SportZ2

So far as close as I can find a hotel is in Fullerton. Is this close enough? La Habra doesn't even register on the search sites for hotels.

Cheap is fine as long as it's doesn't cater to hookers and monthly rentals and the area is decent.

Ok, then I guess I can't show up. I can always take a drive up the coast.

I come in on Thursday, Nissan is giving me a Z for the week. I pick it up at the airport and drop it off at the airport, so transportation is no problem. On Friday I will be at Willow Springs for a track event and figured after that I would drive to La Habra and get a room near the shop so that I can goof off in the morning , but be nearby. I'm guessing the welding thing is still on and will bring a welding helmet.

Can you guys give me the name of a decent hotel near the shop that I can stay at. A phone number would be great too. Thanks

No matter what, it's very funny when guys on this site use words like "dodo" and "pooish". Cracks me up. Thanks for giving me something to laugh about in a very crazy day.

I don't know if this will help but I used the Vortech FMU on my t4 turbo setup on my 280Z and it made a big difference. The factory setting was 8 to 1 and it didn't effect my fuel pressure out of boost. My lean problem was solved. You can also buy a kit that allows you to make adjustments to the FMU. 4 to 1, 6 to 1, etc.

The word purist should not be used with this question. Some guys who put turbos (L6 and V6) and strokers into Z's don't believe V8's should be used for whatever reason, putting them in the same position as a purist. Taking into consideration that purist's look at the Z as a whole and modifiers look at it from a performance viewpoint. Neither is wrong, just different, but the same when it comes to the V8. More Z owners will except a highly modified Z no matter what is done as long as the drivetrain is Nissan. Here's something to think about. When ever you see someone post about using a 4 barral carb on their L6, most responses are: DON'T, stick with the SU's or go triple. Does this have something to do with the fact that most people think it is best suited for a V8 and has no place on a Nissan engine. I don't think so, I believe that any combination can work if there is enough knowledge behind it. This is not as simple as hybrids vs classics. It's about V8's vs everyone. I know a lot of guys that tell me that I should build up the L6 and forget about the V8. I don't ask why, because I've heard it all before. Instead of using Bastardize, maybe it could be Americanized.

Doesn't the fuel cell take away the street legal aspect of it? Unless the filler is outside.

The answer to this question/debate is not about Hybrids vs Purists. The reason being, that there are a lot of Z owners who have no problem putting a L6T or a V6TT in a 240 or 280 and would never think of putting a V8 in it for the same reasons a purist would not. With that in mind, here are some ideas to think about when answering the question: 1) How does it bastardize the car if all V8 conversions could be done as to not effect the outside appearence of the car. (Body kits will do that more than a V8 conversion). To change the look of the car has nothing to do with the conversion and everything to do with the owner. JTR doesn't suggest anywhere in their manual that you must put a widebody kit or a hood scoop on the car to make the V8 fuctional. 2) This is more about American made vs Japanese made. Most non Z people are amazed when they see a V8 in a Z and think its pretty cool that it can be done. But have that same person see a Japanese engine in a muscle car and I doubt you will get the same response. 3) Nissan built the early Z to be able to handle a lot more more power then the L24 was going to produce as a street car and from an american point of view putting the V8 in seems to be a natural fit.The V8 conversion was being done before Nissan started putting turbos in Z's, so what better way to maximize performance with a engine that was so universally excepted. 4) Price plays a part in it as well. But even here you will have different opinions from V8 owners. One thing that is a fact, is that you can build a 350 to produce 300+hp for a lot cheaper than it would cost to get that same hp out of a L6. This is for a basic carbed 350 which most people would be satisfied with. The key here is "american made", is it a better choice or an easy out. I look at it this way, I see lots of guys on forums asking what kind of HP gains are they going to get with a CAI, better exhaust, headers, 60mm TB, porting, etc. and I always say to myself, not near as much if you were to drop a stock 350 in it and my cost would be about the same. The problem seems to be more about culture and if mixing them together alters the gene pool which in turn bastardizes the Z. I don't think so.

that's motion.

I second the notion on welding.

I'm sorry, I forgot to put Tim's name in the post. He is doing a how-to on a fuel cell install. John, if you have any ideas for an article, tech or how-to, we are always looking. Tech and How-to's are always in high demand.

It just so happens that I will be coming into LA on the 4th of March for a track event at Willow Springs. How about directions.I just need to know the general area since I'm not sure where I'm staying yet. You could also give me your article at that time if it will be ready. Willow Springs and a tech session, this could be fun. Is there a prize for the person who travels the furthest?

I knew that the straight six would be mentioned when I used the Camero as an example. But the straight six was not a performance mod which would make my point. You can say the same for the Mustang. But then again who bought those specific models with the intention of thinking they were buying the best all around performance car on the market. Certainly not grandma. I doubt there are to many chevy owners that think of putting a twin turbo from a Z32 in their car when trying to make the perfect performance car. Remember, I'm on the V8 side here, I'm just trying to point someone in the right direction when and if they decide to take on this question. If you think the question should be phrased differently, I'd love to see them.

The questions is based on American made vs Japanese made. Some of the engines you mention are Japanese. The key words are "american made" Putting an american motor into a Z is probably the most common of foreign conversions and not so common in other cars, ie: Audi, BMW, porsche, etc. the reason has to go deeper than performance only. Why does this car stand out more than the others? This is where bastardizing comes in. Is it considered evolution, the ideal of creating the perfect sports car or a fun way to make a sports car faster. If you take the latter point you will lose the debate. It should go deeper than raw numbers.

There would be one question: "Does a V8 from an american made car bastardize the Z?" One side will make a statement for why it does and the other will state why it doesn't. This is not about modifying a Z, because there are many ways to do this without using a V8. It is more to do with culture and how things are looked at differently Here's an example of what the stock Z owner might say: Do you think a Chevy owner would dream of putting a L6 into a Camero for performance reasons only?. Probably not. Your goal is to explain why the V8 seems like a perfect fit, and maybe it should have been the engine of choice for Datsun in the beginning. These are examples, so you could come at it in a few different ways. The answer is not as simple as "I get more bang for the buck". This will be the start of an ongoing "point-counter point" on a variety of issues, not just conversions that will begin in the Summer issue.

Does everyone agree that fl327 would make a good debater for this forum? If number of posts counts, then that would put him pretty high on the list.

So who is WBR? I can use a couple of more pictures (2). All he has to do is email his real name a hires image. What was his role in the start up of JSR?

Does anyone know if it is illegal to run the brake lines that cross over along the firewall and above the tunnel inside the car along the firewall coming out on the pass side. I know that gas is, but I'm not sure about brake fluid. I plan to have all brake and fuel lines run outside of the engine compartment except for the lines coming out of the master cylinder. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi Mike, I never recieved an image of your car on stands. I did get the logo.

I need your hires image for the JSR write-up in the upcoming issue of Sport Z Magazine. I don't want to use mine, so get it together and send them to me. I figured if I put this in a post the other members of JSR would put pressure on you. I need them no later than Monday the 2nd of February. On another note, we are thinking of having a point-counter point (remember SNL of the 70's) on the pros and cons of a stock Z and a modified V8 Z article. You know, the purist's against the pillagers. I'm looking for one person from each side to defend their cause. We already have a couple of people in mind for the stock version and I was thinking that you guys could come up with someone from Hybridz that you think would best defend the modified version. Who will step forward and represent?

How about planning something around the National Convention in June as well so us out of towners can attend a HybridZ get together. I will finally have a Z at a Z event for the first time in my life. That's seven Z conventions and two handfuls of Z carshows. It won't look pretty, but it will be running.

To Tim78zt I found the info on the stage II cam. Isky Cam L28 part number: 718148 Grind: L-480 Type: Stage II Intake: 31-69 Exhaust: 69-31 Lift: 480 degrees Valve Lash Cold: .008/.010 Duration: 280 degrees .050 Duration: 232 degrees I found this info at the Isky Cam website in there catalog, page 164. It will also give specs on the other four cams made for the 280Z. Here is the site: http://www.iskycams.com/catalog_index.html I will get answers to your other questions and get back to you.

As long as I have, build, work under and at some point drive a V8 Z, there will always be a place for HybridZ. (Where else do I get to ask stupid questions and get good answers). I'm already working on getting another feature for down the road and look for JSR to be in the Spring issue. Don't forget Pete, he made it in all be it in a small way, but in it none the less.