SportZ2

I was thinking about this more, isn't a true baseline test at it's best when using the exact same setups. If I change/use different headers, doesn't that compromise the test? The whole reason for this is to have a baseline to compare to later down the road. The same reason why seperate motors should not be used, because no two motors can be built exactly the same.

Okay, the two cars thing can't happen, I don't have that kind of money to put together 2 of everything. Granted this would be the best thing, but I think this is the next best. The reason I was thinking of doing this was because I have the driveshifts and mounts for both. I bought a Z with the Scarab setup a while back, kept the driveline and junked the car and I did the setback in 95, kept the driveline and junked the car. I was going to use the block huggers for both since that's what was on the scarab I bought. I can use the full length header if need be. I can fab connectors to a point on the exhaust so that I won't have to have two completely different exhausts. Keep in mind that after the scarab is tested and I do the setback, I will be staying in the setback. I just figured it would be nice to test these conversions since the scarab requires no torching and once it is in, the setback is much easier to do and the fact that the car being used would have no differences except for the conversions. The main reason for even thinking of doing this is that I have the basic stuff to do both and I thought it would be neat to compare. I'm not interested in turning it into a marathon project. Just two basic setups to compare against. If anyone has done this before, it won't make sense for me to do it since my final setup will be the setback and the scarab would be nothing more than time wasted for me. I guess my real question is: Is doing this worth it to everyone to see the differences in it's most basic form? Or do you feel that the accuracy of the tests will be compromised if it isn't done with major changes to each conversion. Something I'm not interested in doing since my altimate goals is to be driving the car for myself. This post is doing exactly what I wanted it to do, help me to see if it's all worth it and that it will help everyone in the end. Mike, I'll give you a call this week.

This will be a basic setup to start. For me to do this in a reasonable timeframe, I can't play the "while I'm at game" or I'll be a hundred when I'm done. I will put in a hi performance 350 (already built, sitting in the garage) and an auto transmission (I have a 350 ready to go, but I'm trying to trade my 350 and a 400 for a 200 overdrive. If I can't get one soon, I'll live with the 350 for the test. The only upgrade that won't be drive train related will be the Toyota calipers. Everything else will be bone stock. I plan on using the nissan auto shifter (I want the interior to look stock-not for the test, but for myself) with a modified lever to fit the tranny. If you think I should use the B&M shifter I have, tell me now, but I'm not interested in chopping up the console. I would just leave it out. If someone wants to be the driver, by all means step up to the plate. I'm not a auto crosser or a road coarse driver (Although I'd like to think I am, I'm drag race oriented). I would be willing to drive within 450 miles of my house which puts Denver and Phoenix within distance and Dallas as a long shot. But the testing sites would be up to you since it would be in your area. Also keep in mind that to make this as even as possible, the scarab test would be ran sometime in early November and the setback would be run in early spring. Don't think I want to be testing in the dead of winter. Your thoughts? I will cross my fingers that there is no hangups and since I've already done the setback conversion before, I think this will go pretty smoothly. In actuality, the scarab looks like a piece of cake on the surface. Please keep in mind that this is going to be a side by side comparison of the conversions, not what the best engine and tranny combo should be. I should be pulling the motor in 2 weeks, I will spend some time on the engine bay before starting. I will keep everyone posted. Bare in mind I have a wife, a 5 year old and a magazine to produce (plus i have to attend the National Convention) so delays could happen. Patience is a virtue.

Hey guys, I'm putting this out there to see if it's worth my time and an article in Sport Z Magazine. I'm thinking of converting my Z first in the Scarab position and running it through a series of tests. I would then like to do the conversion in the Setback position using the same setup and running it through the same tests. I think that this would give the best results in deciding the pros and cons of both since the conditions in which they would be tested would be the same. I have all of the materials already fabracated to do both so the switch would be easy. The only difference in the two would be the length of the exhaust. I would have a connector in the middle where I can change them out for both positions without changing the exhaust. My request from you guys would be to suggest what tests should be run to determine the differences. This is a chance to see both conversions run under the exact same conditions. I'm not looking to do major upgrades to the suspension at this time. I'm interested in getting a baseline to compare to. I will have the car weighed and try to find a place where I can weight it front to back to see the exact weight distribution of both. If this sounds too crazy, tell me and I won't waste my time. Art Singer Associate Publisher Sport Z Magazine

I don't think I have any. These posts have been great for me. It shows me that there is still a passion out there for the Z. Everyone needs to remember that I'm no different than anyone else that loves the Z's. The only difference is that we're taking it a bit further by trying to create another outlet for the Z nut. I want the magazine to succeed because if it doesn't I don't think that there will be anybody behind us that will be willing to try a third time, and to me that's not an option. Every promise that we have made to this point has been kept and that commitment will not change. I can only hope that people will see what we are trying to do and support us instead of blaming us for things that have happened in the past. Time will tell and more discussions like this can only help, not hurt to educate and entertain the Z community. Later, I've got a Z waiting in garage drooling to have a V8 put in her. Let the fun begin. Art Singer Associate Publisher Sport Z Magazine

Thanks for giving me the chance to reply to your comments. First I would like to say that if the magazine was to fold everyone would recieve a refund of the unused portion of their subscription. We have said this since day one and will abide by it. Now you have it in writing. Now to my replies to your comments. I saw Dave's response and felt it was to generic and not specific to any one post. Starting with danno74Z: Thank you for the compliment. And trust me, if the mag goes under you will get your money back. But I don't see that happening in the near future. to z-gad: You would get your money back as well (see danno74z). to jimzdat: you are right, we put a lot of effort into this magazine and can't understand why the Z community doesn't care about the only publication devoted to the Z. I for one am a Z nut and buy everything and anything that has a Z in it, even if it's not the kind I own. to davyz: Is this davyz from Kentucky? You have my attention, if the magazine pains you that much I will cut a refund check for you tomorrow. I would rather give someone back their money than have them relive the horror of recieving an issue every three months. to smoov280zx Not enough tech articles in the past few issues? Lets start with the Spring 2003: Troubleshooting the electrical system in a 1st gen Z, Project 280Z update, Married to the Mod, pt 7 and a how-to on a battery tray repair (a 280zx no less). Summer 2003: Performance driving 102, Solving overheating problems in your 280ZX or earlier Z (whoa, another 280zx), and Readers picks for best Z31 mods. Fall 2003: 350Z exhaust shootout, Wheel adapters for early Z's, Improving on the Ultimate 280zxt, Jeff Priddy's pt 2 (The Z31 guys will be pissed at us now), and Z31 Polyurethane bushings install and driving impressions. Show me a magazine on the newstand today that has something about your car. You'll be hard pressed to find it, but we've had something in every issue, not including the centerfold. We devote 4 to 5 pages to club stuff, in a 56 page (soon to be 64) magazine, I don't believe that's over doing it. Now to the fun stuff, you say the other magazine was better. How many issues did you recieve? I will make this easy for you. They produced 16 issues in 5 years and in the last 2 years of publication out of the 16 only 3 were produced. The last 6 issues of publication was split 50/50 with Z's and 510's/Roadsters. There are some good articles in them as well as a lot of fluff. I have all 16 issues in front of me and you can take me to the mat on any of them to explain what makes them better. And by the way, they have a lot of club stuff in them. Don't get me wrong, I liked those magazines. I have multiple copies and still have a complete set in ploybags they were mailed in. Looking back through all the issues and finding something on the 280zx in every issue and it still doesn't cut it for you, that tells me that we would never be able to make you happy no matter how hard we tried. to tim240z: Thanks for your support, if I wasn't a part of the magazine I'd be doing the same thing you are doing. Great idea with the JY angle. See guys, this is how it works. As far as new stuff, it's hard to come by. You won't find to many aftermarket companies making new products for a 30 year old car that already hasn't been thought of. If someone brings something to our attention you can bet we would write about it. (see the article Mike Kelly wrote in a past issue). People ask us to do how-tos on engine rebuilds and stuff like that is better left to manuals. They are just too complicated for a magazine article. I did a V8 conversion in 2 weekends back in 95, do I think people should do it, no. Do I think they could, yes. Should it be written about, not in a million years. About Ed's Garage, yes he is a smartass, but the questions and answers are real. Find one answer that is false or misleading and I will credit you with finding it in the next issue to danno74z: The door/email is always open. I have a hard time understanding assuming something without trying first. In closing, I have had many conversations about Sport Z with Mike Kelly and Pete Paraska and I find them to be well versed in the modified Z. They support our magazine because they think it is good for the Z community, not because they think we are going to stump them with something they never heard of. And for that I thank them as well as danno74z and tim240z. Feel free to slap me back, Art Singer Associate Publisher Sport Z Magazine