Ed

And some more.

Thanks for the compliments guys! I couldn't have accomplished this without your help. Here are some more. I had to take them quick because it keeps raining.

It started in March of 2003 and ended August of 05. She started out as a daily driver odometer read X79,850. She was in real good condition having lived her entire life in Southern California. Just about everything was rebuilt or replaced with new parts. There have been several modifications that I thought would increase comfort and performance. Power windows, power door locks, air conditioning (rotary compressor), tinted windows, carpet, sound proofing, stereo, wheels & tires, suspension, f&r sway bars, L28 engine, 2 1/2" custom exhaust, 5 speed transmission. And trust me the list goes on. Actually I saved most of my reciepts and have added it all up for you guys. I'll make this as brief as possible because the list has close to 200 entries. ENGINE 1981 F54 L28, with flattops, cleaned, flashing & slag removed, balanced, painted black, balanced, ARP rod,cap, head bolts. N42 head, 9.65:1 compression, hardened valve seats, mild & match porting, 3 angle valve job on intake. Schneider racing springs, 270 duration cam. Rebuilt roundtops, 6-1 headers and a custom welded 2 1/2 exhaust with a resonator and a flowmaster exhaust. Most labor in the carbs and engine building was done by me. Ballpark $2K PARTS I'm talking stuff like wires, nuts, bolts, washers, u-joints, paint, metal, boots, rubber, hoses, lubricants, chrome, glass, and plastic parts. Remember my car was in real good condition so most of the interior was intact. Suspension had NO rust also in excellent condition. Ballpark 11K TOOLS Even though I had a lot of tools to start with there were some that were required for the job so I added them too. Brushes, tape, files, gloves, abrasive, hole punch, bearing packer, ring compressor, taps & dies, sand paper, air compressor, etc... Ballpark 2K This is for all you guys that have been following my restoration and won't have a chance to see her at the convention. I'll add a few more tomorrow. I'll also add these pictures to my gallery.

To find out what engine you have look at the block, passenger side under the #6 spark plug. there should be a flat spot where it meets the head. The engine serial # is there if it starts with a L28 then that's what you have. Which L28 you ask? Look on the drivers side by the motor mount. There is a raised letter and number there either N42 or F54. The F54 is more desirable because of it's siamesed cylinders (stronger block). Even thought I've never heard of a N42 block failing. Power???? how much $$$$ do you have? From 150 to 300 HP. The reason the 73 is not as good as earlier models is because it had carburators designed to pass tougher emission laws (several people have changed to earlier carbs, flat top to round top). It has thicker bars in the doors in case of a side impact. Also it has the less desirable illuminating heater control console. Oh, and last thing the front bumper sticks out farther. Personally I like the 73 more because it is the most refined of the 240Z'z. :classic: Oh yea, welcome to the club.. Ed

I have had good luck and bad luck with MSA. There have been times where I like Victor have spent TOOO long on hold. Then there are times where everything went smooth. Honestly, if you compare prices VB beats MSA. But MSA has items VB does not. So what to do??? VB does have internet ordering. MSA does also but they don't have all there products listed. I'm just glad I'm done buying stuff. My car is done! Oh, and you heard it here first. MSA is probably very busy, they have too keep there 350Z cutomers happy. Today their catalog is about equal between the 240-280-300-350. Two years from now it will be 50% 350 and 50% everyone else. Five years from now????? (better hurry and get your car done)

Please don't advertise what you've done to your car. Your only asking for someone to steal it. Remeber this is the World Wide Web. Anyone can read what should be your secrets.

Oh yea, one more thing. Get or build a rotisserie.

Sounds like a pretty good plan. Your doing your homework and it seems like you know what to expect. Don't get discouraged because in the end it will all be worth it. One thing on your plan I'd change is taking it to have it pressure washed first. Get as much crud off as you can to start with. Good luck. Here is what my undercoating looked like when I was done.

Sorry Jon, I was just trying to make a point that the "ricers" aren't the only ones with loud exhausts. And on another note, what's up with the stickers thing? If I have an Edelbrock or Moroso sticker I'm going to get pulled over? vs. somone who has a "my son is a honor student at xxx school" or " I love my poodle"????

Sounds like racial profiling to me. So what if the car has been modified. As long as the driver obeys the law leave them alone. [in practice, "excessive exaust noise" tickets are the most common violation. California law does not require police to measure sound levels objectively. Instead, according to the California Highway Patrol, the "citation is based on officer's judgment."] What about loud motorcycles??? I don't see anybody complaining about Motorcycles that have been modified. I see & hear twice as many motorcycles that have loud pipes.

Now, you cut it open and rust proof it, then you go to weld it back together your rust proofing paint will burn off where the weld was. So the weld will be the first to rust. Not to mention that cutting up the air intake will compromise the structural integrity of the car. Take a flashlight and a small mirror, inspect the metal through the chamber. If all is well then leave it alone. Rust proof the outside and be happy.

LoJack is a GPS tracking system. Check with your local Police Department to see if they support the LoJack tracking system. Some departments don't have it. Southern California does. If you ever notice four little antenna on the roof of a police car those are for LoJack.

Having been on both sides of the restoration picture. I can only say one thing. Enjoy it while it lasts. I'm days away from completing my restoration. I started 2 1/2 years ago and now I spend most of my time just staring at her. Looking over every detail, working out the small bugs. This coming Monday she goes back to the paint shop for her final polish. Then the emblems go back on, and then it's picture time. What will I do next??

I think this guy loves his car very much. He has had it for over 30 years. I would think it would be hard to let go. Maybe the high price tag will help him buy that Mercedes or Porche or so his heart won't hurt so much. Some more pictures, undercarrage, battery tray, floor boards and some of the common rust spots. The car does seem to be in pretty good condition. But my 73 is in better condition. If his sells for 19k then I'm selling mine for 29k.