mbz

I just spoke with his previous business partner at C7 carbon (they make corvette carbon fiber parts now), they used to pop carbon fiber parts for Scions under the name C12 carbon, but apparently this was just before the guy Paulo split and started RSpec carbon. All these businesses are located in San Diego area and have their parts made in Baja California. Still.... no luck tracking down the elusive Mr. Paulo Sierra or a status update on my parts. Any members down in San Diego that have information on this guy, I would certainly appreciate any help.

Thank you! It's a start....

Does anyone in the group have any contact information for RSpec Carbon or Paulo Sierra other than their website, Instagram or Facebook? I ordered some 280Z carbon fiber tail light panels from the guy back at the end of July. Product was supposed to ship last week and now he's a ghost. No response to emails, I even reached out to him via his webstore hosting company Shopify. I have my paint and body guys waiting on the parts, and it's holding up my build. Any leads are appreciated. Thank you! - Matt

let’s take this to the PM. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just sent you a PM with a referral for a very, very good Datsun mechanic in Torrance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try these guys, they have a pretty deep inventory of obscure parts.... https://jdm-car-parts.com If you can’t find on a website search give them a call. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I concur with rcb, your cat could be a concern. Do the FSM tune up (if anything, tune it to run a bit leaner), and be sure to drive it on the freeway (65 mph) for about 30 minutes to get the cat warmed up... then head straight in for testing. Cats can lose efficacy over time, that can be expedited by using engine oils with high levels of ZDDP. The good thing is, CA emissions standards are a bit lower for these older cars. Good luck![emoji256] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Surprisingly, it PASSED! And well under spec in most metrics! See pic for test results. I’m interested in hearing interpretations of these results and what I should be looking at to address any issues. Specifically, it may be running a bit lean (which is ironic because last year I had a severe running rich problem). Going for a “Victory Lap” drive thru the canyons now.

Hi Zed, Yes I'm the guy that you harassed last year on my (very long, too long) thread about a rough idle/running rich Z car. After my issue was resolved by a more helpful and experienced member of the group, you got upset at a funny picture I posted about "Zed's Haterade" - so I took it down because it seemed like your feelings got hurt. Regarding the ignore user feature, I already have your comments blocked and it works well. In this case, you jumped on my thread and wrote a comment about Amsoil related to a pyramid marketing scheme. Off topic and irrelevant in regards to the oil's performance, however it required a disclosure response because the intentions of the thread were impuned by your comment. I'd prefer you to stay off my threads because I don't think you bring anything valid to the table with your comments. It's just mostly trolling. I'll continue to stay off your threads, because I'm a man of my word. Respond or don't, I could care less.

Full disclosure; I am not in anyway affiliated with AMSOIL, nor am I a reseller or distributor, nor do I stand to profit from this in any way, shape or form. I am just looking for the best oil that will treat my old engine well and I want to share what I’ve found in my research with the group, in the event that anyone else is looking for information about motor oil for their vehicle. Hopefully someone will find this information helpful when considering what oil to use in their Z car. Much of the consideration and research was in regards to protection for a 45 year old, original engine, and a tolerable level of ZDDP that would cause as little damage as possible to the catalytic converter as my car needs to meet very strict emissions standards. Lastly.... Zed we had a gentleman’s agreement that we would stay off of each other’s threads. Kindly honor your word as I have kept to my promise. Thank you in advance.

See comment below....

Yeah, I don’t know about how they distribute or sell their product. I just ordered direct from their website and it arrived next day, free shipping, from Las Vegas. They’re probably using Super Logistics (Rakuten) for fulfillment. I’d be curious to see if someone from the South Eastern US orders from them, if it ships from Atlanta. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quick follow up, so far Amsoil has been performing well. Have done several 75+ mile drives since the oil change and no issues. Also, came across this head to head challenge between Royal Purple and Amsoil. It’s making me think I made the right decision switching to Amsoil. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quick follow up on this.... Upon further consideration and research, it seems that the general consensus regarding "safe" levels of ZDDP (zinc & phosphorus) is about 800-900 ppm. Apparently these levels will not reduce the efficacy of the catalytic converter. After speaking with the folks at AMSoil, they confirmed that the Z-Rod ZDDP levels are high enough to reduce the efficacy of the catalytic converter. I explained to them that my 76' 280z needs to be smogged every 2 years. AMSoil recommended their European Formula Improved 5W-40 Synthetic Oil, and said that several guys at AMSoil have old Z cars and use this product in their Z cars. They do not publish their zinc and phosphorus levels on the website, but if you call and ask they will tell you. This product has: Zinc: 887ppm Phosphorus: 788ppm https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil/?code=AFLQT-EA I ordered a case and a couple of their filters too. We'll see how it performs.

I’m thinking that Amsoil, Royal Purple, Mobil, Penzoil, Castrol, etc. have figured out the proper ZDDP formulation by now so that it does little if any damage to the cats when used as intended without other oils or additives. In 2 different vehicles I’ve been using Mobil 1 (14 year old car) and Castrol Edge (19 year old car) exclusively for the life of the vehicles. Both products have ZDDP formulas added to the oil, neither vehicle has ever failed emissions and have never had to replace Cats on either vehicle. “WHEN USED AS INTENDED WITHOUT OTHER OILS OR ADDITIVES” being the critical point here.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have to have some fun to offset the high cost of living, excessive taxes, oppressive smog laws, etc. etc. [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, I kind of figure that since the Royal Purple that the PO has been using for years probably has already affected the Cat. That said, it costs less to replace the Cat than the engine, so I’m going to protect the engine. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BTW.... had a really nice drive in the Z through Decker Canyon this morning. Decker Canyon Road Anyone familiar with the area knows that drive, and if you haven't driven it, you can take the 23 South from the 101 all the way to PCH.... LOTS OF TIGHT WINDING ROADS AND HAIRPIN SWITCHBACKS.?

So after a little more reading about ZDDP and zinc additive and Royal Purple HPS 20/50 (which has been used in the engine for ???? years), it turns out that stuff has the ZDDP zinc additive as well. Point being, if my cat converter is going to be affected by the phosphors and zinc, it probably has already happened. That said, it also appears that oil manufacturers are well aware of excessive phosphors due to evaporation affecting cat converters, and have adjusted ZDDP additive levels accordingly so as not to affect the cat....... so they say. At this point I think it's safe to assume that if there were any damage to the cat form the Royal Purple it's already been done, so switching to Amsoil won't make a difference in regards to potential Cat damage. Further, it looks like the 20/50 Amsoil standard and the Amsoil Z-Rod BOTH have ZDDP so..... you're getting it whether you like it or not. I think the real question now is this; Does the benefit of protecting the engine with the ZDDP exceed the downside of possibly affecting the Cat performance? Oddly, it appears that if you add a third party ZDDP additive product to a motor oil that already has a ZDDP formula, it increases the amount of zinc and phosphors, but reduces the efficacy of the product. This may be where people are causing damage to their Cats, by adding more ZDDP to a balanced formula, it results in excess phosphors that damage the cat. Anyone have some insights/experience with this?

Yeah, I’m about 30 mins south of you, so we have the same draconian California overlords telling us how to live our lives. [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Granny, as a distributor, do you have any info from Amsoil regarding the zinc affecting the cat converter? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do have a cat and the car requires smog check every 2 years. So maybe best to skip the zinc additives? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See the boobs thread for a natural remedy. [emoji1787] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Dave. Yes it never gets below 45F here but can get up to 120F. So I’ll stick with the20/50 then. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

76’ 280z California version (manf. 9/75) I’m planning on doing my first oil change since purchasing the car about a year ago. PO’s mech used Royal Purple oil (20w50 HPS) and RP filter. It has been running fine, no leaks. There’s really no complaints, just looking to treat this old engine better if possible. After doing some research on the interwebs, I’m thinking about switching to Amsoil with zinc additive. But as usual when overthinking something simple, it leads to more questions. Anyone using this stuff? Is the zinc additive a good idea? Or should I avoid it and why? Recommendations on viscosity (the 20w50 that PO used seems a bit thick...)? Recommendations on oil filter? (OE or 3rd party.... does it really matter & why). Looking to set a game plan to stick with for several years as I like to buy in bulk and save. TIYA for inputs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk