Took her out for her first Long trip Today!

[dhoneycutt]

Hey guys and gals...Boy how things can change the way you want to do things. I needed to get the Z on the road as soon as possible so after having all the suspension torn out and put back in with urethane bushings and tokico lowering springs and hp struts and new ball joints, tie rod ends, brake calipers and drums and shoes and wheels and tires ztherapy carbs and header and exhaust etc etc etc I was nervous but had to take her out to Davenport IA today for a 172 mile round trip because my job had me go up for a meeting. Well IT WAS AWESOME!!! I have only one question for everyone. I know that it will depend on diff gears, wheel and tire circumference etc. but at what rpm does your tach show at 70 mph? Mine was at about 3400. Stock 4 speed trans is in place so I was just curious as to where the average normal Z car's rpm would be? Oh yeah, I still have a long way to go for the car to be done...if it ever will:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Average miles per gallon was aprox 26 mpg

[zpizzaman20]

Great site with calculator:

http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/

[Arne]

Here is what it would have been stock:

[dhoneycutt]

According to that pic Arne...it seems to be where it should be...cool, I haven't screwed it up....yetROFL ROFL

[Ed]

Hey David,

Glad to hear that your "first" trip went well. I'm still nervous about taking my car out for a long drive. As a matter of fact I'm quite paranoid. She's only got 60 miles on her since her restoration and I already broke down once. I will have to take her on a 70 mile round trip this week, wish me luck.

Ed

[beandip]

Both privious posts nailed it . Congrats to being back on the road !! Its a blast isn't after a while not driving a Z . My Z was down for 2 yrs 8 months ! I can't drive it enough now . Took me 3 1/2 hrs to go to the post office , that is only one mile away . I couldent stand it and had to go for a ride in the mountains that surround us here in the valley . Don't you listen for every little noise that might be a rattle or something loose that you might have forgotten ? I have a 1000 miles on my car since reassembling her and I still '' feel her pulse '' every time I drive her. Great to hear another Zs back on the road . Gary

[=Enigma=]

I'm nearing completion on my suspension refresh and I'm alrady getting excited about that first drive. I can't wait. Similar deal, new durathane bushings, Tokico reds/HPs, brake system overhaul, everything stripped and painted .

[dhoneycutt]

...I'm still nervous about taking my car out for a long drive. As a matter of fact I'm quite paranoid. She's only got 60 miles on her since her restoration and I already broke down once. I will have to take her on a 70 mile round trip this week, wish me luck.

Ed

I was very paranoid Ed!!! and it's not even close to being restored as yours has been. By the way I have seen the pics AWESOME job!!! I just hope I will be able to go back and do it the way I want to. I hate being pressed into getting things done just so I have the transportation. Maybe I should have just bought a "beater car" instead of getting the Z road worthy. It handles great, runs great, just looks like crap . Except ANY Z driving down the road looks goodLOL Even with 106k miles on the odometer she runs strong. The only engine work so far has been Ztherapy SU's, MSA's 6 into 1 coated header and 2 1/2 turbo exhaust and a Crane XR3000 ignition system with PS-91 Coil.

...Took me 3 1/2 hrs to go to the post office , that is only one mile away . I couldent stand it and had to go for a ride in the mountains that surround us here in the valley . Don't you listen for every little noise that might be a rattle or something loose that you might have forgotten ?

Ain't it funny how a 1 mile trip in your favorite car turns into the biggest smile on your face (barring one other activity that puts a much bigger smile on your face ) I literally listened for anything that was out of place and wondering things like did I really torque the stub axle nuts high enough? Are all the other nuts and bolts where they're suppose to be and tightened correctly. I was a nervous wreck :stupid:It just felt awesome driving it again. Many thanks to those on this site who are willing to give out there tips to help out and with those tips great support.

[olie05]

but at what rpm does your tach show at 70 mph? Mine was at about 3400. Stock 4 speed trans is in place so I was just curious as to where the average normal Z car's rpm would be? ...Average miles per gallon was aprox 26 mpg

:eek: get a 5-speed! . cruising at 80mph with a 3.54 diff and 81 5-speed I'm at just under 3000rpm. Avg. MPG on a LONG road trip: close to 28mpg.

[Zs-ondabrain]

excellent point, with my 4-speed, 3:90 diff and 225/50R16's my speedo was off and I had to do 70 to actually be doing 60.

When I was doing 60, my tach was at 3600 rpm.

Now that I have the 5-speed from a 79' ZX. the speedo is correct with the 3:90 diff and I am at 2350 RPM's at 60 MPH.

And like you mentioned earlier, I can be at 80 MPH and be just under 3000 RPM's

I think my gas milage just shot up quite a bit.:stupid:

I'll know exactly what my freeway miles are, per tank, when we head to the MSA event. it's a 2400 mile round trip. So I'll have plenty of tank fulls to get a correct reading on miles per tank and per gallon.

What is the exact size of the 1970 (8/70) fuel tank, please respond before I go on my trip on wednesday.

[jackboxxx]

excellent point, with my 4-speed, 3:90 diff and 225/50R16's my speedo was off and I had to do 70 to actually be doing 60.

When I was doing 60, my tach was at 3600 rpm.

Now that I have the 5-speed from a 79' ZX. the speedo is correct with the 3:90 diff and I am at 2350 RPM's at 60 MPH.

And like you mentioned earlier, I can be at 80 MPH and be just under 3000 RPM's

I think my gas milage just shot up quite a bit.:stupid:

I'll know exactly what my freeway miles are, per tank, when we head to the MSA event. it's a 2400 mile round trip. So I'll have plenty of tank fulls to get a correct reading on miles per tank and per gallon.

What is the exact size of the 1970 (8/70) fuel tank, please respond before I go on my trip on wednesday.

Nice trip are you going to bring a few harness's with you? (i would)

If you happen upon the "ZCCIV" club area stop in and say Hi I'll be the guy with the 240Z.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Nice trip are you going to bring a few harness's with you? (i would)

If you happen upon the "ZCCIV" club area stop in and say Hi I'll be the guy with the 240Z.

Of coarse I'll bring extra harness's. Thats How I'm gonna pay for the extra gas prices that I've figured into the budget. Are you gonna get one or did you already? If you know of any one in need of one or the other, send 'em my way. My cell phone will be on at all times while we're down there. It's (360) 631-0757 Look in my gallery to see what my Z looks like and keep an eye out for me and the wife (photo of us is also in the gallery)

With any luck, the harness's will go fast. I'll have PLH and HLH harness's along with some other items including a pair of louvered inspection lids, a headlight switch or two and some other stuff.