Kevin Shasteen

If everything is there, excluding the tranny of course, I would want to know if the car runs(?): as in now. If the owner tells you it ran when he parked it...you respond with, "Well that is good to know, but does it run now?" If you are looking at any car that does not run then to save your wallet and budget-you have to look at the car as a "Parts Car". If it is decent then great....it still isnt running = three legs of the car are already in the junk yard. It is a parts car and nothing more; at least this is the posturing you should project. Dont make your offer until the owner has given you an offer. After he's given his offer and it is rediculous-then advise remind him it doesnt run and has been sitting for [x] years and the tranny is missing....then offer him $250. If he hasnt had any other offers let him think about it for a few days: if he has someone else looking at the car and you want it really bad-then ask him what he would take for it...any offer he gives you should be countered with, "his offer divided by two": then work from there up to your $500 limit. So if he says he'll sell it for $600-then you restate its been sitting for [x] years, has no tranny, and doesnt currently run...then divide his offer by two and offer him $300. $500 is not a bad deal at all for an average clean Z; providing most all parts currently remain on the car. Be sure you DO NOT tell him you are going to make a Hybrid out of it: some owners are finicky and will not sell it to you if they think you are going to "Hack up their baby"...even if the car's been sitting for years. Set your limit that you will not go over-if the owner wont let it go for your amount then walk away: there are more fish to fry than that car. In other words, dont get in the mindset that "I've got to have this car" and then spend $1500 for a car that doesnt run. Good luck-let us know how it turns out. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

To expound further on the benefits of FI: the purpose for FI is to maintain a perfect balance to the air-fuel ratio and to do so at any rpm. This is why a FI engine will get better mileage. Another added benefit to the perfect air-fuel ratio is your oil doesnt get sludged up as quick as a carb'd engine: this also means your cylinder's last longer...short of oil starvation due to high rpm drag runs In the old carb days you were lucky if your engine's life expectancy made it to 100k; now days it is rather normal to see an engine go the 200k...providing its owner kept the maintenance up. Once you read up on FI you will see that the LS1 w/an adapted harness & ECM is the way to go for your Hybrid. I've done a lot of reading in the past few years on carb'd -vs- FI and have made my mind up if and when I make a swap it will be the LS1 in its FI format. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I think you have a good combo also and would not change it either. The problem w/our Z's with V8's are the intake system (need cool air) and the exhaust (need to get rid of the restrictions) and underhood temps. Concentrate on getting rid of the improper exhaust restrictions and you will probably uncork your engine's inability to breath at higher rpm's. Uncorking the exhaust restrictionis brought about by the Z's limited underbelly for a true free breathing exhaust-is the biggest major hurdle (IMHO) we have to overcome. Do these things: and your car will come alive at higher rpms 1) Redirect Cooler air in to the radiator coupled w/a K&N type intake filter 2) Use the liquid expand type foam in a can to fill in void's and openings surroundig the radiator core support: this forces ALL THE AIR through the radiator 3) Make sure you also have a system that vents the underhood temp's out 4) Fabricate a true free breathing dual exhuast w/out the excessively crimped bends If your engine is running rich-my question would be....HOW RICH? If you dont know then that should be your first area of concern-then the other items. I agree w/the other guys-tune it first then begin messing with other stuff. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

IMHO, any engine with a complimentary DCR & SCR (Dynamic Compression Ratio & Static Compression Ratio) you will begin trading low rpm torque for high rpm horsepower when you choose to use a cam w/a duration above the 270 range. I agree that your 282 cam, albeit a big cam, probably wasnt the problem-I would bet that your biggest problem was your differential and transmission gearing(?). I am not a fan of a 282 anything on the street-even though many people utilize such a cam w/o a problem...providing their gearing is correct. Personally I believe your 270 duration cam will be perfect for a true H/O street engine. Just curious-what is your trans of choice and what is your differential gearing? Zfan-dont forget your engine has about 26 more cubic inches; so it will breath much more air than Corzette's 357...still-gearing makes all the difference when you get in the 275-285 duration range. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I was thinking more along the line of the-my old Z has that 30 year old vinyl and "Dry rotted Insulation under the dash-Bacteria infested carpet from the Windshield/Glass/Rear Hatch W-strips leaking combined with exhaust into the passenger compartment" smell! Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

mas280, Those pictures you posted on the 3rd page of this thread; are the mounts from a kit or are they your design? They look nice and very efficient. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Do the rules have any limitations on Compression Ratios? Are there any rule limitationis on Cylinder Displacement? What are your ideas on which Cylinder Displacement you were thinking about utilizing? What are the diameter measurements of the Venturis on the Carb you will be using and its CFM rating? If this is a budget build, what Redline RPM were you hoping for and how long is this engine expected to last? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I may have a lead to an early 90's 5.0L in a Thunderbird...not for me-but for anyone here who may be interested. I dont have any experience w/these engines so I dont know what is considered a good price. I have heard the engine run and it sounds strong-very good compression: and I have spoken to the original owner who owned the vehicle for the first 9 years (reportedly an excellant car). Any ideas on what is considered a good Low/Mid/High price would be helpful. Complete car w/engine that has not been hacked or hot rodded and 022,000 on the odometer (definately over 100,000). The car is straight but isnt an issue; as all that is an issue as far as price is concerned is the engine. If the price is right I will later post this on the Buy-Sell-Trade forum with more details about the car. Thanks for any insight as to what is considered a good price.. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I've been hearing the rumor that we've had Usama for about three months now-and that he was not alive but dead and on ice. Being put on ice and the news of his capture/death was not to be let out until election time. BTW: his name is sama, with a U not an O: the media changed it as too many people were complaining that the first three initials in Usama's name were USA. Phil, Did you read the article where Haliburton has controlling stock in the company that makes...get this, Duct Tape and the majority of all Plastic Sheeting! Remember when the presidential admin proclaimed we (the idots chickey little's) could only protect ourselves by buying duct tape and rolls of plastic sheeting? About having enough faith to ask questions...all I can say is, "I heard dat!" Johnc...life is stranger than fiction (definately Oliver Stone material here). Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

I always like to take a look at Politics through the eyes of Religion. Inspite of the cliche' "Separation of church and state" I believe you can not make that separation on a metaphysical level. Therefore both Economics and Politics becomes Religious in nature. Without going into a 1000 word report on Politics and Religion I would simply say, that my belief for the purpose of our military being in the Middle East, is bascially "A Road Map to Jerusalem". I believed this before 9/11. IMHO, my belief was only confirmed with the after affects brought on by 9/11. The confirmations were the so called "War on Terror", with our military going to Iraq: instead of Saudi Arabia-where most of the "Terrorists" responsible for 9/11 were reportedly from. What is interesting is that the UN DESIRES the HQ to be located in Jerusalem. The Pope has some interesting ties to the Arabs. George W was asked during his run for the presidency, "Would you support the decision to move the UN to Jerusalem" of which he agreed he would. George W was also asked if his beliefs would interfere w/his dad's globalists ideolgies. George W responded by looking square in the camera, "Make NO MISTAKE, I am a Globalist!" So I guess to understand what is going on we would have to familiarize ourselves with what the globalists want-the perhaps our state of affairs might make more sence. I have also read reports that the Vatican owns 60% of Jerusalem investments (no I can not confirm this-I can only report what I have read): if this is true then the Vatican has a huge role in ensuring "Peace-Peace" in the Middle East. Certainly the creation of "The Dept. of Homeland Security" and its following Patriot Acts are alos very telling. I dont like how things have played out either yet I find the fundamentals of Problem-Reaction-Solution within the realm of Economics, Politics, and Religion rather facinating...and no this doesnt help anyone or their family members that are currently experiencing hard ships: these are just my thoughts on what is going on. As far as attmpting to identify all the dynamics in our current state of affairs, well-that is an immensly complicated issue. The best book, besides the scriptures, that I have ever read is a book called: "The Third Wave" by Alvin Toffler...undercaption: the Classic Study of Tomorrow with a Copywrite of 1980 and published by Bantam Books. ISBN# 0-553-24698-4. Another insightful book is, "The Creature from Jekyl Island" which outlines the stance in Economics, Politics, and Religion that the US Govt has taken leading up to now. Just do a search on the net for that title. Another insightful book was "Pawns in the Game" by Commander William G. Carr. Just do a search on the net and you will find plenty of info: as it is still in print. He was brought up with a Bravarian education. He escaped that lifestyle and moved to Canada. Commander Carr wrote his book in the mid 1950's. In the introduction to his book he identified what WW1, WW2 were about, and what would initiate WW3. His assumption on what would initiate WW3 was based on his Bravarian upbringing. He said WW3 would be initatiated by an Arab strike on the USA. Remember he said this in the mid 50's: quite a prediction. In Toffler's book he talked about how one could identify the struggles between the 1st Wave Society, 2nd Wave Society, and the 3rd Wave Society. He claimed with the advent of the computer and microchip that a 4th Wave Society was on the verge...but in the late 70's and early 80's when he was actually writing his book-it was too early to tell what the impact on Economics and Politics this 4th Wave Society would have when it clashes with the previous 3 Societies. Anyway-his book was about how one could identify the different waves of Socicities. His presumption was that by identifying a particular Wave of Society that you could also identify its Regulatory Checks and Balances. By doing so you could then also identify what stage in their transition to a higher Wave they were in. Also, another presumption he made was that when a new Society Wave comes along it clashes with the previous Societal Wave. As a result, the up and coming Society wants control but doesnt have the Authority to surplant the previous Society (Grandfather Clause)-therefore a struggle, battle or war in economics and politics must occur. The outcome of the struggle ends up with the stronger of the two ruling the weaker of the two. So much for freedom and free choice The book was very insightlful. However, the author didnt dive into the realm of Religion so IMHO his comments lacked a third depth of understanding as he only concentrated on economics and politics: yet his comments in that area were on point. Anyway, I'll continue going on record and out on a limb that our military will be there for a long long time. Peace in the Middle East is the current agenda. It doesnt matter if our military is under the control of the US, UN, or NATO (it does matter to me but the US govt never asks me for my opinion) as there will continue to be an International Military in the Middle East until Jerusalem is conquered (Peace...not). I believe that the lines in the sand will narrow between the 2nd/3rd and 4th Wave Soceity, in the next few years. The clash is between the common man -vs- the king/queen/president and the 4th Wave Soceity which is Nationalism -vs- Globalism. IMHO-as I said at the beginning of this post: You can not separate Politics from Religion. The problem I think with our governmental controls is human nature-in that there will always be someone who wants something they dont have a right to: as a result-who stands up for those who are being tresspassed upon? It is a twisted quagmire of muddied water-where it ends.., Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

or shovels, pitchforks, crowbars, and baseball bats...whatever you can get your hands on. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

The Charges were "Illegal Firearms". Which is completely Anti-American as the Constitutional Restrictions against the Fed's claim that the Right to "Keep and Bear Arms" shall not be infringed. "ANY LAW CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT VALID, THEREFORE, ANY LAW RESTRICTING THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS IS NOT A VALID LAW"....Miranda -vs- State of Arizona: Where the rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or legislation which would abrogate them." So how are these filthy stinking spineless good for nothing snakes in the grass coming against him(?)-they are doing so by use of the "Rule of Law" and this is "Rule-Making". It appears a huge contridiction exists here and the lousy officials in this nation dont care about the restictions against them! You will know a tree by the fruit it bears...they are not bearing righteous fruit. Tomahawk was a gun/enthusiast and had some collectable guns that ended up on the "Gun Ban List". He didnt sell them or turn them in and somehow someone found out what he had....SO MUCH FOR A FREE COUNTRY AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. (Remember-there can be no RULE MAKING in regards to a Right secured by the constitution)....I'm ranting now. It would be nice if a bunch of us could visit him on a regular basis. I wish I could afford to visit him because this kind of crap from our so called "Representatives" has me boiling PISSED OFF. This kind of crap is only getting worse & I'm tired of it....but now I'm ranting again. Freedom is always under fire from EVIL: and all that is required for Evil to thrive is for us to do nothing.....again I'm ranting (Sorry). It would also be nice if a handful of us were there when he gets released. FWIW: I appreciate any updates on him as well. Kevin, (Yea, Still an Inliner)

Sorry about the tresspass-I cant stand liars, cheaters, or theives...blasted theives Anyone remember the story about dogs protecting households....specifically the story during an interview being told by "Ted Bundy" in prison prior to him being put to death. The interviewer asked if there was anything anyone could ever do to impede someone like him, Ted Bundy, from breaking into their home. His response was yea...a dog's bark. Ted Bundy stated that the size of the dog didnt matter as he would absolutely not break into a house if a dog was barking; as the bark would draw attention and attention was the last thing he wanted. I have also heard of stories where thieves will kick a little size dog or hit the dog with something until the dog went into submission mode...so in that case I guess size does matter. I prefer great danes myself-they are just very cool dogs. Just watch our for their tale, when they are happy to see you and wag it-if it hits you it is like a wip. They have an excellant temperment w/kids and kids who happen to be strangers to the family: whereas some other dog species are not so kind to anyone at all if they are an invader. Great danes seem to have a temperment that can judge the intent of the invader prior to reacting toward the invader: which makes them great w/kids....and their MarmaDuke like personalities are too human like sometimes. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

As you stated the coolant system is under pressure, why even put it under pressure to begin with? The reason is to alter the boiling point of water/coolant. For each pound# your coolant is put under pressure you will have successfully altered the boiling point by 3* (* means Degrees). Another point of interest about coolant systems and pressure is that for every gain of 1000ft in elevation you will loose 1# of pressure: which means if someone were to go from Sea Level up to your neck of woods in Colorado they will loose 6# of pressure: and a high probability that they will experience overheating. Different elevations and levels of performance require different pressure ratings. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

To answer your question.....Yes & No. Yes 1/2 of 3.48 = 1.74" Crank Throw + 5.7" Con Rod + 400 Piston Compression Height of 1.560 will equal 9.025". This is the length of your Block Deck Height on both the 350 and 400 SBC's: providing your 400 has not been decked. If I'm not mistaken...and I may be: but I believe the side clearance at the big end of the rod's on a 400 have a wider beam than on the 350. This means your 350 rods will be narrower and side clearances will not line up. The 400 crank main also has a wider diameter than the 350 crank main: requiring an aftermarket crank (expensive ) or utilizing spacer bearings on the 350 crank. Someone else a little more knowledgeable on the 377 build up needs to chime in on whether the 350 rods can actually be used in the 400 block. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Michael, I recently came across this site about the Valve Curtain Area. http://rgmracing.free.fr/luc/heywood1/ It takes both the Valve Curtain Area and the Cam Angle into consideration and has some techincal math formulas. Thought you might be interested in it.....AND since you are much more adept at the technical math I was curious as to what you thought. When this thread first took place I forgot about another math equation I had come across sometime ago. I forgot about it up until I came across this site. After my mind was jarred I searched till I found it. It addresses the same phenomenon as the formula listed at the top of your "Quote"; it is the formula that David Vizard gives for calculating the peak HP of a Cylinder Head by utilizing the Cyl.Head's Intake Port Area. The formula I am about to give is similar in that it also addressed the Cyl.Head's Intake Port but instead of looking at the Intake Port adjacent to the push rods: this formula utilizes the Bottleneck in the port just before the top of the intake valve....the point where the Intake Valve Guide protrudes into the Intake Port just above the valve. So basically it is looking at Port Limiting Velocity also; it is just doing so from the opposite end of the Port. This second formula also utilizes mm instead of sq.in. The example offered is on a Ford 2000cc SOHC engine V m/s = ((L x N) / 30000) x (D/d)^2)) V = Velocity m/sec L = Piston Stroke mm N = Engine Speed RPM's D = Bore of Cyl mm d = Port or Valve Throat Diam mm [x] = ((76.95 x 5500) / 3000) x (90.8 / 38 )^2)) [x] = (42335 / 3000) x 2.389^2 [x] = 14.1075 x 5.707 [x] = 80.516 m/sec Convert your m/sec to f/sec by the multiplying the appropriate constant of 3.2808399 80.516 x 3.2808399 = 264 f/sec Hope this offers some insight into the airflow velocity at the valve as it is tied into the Valve Curtain Area. Kevin, (Yea, Still an Inliner)

I would say it all depends on your staying in the 6000 ft altitude. Without knowing your actual compression ratios anything is just a guess. A 268 Adv. Duration cam is not that radical; yes it is radical compared to a smog motor's factory cam but on its own it is not that radical. The only real concern is if you ever decided to come back down to earth & slum w/the rest of us common folk at sea level: then your engine will see increased cylinder pressures. The reason for this is that for every 328 ft. of change in elevation your engine will see a .01 change in pressure. So if your elevation decreases 328 ft. your cyl. pressure will increase by .01 and if your elevation increases by 328 ft. your cyl. pressure will decrease by .01 percent. 6000 ft to sea level will gain you 18 sets of 328 ft segments. If your 355 is a mere mortal of a 300hp engine then, by coming down to seal level, your engine will have gained 50hp. If your engine is a 400hp rip-snort'n go getter then at sea level you will see an increase to 469hp...possible detonation if your compression ratio's arent matched appropriately. Still, without knowing your other engine parameters all I can say is that 150psi is not that big of a deal when combined w/a 268 cam and a Total Chamber Volume somewhere in the 67-76cc range. I would be concerned if you were in the 185-200psi range-but with 150psi you should be okay. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

No' date=' just find the little icon that says "upload pic".[/quote'] Well that is what I've been trying to do. I almost got a picture in the gallery but the picture selected didnt stick-for some unknown reason. My gallery is there but it says "No Thumbnail". Who knows...I think I have computer prob's that I will have to work out before moving forwards. Anyways-thanks everyone for trying to help. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Okay, another question about downloading. After I click on Album....then click on "Personal Gallery" I get the response that: My gallery is empty or has not been created yet. Since I know I have never created any album are there specific instructions required to create one? Becasue I have not created a gallery-could this be the reason my feeble attempts are being "Compromised"? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Ahh-HAH! I've discovered the problem w/the email: it would appear there was a loose nut behind my steering wheel as I inadvertantly left off one of the "t's" in your email. So, let us try this one more time. My newest email attempt was sent just prior to this posting. Kevin, (Yes,Still an Inliner)

Tim, Any chance you have received the email as of now? I live in the boonies and our server is slow as can be not to mention our phone lines are all underground and water saturated anytime it rains, which it has done a lot in the last couple weeks. The phone co points the finger at the internet server and our server blames the phone co(?). Sometimes it takes over night before someone actually receives an email from me or I receive one from them. Anyway, if you have not received said email I will try it again-it nothing from there I will simply...step back and punt: till another idea comes along. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Tim, The email has been sent. Thanks for the help-let me know if you have or have not received said email. Kevin, (Yea,Till an Inliner)

Ok, not to sound stupid (oops-too late), but how do I go about emailing a "picture"? I really am computer illit-so dont leave out any steps. BTW: there are about 4 to 5 pic's: they are pic's of how I mounted my Stereo in the Z console. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Yes, it was in jpg format. If it isnt one thing its always another-blasted Murphy's Law. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)

Thanks for the instructions...however (one more stupid question here). I got to the point where Hybridz was uploading my pic. Yet it refused to do so and I got the respons: "Pic is either too large or corrupted". The size of the pic was only 86 x 100 pixels..so size shouldnt be a problem. What does it mean if my picture is "Corrupted"? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner)