! Mike

...or a thick wad of cash. If the car can run well and be reliable at the track, I will move to sell it by October. My run with this one is over and I need to move on with the rest of my short life. Mike

I cant either... Sorted and running properly She will be sold. Then my fans will have their wish. She is going to be sold, Ladds. Bank on it.

Tom would love to move this car so we are negotiable on the price...

Jesus...Carl thanks for reminding me. I didnt realize mentioning the scarab name would cause such distress. The Zcar was originally a California Car that a DOCTOR sent to SCARAB to have modified. Jim McNemar bought the car and it had all those crappy pieces *and I do mean CRAPPY when he bought the car. We jetisoned it all because the valve covers wouldnt clear the rockers we picked. The motor mounts put the engine in a horribly biased position, and the shifter linkage was crap. The bellhousing was the only thing worth keeping and we sold it. The bodywork was custom. If your buyer wants a scarab then this is not the car for him. Sorry for causing you such distress. Mike Kelly

We're selling off what formerly was a Scarab that Jim McNemar owned that I helped him out with a while ago. The build includes the following: 355 SBC complete with Eagle Rods/Crank/ Forged pistons, Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock Cam, Holley Commander 950 Standalone EFI (Actually properly tuned and running well)/Canton Accusump/RR Oil Pan and Remote filter Motor is being freshened THIS WEEK with new main and rod bearings. Aluminum Racing radiator and plumbing Fuel SAFE EFI fuel cell Custom T5 fivespeed from NASCAR supplier 5-speeds.com Quiaffe LSD equipped 3:70 R200 rear diff 300ZX turbo Axles, MML stubs/flanges Mustang Cobra brakes (12.8 Front 11.8 Rear) Custom Aluminum hubs and stubaxles for 5 lug 5X4.5 pattern with ARP studs Koni 8610 Struts on GC Coil overs ZF Racing Adjustable front control arms AZ Car Rear cromoly control arms Multi Point Cromoly rollcage that is NOT SCCA or NASA legal Red Sparco Torino Seats (sun faded at the top) Interior is decent with a good dash, door panels and interior trim in all places the cage didn't block. Car will need repaint at some point but the pictures speak to the level of bodywork done to it many years ago... Asking $20K obo... Running driving and ready to rock Car is located in Broadway Va.

Block is being machined, Pistons crank and rods are allegedly being shipped out this week. I hope to have all parts in house within the next two weeks so I can get moving on putting this motor back together. Mike

I've been in two cars that have been on fire on track... As RebekahsZ mentioned, most are due in no small part to fluid igniting on hot motor parts. Do yourself a favor (as I will be doing) and weld closed ALL openings in the firewall, transtunnel, or anywhere else along the driveline... Think about any fluid that will connect with HOT exhaust pipes from CV Axle grease to differential and brake fluid to trans and motor oil to wheel bearing grease. ANY petroleum based fluid will ignite with enough heat and I've seen heat as high as 800 degrees on brake rotors/calipers/wheels. So keep all that in mind.

This wasn't an EBAY purchase. Not even close. And that comment/assumption right there, that's the kind of thing that gets me fired up...Thanks for the reminder of why I have avoided posting for the last 3 weeks!!

Brief update on the motor fiasco... The LS motor that was sold to me turned out not to be what I bought and what the company stated as being delivered. When we opened up the motor to disassemble it the Callies Compstar crank and rods were NOT in the motor. Further evidence of something being amiss and something I clearly overlooked was the block. Turns out it was an LS2, not what was sold to me as an LS3. The block was shipped to a company in Texas who agreed to take it as a core for $400, assuming it was an LS3. Once they got the block in and inspected it, they were able to confirm that this block was a remanufactured piece and that it had lived a hard life before it even got to me. They were able to show small cracks throughout the block. So what does all this mean to me? The company that sold me the motor has owned up to the rod/crank swap. They are sending me new crank and rods in exchange for the EAGLE components that were in the motor. They will not make amends on the block, claiming that was not their issue and that they have no idea how the motor was treated when it left their facility. So I'm now out $100 shipping on the block to Texas, plus $400 savings for the core, along with now needing pistons and rings. I don't anticipate having a motor put together before May at the earliest and that means we won't have this car sorted and being on the track until later this year. I have had several members ask me offline the name of the company. At this time I am not prepared to disclose that information. I would prefer to have all dealings with them complete before I get to the next chapter in this saga. Mike

Grey 1253841 is always the fastest.

I found a brand new block from a source over on LS1tech for $800. They'll take mine in trade. Thanks to all those who pinged me and were looking. Carry on! Mike

Today I backed this thread up to my hard drive. I'm not "taking my lack of talents" to south beach. But I am taking a break from HZ. Those of you who want to continue following me and the progress or regress of this project, Please see my Mike's Hobby Shop link to FB or follow me on FB. I'm not "leaving" HZ. But I am going to stop posting other than forsale for a while. This site has taken a big chunk of the last 17 years, some good, a lot not so good. Reading thru this thread reminded me of the many good things unrelated to Zcars that I have experienced in the last 17 years. Sadly, for me, wrenching on this car has been more than driving it. Clearly due to my own problems working on it (as another member is so quick to point out.) So maybe I need to share less, and read more. Clearly putting myself out here has made me a target. It's my own fault. I guess I learn slow... but eventually, well... Mike

Motor was drained of water back in October, when I posted on FB reminding people to remove it and NO coolant or water was put back into the block. Unless there was some trapped in a passage, I don't think that water was the issue. Plus I keep an electric heater in the shop and that shop doesn't get below 35 degrees.

This thread wont see many updates until I sort out the problems I have experienced with a broken block. The rear sides of the block are cracked and the passenger side is much worse than the drivers side. So my new motor is going to need a repair or a new foundation. Yes, I am sick over this. Yes I did this. No I dont need anyone telling me how much I suck right now.

Keith, I already had the ends... just needed the center. I wanted to work with a local shop, but in hindsight I'd work with an online shop in the future.