DavyZ

Bummer that you are not part of the Z crowd anymore! I'm very impressed with your skills on the bodywork for the Z car. It looks so absolutely beautiful--especially the way the rear valence comes under and sits so well aginst the rear flares...perfect stance too! Thanks for the description of the car, Thomas! I hope my Z will one day look as good as yours Davy

Lone, aren't we kind of rednecks in a Kali kind of way? Heh, I've been called worse! Davy

You are running high-octane gas, yes? I have found that the better the quality of gas, the better the engine performs, even in shut down. Just a thought. Davy

Lone, thanks for instructions--very clear and I'm positive I'm doing it properly, but I cannot pull up the pics. Oh well, you can't win them all... Davy

Good information--I took note of your fix to isolate the lines too! Eventually, you will discover that the biggest source of vibration is the thing called the motor Davy

I see boxes with "x" in them...Is this a IE problem. Can you guys with Netsrape see the pics? Davy

Jason, if the pistons move freely in the bore without the rings, then the problem is the rings (mismatched or file fit that is not cut enough) or the way they are installed. Good luck. Davy

You are a gentleman and a scholar! (Go ahead and gush) Thanks for posting the pics--I think the idea of using shorty headers is really great if it can be done with the application that we are contemplating. I do not have the money for a mini-ram, but would love to have at some point! Davy

When we moved back the Bay Area in the late 70's, the Fremont Drag Strip was still there, I believe, and so was Baylands Raceway (supermodifieds). Now, the whole thing is a business park and almost completely developed. I still like Fremont and choose to live here. The GM plant is still there (NUMI), and so are some of the old shops just down the street off of Fremont Blvd. Cool story BTW! Davy

Douglas, there is a place called Aerotech in Buena Park, CA that makes very cool, distinctive airdams. They do not have a url that I know of, but maybe they have a catalog? They were at the MSA Natl's and their stuff is really good. email: aerotech@ix.netcom or phone 714-739-5209. Hope this helps. Davy

Very cool mpeg videos--truly a fast car. Nice motor too. Davy

You will get stuck having to smog the car--there are ways around that...mostly illegal, and I do not recommend any of them. That said, if you want to be legal in the smog arena, you'll have to swap in a '77 or later V8 into the 280Z. You can do dual cats if you want to or go with a single, which is easier to fab. $600 is fair if the parts and procedure are top notch, period. Otherwise, it seems like too much money for a simple exhaust job. As far as someone laughing at you abou the side pipes--there is serious consideration being given by several people, including Eric Neyerlin (sp?) about coming out with a kit. Side pipes are not my bag, but they don't look bad at all on a Z. You should talk to some street rod shops about them--they can do it right or they'll know about someone who can! Davy

Lone, BLKMGK does have a good suggestion there--but I would even be willing to go cast iron (heavy) manifolds to make this work--how about some centerdump ("ramshorn") ones to make it work, or even use the ones that come on the 80ish V8 Camaros--some of those older manifolds also kick back and then we just swap side to side like he said and go from there!!!!! A JTR manual on junkyard turbocharging would be very cool about now! Davy

I would just second what BLKMGK said--just use the one you like best. I suggest using a 280Z for a swap since you already have a nice 280ZXT. One of each might be nice. Like you, I am partial to the body-style of the Z over the ZX, but both are beautifully designed cars and each have their virtues. The Z has the style (personal preference there) while the ZX has the feel, refinement, and luxury of a more modern car. The choice is yours! Davy

I think Motorsport Auto sells a "Cold air induction system" for a 280ZX that might be more easily adapted--they go for about $130... Davy

You can convert just about anything. Before you start cutting, make a diagram of what you want and then "measure twice, cut once." A K&N setup has never hurt power. I for one, am a big proponent of the filters-I know they made a big breathing improvement on my 260Z. HTH Davy

Lone, that SBC single turbo looks doable...whaddya think? I'd like to know how big that puppy (torbo) is. Hey doesn't that look like SCARP's old car?!?? Davy

Aaron, the JTR manual helps for any V8 conversion IMO, because it presents the various steps that need to be addressed in a conversion, plus some other helpful information as well. BTW, topics like this should probably go in the Misc Tech forum. Davy

Luigi, they belong to Andrew Bayley. Andy, thanks for posting the pics; very decriptive! Davy

www.zcarparts.com

www.zcarparts.com is MSA's url. Dan, MSA's front spoiler may be the answer--not the one you are looking for, but an answer nonetheless. Davy

Try Andy Craig at Dando's in Fremont. He is a guy who knows his stuff--it does not matter if it is stock or racing, I6 or V8. I don't have the phone number with me, so look it up! Dando's is located over by the NUMI plant off of Fremont Blvd. HTH Davy

Dan, installing the JTR mounts is not particularly difficult, but you will pay through the nose for someone else's time. I understand you may not have the most experience, but mounts are not the most difficult thing to do either. Your biggest challenge as I see it is to get or rent an engine hoist to give yourself some room to swap mounts (spacers & setback plates). Hang in there! Davy

Scottie, it pictures like this that are very painful to those of us with NO CASH! Seriously, thanks for posting that--sometime I will most likely purchase a "kit" like it or fab one up. Forced induction is just too cool not to monkey at least once in my life with it. Davy

quote: Originally posted by zlover: just wondering what are "suicied doors"??? Since the spell check feature was dropped with the new forum software, I misspell words all the time--don't be hard on him. Davy