Mikelly

That's awesome... I wanna be Darth Vader..."Luke, I'm your father... take out the trash..."

They're also not cheap on specialty tools. I've toyed with getting a 355F1 or a 360 Challenge. The cost of ownership is bad enough... The cost of "figuring it out yourself" can be daunting. Mike

Getting ready to start the conversion back to fuel injection... Going to order the FAST efi XFi2 computer/harness with traction control and data logging. Also getting ready to section a pair of front struts about 2 inches to allow more front strut adjustment. Right now I can't get as much front travel with the current chapman strut tubes. I hope to tackle the cut/welding this weekend... Mike

Back to cars... I finally got Justin's large carbon flares in. I'll start to fit them, maybe between now and next weekend. I had the car running last night and it got pretty hot while idling. Don't really know "how" hot, since these autometer electric gauges are reading so far off... Probably was at 215-220 when I shut it down. I didn't notice anything "catastrophic" yet. We'll see... Oil leak is STILL present... Dripping off the bottom of the bellhousing. Since I'm pulling the intake for the FI intake system, I may go ahead and pop off the heads and double check all those plugs on the deck of the block... something is def. up... What needs to be bought: Better valve covers with baffels (*thought these were good?). Mechanical oil and water temp gauges (Tired of guessing what they really are) CCW Wheels (wider is better, right?) FAST EFI system (Computer/harness) I'm also trying to decide on the rest of the panels... I may change out the rear wing for a ZCC ZD/R style rear wing... Need to sort the rear hatch issue... Go fiberglass? Carbon? And John Hines, You're 110% correct.. Thanks to all of you guys for your kind words... Been a hell of a month... Cars and my wife will get me thru this... Mike

It's why teaching students before they jump into that end of the pool is so important. The situational awareness required to get around a racetrack in traffic without being held up or holding someone up is quite overwhelming to most, at first. But you're right man... This sport is very addictive and why I couldn't fathom "drag racing" or "ovel racing"... Mike

Yes forged... sometimes typos happen. Mike

Nothing worth reading...

Do some more research then. There are a bunch of guys who have broken shafts and cases from the R/P sideloading... If you're going to upgrade the gearing, I'd look at the billet bridge/side plates and forged shafts. We just upgraded a friend's trans/diff to RPM Stage 4 units and they're pretty beefy. He's going to make it a DE/Track terror, so that might be overkill for you, and with the upgraded clutch kit/LWFW/3inch torquetube/guebbos I think he was $7500 shipped for everything. It should last a long time though. For what it's worth, he kept the 3.42s and upgraded the gears/shiftforks and other internals... Mike

When I used to track the 996TT I would regularly pass guys in their Miatas, and I'd be doing well over 160mph and they'd be doing MAYBE 115mph. Then I moved into a SpecMiata and was paid back in spades. There is no fear like that of being surprised by that differential speed, even when you know it's coming... Mike

You and me both... That was nuts...

Yup, it's a $60 part. I'm installing one on a friend's car on Friday evening when we flush his fluids and install some Z06 mufflers on his C5Vert. Mike

Yup, it's a $60 part. I'm installing one on a friend's car on Friday evening when we flush his fluids and install some Z06 mufflers on his C5Vert. Mike

Both the C5 and the C5Z06 have a 3.42 ring and pinion. The trans gearing is very similar, and not something I'd consider a huge reason to pick one over the other. The M12 came in the C5Z and the M6 came in the regular C5. Transmissions A4, MN6, MN12 1st Gear 3.06 2.66 2.97 2nd Gear 1.63 1.78 2.07 3rd Gear 1.00 1.30 1.43 4th Gear 0.70 1.00 1.00 5th Gear --- 0.74 0.84 6th Gear --- 0.50 0.56 Reverse 2.29 2.90 3.28 Mike

Mike

Have you owned a C5? They're notorious for heat issues as is, and anyone who'se had to deal with that will tell you that forced induction on that car is asking for trouble. They lack airflow in the engine bay. Buddy of mine just found out the hard way that the LS6 motor does not like to get hot, and much more than 235 degrees for more than a few minutes and you're done. Maybe not today, maybe not next week... But the damage is done. Heads and cam combo will get you to a much more stress free 450 WHP than forced induction. As to the comments about the suspension/brake upgrades, my 99C5 coupe had upgrades to make it a targa Z06, and sure it handled as well as a Z06. But if you can buy a Stock, clean, reasonably low mileage Z06 for $18K, and drive it in stock condition, you'll be way ahead of the game. The car simply does everything well, crappy interior not withstanding. Mike Leon, If you haven't experienced the snap oversteer in an S2000, I can tell you it will catch you the exact same way. If you haven't experienced it yet, you're not pushing the car hard in corners. Good luck with the search and let us know what you decide! Mike

Pete, You know how busy I am. I have zero time, desire, or want to do that. Further, it isn't even my car. My goal is to get it running and back home with Jim. I am far more int eested in driving cars than building them! Mike

I also owned this for about 6 months... A 2002, the last year of the Z3MRoadster. I'd have kept that car if I could have justified having it and the Zcar and the Porsche 911 Turbo, and the space to garage them all. I didn't and couldn't. That said, Everything Michael mentions about it above is true except for the single biggest reason I'd have had to spend money on the car... The snap oversteer of that car was flat dangerous. It was the MOST unpredictable car I've ever owned in regards to that... I'm no Michael Schumacher, but I do instruct at DE events and the only way I'd recommend an M Zroadster is with that in mind. AND if you plan to DE with it, most clubs will not allow the OEM factory pop-ups. They simply don't meet most track insurance coverages. Personally, I'd hunt down that 50th edition Z06 linked above and see if you can get it for $18K... That is one hell of a car for the money. Mike

I'm not a fan of the E46, but I would own any of the E36 varients, which is what I just bought fairly modded for $10K. Love them love them love them. They're lighter, more nimble, and just plain fun to drive. I hated the S2000 I test drove, and there's just no way I'd buy one. The C5 Vette is always a good bet and fun to drive and still knock down 28mpg. I'm getting 26.5 mpg on my M3, for comparison. Mike

Yes, They are non-functional bling. The owner had a guy hand make them and they do "look" great. However, there is almost NO suspension travel and as a matter of fact the drivers rear flare has a huge crack. I need to sit down with the owner and have a long discussion about what he wants to do with it because I've been sitting on this car, holding it for him for over 4 years. Time to poop or get off the pot. Mike

There is a reason Clive and I no longer speak... Mike

Took it out to the "Helmets off to Heros" even with Drive-Lab for a vets only Driver's Clinic. The footage is of the instructor's group. Car is on All season radials and parts counter brake pads, along with the PSS9s set to full soft. I ran one session and then the brake pedal started getting soft... Since I drove the car to the event, I wasn't going to push it any further... Fun as hell though... This car is a hoot! Mike

Dave If you have it, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks! Mike

So I reinstalled the axle on the rear with the crappy Dorman boot. Hope it lasts for a while, since I have FOUR of them... be ready for the 2012 season! Mike

Pete, I'm way more focused on getting the car reliable than making more power. The heads I have are fine. I'm sure they're not the absolute most efficient, but they're fine enough to make decent power. I just want to get rid of the heavy wheels, the carb/intake, and get some serious time in the seat in this car. Mike

I'm inclined to think You're right Pete, based on the fact that the guy that built your other motor built mine, and they have both exhibited the same problems. That said, I won't be upgrading to different heads... I'll be upgrading to a different intake and FAST EFI!! Mike