What are my odds?

[240Zdragon72]

I was having a discussion with one of the guys I work with, and he was saying about how my car looked and that it sounded like it needed to be shot. Really putting it down. He goes on to tell me that I should get something worth driving. Like a Pontiac Trans Am/ Fire Turkey wich just happened to be the car he drives. I told him, "I think that when I get my engine done, I would be able to hang if not pull away from you."

Laughing he asked, What are you going to do.....better yet, what kind of 1/4 mile time are you looking to get?" I said, "I don't know, but I think it would be around the upper 12's. He then said that all he had to do would buy a $600 Nitrous set up and he would be at 10 sec.

I thought to myself, Is he not going to build-up his internals? He is going to eather burn a hole in the pistons, through a rod, or blow the engine up. My engine on the other hand will consist of, but not limited to:

Stage 1 cam, Forged pistons (if MSA ever comes out with them), MSD 6A controller and Blaster 2 coil, 8.5mm spark wires, Euro Damper, 6 into 1 coated header, Center Force 2 clutch, Oil cooler, Cast oil pan, battery moved to the trunk, fuel cell, holley electric pump, Dual Weber "Leathal" carbs, 260z intake w/ 240Z link rod, polished and port matched intake manifold and P79 head, 2.5" exhaust w/ Super Trapp tip, R200 Diff, 17" wheels in the rear and 16" wheels in front wrapped in Falken Azenis ST-115 tires. Not to menchen it is a 2.8L and also a 5-speed in a 1972 240Z. He has auto...nuff said.

Does anyone think there might be a chance, or am I holding too high a standard for the Z to go up agenst a "I am all that is man" type of guy with his T/A? I ended our last conversation with this: "A car is limited by how well the driver is." After that he walked away. Thank you for reading my long thread. I am hoping to atleast stay with him, but would much like the view out in front.

[Ed]

A guy like that has an ego problem. I bet he has a mullet.

[240Zdragon72]

Not really Ed, We are both in the military. Funny though!

[Zrush]

This will make a few folks mad but I'm going to say it anyway. These guys that boast about all the HP and quick 1/4 mile times with NOS really make me laugh. IMO NOS is FAKE hp! Build the engine without it then we'll talk. What ever happened to raw horsepower? NOS may be nice to have at times like that just to shut the guy up, but honestly any beefed up V8 owner that wants to challenge a Z is admitting that they know the Z can be intimidating. Sorry if I made any NOS believers angry but this is just my view.

Vicky

[Bambikiller240]

A guy like that has an ego problem. I bet he has a mullet.

.........and a small weeny!

[Bleach]

What year is his car? Does he even have a V8? Some people think their 3500 pound, V6, automatic transmission American car is actually fast... like a Mustang.

But, you probably won't be looking at high 12's with that setup. High 13's maybe... if you're really lucky. The downdraft Webers are not that good. The intake manifold work sounds great, the ignition setup will just keep things running smoothly but its really not a huge performance gain. High compression and a big cam are what you need. Oh, and a 4.11 rear

I would venture to say that a 280Z factory fuel injection system would do better than those dual webers.

[Chino 240Z]

Firebird Formula or T/As with aftermarket bolt-on mods can run low 13s, but very few in the high 12s. LT1s spend a bucket load of money to get in the low 12's lucky to get 11 if at all? And an LS1 can achieve high 12s with little effort, and mid 12's with a little money.

My 93 Formula is good to do 13.096, and a friend with $6K into his LT1 motor is freaking cause he can't get out of the 12s. That extra second is alota bucks!

So if you can get your Z into the high 12s, low 13s you can shut him up!

Good luck.

[240Zdragon72]

Thanks for all the comments. His car is a 1998 T/A, stock. Right now, with my '72 SU round top's, I think I can stay with him. (My engine is also stock w/ the exception of the carbs) I really want to make him eat his words.

Another set-up I had was to do the 3.1 stroker and bolt on the Jim Cook super charger. I had really wanted to do a Twin Turbo set-up, but that started getting into the $7,000 range. :stupid:

[Alfadog]

Ask him to meet you at the local track.

[seerex]

I am sure is trans am could do a 10 sec quarter mile < maybe being dropped off a 1/4 mile high cliff > , I agree with the hp issue anyone can take a car add the gas make it faster big deal , depending on his motor < size and such > if you had a properly built 2.8 or stroker motor I would bet on your side easily , I remember a long time ago I whipped up on a 911 sc in my 240z < cam and exhaust and other minor stuff > but still was very embarrasing for him , if he is so sure of his car have him bring you time slips from the track , give you an ideal of where he really is , good luck

[wedgey]

hi all

why dont you go to a track and run your car and get the times

then if his car is a 1998 look up the times set by the manufacture

that should give you the best imformation available

rob

[hls30.com]

No matter what he does,or which bottle he adds, the value of his car value will go down-too many millions of his cars everywhere. As long as you take care of, and don't cut yours up, your car value will continue to go up. Ask him how much his car has depreciated since it was made(6 short years), then show him how much value your car has appreciated in the last 32 years.

Ask him why the value of your car is constantly going up, and the value of his is constantly going down. I am certaian his next comment will prove that he has a slow brain and fast mouth. I hope he has a suitable MOS.

Here are Nada and Msrp Values

1972 240Z

Original MSRP: $4,106

Low Retail $5,600 Appreciated 36%

Average Retail $9,350 Appreciated 122%

High Retail $17,500 Appreciated 326%

1998 PontiacV8 T/A

Original MSRP $19,235

Avg trade $9,275 Depreciated 51%

Avg retail $10,232 Depreciated 47%

As with time slips, the numbers don't lie!

Will