Mikelly

So I started a fire in the shop, jacked up the rear, started looking at the parts I have for my Mustang rear brake setup... I'd used a JCR 79-81ZX rear caliper adapter bracket many many years ago when I was running other cars, and I'd just kept these brackets for some goofy reason... So they're on the car, and I'm using a tape measure and dial caliper to pull some numbers... I'm writing down "stuff" and finally I thought "I wonder if the holes for the caliper mount are close to the holes for the bracket? Hmmm DING! Yes they are... 3.5-ish inches... SWEET! Well gee I wonder if the offset is the same with the rotor bolted snug??? DING! Yes it is. Well heck, let's drill out the hole on the bracket to match the size of the caliper bolt and see what we have, shall we? 30 minutes later I had every thing mocked up. There was about 1/32 of an inch of interference from the craddle for the caliper on the inside rubbing the rotor, but I was able to clearance that with a large grinding stone on a hand grinder. This whole setup now bolts direct with no funky adapter required... I don't know if that caliper conversion kit is still available, but this is huge because within 2 hours I was able to install a Mustang 11.75 inch diameter, .80 thick vented rotor on the rear, and the mustang caliper does have an E-brake function if you want to use it... And these parts are ALL OEM off the shelf! Now, On to wiring the sheetmetal dash with my Autometer gages! Mike

No Carl, It hasn't... I hope to have it back up in the near future. Haven't had a lot of extra time lately. Mike

Why yes, you can! And so do, I mean, CAN I! It's not a hard process and if you already have a concealled weapons permit, it's that much easier. Mike

Pretty decent gun. I've owned two of them and my business partner owns one. They're not a glock, and aren't as accurate, but the fit and quality is decent and for the money, you won't go wrong. Mike

Like Gas? Or Jock itch? I'll pass, thanks. Mike

Check with your local cadillac dealer. I've been told they sell the LS6 for less than GM does, but you have to buy an oil pan, manifolds, and accessories... Mike

Are you planning to flare the car? If not, you'll possibly be able to squeeze a 265 series tire under the fender, with it rolled, but a 275 series won'd go. I tried this with my setup and was able to get 1/16th inch clearance between my 9.5inch wheel/275 series tire and the coilover setup with the 2.5inch diameter coil perch set above the tire. Now that I have adjustable control arms and camber plates, I could probably have moved the tire in a hair more to make a 275 series tire work, but didn't try it, and now I've got flares on the car... mike

0100, I agree 100% with your thinking, and I think I've proven over the years that I'm a car guy first, with a wide diversity in cars I like, and buy... I just do not like anything in the Mitsubishi product line, for the reasons I stated above. Someone in my office asked what I'd buy as a commutor car and everyone thought I was joking when I said I'd buy a Hyundai if I had a long commute. Then I cited my reasons, and pulled up some data on their current ratings and everyone's jaws dropped... So you see, it isn't like I'm totally out in left field with my taste of european cars... I'm still intuned to today's auto market... I just hate mitsubishi's products, in general... Mike

Anwhat's funny is that they were shooting for "upper $50s" when this whole thing started several years back... I'm telling you guys, this is a big issue. If the car stickers at $70K, that's getting into a whole new league of buyer. And those who can afford it can also afford a lot of other "more exotic" platforms. My concern is will these buyers simply shy away from it at that pricepoint because its a "nissan"? Mike

So Careless, What you're saying is that you don't care about the facts and specifications, you just want to believe what you want to believe? Ugh... So, Again, WHO Is planning to buy this car?? Mike

Dude 6.1 at 112mph in the 1/8th is pretty damned impressive. You need to get that car to a 1/4mile track and see what it'll run! Mike

You got it! Mike

Yup, that's the only thing I never liked about the toyota swap. My steering felt heavier after that upgrade... Mike

About 16-18 years ago a buddy of mine sold me a bunch of his Zcar parts because he'd bought a first gen 300zx2+2. He'd upgraded the brake pads, lines and fluid and then let me drive that pig. I was AMAZED at how well that car, and it was heavy, broke in repeated 60-0 and 80-0 stops. I actually tried to boil the brakes without success. The Z stock brakes with proper fluid, braded lines, and good pads/shoes works good for a daily driver. I wouldn't plan on any track days in it if you've upped the HP, but in stock trim, they're good for a daily driver. However, It's my opinion that the best "first mods" you can do to a stock Zcar are to upgrade the brake system and the suspension system. The S30 chassis responds very well to those upgrades. You don't have to go "12 inch" or bigger on the setup, either. Mike

I think I read in Road&Track that they are discussing the 350Z replacement and the 370Z title has been thrown out there. Mike

And most people who aren't Datsun Zcar fans will say exactly that... That's why this is a Datsun forum and not an EVO forum. Mike

You'll find this out in the many many countless searches... Buy the BOOK from http://www.jagsthatrun.com and read it 10-15 times. Once you have memorized that, your next step is to get some patience, come back this site, and READ some more. It's that simple. Mike

What's more interesting still is that the 350Z is experiencing quite the same reaction and major support from the aftermarket community. Last year at the Las Vegas SEMA show the 350Z was all the rage for aftermarket parts development. This car is coming into its own, much like the S-30 did back in the 70s! Mike

It'll be an impressive package, no doubt. However, at that price point, they've got to get everything "right". It's the same thing Acura/Honda were facing when they released the NSX. Hopefully Nissan will have the same success. There are some VERY impressive new and used cars in that price range, once you start looking. That's how I ended up with my little black winged beast. Mike

It's simple economics. The trend started in the 80s. It grew out of these little commutor cars being handed down from mom & dad to son or daughter, as an excuse for mom and dad to upgrade. As to the comment about the RX7s and F&F, the only reason kids snatched them up (I have one and watched it first hand, and he now has TWO 3rd Gens) is because they couldn't afford Supras. As much as we love to bash those little annoying rice burners and their owners, the import scene really injected a ton of revenue into the SEMA market and allowed for better products to be developed by the true hardcore manufacturers. The fluff, although annoying to most of us, truly helped the aftermarket grow, both good and bad. Now days you have to search for products to make sure that they're not cheap forms that left function behind... Mike

Careless, That clip is very deceiving. It Doesn't "show" where they were timing from, and Nissan has been accused of "fluffing" numbers in the past. They're trying to go up against all the heavy hitters in the performance market, and the word I get is that Nissan is concerned about the price point. This car will be selling at the same price point as the Chevy C6Z06. Bottom line is if they fudged those numbers at the ring (As is being claimed on various other BBs out there) then it'll come out soon enough. It's going to be an interesting year in cars for 2008-2009. mike

And at the end of the day, it's still an EVO. I have never been a fan of this car, not because of the performance, but because of Mitsubishi's track record in quality/fit/finish. Not to mention the plastic/cheap interior design. I think the LS1/2/6 platform is the absolute best way to go, and as I've said before, I'd do one ASAP if I could sell my existing powertrain. No questions asked. Mike

Arizona Zcar, Motorsports Auto and MML sell a five lug rear conversion as well. Mike

Man this fixes so many issues all at once... The guys at Technotoy make quality parts that are tested on the Ralley circuits across Europe and Africa, so buy with confidence gang! If I didn't already have my issues sorted... Mike

Having the ability to keep it in such a fitting shop, with the resources to finish it at my leasure... Along with what Juston O. posted above! Mike