ZIII

What is going on here??? last time I looked the title of this thread was REAR strut bar.... Seems like we have been all over the place discussing pop-up windows, browsers, front strut bars, how to manage a web-site and run a business....

Daniel, It is the TEP bar that I purchased that needs the holes re-drilled.... not the PDK!!!! I have no experience with the PDK only that it appears to be more substantial that the TEP based on it connecting at four points and that it uses all three bolts on the strut as opposed to only 2 for the PEP. I will try to get the bar installed today and will take some pictures... however, as I mentioned, I leave early tomorrow morning, have twenty things I have to get done today and am not sure if I will be able to get to it... But, I'll be back......

When you say set... do you mean two or triple-carbs? If you are using trip-carbs, may I suggest you consider the Holly Red.... I have one on my triple system, pressure is set at 3.5.... and the flow (which in this case is vitally important) is about 97gph.....

Daniel..... The measurements appear very close and certainly I will have to drill larger holes in this TEP bar than our differences to get it to fit. Therefore, I am now leaning to the error being in the production area as opposed to variations in measurements due to flex/age. Mind you, I am not thrilled to have to drill larger holes as I would tend to think that would further weaken the bar but that is just a thought. I did consider the PDK rear bar (http://www.pdkfabrication.bravepages.com/240%20rear.htm) and certainly it seems more substantial than the TEP in that it connects at four points, its mounting points appear to be more substantial and it is secured by all three strut bolts as opposed to only two in the TEP. What drove my decision towards the TEP was that it was less obstructive, was powder coated black, one could use the stock strut covers to cover the bolts and I was not too excited about drilling holes in my shock towers. In other words, the TEP was a compromise. The PDK is $50.00 more and it appears to be well worth it. Then again, I am not racing or rallying my car so my requirements are not as stringent as someone who is. Tomorrow, I shall attack this thing (again) and see where it gets me. Then, if I get it on will test it out and will let you know. I will be taking a rather long trip in the Z on Friday so I really want to get this mounted before I leave. Hopefully you are not in a great hurry..... Cethern, This bar is made specifically for a 240. The 280 measurements are way different......

Daniel, Thanks for your question. At first, when I unpacked the bar I could see this puppy was not going to fit simply because one angle was way off. I thought it might have been a shipping problem although it was very well packed and there was no indication at all that it was damaged during transit. I figured I could handle that so I tried it and one side was about three inches too high. Into the vice it went and I bent it to where it was at the proper height. However, the two mounting holes on one side are about 1/8 inch off and the bar itself appears to be about 1/8 inch too long. Now, whether that means my towers have moved over the many years or if the bar is not spec, that I really don't know. I know that I will have to enlarge the hole by a large margin if there is any hope of getting this to fit. I really am not too excited about that and am regretting perhaps not getting the MSA rear strut bar that has an adjustable feature to it. But I will keep at this and see what happens. The measurements I have are as follows: From the driver side; center of the bolt; 12 o'clock to 12 o'clock: 34.5 inches 3'o'clock to 9 o'clock on passenger side: 30.5 6 o'clock to 6 o'clock: 34.5 It would be interesting to compare with what you have...... Oh, and I do regret not having a response/comment on this particular thread concerning pop-up windows, browsers, computers, etc..... Regards,

Got the TEP rear triangular bar in a couple of days ago and it does look beautiful. However, it doesn't fit. I have been playing with it for two days now and carefully trying to bend it to get it on and it just aint going.... It looks like I am going to have to enlarge two of the strut bolt holes in order to get it on. One hole adjustment will be minor but the other one will have to be quite large.... Will go back out to the garage again tonight and attack it.....

Well, I just purchased a rear bar... should be here in a few days and I will let you know....at least there will be one more opinion. I must say, that on the phone, TEP (Jeff) was very nice and helpful and took his time with me which I appreciated. Now, I wait for the bar to arrive.

Try..... http://www.racetep.com/zrear.html

Spoke with TEP today... they are telling me that the brace on the lower part (U) is to be bolted to the rear shock tower which is what I assumed. Did you not bolt or secure yours? By the way, they also said their brace was powder coated black. may I ask how was the coating? Thanks,

Mike.... Thanks for this info!!!!!!!!

Jayru, Appreciate your thoughts on the rear strut bar. I am try to think (but nothing happens) "why a triangle shape for the rear? I could well understand a square shape. Additionally, how much of the vinyl did you have to cut out to fit the lower section in? How does it look? And, how about the top strut tower covers, did they fit ok over the bar? Thanks,

Wayne, And thanks for your ten.... that is perhaps what I should have done but I have no regrets.... met too many fabulous people and did too many interesting things... BTW, have you register as an original owner in the Z Registry? If not, perhaps you could consider it. Here is the site: http://zhome.com/IZCC/ZRegisters/ George

Goose, Know the feeling. I bought mine new 33 years ago, still remember the day, the excitement and thrill of it all. Also did a few years in the military ( a little over thirty) and it has been back and forth across the Atlantic with me four times and although she is not a daily driver anymore she certainly is a weekly driver now that I don't live in snow country.....

If you do a search you will find dozen of suggestions regarding how best to insulate a Z.... many have written about Second Skin Audio who have a number of different products depending on what you want to accomplish and how much insulation you require. You can check them out at: http://www.secondskinaudio.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi Good luck.... George

Looks like the auction has ended and although it would appear that you will receive more than your asking price I still think you let it go for too low.... It is a beautiful car.... Hope whoever has bought it will continue on with what you started..... George

Randy, I can't say enough good things about PIAA. I know they are pricey but they are worth every cent. Personally, I would do without driving lights until I could get a set. They do go on sale and you might want to give Ebay a try as I have seen them on there. I replaced the all the "wonderful" stock GM lights (including fog) with PIAA's on my Corvette and the difference was astronomical.... I am not sure if this is more a statement about how bad GM lights are or how great PIAA lights are.... but seriously, on the Z, the PIAA driving lights in the evening, on desert roads, light up the sky like nothing else.... If you know someone who has them, perhaps you can test them out or just ask them, I am sure they will confirm my enthusiasm for them. George

Mark, I agree with Carl, Bob, Mark et.al., who are urging you to keep it.... You will regret it.... Has nothing to do with money...has everything to do with emotions. As you get older, emotions are more important than money. George

Another option is to install a 105 Amp alternator from Z Specialties. I will tell you that this is one of the best mods I have ever done to my car. Why I waited so long to do this heaven only knows. Everything seems to work better. Lights are brighter but not overly so. My little 35 watt stereo sounds better and the car just seems to run better and I haven’t a clue why unless its just me. I turned every electrical thing on, lights, PIAA fogs, stereo, rear-defroster, blower, wipers, signals, and at idle there was not a blip…. On my original alt, if you had two things on you’d be lucky to get the wipers to creep across the windshield…. And at idle, forget it… it would take five seconds for a swipe of the wipers. The Z Specialties alt is a breeze to install. It’s a direct plug and play operation. You use the same pulley, bracket, and belt. Wiring is simple and straightforward. The instructions that come with it are fool-proof. The stock Voltage Regulator comes out. I opted to use an additional 8 gauge wire directly to the battery in addition to the stock wire. Testing the alt, it was putting out 14.8 volts to the battery. I think this may be a tad high, not sure. I also took some pictures of the install but believe me this is a simple, no-brainer operation. Strongly recommended….. You can get additional information on this alternator at: http://www.zspecialties.com/hotdeal.htm George

Randy, Did you get the MSA driving lights? You might want to consider PIAA driving lights. They are the very best lights I have ever had and I have had Bosch, Carrello, Hella, et al and PIAA by far are not only the brightest but also the best built. (no rust, corrosion, condensation etc.). Anyway, just my two cents worth...... George

Walter...... Nice touch, nice work...... George

Mike.... How hard was it to fit them in..... I presume they recline and move forward/back..... ?

I'm the original owner of my 73.... that would make it 33 years to date.....

Thomas, If you are still in need of a voltage regulator let me know....

Jim, You are so right about the blower and how it plays with the rest of the stuff we modify our Z’s with. Dogma: Have heard great things about the Honda blowers on Ebay and I think that is all Russell was trying to say. Not to mention the significant price differential and modifying hassle. I am considering replacing mine although here in the southwest I hardly use it and since I have no AC, and certainly no plans to go that route, a blower is not a priority. I hardly remember when I last had it on. Although I must say, when I went to the 105 amp ALT, it worked better than it ever did