Dudeboy

I apologize if the reference to fire extinguishers was the directed at that shop. Something similar happen to my neighbor welding his Mustang and would have been a total loss, except we had extinguishers. Again, sorry this was a wake up call for me.

Man that sucks !!!This is a reminder to have the fire extinguishers in the home/shop garages just in case. Heading over to Home Depot now.

Damn !!!What a shame! Performance World was the one stop shop for Datsun goodies. Thanks

Thanks Z-TARD and Tim, I am looking more at the 5 to 4 lug adapters for the rear of my car and Z31 hub/brake set-up in the front. The wheels I am considering buying are the all black 18 x 10 Saleen wheels and 18 x 8 or 9 up front at http://www.wheelreplicas.com. Tire size will be 285/30-18 for the rear which is approx. the same height of stock specs and 225/35 -18 in the front. Again,Thanks. By the way Z-TARD, I am from San Diego (Lemon Grove). I have been in Georgia for 15 years (school, wife, business -kids!!!) I miss San Diego -California for that matter and access to Datsun and Z parts. Is Performance World still in El Cajon and the other location on University Ave?

Z-TARD quick question, When you ordered your adapter/spacers did you specify hubcentric? and If you did what specs did you provide. broke_280, I apologize for posting within your post, As Tim240Z and Z-TARD indicated the wheel selection is endless, as well as you will have money left over to put into other areas of your car !!!!!!

By the way, they are expensive $$$. From $1500-$2800 used and new, depending on your source.

Jim226, Check these guys out for RS Watannabe Wheels: http://www.wheelchoice.com/ A buddy in San Diego, CA said these guys were great to work with.

Jim226, Spending $1600 on wheels alone hurts !!!! No tires, mounting , balancing just wheels $1600.00 is painful !!!But, if you found wheels you like, I say buy them. I am in the position you are in as well. I have 1977 280z with the Tokico Spring/Shock suspension/ with poly bushings sourcing the motor swap parts and looking at brake configurations. I am searching the internet and going to car shows just to get an idea of what is out there as far as wheel selection. If you are thinking Billet wheels your choices: Boyd Coddington, Budnik, Colorado Customs, Billet Specialties, Centerline and Bonspeed ( mainly 5 lug) $$$. Panasports and RS Watannabe but get ready to spend some money also. Another nice wheel you can have custom made to fit your Z is the Complete Custom Wheel CCW $$$$.The other options are any wheels made for Hondas and going with the adapters (large selection mainly 17 and 18 inch and good on the wallet). HRE wheels are also nice and you can get them custom made, but they are costly as well. I am letting my wheel budget determine my wheel/tire choice $1,200-$2000.00 and not a penny more.

Gnosez, Give this place call or e-mail: http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/catalog.html They may have what you are looking for. By the way, my wife is from Onset, MA, I hope you are not to snowed in.

Panasport C8: http://www.midatlanticmotorsport.com/panasport_modular.htm

Thank you, Dan I have only seen the front bearing/hub failure one time in twenty years. The wheel was a polish centerline autodrag with a high negative offset (15 x 10 backspace 3.50 inches). But, the guy who owned the Z did not do routine maintenance and performance upgrades, as well as he abused the car, but he had a nice Imron paint job !!! Jim226, Panasport C8 priceshttp://www.midatlanticmotorsport.com/panasport_modular.htm

Go here for backspace information: http://www.earlywheel.com/choosing.html Negative backspace pushes the wheel/rim to the outer fender and beyond for a wider track. Positive Backspace positions the wheel/rim closer to the hub,strut assembly and inner fender. It has been thrown around for years, that too much negative backspace, particularly on the front suspension of a Z is hard on the bearings ( " other members please chime in fact or fiction?). The minimum width of the wheel is relative to the backspace and offset. A minimum range would be 8 to 8.5 inches for a 16 inch wheel on the front, but the backspace is the key. As Iskone stated, coilovers can give you more backspace in conjunction with more width in the front and rear. Also go to http://www.vildinimotorsport.com, they post on the site and have a spec sheet for wheels on there very sweet !!!!!SR20 turbo Z.

If you are looking at a range of prices to fit your needs, give the Eastwood company call 1-800-345-1178 or go to website ( http://www.eastwood.com). They have several choices of sprayers, and they have other automotive tools and supplies that I did not know even existed.

From time to time I check collector car trader online to see what Z or Z parts are for sell and came across these four gems. Price kind of steep on the 240's, but that 280 is ripe for a V8 swap!!!! I wish the 280 was available when I bought my 280, but I did ok. Check them out here: http://www.ciacars.com/auto/typecar.php?cat=5

By the way, me and neighbor did the suspension work utilizing the factory manual and the instructions from this website under suspension. Very thorough- print the pages and bring to the garage for reference !!!! http://www.atlanticz.ca/index.php?option=content&task=section&id=4&Itemid=28

Patzky1, I changed all the bushings to poly, and also changed shocks/springs (tokico blue-previously stock springs and KYBs')to my 1977 280 Z last summer. The "sport car ride" is definite as well as the steering response (change steering coupler). Depending on the plus size of your tires, you will feel the road bumps, cracks and divits. I have the 205/70 14 that came with my car, but my buddy with 78 280 z has 225/40-17 Nittos-17 -8 Centerlines with the same bushing/shock set-up and his car ride like it is rails, however the ride is a bit bumpier -but, I like the changeover to poly bushings.

Sourcing parts for my swap and came across this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4516682434&category=6187 Very interesting

Try Colorado Customs, Billet Specialties and Budnik wheels. Another wheel I found (but you have to convert to 5 lug) is Bonspeed. I do not if you get 17 x12 ? http://www.streetsourcedistributing.com/store/products.asp?cboProduct=%7BA929EF0B%2D4B63%2D42B1%2DB042%2D70A00A75FDC2%7D The Laguna with blue trim, kinda of blinging but nice wheel.

Zgeezer, I see you are in Indio, CA. I am from San Diego, and that is were my brother is looking for the hood scoop. There you use to be a performance shop called Performance World in El Cajon, CA and they had these scoops on the shelves, ( they had quite a bit of Z and 510 Datsun performance parts). I am also checking with the Nissan dealers that have been around for awhile (15-20yrs) because these scoops were also dealer install option to deal with under hood engine heat.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I are you asking about the Competition Hood Scoop ? I am searching for one also -( I have my brother on the look out for one in Southern California). From the Zhome.com here is diagram http://zhome.com/History/ComHood.htm If you take on the task of making one, please include me !! I will pay for the labor and materials !!!!!

BTW, I am married- the significant other is comfortable with the harness pads. If your significant other is along for the ride and they are comfortable, you get to spend more money on the Z !!!!

Take a look a Corbeaus. I have the Forza II (Blue with black trim). The cost was about $500.00 (shipped) which included brackets made for my Z year. Also, included the harness and pads. I LOVE THEM, if you do not like the fix back, check out the A4 Corbeau. Look at fit in my album - the seats took about two hours remove seats and install (rear bracket bolts took some art to tighten down). Also, I am 6ft. 215 lb. and I am comfortable on long drives. Shop around for price, several racing distributors sell Corbeaus. http://www.corbeau.com/products/forza2/forza2.shtml#

Panasport C8-17 --You can have built to your specs. Get ready to spend some cash !!!!! http://www.racing-stuff.com/Styles-Racing.htm

Sallee Chevrolet performance shop provide several options. Check this out. http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevySmallBlockV8s/SalleeZZ450HP.html Go to the site and also click on performance engines. Several other options.

Take a look at Tremec TKO 500 and 600. A bit pricey but another route to go. http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/ This may be the way I go.