tfreer85

Well thats some interesting info and good opinions. However it does seem like I could swap in a different motor, not necesarrily a V8 (though V8 would be wicked as hell) but possibly an SR20DET or KA24DE-T or even a rotarty if I wanted to go really light. What are your guys' opinions on other type of engines, I don't like building things for or to stock looking, I'm all about changing it, also the engine choice the cheaper the better. Thanks again for the links and info. Tyson

Cool thanks for the replies guys. Tyson

I know its HybridZ is a Z place. Just didn't know if anyone knew anything about them. Thought it would be a fun little project until I could build my Z the way I really want to. A little more searching, says that you could drop a V8 in with some modification to the fire-wall. And it was a 260CI that Shelby used. Now I've got to find out about Ford block dimensions to see if a 5.0 is comparable in size. Tyson

Back in the 60's I believe didn't Shelby Racing outfit the Sunbeam Alpines with Ford 289 V8's? I'm trying to find out some info on them, theres one local that I could get for uber-cheap. Thought it would be a cool little sleeper, power to weight ratio would be pretty sweet. Any opinions about the car and possible hybrid engine swaps? Tyson

O SWEET JEEBUS!!! MY EYES MY FREEEKING EYES!!!!!!!!!! Tyson

Hey Vinny a PDF file for you all about it. PM your email. Tyson

IDK there is just something that doesn't seem right. I don't like how the flare line runs into the fender well. Also I think the front air-dam needs less curve involved. I think that if you were to do these along with straightening the wheels it could look a lot better. Still good keep up the work. Tyson

I like it, it fills the gap between the block and the radiator that I typically don't like on the V8 conversions. Well done, I think you might start a trend. Tyson

It should "work" but there are some modifications that need to be done. Its not a direct bolt in. Some searching should find you some info. Tyson PS. Merry Christmas.

Yeah its a repost, but still one beautiful car. Lots and lots of work. Tyson

This the one Austin? Only dowloaded view that I have of the car. Anyone interested in it can go to http://www.zparts.com and look this is their copyrighted picture.

Would never dream of it. IMO thats not what hybridZ is about though we share a whole lot of ideas with each other its just respectful to give credit to the creator/designer/smarter guy/etc. Tyson

SWEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man I now have a look for my Z to copy if its okay with you. That is wicked I really like the first one facing the other direction, great air-damm, flares, hood, everything its wicked. Tyson

I like the wing mod much more S30 style IMO. I however liked the first air-damn though it is a little bit more "ricey" as others has stated. I like it, its hard the screw up the lines on an S30. Great job, be curious how to you'd start making it. Tyson

Hey Lunar where you trying to do an auto to manual swap? I've been talking to a guy who's recently done this on a 75 280Z, but says it should work for an S30. "It is pretty straight forward, the car is already prepped for the manual tranny, so most holes, bolts, etc. are already in place. You'll need a complete hydraulic set from a donor car, including clutch pedal (including the brake pedal), master cylinder, hydraulic lines, actuator and pushrod. Then of course the tranny, I choosed the 82-83zx for the even gear ratios. Depending on if you have the r180 or r200 you might need the half shaft from the donor as well, some careful measuring is in order, I have not been able to find a good source on what shaft fits with what tranny, but the shaft is easy to remove so after a couple of tries you should find a good one. If you have a lift you are a lot more luckier than I was... Let me just say it is possible to remove and replace the tranny with just one man, a couple of jackstands and a standard floor jack... bur I would not recommend it.. It is the dirties job I have ever done on any car. It's somewhat interesting at times lying squeezed under the car with a tranny ontop of your body that is pissing tranny fluids all over you... But with a whole lot of effort it took me about a day to do it. I bet that if you have a lift and a tranny jack you could have it done in two to three hours if you are properly prepped for the job. One of the hardest parts is actually to get the clutch and brake pedal into the new car. You kind of have to grow a new set of fingers and learn to become an acrobat at the same time to get the little clips in to place. I said some really filthy words over that process... You have to cut the hole up where the stick comes from the tranny. but once again you just have to follow the already marked lines. You will need new rubber boots that stop all that hot air from entering the car, and make sure you get the right one that matches the year car and tranny you have. The center console for the car you have might not match the year tranny you have. If you have the 5 speed that was made for that year car you won't have a problem, but some later model trannies have the stick mounted a bit further forward which screws up your whole setup, as the stick won't move forward enough to go into gear. This is what happened to mine, and the reason why I opted to custom make that whole center section, I was pleased with the result though.. Then a cool leather boot and a stick knob to finish it off. There are a lot of hoses and stuff that goes with the auto tranny you won't need any more, and you have to plug the radiators input and output for the tranny fluid. The whole setup with the manual is so much easier, lighter, and of course 10 times more fun to drive.." Hope this can help someone else out as well, I figure it should be similar for a Z31 as well. Tyson

I like it a lot. The front air dams usually make the front end look really tall with that style (turns out that way with my drawings as well). I agree with everyone else about the wing, I think it could look really good if brought in closer to the rear hatch. Something about the wing just doesn't flow quite right, seems like its fighting a lot of the body lines. It looks good, but the rear flare I'd almost make it "squat" a little bit more like a porsche flare kinda like this. All in all great work, now I just have to learn how to put in on the car... Tyson

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=106459 Everything you should need to know including specs, Tyson

WOW, some of those setups seem insanely complex. Here are some interesting ideas, though it doesn't change the ride height but claims it can change spring rates. http://www.ride-rite.com/ then click Coil Rite, there is no specific application for the Z so it would also have to be a custom setup. Also a claimed kit for the 280Z and ZX from Chassis Tech. I don't know about it though because aren't their differences in the suspension design between the Z and ZX's? *update* I just got off the phone with Chassis Tech, the claim their kit would be a direct bolt on except the rear where some welding would be required. I asked about a 240Z which they refer to as a ZX and claimed it would work for those too. It seems very very odd and not very good that they don't have everything properly referred too. Some one else want to give them a call and double check? Heres the kit I was talking about. http://www.airbagit-store.com/product.asp?returnURL=application_list.asp&ID=90802 The Number is 1-480-668-5448 Tyson

Minimum ride height isn't an issue here or at least not one anyone abides by. I figure most of the setup will be just like a coilover setup, just an air controlled coilover system. The 3 presets I figured on (though you could modify the presets to how you wanted to) would be parked 0psi, driving (optimum ride comfort), then a racing based one. I'm searching for other style air-struts besides air-ride that have a good reputation for quality products. I refuse to use firestone, I've seen too many failures at truck shows. I could be completely wrong but I don't think it would be a hard install or modification to perform, either by a shop or for an experienced fabricater to do. I think cost and the fact that its not performance based is why I've never seen it on a Z. I don't think I'm crazy but let me know. Tyson

Nice work. For some reason that front air-dam doesn't look like the original, nor does the hood look as long. Have you modified these? Looks good again, she's going to scare a lot of people. Tyson

WOW all I can say is I feel like one big sissy for complaining about some batter tray rust and small holes in the floorboard. I mean jeebus thats a lot of rust and crazily good fabrications skills. Thats awesome, great vids very informative motivates me somewhat to attempt to weld things nothing in particular just something . Keep us updated. Tyson

The ride with bags can be bad if you have them in only one area i.e. the back. My truck on the freeway is whiplash central, however I've ridden in cars with all around bags and the feel isn't that bad. What I was thinking would be a setup something similar to this, with large sway bars. The only purpose for me would be movement up and down and maybe front and back. No pancaking, or rocking, just basic up and down functions. The only problem I see is with the manual adjustable struts is that its manual. If I had to deal with that I would just go coilovers. I think having a couple of presets would be good, parked, street, and race setup, then you could adjust the pressure accordingly. I think somewhere along 3-4 inches of travel would be the most needed. Thanks, Tyson

Yeah their products are pricey, but I'm used to air-ride and such prices. Have bags (not fast bags) on my custom truck and my dads work truck both for actual purpose. Like I said just trying to think of something unique to give me the lowered when parked and not scrape the hell out of my underbody when driving, I already know what its like its not fun bottoming out your car, you pucker up trust me. Any other opinions for alternative options or anything? Thanks for the replies. Tyson

Okay there is nothing I love more than a low Z. Now this may seem a little rice to some of you, just don't flame. Coilovers are a great setup, however I don't race autoX or drag for that matter. My Z is going to be a just a very fast street car. So to the question I'm like the idea of having on the fly adjustability of my ride height. I was looking at Air Ride suspension setups ( http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/shockwave79.asp ) and starting thinking about modifiying the strut assembly to accept something that looks like this. Now a guy has used these on his Porsche and using a design similar to this: Another design using "the adjustable struts rather than shocks:" Some more pics of actual creation: Fully installed: For more pics of the setup you can go here and scroll down to Air Ride suspension. http://hypertec.ws/todd_porsche/ So would something like this be able to be done on a Z? I have very very little suspension experience so I would be having a professional do it if I were to ever try and do it. But I wanted some opinions on the setup and design and what you guys think of it in general. Tyson

Hey Steve, I'd like to check it out. Also I could host your pics for you if you have them or needed some taken. PM and let me knows whats up. Tyson