daddz

Too funny! It just might have to happen? On a rant alot of people comment on how the price is justified and so on. I still say that the cost of production has definitely decreased over time due to technology process improvements and such. But the oil companies once they have us used to $3 per gallon will never let us see $1.75 per gallon ever again. Just take a look at the record profits being tallied by the oil giants. I also heard the other day that a certain ethanol producer (ADM) profits roughly $65 per barrel on a selliong price of $115 per barrel of ethanol! Ridiculous! Oh and if your unlucky enough to live in the penalty box (the eastern seaboard) one of local power companies (BGE)to raise utility prices in Maryland a whopping 72% in the next few months! This is so that the consumer can pay for its merger charges with FP&L (Florida Power & Light) as opposed to their stockholders. ????

It varies depending upon which car is giving trouble. They all vie for attention in one way or another. Right now my favorite is the old 240Z; even though it has a long way to go it has a neat story to tell and it is the most senior of the bunch. I am using the '86 300ZX hardtop as daily driver at the moment. I still enjoy getting into the old '72 Celica and it would have to be running a close second right now to the 240Z. The 350Z is a nice car but at the moment I am a little more than frustrated at the latest recall (affects the 2003 and 2004 models) involving the fuel filler neck and its propensity to crack. The recall is a little scary because the entire rear suspension has to be dropped along with hte rear half of the exhaust system not to mention the driveshaft just to replace the filler neck and the attnedant vapor lines. Other than that it is a fun car but it is definitely not made for any type of driving where any amount of snow is involved. I mistakenly drove mine about 2 miles one day with a slight dusting on the ground and the car only had maybe 2k on it and I took it right home and parked it. At least the VQ is a timing chain design and the oil changes are really easy to perform. All in all not a bad car. I would say try to get some seat time in one before you pull the trigger.

Good advice. If you have the place to keep it I would say go for it because they are not going to amke any more any time soon.

I have bought parts years in advance of when they might be needed usually because the fear of them becoming NLA from Nissan at some point. I have even been known to buy a set of wheels and then go looking for a car to put them on! Case in point: the fuel pump relay for a '78 280Z is now NLA from Nissan but thanks to some advice from 240ztt a source at NAPA was identified and from that source I have now purchased four of them. BTW, NAPA still has about 130 left in stock. The good news is that they are made by Niles of Japan the OE supplier to Nissan.

Phil, I use a Z or ZX almost daily and the '86 swallowed up $50.01 to fill up from empty the other day at $3.09 per gallon. Almost makes you want to frame the receipt? BTW, That is a beautiful 9/70 240Z you have there! I especially like the color. What is the story of your Z?

Bill, I spread them around between Md. and Fl.

Bryan, I too worry about those items being destroyed by disrepectful people. So far I have only had to deal with a few dings and key swipes. Lately I have noticed the valve stem caps disappearing? Ridiculous. It would be nice to catch the little turd(s) just once?

Too funny regarding the language comment. I wouldn't dare try that statement here in the United States. :surprised In fact I was getting the 'LY' confused with the FJ24 engine as used in the BS110 '240RS' model. I think I meant to say that there is a four cylinder engine (possibly the LZ series) which has a valve cover similar in design to the LY's and as it was told to me was designed by the same person? I am not sure if you can confirm that or not but nonetheless it would be interesting to know.

Alan, Thanks for the response. My next mountain to climb is learning to read and write Japanese although this promises to be a long road as there are three(?) alphabets. My Japanese history course is winding down and it has proven to be a real charmer (about 400pp of reading per week as of late) and it has sparked yet more interest so now it makes sense to learn the language. While reading this thread it came to mind the design of the LY28 engine (cylinder head)? Have you any information on the history of this unique variation on the L-series. A Japanese friend of mine recently allowed me to see some pictures that he took of a rare Silvia (S11) Rally car that maybe only four or so were produced and if I recall they too used the LY type cylinder head? Thanks as always.

Alan, Thanks for clearing the air with regard to the L-series engine design. I am curious to know more. Where would one find information regarding the design history of the L-series engines as well as the RB-series engines?

Matt, That is a pretty good price for the wheel and tire package. I have multiple sets of the Enkei 92's in both 14" and 15" and even one set in 16". Over the years the average works out to about $100-150 per wheel without tires. The exception was the set of 16" Epsilons that are on my '81 280ZX. I had to buy the wheels and Quickor springs and Bilstein struts toegther and it wound up costing about $800 with shipping from San Diego to the east coast.