DavyZ

Ball joints??? Davy

Hammer Davy

Hope you are recovering from your injuries. Regards, Davy

Jason, if you have low compression and stock heads, you'll be hating life with a big cam. I am no expert, but I am in your situation with a similar motor, so I started reading books on budget build ups (this includes Car Craft, and real books from Vizard, Tarrant & Hawkinson, etc)and of the books I have read, with the stock heads and 8.5:1 compression, a good cam would have specs about 214/224 deg @ .050" if I remember correctly. This dual pattern cam will help compensate for the heads and offer some decent torque. However, I think you are limited with the stock heads to about a realistic 300 hp (at a low compression). With heads offering a smaller cc, you could bump your compression up a point, and then swap in the cam: BAM, instant 350 to 400 hp. Some may argue over my cam choice, but then again, there are guys running this combo here. Perhaps a little more aggressive cam would not hurt and I would definitely call the cam companies and get a recommendation from them. Keep in mind that it pays to know what compression ratio you have and what the heads really are. You may actually luck out and only need a cam change! Just food for thought. Davy

I have never had enough $$$$ to buy from them, but I know they do make a quality wheel. Those rims you are looking at will look great under the car, and I have some great pictures (photos ) of a wildly flared out Z from the 80's that has a polished version of that style (Hyashi Racing rims?) and they looked absolutely fabulous. If Auxilary has a scanner, I can then email you a pic, but until then I can't email or post a pic, sorry. Davy

There is something about the "unrefined nature" of an older sports car, call it "raw" or whatever, that just puts a smile on my face. Put a V8 in it and it becomes all the more enjoyable. Power windows? Nope. A/C? Not here. HP & torque? You bet! And a power to weight ratio that makes it just sick, Baby! But to get back to Mike's original question, I would offer one word: BALANCE. And balance, my friends, is achieved when you have a direction or at the very least, a good idea, of where you are going with the car project. A BBC in a stock Z won't work well because it lacks balance (that word again) in that the rest of the car can't stand up to the motor in braking, handling, or longevity! When the rest of the car is outfitted with gear to match the powertrain, or vice versa, the fun factor soars!! Just my $.02. Great topic BTW, Mike! Davy

Dave: Gen I or Gen II 300ZX? Forget years, body style is easiest to remember. Davy

Cost: depends--couple of hundred (or lower) up to maybe $400 or so?? Is there demand? Not really IMO since we are still a niche market and all. Just my $.02. Davy

The paint on this one is really nice! The guy who did it blended the colors in the flames perfectly. Davy

In a word, yes. At least from what I have learned from Lone about his setup. The T56 is ok, but 1st goes in and out too quickly for my taste. Me thinks you should be looking at a modified Tremec for Chevy applications by Darkhorse performance or the like. Go to Pete's site and get his info. Davy

Hey Jeromio, Are you just starting this MBA program? Is this is a 2 year program or an accellerated (sp?) 1.5 year program? With the usual holiday breaks and such, this can't be all bad, can it? Davy

And I thought I was the only guy who had one of his albums? He was way ahead of his time with "Les Chants Magnetiqes." For me: Anything Trip Hop or Rave so long as it is fast. Bride---anything from the "Snakes in the Playground" album. Ken Tamplin--any song so long as it's fast Circle of Dust--"Planet Earth" Gary Neuman--"Cars" Davy

WC T5 is a great trans for ease of installation, but I'm not sure how it'll handle a 400, especially if it is pumped. If I had over 400 hp, I'd probably look at a converted Tremec or something. The T56 is cool, but some of the guys have had some issues with used ones. I guess that is something you'll always have the possibility of running into when you deal with used parts. Davy

The product just comes in a spray can and lays down beautifully. Nothing special required except that you follow directions and make sure what you are painting is CLEAN--preparation is the key. SEM is basically paint more than a dye, but it lays down much better and much thinner than paint does. It is the very best product I have used to give old vinyl and plastic interior pieces a "like new" finish. I highly recommend the product. BUT, you must follow the directions. BTW, doesn't acetone dissolve vinyl??? Better be REALLY careful with that stuff. Alcohol is far less caustic. Davy

When you put the assembly together, did you use a centering tool to make sure it was all in phase and perfectly aligned? I have to read your post again, but you didn't mention it, so I'm just wondering. If you neglected to do so, they are very cheap--this still involved removing the clutch assembly to remount it. My brain is foggy since it's been years since I have done this; perhaps someone else has some ideas? Davy

Thanks Datto! Great pics BTW. The close up shots for me really help. If you end up taking anymore or end up finding some others, please don't hesitate to send 'em along. Much appreciated. I don't want a 13" x 13" wheel, although the old school look is great, so I may go 17" x 10" or close to that. Some close ups of that size wheel on your car would be great. Davy

To my knowledge there is NO way to get the paint off without hurting the plastic/vinyl. It's best to get SEM interior paint/dye and spray them the color of your choice. Davy

Datto, could you send me some pics too? This is probably the way I'm going with the flares... Davy

I would highly recommend this as well: the JTR conversion manual is your STARTING POINT! If you don't lind keeping a Z stock for the most part (this does not include swapping the motor) then you can get away with the conversion on the cheap. BUT, you must obtain a used engine for cheap. Personally I would NOT get a fuel injected motor for the car just yet. A carbed engine should run you less money and be far less complex to swap in. This is your first project and you really want to FINISH it by the year's end. All the other goodies like lowering springs and alloy wheels can be put on much later when you have the cash. You can buy a running carbed motor from a Chevy wrecking yard--just make sure you go to a reputable one. Still, you may find a better deal from a personal wrecked car in your neighborhood; it ran up to the accident! Buy a Z car that will be smog exempt in your area. Check with your local Air Resources Board to find out the answer, then look for cars in those years. The first gen (S30 body style) Z cars are from 1970 to 1978. Again, you must buy or borrow a JTR manual to start with, because it will guide you right along and give you diagrams for the conversion parts you or a friend can fab up in metal shop. Davy

Yep! I am nearly that hairy...at least my back is (eeewww) and I have more than I need; too bad it seems to be everywhere but on the top of my head where it would actually do some good. Davy

Thanks for posting that useful information, Racer X!! Davy

Bellhousing is the one for the T5 to the 305 block of the mid 80's early 90's (basically, if it was a V8 and had a stick shift in a Camaro or Firebird, you're fine). R200 from a ZX? Are you sure? Better double check--I may be waaaay off here, but my understanding is that the 280Z (not ZX) came with R200. I did pull an R200 from a 280Z. Most 280Z's have 3.54 gears, which is good, but not great for a V8. There are a couple of radiators used in the Camaros and Firebirds: make sure yours is under 24" or so and it should fit--take some measurements. Can't comment on the brakes since I have done nothing yet. Good luck on the swap and welcome to the forum; make good use of the 'search' function and you will be miles ahead--almost every question has been answered before. Davy

If you can retrieve a copy of your driver's license on line, then your privacy is at stake! This is unfair! http://www.license.shorturl.com/ Look up your picture and information and tell me what you think!! Davy

Excellent information! I'm glad I have the taurus fan that I bought used and save a bundle over a new Black Magic fan. All this puppy needs is some mild cleaning and it'll go great with the Camaro radiator. Thanks for the info Greimann. Davy

Hahahahheeheheha! Too funny!!! Man, that is great---I too have suffered the same from Real Player. Owen, have you no sense of humor? Hahahahaaaa. Ha. Davy