DavyZ

With a sophisticated ram-air system (like smooth sheetmetal oval tubes with no airfilter) you'd think that it would have a very strong effect at say 150mph+? Ya think? I know the huffer is better, just much more costly with the engine mods you'll have to do. David

Whoa! 1/2" plate? Is that how thick they are???

I'm just wondering if any of us out there in HybridZ land have fabricated a belly pan/engine pan for improved aerodynamics under the car? If so, what materials did you use? I figure that it would be pretty easy to fab one out of fiberglass, but I'm sure that as soon as I run over say, a tin can, it will be trashed. Most new cars use a flexible plastic that lasts a while--then again, most are not 3-4 inches off the ground either. I'm sure that Mike Kelly will be making one of some sort if he is going to break the 200mph barrier with his car. It seems to make complete sense. In practical terms, a lower pan would give the car better aerodynamics and thus better fuel economy on the highway, and it would help keep your engine much cleaner. For those guys that run in areas with nasty snow/slush and mud/rain, this seems like a great idea. Anyone thought about this or has given much attention to it? It's slow here at work, guys, and I have nothing to do but come up with new topics like Owen. David

Al, I'll measure them when I get home tonight--we have a meeting after work but I'll post and/or email you asap. You still have my phone number? David

Well, it is. That's why the first airbags were killing people once in a while. I want to say that they use a primary explosive like mercury fulmonate, but it's been too long for me to remember. All cars now use a "decelerated" airbag now. I don't like them, but people who have gone through an accident with them say they are a good idea. Interesting to note, Car & Driver always bashes them and brings up stats to show that they are not the best idea the "safety nazis" have ever come up with. David

Al, my R200 diff is not installed yet; I'll take some measurements tonight if you'd like and post them...or you can come over and see for yourself. The drive from Milpitas to Fremont in rush hour is not so fun though... David

Well, the exhaust would also have to be modified as well. Just buy the car if you like it, drive it a little, and then make a decision if you want to convert or not. The major consensus of the V8 guys on this board would be to do a JTR conversion. But for now, just enjoy the car if it works well. David

Peter, I doubt anyone would know the part # for that. I don't even know part #'s for the engine parts I have!!! Good luck, though. You might want to try calling Kaiper-Recaro for a part number, or one of the many places that sells them. Just a thought anyway.

Maybe the LSD unit or the "locker" unit makes it stronger? It's the ring gear that is the difference in size here, right?

I totally forgot about the issue of "shelf life" on the belts and the fact that they do stretch after an impact. OEM seatbelts are supposed to be changed after an accident. With the newer seatbelts having pyrotechnic pretensioners, it will get replaced anyway, but what about all of those cars that don't have them and the insurance company doesn't specify they be changed? Lawsuit anyone? Not a good situation. I think I'll still use aftermarket harnesses, but I would really like to hear what brands the guys here recommend... Jamex? Kirkey? Simpson? Sports Racing Akimoto? Bungee? What? (sorry about the spelling on these) David

Hi Tom! I didn't know that you had a website attached to your car, but I should have figured since the car is so nice. Even though I live in California, I will give you my $.02 on what I think the market for your car would be out here. Gen II RX7's are selling for about $3000 +/- depending on condition and if turbo or not, etc. This is a specialty car and one has to value it for what a person might pay for such a car in the market. Even Kelly Blue Book can't be used for anything more than a guide in this valuation because they don't take into consideration cutom modifications. I was recently in the car business for five years, and I can tell you that the older a car gets and the more custom a car gets, Kelly Blue Book has less and less relevance. They even state that if a car is exceptionally clean, their own numbers don't really apply and the car will sell for more! How much more? Only the market knows. When I look at your car, I see an automobile that someone has gone through nearly every system on the car and made it better. It is extensively modified, but not too the point of losing the original essence of the car or losing it's "soul." I figure the market for your car in this area would be $6000-$10,000. I'm sure you have way more money in the car than that, and this number is not meant to insult you, but since a car is a depreciating asset, I really believe this would be the typical range in which it would sell. It may go for more and it may go for less. I know this is a guess, but if you get enough people to agree on a price range for your car, you'll have a good idea of what it will sell for. You could even post it on ebay and when all is said and done, make sure your best friend "buys" the car from you at the end! Are you really going to sell the car? It looks like the bomb--I know I would hate to part with it. David

BLKMGK, the pyrotechnic pretensioners work to take the slack out of a seatbelt upon frontal impact with another vehicle. They work on a rotary cam and the shotgun shell-type device explodes one after the other to move a cam when you crash into something--all the slack you thought you ever had (and then some) is taken out and your body stays very rigidly in the seat. The idea is to minimize stresses to the human body and keep you away from the front airbag. This is a very trick device that you'll find in many cars today. But, because the device is "explosive," you'll find that most car manufacturers will not say much on the subject to just avoid hysteria. Airbags are the same thing: although the mention them, they avoid how the bags actually deploy... BTW, the devices are found by the floor usually. You'd never know what it was either. David

Jamie, I'm not saying I know for sure--most parts of a brake system like brackets tend to made from steel, which is stronger than aluminum and has less of a tendency to crack. However, T6 aluminum is pretty strong stuff, and if no one else see a problem with it...go for it! I think the gurus should weigh in though... David

OK Junior, you have to be able to compare a couple of rear ends. It may be as simple as going to the wrecking yard and looking at wrecked Z cars--the R200 is a wider pumpkin and has a kind of octagonal rear portion, while the R180 is a bit more slender. I pulled my diff from a 280Z. Most likely yours is too. If there are no Z enthusiasts in your area you can talk to, go to a Nissan dealer and talk to a mechanic. Otherwise talk to a 510 owner because they get stuck with R180s 100% of the time. Maybe someone can post a link to a pic of the different diffs side by side? I checked JTR manual and didn't see a pic. David

HaHAHAha! Heh, I figured it would be the last one on anyone's list before no seatbelts at all. lol David

No, it won't work without modification (input shaft has a totally different number of splines) and the V6 trannys are "sucky" to say the least--they WILL NOT hold up to the torque of a V8. I have already done my homework on this one...trust me! Sorry to rain on the parade, but you'll be money ahead getting a V8 T5 World Class tranny instead. David

Hrm, a theoretical 248mph? Mike, I'd say even barring wind resistance, you have one heck of a fast car David

The Buick engine is a very good solid motor with the great ability to be tweaked for even greater performance. There are a host of ggodies available for upgrading the motors although one can expect well over 300+ for just a stock motor. I'm no expert on these engines--Scottie is--but I have read about them, and the guys that run them absolutley love them. The 200R4 is the tranny I believe that they are linked to. This seems the be the best one--if you look in the search function of the forum, you'll find a lot of information about the motors, the transmissions and the potiential. All said, the Rover V8 is plentiful where you live and is a great performer as well. I really don't think you can go wrong with either--but the Buick motor has a much higher horsepower potential than the V8. David

You turbo guys amaze me with all the fabbing of aluminum parts...very sweet looking! David

At least I can't complain about the seatbelt issue! In CA all you have to have is a seatbelt of some kind (your mother's arm don't count) and you're ok. Why should the government bother restricting you to something other than a racing harness??? In other words, a racing harness does a better job than a stock seat belt--so why should they care if you upgrade? David

Dave, 12's are totally in sight and so is are 5 sec 0-60 times!!!! You are the MAN !!! David

But changing the pistons means rebuilding the motor in essence, don't you think? I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just saying I'm not so sure that's what he has in mind. Richard, you are an L6 kinda guy, would you or would you not recommend shaving the head just a wee bit to raise the compression ratio? David

Hey, if the money is all there, maybe an LS1 is a great way to go! You know it will run well, it'll be streetable, and it will move like stink! Right now an LS1 swap is more unique than a carbed motor. However, the complexity of the LS1 (EFI) swap is greater--do you have the patience, time, and wherewithall to handle it? Take a good look at yourself and ask yourself, "self, what do I want to get out of this?" You have to live with the car--is it a weekend car or a daily driver? An LS1 can be a daily driver and deliver power. Sure, your 1/4 mile times with a higher hp 355 would be great, but will it be primarily a track car? Take a good look at what you want to do--neither is a bad choice; I just had to weigh in to keep things even..Lone David

If you can't find any Z specialist shops that handle conversions, there should be a few shops that build hot rods, and they should be able to help you. Keep in mind that the cost of labor will probably be more than what you will spend for the parts. David

Mike kZ: I agree; you have one killer small block; great website too! Kevin, that was an article AFR has on their website (I think). They destroked a 400 sbc to 350 ci, using a 327 crank. Sweet motor. If those specs are true, I'd love to have one. High compression on pump gas; yowza! David