jeromio Posted September 23, 2002 Share Posted September 23, 2002 I'd like to think that I'm coming into the home-stretch on this project. Especially on the dollar spending aspect. Except that today, I went driving around to get some odds and ends. Exhaust hanger stuff: $25 Muffler tip: $30 (WTF?) Shifter knob: $40 (??!?) I only ended up getting the hanger stuff - ran outta dough. I have a really hard time justifying them dollars for a short chrome/stainless piece of tubing and a simple knob. The 3inch exhaust is hard to find stuff for. And all the simple (cheap) tips max out at 2 1/2 inch. The only one I can find is a huge, semi-geachy resonator type with a 4 inch OD. And knobs - oi. I can't even really locate a simple knob in the stores. They're all totally geached out. Can only find simple ($$) ones online. I don't have a shift lever either and had a helluva time finding one. Ended up buying one offa guy on ebay for $20. Hadn't even thought of that one. Had to get a replacement coil, $45. Still need plugs, intake plumbing, air filter, etc. Ugh. Money is wasted on the wealthy, I tell ya. I could sure spend it if I had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted September 23, 2002 Share Posted September 23, 2002 Man, I too can relate. I have spent lots of $$$ and have not even payed for the 240Z yet! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony240ZT Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 You're doing the right thing, just stick to the parts that you need to get the car running. I had fun getting flashy parts and it broke me. So now I have some flashy parts on a car that doesn't move. It'd be more fun to drive than to look at. Little things like shifters, exhaust hangers, fuse blocks, oil cooler lines, AN fittings, T bolt clamps, SS fasteners, relays, paint cans, wires. None of these directly add performance, but can definately add up. If it makes you feel any better, you're not alone. But owning the hybrid Z car of your dreams is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 Yeah, I know what you mean. If I didn't have a place where I got a smoking deal on grade 8 fasteners (2.95 a pound any size, stainless 6.95 a pound) it would have cost a fortune. A few times I had to home depot it and man, they grease ya good just on that stuff. All the little stuff, crimp connectors, wire, electrical ties, misc hoses and such are things people don't consider, but those incidentals add up pretty darn quick. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted September 24, 2002 Author Share Posted September 24, 2002 Even more than buying those individual fasteners is the time trouble (and gas - my driver is a big old truck) of fetching them. Took me awhile, but I learned that if I need one bolt, buy 5, or even a whole bag. I don't think a ZX shift knob will work? The shift lever shaft is like 1/2 inch diameter. I think I've solved that though - I'm drillin a 1/2 inch hole in a foosball, baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 Damn!!!I've been huntin everywhere for a place that will sell nut and bolts by the pound. Anyone know of a place in the SoCal (LA) area?PLEEEEZZZZEE Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted September 24, 2002 Author Share Posted September 24, 2002 Look in the yellow pages under Fasteners. There's even a place in my little town that sells 'em in bulk that way. But you have to have an account, or at least have access to someone else's account. In otherwords, If you show up all joe-schmoe, they're gonna laffatcha. Like when I went to the local electrical supply place several years ago and asked for some wire. "How many feet?", "Uh, I dunno, 50?", "Right, you'll just wanna take yourself over to HomeDepot then, thank you.". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the_dj Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 nickle and dime expenses. Oh, they drive me nuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCZ Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 Can you use a stock Z/ZX shifter knob? I have one you can have for the price of a beer - I'll even deliver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCZ Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 Foosball - I like! You could drill out the ZX knob as well, but I think the foosball is more in line with the Hybrid theme. If it is soft enough you won't even have to tap the hole - just screw it on a few turns at a time, then back off, then on, etc. It will cut its own threads. I did that with a duck head bottle opener I have. It worked and was good for a few laughs but was not really a comfortable shift handle so I replaced it with a small leather covered one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted September 24, 2002 Share Posted September 24, 2002 I probably have several thousand dollars worth of nickel dime stuff in my Z. Not bragging, but if you let the project go on long enough, it'll kill ya! One thing I learned: Just buy and assortment of bolts/nuts, in a pre-assembled tray from a place like McMaster-Carr. Cheaper that way and you get plenty. Stainless baby (unless I needed a high grade bolt, then I usually bought a few grade 8 or even AN or NAS bolts, in a few select places). Same goes for wire - buy a pre-assembled assortment. Same for electrical connectors. Exhaust hangars: Get generic ones and make them work. Cheap and saved my butt when one broke (do to a bracket breaking and overloading the rubber in another mount). Generic is GOOOD. One thing is to collect scrap materials: hose, wire, steel, AL, SS plate and sheet, tubing, etc. I have tons of "trash" stashed away and I am ALWAYS using it to make things I need. The lower mounts for my A/C compressor and Alt are from angle iron from a bed frame! Welding allows this kind of "recycling". Oh, a stainless chain from a toilet flushing pull is part of my adjustable throttle return spring setup. You'd never know if I hadn't told you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 You might even check ace hdwr out, they have like universal knobs and I believe one of them is 1/2" thread. I have the one that came with the camaro, its leather wrapped, but big in diameter. I wanted the white hurst ball with the pattern, but man it was expensive for just a damn plastic ball. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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