DavyZ

quote: Originally posted by BLKMGK: Davy - don't some of the ZX have different power steering setups? Is there any particular setup he should prefer over another or any particular options that might make the swap more difficult? Say a digital dash etc.? BLKMGK, o.k., you got me there. I had not thought about the power steering (or possible lack thereof), but we are still talking about a different animal. Maybe Ross Corrigan or one of the other ZX guys can comment on this. I never asked Ross if his car has PS or not... Davy

Pete, sorry, I never answered the question. From what I have read, 450 hp should be ok on the 4 bolt and even ok on the 2 bolt (but it's starting to push it, I think). Is this all getting back to the secret lust you have for power after riding the Cobra? Hmm? Not a bad idea, really. Davy

I think you'll hate yourself for not picking up that stuff for $125. Pete, this is not a bad plan and I think you know the answer to the hp question...HECK YES! Nothing wrong with going a different direction--I mean, how many times has that happened already? lol You're the MAN! Davy

Sweet! (I've been saying that a lot lately) Nice clean install. I replied to their thread that I would like to see some performance figures when it's complete. Thanks for posting the link, Richard Davy

Dude, it's SWEEET!!! Seriously, Scottie, you make the install look rather easy and the polished axles...well, what's not to like?!? Sano. Davy

One of the best things the Q has going for it is the extremely quiet interior. Nearly all the noise outside the car is suppressed by the more-than-adequate insulation. Likewise, with the windows rolled up, people on the outside have a difficult time ever knowing your stereo is raging inside. My Bose system is also on the fritz and I am not happy about it. I would have been very happy with it if it was newer and worked properly I'll hopefully upgrade it in the future. Davy

There is a huge thread entitled "Bellypans for aerodynamics" or something close to that where everyone, including some people really in the know, gave their facts and opinions. Made for a very good discussion! http://www.hybridz.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000129 You can read much more about this topic here HTH Davy

quote: Originally posted by Jack300z: ...I know that I have to use the scarab position in the 280zx, but I don't know if it has the same ill effects in that car as it does in the earlier cars... Jack, please understand that the "Scarab position" does not apply to the ZX at all--it is a different animal entirely. The ZX makes a fine swap, and I am strongly considering one for my next swap. Every guy on this board who has done a ZX swap loves their car, period, and there are no heavy steering or handling issues I am aware of. Any swap really depends on your tastes, your budget, and the availability of the car you want. HTH Davy

Justin, send your friend to this link: http://www.gearzone.net/ They have a "counter-gear stabilizer" that seems like it is a great idea for the money. I'll upgrade my T5 before installing it. Davy

Very very cool site Thanks much for posting that link! Davy

BLKMGK: the motor looks pretty good stock, and has wide heads not totally unlike the 4.6 Ford. I'll see if I can get one of the guys to take a digital pic of the engine at the meet in San Leandro this Saturday Davy

Sean, according to David Vizard (Vizard the Wizard) the optimum HP level is obtained as hot as you can run the engine without a fast breakdown of the engine oil. So, hotter is better, up to a point. I have a 190 degree thermostat on my engine, which fully opens at about 200 degrees I think. epending on how then engine runs, I may even put in a lower temp thermostat to let the engine live longer. Cooler does mean longer life. The rollcage does stiffen the chassis quite a bit. Leonard (Fairlady 327) said it made a total difference and his chassis hardly flexes at all now that he has the 8 point cage installed. I have an 8 point cage ready to install, and I may just opt to change it to a 10 point cage! I don't know who makes MSA's cage, but mine is from SW Racecars, made especially for the Z. They run about $150 for an 8-point cage. Davy

quote: Aerodynamically, how stable is the car once you get upwards of 140...Basically, If I'm limited to 3.36 gears, and the car is too hairy to take towards the 150 mark, then I'm thinking the tallish gearing of the T-56 is less than ideal. If this is the case a built T-5 might better be suited to my needs. Justin, I'll just touch on what BLKMGK said about top speed--the Z has a tendency to get airborne at high speeds unless you have some serious aerodynamic mods. You'll want to peruse the various forums here to get the necessary info--we've had some great discussions with information given by very knowledgeable people. One of those was "Bellypans for aerodynamics." Make good use of the search function and you'll pull up quite a bit of relative info. Enjoy your conversion. About the T5 vs T56 swap--if you have the cash, get the T56 because you will be way ahead in the reliability dept. The T5 is much more fragile as you are probably aware. I have a WC T5 and I'll run about 300 to 375 at the flywheel, but not much more to avoid breaking it. I think an LT1 would be almost too much for it, especially with that hot cam you are stabbing in. Enjoy the ride Davy

Lone, I agree that would look good under the hood of your car (or mine for goodness sake), but just wait until you tweak it a little more with one or two turbos, heh heh. I think the rotary valves are exactly that: open or shut really--that's the beauty of it--all fuel & air, or none at all. No friction either, and a much higher potential rpm. I wonder if it sounds like an F1 car at 10,000 rpm??? Davy

Evan, even though it may be "mogrelized" at the moment, ay least we can see the work in progress. Sometimes a finished product looks great, but no one knows how to get to that point--the build up is almost more important for guys like me. Whenever you can post some pics, it would be greatly appreciated! BTW--sorry you didn't place--hopefully you'll remedy that soon, though. Davy

Try www.gr8ride.com and see if any come up in the archives. July issue of Truckin magazine was a "flames" issue and I purchased the mag just to get some inspiration for a tribal flames job on my Z. Also, a fantastic book on extreme paint is "Automotive Cheap Tricks & Special F/X" by Craig Fraiser and is available from www.motorbooks.com I highly recommend it for anyone contemplating doing the flames themselves or just getting ideas. I'm not into all the skull art, but the way they do some of it is unreal. Check it out. Davy [ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: DavyZ ]

Jamie, this sounds pretty good, especially since you say it looks better than stock. Pretty please get pics up Davy

Richard, I know Powdercoating is extremely tough and resistant to chipping, but is POR-15 as tough?? I know if there is rust it's going over, then it's probably as tenacious, but I'm unsure if it is clean metal will it hold up as well? I almost think I saw them selling a chip resistant paint and colored paint as well at the Goood Guys show. Davy

I know a number of guys on the forum have been pleased with the results of their Eastwood systems. I have seen other systems out there, but I don't know how good they are. Davy

I'm not sure, but perhaps www.modern-motorsports.com can direct you in what you need. Ross is a man of many talents, so email him. Davy

Very nice Kaminari body kit--really does justice to the car's lines. Overall a very decent looking ride. I hope you like it! From what I have read (and I read here a lot), the general consensus has been that the Painless harness is really good and "easy" to install. Owen comes to mind as having said positive things about installing it. As far as I knnow, the ZX wiring harness did not have the problems found on some of the older Z's. My guess is that with all of their modifications and the fact that they have an alarm or at least had an alarm, the existing harness has been chopped up. At the car dealership I worked at, we always found cars that had aftermarket alarm systems to have electrical problems and phanton problems that just seemed to never go away. Consider this: the Painless system is most likely LESS than the stock ZX harness. I guess it depends on how much money you want to spend (ultimately) and who is installing it. Just my $.02 Davy

Yes, this makes complete sense to me and I'm really surprised that the auto manufacturers--especially race teams--have not picked this up and run with it. Thanks for refreshing my memory. http://www.coatesengine.com/ I read the article in Popular Hotrodding, and I really believed that this would go far. I mean, who wouldn't want their V8 to be able to rev to 10,000 to 15,000 rpm because their top end had virtually no friction whatsoever. Can you imagine a valve fully open in only 2 degrees of rotation?!??? Richard, you are the man! If you ever see stuff like this again, please post it. This kind of thing has EXTREME potential IMO, just the cost is a bit high for me right now. Davy

Anyone thought of using/developing rotary valves? no up and down anymore, just spin wildly... Davy

Hmmm, sounds like a fair price if the motor is not fragged in any way and only needs a rebuild. You can buy engine rebuild kits that cost under $200 from Northern Auto Parts and places like it. If the heads are camel hump heads or similar, 300 hp is no problem. If you are doing the work yourself, you should be ale to do this for under $600 I would imagine. Otherwise, if you farm out the labor, it will cost you more. Either way, the price is right. Davy

That's what I bought for my V8--hoping to get it running soon too Price was right! Davy