DavyZ

The wheels look really good! Way to go on a good choice for the car. They should look even better when the car is on the ground and they tuck up really nice under the fender! David

What?

Hrm, I had the same gasket blow out on my N/A 260Z. I know yours is a ZX, but you should be able to drop the downpipe low enough to clear the studs for a new gasket. Get a good quality one. I should have used jam nuts with some antiseize compound to prevent that same thing from happening twice before I sold it! Sean, the price of $575 for a mandrel bent system sounds extremely reasonable. The distance to them is the only thing that will prevent me from using them to install my exhaust system. Just a bit too far...especially with open block huggers! David

I guess we were talking about a rear spoiler, DOH! That is an IMSA style spoiler that you want. It all makes sense now...

With your numbers, I figured it was an automatic. I'll be running a 5 or 6 speed manual tranny. I hope to be in the 12's (more like wishful thinking). Make sure you send Andrew Bailey your times so he can add your car to the stat sheet if you have not done so already! David

I have both Gaskasinch and every color of Permatex RTV you can buy. It's all good stuff, but you were wise in making sure that what you use is "oxygen sensor safe" for EFI applications. Sometimes the MAF, MAS, etc. sensors can't take the fumes from the sealant. I agree with Lone that there's so much to worry about with EFI. Congrats Ross, on graduating and on a new job--hope it works out well ($$$$$)!!!! David

This almost sounds like one of the many spoilers MSA sells in the catalog. Jamie, just go to www.zcarparts.com and look at them there. David

Wait a minute, I thought you had an R180, Len?!? Does your car have an R200? If so, when did you put that in? David

Len, the R200 I have is not LSD. I wish it were. If I was to go that route, I would go R230 most likely. I bet I can find more R230's in the junk yard than R200 LSD!!! David

That sounds just like my motor. What tranny are you using? I hope mine will be in the 12's! David

Jamie, MSA still carries the flares.

Just a thought: I was on Zcar.com deleting my Z for sale, when I decided to visit the forums. I noticed a Brit looking for a rear braket for a rear disc conversion. Ross, I think you'll have no problem in selling these brakets. There is enough interest in this I'm competely sure; you'll have no trouble in selling them. Good luck on getting them finished. David

A 20 point cage, Mike??? Man, I thought my 8 point cage was good... I get this funny visual of you trying to get in the car with sooo many criss-crossing pieces of metal in your way, that they have to shoehorn you in!! Thanks for posting pics of all the work you do on the car, and this is one that I must see! David

"The "sleeper look," Lone? I guess that got nixed right away. There is nothing sleeper about your car now!! KraZ4spd: getting the crate motor is a great way to go and you won't end up with expensive headaches like me. Take Pete's advice and Lone's advice. Your car needs to be "safe" first and then you can go from there. Good thing you have a budget with coffers for the work--that way, things will get done! Make a written plan with dates and prices--go from there. Good luck. David

Don't make the "mistake" of going with an LT1 motor unless you are sure you want to do that. Think of them as their own animal--everything they have stays with that motor (not completely accurate but it'll save you serious frustration). The heads are reverse flow and are only compatable with the same motor. No you cannot retrofit "standard-flow" SBC heads on an LT1 w/o $$$$$. It's not worth it. I almost lost $$$ on ebay for mistakenly bidding on LT1 heads thinking they would work on my carbed Camaro V8. Good thing I was outbid at the last minute! David

No pics yet, sorry. The cars I saw at the Natl's had the engine compartments painted with similar looking products from automotive stores and even from hardware stores. I asked about longevity, etc, and they assured me even the hardware store stuff does well. I looked at Eastwood's trunk paint, which I won't buy because the colors are wrong, and they said to use clear over the paint for longevity. After seeing the cars at the MSA Nats, I'm convinced this is the way to go. I have not been able to price the actual Zolotone product locally, but when I do, I'll post it. I'll also ask for them to put it in a spray bomb for me. I've gotten really good with those spray cans David

Very cool--I love looking at drag runs if given the opportunity. These take a bit to download though. David

If I was building a Chevelle or just about any "large" American car, I can have a relatively mild BBC and make it haul beans. I'd have to pump a SBC to get the same kind of performance in the large ride (IMO). To a small car like a Datsun, the SBC is a HUGE engine in comparison to the I6!!!! It is a "big" block to the Datsun. Get it? For my Z--SBC all the way, Baby! David

Yes, since they are graphite impregnated, they don't squeak like the polyurethane bushing do. They are a good choice. It's just that they are black and kind of boring looking... David I think you'll be happier with polygraphite bushings.

quote: Originally posted by jeromio: One thing I don't want, and the main reason I'm not just ordering the 10 point from S&W, is that diagonal door bar. This car is a daily driver and there's no way I can live with that huge ordeal for entry/egress 6 times a day...But no door diagonal. Jeromio, I'm 6'2" and I'm going with diagonals, but I'll use clevis joints so i can yank them if I want. Take a look at Scotties GNZ site--you'll see what I mean. I think it is the best of both worlds. Put the clevis in and then you'll be legal for racing, but yank the diagonals for the daily grind. Think about it. David

Thanks RacerX, I'll do when I'm ready to crank it out! David

You know Bill? I've met him once at the Palo Alto Show & Shine. Nice guy, has his own website--Zcarsonline.com I'm impressed with your car and hope that you take your time with it. You have a good plan in upgrading the bushings, etc. Those things just fall apart in time, just like you said. Urethane bushings seem to be the ones of choice. Sometime I'd like to see the car. Hopefully we can hook up one of these days Take care, David

That's just "delayed intelligence" nothing more! I'm guilty of that a lot of the time! David

The car looks really beautiful from the photos. Please don't post the price (don't rub it in! ) The color is great even though it's not stock and the wheels don't look that bad either. You may want to drive it some first before taking out the engine. So this car really needs nothing, eh? You did good! Where was it advertised? Was it an ebay car? I don't think I ever saw that in Fremont... David

Lone, I understand JTR in saying the inside rear tire will get light when a rear bar is used--the outside tire is pressed up into the wheelwell around a tight turn, and therefore the bar lifts the inside tire up as well. It's almost like they are connected. Think of what would happen if you had a 2.5" rear bar--the handling around a corner would be stupid and you'd be spinning the inside tire as it would be coming off the ground completely. I think I'll still use a rear bar, but maybe just a stock one. The front, perhaps a 1" after hearing these guys talk. Eh, heck, I'll just get the same as you have and be happy with it! David