chickenwafer

well, since I am a mechanic I was going to rebuild it anyhow. I also plan on cranking up the boost once I get a better front-mounted intercooler installed, a compressor bypass valve and the other nessesities. I think I already have a donor lined up, only the owner isn't too keen on his car being an organ donor. Dave

You guys forget that a V-8 weights a lot more than a straight 6, and that the Z was NEVER designed to use a V-8. You will throw off your suspension geometery (even with new struts and coilovers, your toe angles and chamber will be totally wrong) and the car won't be able to turn worth crap. It will be a a straight-line queen and nothing more. And for all you V-8 lovers out there- one word: over rated. The new Ford Mustang with it's 3-valve, 300-horse V-8 can't outrun a new Lotus Elise. And what does the Elise have? A puny 1.8 liter , 190bhp in-line 4. Yes, it's naturally aspriated too, so don't cry foul. And the Stang wouldn't even be able to dream about handling with the Lotus, so forget that too. Superior engineering wins any day that ends in Y. And please no one say NOS!!! That's what all the ricers say, it isn't a word, it's an abbreviation, N.O.S.!!! You say it as 3 seperate letters. Or at least just say nitrous. And, maybe it's just me, but I don't trust a high schooler who apprently doesn't even know how to spend his own money or type worth sh*t using nitrous on the street racing another dumb f*ck in a Civic going 120 plus. If nothing else, save it for the track! I have seen way too many people get hurt or KILLED because they street race, and, quite honestly, can't handle their car. You want horsepower? Get between 200-250 rear wheel ponies and it will be plently to earn you your fair share of speeding tickets, and if you must, some "respect" by racing the other kids in Honda's. I'm serious- I think horsepower is under rated. People don't realize how much power 250 horses at the rear wheels is, especially in a light car like the Z which weights around 2500 pounds- and this kid has a 240, and being if it's a very early 240, it could weight as little 2200 lbs. A Miata weights that much! Power-to-weight-ratio, people! I'm deing here, oooooh!!! Okay, I'm gonna go down a 5th of Vodka and when I come back there better be either some more logical posts. And maybe the kid how started this thread could come back and actually post a reply? Or did he just realize how stupid he is and is too embrassed to come back? How bout that drink......... Dave

I would pay for: Dash (only if i can retain my heater and then obviously the vents) rear tail light panel How about some CF bolt-on fender flares? I am going to get some soon and why not sweet CF instead of fiberglass? And how about a front lip spoiler? Mull- what's your take? I would love a hood, but if the cost of the dash and taillight panel I wouldn't be able to afford it- and I must have a dash considering mine has 3 HUGE cracks in it. My hood, for now, is fine so it isn't priority.

I will never so a small block ! I would love an RB swap, only RB engine are JDM and thus hard to get and expensive. I think I'll look for a 280zx-t and salvage the engine, ecu, wiring harness, gearbox, and possibly even the front brakes (if they're good). Dave

8.8:1 isn't that high of a compression ratio in all fairness. In fact, I think 8.8:1 wouild be good considering the L-series engines had a bombproof bottom end. 9:1 would push it, but 8.5:1 or 8.8:1 and you should be fine. Dave

mmmm, glasspacks

mull- if you a dash are you keeping the vents and the heater unlike the other CF dashes out there? Dave

I want the turbo, I know that. i'm just not sure if i want to go through with the hassel of an engine swap and finding a good engine, that's the thoughest part. dave

Ok, yes I was wrong about the total number made- got confused- it was late . But as for a Sport Compact, I respectfully disagree with your definition- or at least that's not how I use it all. To me, a Sport compact is a small sports car- just as the name reads. The name came about when the Import sports car were coming over; they were smaller and had smaller engines, thus being compact when compared against a Vette or Mustang. Maybe today it means that, but I still don't think so. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR is a "sport compact" yet it still does 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and can hang with some Porsche's (I.E. only naturally aspirated Porsche's like a Boxster or the base model 911 maybe). I would consider the Evo a sports car, wouldn't you? And about the prices on the 2000GT- I got that price number from an issue of Sport Compact Magazine. They had a section on a Toyota convention where one 2000GT sold for over $100K. If you would like the exact issue number and date I can get it to if you so desire. Not trying to start anything, just want to tell my side of the story And Tomohawk is right- we are getting away from the Z was marketed and meant to be- a cheap, well performing sports car that anyone could afford. Dave

sorry, I disagree. It isn't rice since it's REAL, GENUINE carbon fiber. If it was that fake stuff the kids in Civics paste on their dash and stuff, then ya, rice all the way, but I wouldn't call a Ferrari Enzo adorned in Carbon fiber rice IMAO. Dave

the Toyota 2000GT (reguarded as the first import sport compact) change hands rarely, partly due to there only being about 2,000 left in running order. And when they do change hands, it is a big thing- they command an average $100,000 for a prestine example. I always found it funny that the engine was built and designed by Yamaha, not Toyota . In my eyes, some Japanese cars are VERY valueable, like the 2000GT, a 432R, and some of the very first JDM Datsun's such as the ridiculously rare Fair Lady S211, of which only 12 were every produced and a rumored 6 still exist (excluding the one in the Nissan mesuem, of course). And let us not forget the first 1957 Skyline, or the premier 3rd generation Skyline GT-R. Those babies came with the coveted L20A- a 2 liter, 24 valve, dual overhead cam, triple-carb monter of a straight 6. The engine went to 7000 rpm in stock trim and more than 8000 rpm in race form, which is no small feat for such a long crank. Those engines, ALONE, minus car, go for $20,000 plus. And don't forget the R390 Le Mans race car with the twin turbo V8 and 6-speed sequential. Even though they were never "officially" for sale, one of the couple handfuls of examples out there still end up in the hands of collectors for an astonishing 250 grand plus. So, sure, Japanese cars are desireable. . Dave

I'm at a crossroads; I'm going to be rebuilding my stock L26 this coming summer and before I do I want to make sure it's the motor I want, ya know? I have thought heavily about dropping in a stroked ZX turbo straight 6 (stroked to 3.1 liters) with a high-performance, hi-boost turbo (such as a GReddy T-78, but I'll prob just go for a hybrid t3/t4 ball bearing turbine), a large FMIC, hi-flow fuel system, and all the other stuff needed. Of course, I would also get the 5-speed manual trans with the engine and beef it up accordingly (new clutch, flywheel, ect). OR, I can rebuild my L26, toss those boat anchor SU carbs for some rebuilt to "Better than new" condition 70-72 SU's from ZTherapy, port and deck the head, MSA exhaust header, Twice pipes glasspack exhaust kit, new timing chain, Mallory distrubtion, and countless other performance stuff. I'm guessing with a lot of machine work to the L26 I would squeeze about the same horsepower out of both, but it would be worlds easier on the turbo 6, plus I'll get another cog in the box . But the L26 route might be cheaper, and considering my engines runs OK (read: only okay, not good, not great, and not even close to stellar) there is not need tossing a perfectly OK engine, right? But I want this car to hang with those other ricey import so I can wipe the smiles off their faces when I blow past them. Of course, it would be nice to whopp on some Corvette's as well . Well, I put a poll so post your comments and don't forget to vote!! Thanks Dave

How about the dealer-produced Scarabes (spelling)? The Z's with a Chevy 350SB. I heard good examples of those go for some good sums of money. Dave

Here's another pic of the vc: Dave

you are right DatsunZGuy!! And yes, it makes the engine compartment look like crap-o-la. And BTW, the insullation does NOTHING for vapor lock issues!! Dave Thanks for the replies And speaking of those boat anchors, check out the tops of my SU's! They look like sh*t! Better bust out the Greased Lightning Industrial cleaner and wipe them down.

HA!! I finally got it!!! Thank for your help Inf! Well, after all that drama, I was finally able to upload the pics of my newly anodized valve cover. Whew, my brain hurts now. Enjoy! Dave

Ok, i clicked the "Manage Attachments" button in the additional options menu. A dialog box popped up with the option to upload the picture. I browsed my comp and found the pic and then clicked "upload". Since I have a 56K modem I had to wait a while as it uploaded the pic, then after, oh 40 seconds the progress bar in the bottom of the screen of internet explorer shows it's done. When it's done it goes to a blank white screen and in the very bottom left hand corner of the IE screen it says "Done" and that's it. It doesn't say "Pictures uploaded" or anything!! I was able to upload pictures to the members gallery so I don't get it. Dave

C:\Documents and Settings\DAVID\My Documents\My Pictures\260z\260z 001.jpg

can't post the pics!!!!! ARRGGGGGGGGG

Hey guys. Just finished anodizing my valve cover after cleaning and polishing it for a week. Just bolted it back on the block. Looks great. Enjoy. Dave