Dan Juday

On the VR bodywork I think the classic 180's are more appropriate. Here is Jim Williams baby.

LS1 Again, you're light on funds for this swap too, but it would be a very satisfying ride. The motor has a nice low profile and should clear the stock hood, one of the issues with a V8 swap into the Z31. Don't believe it's been done before either. It's lighter than the 6 you're pulling out. 300+/300+ horsepower/torque, ya baby. Gas mileage should be better too if you keep your foot out of it. But why would you want to do that? Add another $2k to your budget and watch every dime and it could be done.

Oh please, Alex! That's ridiculous. But everyone knows you bastardize a Z when you put a non-reciprocating motor in it.

Got you beat Alex. I recently bought an existing business. Two days ago I get a call from one of the trade publications that the former owner subscribed to. The guy on the other end of the phone says that he talked to the previous owner several months back (prior to the sale) and neglected to get one vital piece of info from him. He wanted to know if this was a contracting business, a sheetmetal shop, or other. I told him it was a contracting business and then proceeded to tell him about the change in ownership and that I would like to continue the subscription and could I give him my name and the new address? He told me that all he needed was that one "vital" piece of info and that there was no way for him to change anything else. "So you are going to send your fine publication to the wrong address and to the wrong person and you don't want to change that?" "Well, there is no way for me access that from my computer. I know that sounds dumb, but yes, I guess we will send it to the wrong address." "Do you have a piece of paper and a pencil?" "Uh.......no." By the end of the phone call I was laughing out loud and he was apologizing for wasting my time and telling me what a fool he felt like.

Sorry, nobody gets a picture of me.

I'm not a turbo expert, so other than the wow factor can anyone explain to me the benifit of having eight turbos over two, or even four? Can you imagine the heat coming off those buggers?

If you like the sunroof keep it. With the generally poor airodynamics of the S30 body I can't imagine that the profile of a pop-top would make things much worse. If you want to get rid of it there are others here (DavyZ to name one) who have done it. Search a little more and I'm sure you'll find stuff, it has been discussed.

Are you sure? Just seems hard to imagine how that could happen. There's no way any of the suspension parts could be put in backwards to do that. Can you post a pic to illustrate what you mean?

Terry, leave the headers on and definitely borrow the adjustable do-hicky (engine leveler).

I've got those lights on my Z only mine don't have the extra little blue bulb on the bottom.

Kudos Yasin! This site has a very high number of members cars in nationally distributed mags. Very cool. We ought to start a registry, kind of a way to document the credentials here. Man I got to subscribe now!

There is a very scientific way to test for proper clearance. Have your best buddy stick his pinky finger in between the steering shaft and the header. Start the motor and rev it hard idle to wide open and then back again several times while whipping the steering wheel back and forth. If his finger comes out smashed and burnt but there is no damage to either the header or the shaft you are A-o.k to go!

This Z should be here.

Dave, Good to see you on the boards here. Welcome to hybrid. What's your price on the Pantera panel? Do you still have that $1000 minimum order?

I like it! But chances are extremely small that all those curves would line up, or even come close enough to not look hokey. PhotoShop can make anything line up. The real world is quite different. Trust me on this one guys.

Good point Drew. Eric of Zparts has several nice shots of a blue Z from last years Z Fest here. http://www.zparts.com/events/zfest2002/index.html

Wot, you live in NorCal, hold out for a better Z. There are 280's out here with a lot less rust than that car. If this were Michigan than that one would be a real find, but not here. Keep in mind that if your swap is in a '75 or later you will have to deal with smog. The wise thing to do is wait untill you are in a position to own two cars so you're daily driver is not your project car. MHO would be to find a nice clean, well running '77 or '78 and drive it for a few years untill you can get another car to drive while working on the Z. By that time it will be smog exempt and your swap will be worry free of legal entanglements.

The difference is body work. With the drop in one your steel hatch has to be cut. The section between the lower edge of the window and to a point just below the latch button has to be removed and then the fiberglass piece is bonded in and finished. Johns hatch would come ready to finish and paint. It would be lighter and free of worries that cracks would develop where the fiberglass is bonded to the steel. Currently John is seeking to gauge the interest for first generation cars only, '70-'78. He already has a successful mold for the stock hatch that could be modified to produce a Pantera version. Convincing him to start from scratch on one for the S130 could take some doing. (read $$$) John sells his "ready to bolt on" hatch for $350 + shipping. I would expect to pay more for a Pantera version. When you compare his prices keep in mind that his quality is superior and requires very little body shop time to finish as compared to his competition. Often a cheap piece of fiberglass can end up costing you more once you pay your bodyman to "fix" it.

I got an e-mail from John Washington saying that if there is enough interest he would consider developing a one piece fiberglass Pantera style hatch as an addition to his newly released stock design fiberglass rear hatches. So.... any interrest?

Ahhhh, cool. But why is he wearing a Caltrans vest?

O.k., school me. What is a climbing deer stand?

Well Terry HAD the coolest headlights.

Sounds like John's kit uses a variation of the JTR crossmember spacer plates only slightly thinner. Looking forward to the pics.

Right on Ernie! I'm very happy for you. Sounds like your dream job. When you get up and running I'd love to come see the shop. I'll buy lunch.

Hey look at that. I forgot that was still around. Thanks Rufus!