DavyZ

Yorgee, The panels look better mounted than I had anticipated. They look pretty good despite the wrinkles and I think you can be proud of your work. You can even try out some more of that fiber board, wet it, and then bend it into place with C-clamps around a mold of some sort. Allow to dry and voila, you're there. Still, you can just use these---they look alright. Good work, man. Davy

I'm very interested in your swap as well. If you are able to, please take some more pictures in good light of the entire engine bay, especially the sides where we can see the headers. Good work by the way!! Davy PS, you did fine posting the pictures, we just more...a lot more...

Your work looks really complete and well done. It's going to be a serious car once it's completed. The underside color is a great idea and it's from NASCAR of all places I like the idea of that---makes complete sense. Thanks for posting the great pics--keep 'em coming! Davy

Looks more like liquid glass to me! Nice! I love black on a Z car----sexy! Davy

Lee, thanks for giving us the update. I had wondered what happened to you. Helping getting a business going and making it successful can be a time sucker for sure. Good luck in your endeavors Davy

It's a totally triangulated mounting position, so you are correct, it doesn't matter at all. If you were suspending both the engine and transmission from just the front engine mounts, then yes, that would put tremendous stress on the front mounts. The rubber biscuits take up any vibration and are a built in stress compensator so to speak. As I'm re-reading your post, I am realizing that you may be talking about the bolts that join the engine and tranny at the bellhousing??? There's no dangerous tension there either. Mike Knell fabricated/designed brackets for military if memory serves, so I'm pretty sure that the kit is designed well from a stress, tension point of view. Good to see you are thinking about this stuff. That's how we all learn. The forum is a good place for information too Davy

Welcome back! Good to see you bought a real Z car this time Congrats on the job and getting married. Those are huge steps in life that generally mean a good future. Davy

Awesome to have some great track time in such a cool car! I have not raced Thunderhill, but I wrenched for my motorcycle buddies when they rented the track for a day. Who else (what other cars) did you race with/against? Sometime I'll race there when I get the Z finished *hah!* Great pics. Davy

I see that and I just see a car waiting for a V8 conversion... Davy

Ross at Modern-Motorsports can make some quality ones for less--even though they are "custom" to your specs, I doubt they will cost you much more, if any, than their standard wheel adapters. If you buy the redrilled stubs, I'm sure he'll talk to you about the adapters. One stop shopping. My $.02 anyway. Davy

Those are a good choice, but so are the Lorinser wheels that are a tad more sporty without being totally obvious "race me" wheels. I see them on MBZ cars a lot--but mostly "older" ones like yours. I think 16x8 is a good size for the car. Davy

Mike, you'll be fighting the width of the Ford motor IMO. That's the real killer of the new engines. The "old" pushrod Ford V8's are fine though. The Chevy is a better choice. OK I admit that I'm very biased, but the Chevys just look better. Davy

I bet its a buttload of cash though. The after market has some inexpensive copies for sure.....they fit Hondas for some reason Davy

If the prep work is right, you should never get any rust under Line-X or Rhino Liner, etc spray on bedliner. The stuff can used for your floor too, but it's better on the exterior (under the car) IMO. Davy

Glad to hear that State Farm is covering you well. I use them too, but for my auto insurance. Good luck with everything--hope it all works out. Davy

Yeah, I do too. When I read Brett's post about the car I immediately went to Craigslist and started pricing them out. I'd say Brett got one heck of a deal. What's nice is that they go for $1500 for older ones to $7000 for the newest ones. I saw a cool limited "sport" edition that had factory Recaros, etc, for $3750 and they made 300 of them. Looks like a nice ride. Wheels must go though... Davy

Yep, I think you're correct.....I saw pictures of it once. Davy

Read Mikes post again. He's talking about his own motor, not the availablility of 400 cubic inch blocks. The two have nothing to do with each other. Davy

Ah, then it comes down to asthetics, functionality, and price. It's all about what you want to accomplish! The smaller units reveal more engine, but I doubt they could compare to the larger units from RamAir Systems and the like. Still, the difference may be minimal in the greater scheme of things. Davy

Garvice, you have nice ride! The 2+2 looks good in white for sure. Simple lines are better IMO. Nice. Davy

That was so funny I could not help but roar! My wife wanted to know what the heck I was watching---that was too funny!! Davy

Most impressive race video I have seen in a long time! Davy

Brett, That's a totally cool conversion and excellent (safe!) daily driver. I'd love to know more on the car. Did you do the conversion yourself? Details, man, details! Wow, two V8 hybrids, what more could you ask for? Davy

Mike, are you going to be boosting the carbs? I have forgotten. If so, the Extreme Velocity units are pretty nice (as posted above), but made for single carbs. The Performance Techniques hats are a bit cruder in finish, but are half the price. They come in a number of styles and look like they could be connected to one another. If you are not boosting, use the one you're thinking of or one of the factory units like above. Davy

Looks pretty good The bottom of the old Z panel has a bend in it, but I notice that yours are flat. Do you think this will be an issue? Let us know how it fits! Davy