DavyZ

If a locksmith can install them, then you should be able to! j/k maybe Warren knows, maye not. I'm not sure who on the forum has those, but I do know at least one or two other HybridZ guys have them on their cars. Davy

Dude, buy that car. The pinging can be caused by a number of things. The easiest to fix is the timing--we had to reduce the amount of timing on a car I had to get rid of the pinging. Davy

Nion, you have mail. Nope, it is much smaller than that. Mine came from a '77 Camaro motor and it holds the alternator like it was made for it (almost). Look at the pics I sent you--they show it installed and all, but you won't really see too much of the black bracket on the black motor, behind the alternator. Frankly, I would not pay much at all for such a bracket--they are practically free at the junkyard, etc. $19!?!?? for that ebay bracket? Sheesh, no way. I hope the pic does help some--if you really want to pursue this, I'll pull the alternator and invite Auxilary to come over and snap a pic or two. Just let me know. Davy

Nion, if I can find a pic of my engine (it's not in 'my pictures' ) I'll email you a picture--the alternator tucks up very close to the waterpump. Again, that's if I can find one. Auxilary probably has one someplace, but I think he's been busy lately. Davy

I have to echo what Pete said on all points. Ditto on the Victor Junior manifold too. The way you have described your setup with the proposed cam, I would think that 11:1 compression or even higher would be recommended. It would be interesting to hear what Grumpyvette has to say about it. I personally would run a shorter duration cam and go with a Victor Junior manifold, but that's just me. Davy

That is an excellent buy. Even with the damage the car is a gem as far as I'm concerned. Nice job! Davy

Nion, Since I like to fab stuff up, and if you do too, I can recommend a lower smog pump bracket to mount the alternator on. Use an alternator bolt spacer (they are cheap) and washers to get the correct alignment. It fits very tight to the center of the motor and you can even use a much shorter fan belt. Kits are nice because they are ready made, but in this case, it can almost be made for free... Davy

Hmmm, if I get caught, I'll do something (anything) to pass and then register my car as a "Historical Vehicle." This smog nazi stuff is pure you know what. Idiots. Davy

Yes, Pete, I do believe you are correct. About one year (?) ago there was a thread on the MSA headers--they (MSA) would not disclose the company making them, but someone turned it up and posted it within the thread. I think the thread was talking about full length headers if I'm not mistaken. If someone cares to do the search I'm sure it can be found. Again, the thread was from some time ago; at least one year. Davy

I'd say you should be thankful you are not the seller! Good deal. Davy

Tim & Pete speak the truth. I should have never lifted a bottle of spray paint or polish when I bought the Camaro motor. $600 and 2 years later it is still not finished. "I might as well now get the headers powdercoated while I am at it..." Stuff like this is what happens. I almost think it would have been easier to have just installed the motor in the car and drive it for a while, before detailing and upgrading the crap out of everything! I have been seriously (foolishly?) considering actually polishing my WC T5 tranny!! Can you believe it?!? I got the stupid bug and I get further and further behind because I end up nickle and diming myself to death instead of ponying up for the big purchases that matter! Couldn't I have waited to detail and upgrade once I built a running car that I could enjoy for a while? Is there no end? Davy

Mike is right--we have hashed out all kinds of combos and many have posted what they are running. That said, if you just want a good handling Z, some stiffer lowering springs (like MSA's) and their sway bars, and the poly graphite bushings all go into making a car handle well. Of course, then there are quality wheels and tires. Your budget and your driving style determine what you will buy. Just food for thought. Davy

Hey rat, Whay don't you just buy the MSA tranny mount? I think they have one that will fit a TH350 in a ZX...Have you looked into it? It might be worth a look. Davy

Depending on what your budget is, you can purchase a short block (block+crank+pistons finished for you) and then add your choice of heads, intake, carb, etc, later on. Keep in mind that heads are relatively expensive and so is the short block. If you look for deals, sometimes you can buy used parts (be careful) or even a whole performance engine that someone just has to let go because of circumstances for very cheap. Davy

LED conversion? Yes? Looks like you will have one serious custom Z done before too long!! Keep up the good work!! BTW, thanks for documenting a lot of your mods with pictures. Davy

Good luck on your new project! Be disciplined as you posible can and do the work on the weekends or your days off. It will most likely take longer than you think it will, but just get the car running first and you'll be much happier doing suspension mods and the like AFTER the conversion is done. Just my $.02. Davy

I'm not sure if I'll ever happen upon a set of 930 CV's, but I can always dream. Still you have a really cool solution for your car's rear end that should take serious horsepower. Let us know how well it works over time. Thanks for the info! Davy

The thanks comes from me too, Tim, as I also live in Kali. I downloaded all the info into a file. Not sure about 'historical vehicle' registration when it comes to insurance and mileage requirements. I'll have to look into that aspect of it, because I don't want any mileage restrictions. I know Todd Kaneko has his cars reg'd as historical vehicles even though they are heavily modified, but I'm not sure how many miles they are driven and can be driven a year. Davy

Datto, I totally missed the link that showed your car with the new G-nose--looks pretty good! The car looks very J-spec now. The MSA pic is cool because I can see myself standing with my wife in the backround! Heh, pretty cool. Davy

Lee, The '79-'83 ZX's have a different chassis than the 1st gen cars ('70-78) do. So, the JTR setup does not really apply. Motorsport Auto does sell a kit for mounting a Chevy V8 into the 280ZX cars. Greimann and Ross Corrigan both have sweet ZX cars with V8's. I wouldn't mind having one for daily driver! Comfy, roomier, quieter, it would be a winner. Davy

"Slightly modified?" Yeah, that's a knee slapper, John! You're funny! Davy Beautiful wheels!

Shelby's post didn't have the hyperlink to the url, but Shelby is right in saying that there are cool Z's in this link--I went for a ride looking through all the Japanese websites on Z's! web page Crud, I cannot seem to get this right and i've done this dozens of times before. Sorry. Davy

I had not thought of a chopper gun, but that would be key for filling in the irregular shape of the form. Thanks for the ideas. I will go the PVC route as I know it has to be strong to locate and hold the light assemblies inside. Dan Juday showed me his racing-style fuel filler he bought from John Washington, and it is made of what appears to be PVC--very well made and looks plenty strong! Davy

Rick, it was probably Arizona Z Car, but they are not doing FG anymore. Sorry, Bud. http://www.arizonazcar.com/ was this the site you saw? Davy

Miles, I also downloaded the pictures. The work looks great and you guys should be proud! Davy