AndysPlit

MSA is in Orange County, CA. The West Coast Nationals is April 25-27th. The actual exhibition is on the 27th. See you there. http://motorsportauto.com/

No signs of it running hot whatsoever. As far as I've been concerned it's been "tip-top" in that area. However, that does sound like a P.I.T.A. Is the silocone just for safe measure in case it leaks?

.......I'm going through my receipts from the last 11 years of owning my Z, and I discover that the water pump was last changed about 83,000 miles ago. I am about to embark on a 1600 mile roundtrip around the Southwest, as some of you may know. I've changed the thermostat, the hoses, and flushed out the radiator recently. Now I'm having concerns about the water pump since it's been a while. So far no signs of leaking, overheating, or funny noises. So, 2 question: -I heard these things (water pumps) can last anywhere from 50 - 250K. Is there an average for the 280Z? -I don't have my manual handy right now. Is the pump easily accesible for a roadside repair if necessary? gaskets need? ps....Just called MSA and was told there are no regular intervals recommended by Nissan. One associate claimed that his lasted about 130K. Anyone else?

WTF......I had no idea!

I changed a few things this weekend to get the Z ready for the trip. I changed the fuel filter, air filter, both radiator hoses, and the thrermostat. Before I leave this Saturday I will be doing the spark plugs. Oh, and I flushed out the radiator. I've done a few things on the car before like the starter, oil, and alternator. Believe it or not this was my first time doing those other items I mentioned. It felt good to know that I did it myslef...and that I saved some cash! Again, thanks for all the support and advice. I've already done my research about plug gapping and all that. This board has been great help, but it wouldn't be so great if not for the helpful users. Cheers, Andy

....Funny, as the years have gone by I get more and more compliments on my car.

This goes without saying but they are alive and well down here in Southern California. I see an S30 perhaps once or twice a week. Granted, not as often as a ZX, but they are around. When I was in New York City in 2001, I saw one Z. That was at the airport as I was leaving.

.....You can see an orange 240 in the town square of Hill Valley in Back To The Future.

I wish I had access to You Tube. Now I'm curious.

The one on my car is currently the OEM mirror. It is plastic. I don't have a picture of it at this moment. So, what do you have? I am open to aftermarket as well, but it depends. Thanks, Andy

I have no problem withdrawing my support from Middle Eastern oil. However, I am slightly skeptical that this is just a ploy to have more consumers purchase Sunoco gas. I'll do some more research to verify the information provided. But, you'll never get me to have my car run on Arco. Hmmm......or is just another myth.

Thanks for all the tips so far guys. I'll be picking up a socket wrench before the weekend, and I'll try not to screw in the plugs too tight. And of course I will use only NGK since my engine is stock. I just got word that she'll be ready by Friday. I had to take her back to the body shop and have some areas touched up recently. They are not charging me because there were a few spots that showed some flaws in their workmanship. Hopefully this it. I'll get the new tires this Saturday and follow that up with some of the advice given thus far for the tune-up. Any more suggestions, I'm here. Thanks!

I just found out that the MSA part IS aftermarket. Some of the thier other parts such as thermostats, hoses, etc are not OEM. For these parts though, I don't think it'll matter.

I am about to do a few things on my own to prepare the car for the roadtrip. They are very basic questions, as I am a novice under the hood. I have done the starter, alternator, theromstat, and oil on my own. So I guess this is the next step. :squareeye -When changing the cap and rotor, are there any parts that need to be greased? My Haynes manual seems to indicate that some is needed here and there around the distributor. -What should I be aware of when installing new spark plugs? Do I need a particular wrench? For reason I am weary of this. I know this may sound ludicrous to some of you. -Is an air filter and air cleaner the same thing? I'm going to purchase the major tune-up kit from MSA. I'm not even going to touch the valves on my own. Thanks!

Before I started addressing the fume issue, my girlfriend use to tell me I smelled like exhaust everythime I walked in the door. Nice.

.....The Tokyo Highway patrol did in the 70's. And Tomica has toy cars of it. Pretty neat.

Will do. Come to think of it my upper radiator hose could use a change. Had that on for years too. OK, I'm making a list now. Thanks so far for the advice from everyone.

Thank you. I will definately have some shots of the Z. Z-ya.

Thanks! I felt the last avatar I had was a little vulgar. Z-ya.

Great. I just copied a bunch of this for for my Z notes. I am curious though; Has anyone had good luck with the BRE spoiler eliminating or reducing the fumes? I noticed Carl B. mentioned this.

What did you do?

I've replaced the tail light gaskets, extended the tail pipe (same muffler as yours), redone the weather stripping, and so on. These things have helped, but the fumes are still there. I'm at the point where I really think there is only so much that can be done. It's a flaw in the aerodynamics, and that's that. However, I am going to try to seal the inside of the tail gate with some silicone and see what happens. I've read that recommendation before. .....Or has anyone COMPLETELY eliminated fumes?

I will send you a Private message. Thanks!

"Oh my God!"......I'm quoting myself as those were the first words to leave my mouth. Wow, that is wonderful, although still a pleasent surprise! Now, only if we could get a 260Z 2+2 to be sold at that price.

The most I've ever heard for a 280 was 15K.