240Z-Fan

Mike, What size tires are on your wheels? BTW, The car looks great with the lower ride height. I assume you lowered the ride height with a spring change, if so, what springs? Al

Marty, thanks! I see Panasports on the blue Z and the Yellow Z. What size tire do you have on the Panasports? I think your rewinds are on the trailer; they look nice too. Al

Thanks Dan! I think you must be right...I called Panasport today. 16x7's (street) weigh about 19lbs 15x7's race weigh about 15 lbs Forged wheels would be lighter and/or stronger. Anyone have 15x7's on their Z? Pictures? Thanks, Al

Ron, I spoke to Les at Classic Datsun yesterday, he mentioned your car... Are you saying that there are lighweight versions of the Panasports? Did you buy these through Les? What size tires do you use? Al

Does anyone know the weight for Panasport 16x7? I really love this wheel but they may be a bit heavy. How about Konig Rewind 16x7? Thanks! Al

What was $4325 Canadian in US dollars? Al

I humbly disagree. The smaller bore will give you less rear brake force. In other words, for a given pedal pressure the rear braking will be less due to the smaller cylinder area, a net increase in forward brake bias. This is better than using larger cylinders; increased rear brake bias could cause the rear end to lock up on heavier braking and loss of control. In this case, there will be a slight reduction in ultimate braking capacity, but the car should stop straight. Al PS. I am not a brake engineer. This is just my opinion. Any changes you make to your braking system are at your own.

Darbji, you certainly were great fun too. But you weren't crass. It makes a difference, and I appreciate the good natured fun. dade280, what can I say. I can appreciate that your remarks were perhaps misinterpreted. If that is the case, I apologize for singling you out; we all have better things to do than to persecute the innocent. OTOH, your writing 'style' leaves a lot for the reader to interpret... But, I am done with this. Will, EScanlon, BigOak, Darbji, everyone, thanks everyone for your input. Let's get back to Z's Al

Darbji, So sorry to hear about the accident, I really hope you feel better soon. As E and Jimmy already said, don't sign anything just yet. Some 20 years ago I was in a car accident caused by another person. I was hurt a little so I went to the hospital to get checked out, just in case. Then, I fought hard to get them to pay up on my car. When we finally agreed on an amount, the adjuster offered to bring the check to my work. In a moment of stupidity, and needing the money to buy another car, I ended up getting the settlement check and signing for a $500 limit on medical. Later I received some additional hospital bills that the $500 limit just covered. It was then I realized I had made a big mistake as any further medical problems could far exceed any money I had. Settle on the car (per the others already excellent advice), don't settle on the medical. If you can, get an attorney. Otherwise see us here on the board. I for one will help with what I can. Most importantly, get well soon. We love you. Al

Great thread! My 240 is due for a new exhaust system too. While it is mostly stock, (round tops replaced flat tops), I want a deeper throatier exhaust. I would love to find a good system that doesn't sound obnoxious or boy racer. ... I did want to add that many years ago; my stock 78 280z needed a new front pipe. I bought and installed one from the local car parts places. As soon as i pulled onto the road I knew something was wrong. It was significantly down on power. I drove it for a couple weeks trying to figure out what it could be. Eventually I pulled the pipe back out and took a close look inside. It turns out the aftermarket pipe was built in such a way it had a significant restriction. The flange that mates with the manifold had two pipes that collect onto one pipe. The way it was constructed resulted in about a 1.25-1.5 inch orifice. I then went from parts place to parts place and they all had the same construction (probably the same manufacturer). I finally decided to spring for a new Nissan part. Boy what a difference! The construction was clearly superior, and more importantly, the power was back! While this doesn't directly apply to higher performance exhaust systems, keep this in mind when shopping for aftermarket 'stock' parts. Al

Well written E. I do have a slight difference of opinion on the Boobs and Camel-Toe threads. While they are fun to some of us, I feel that they should not exist on our Z-car list. I may be in the minority here, but I would prefer to not have them on our site for two reasons: 1) It dilutes the focus of our list. Much like we don't discuss v8 Z's or 4wd Chevy trucks, I don't think I want to discuss women's anatomy here. 2) It gives the impression that we do not respect women. That we just want them here for us to drool over their ...parts. One could argue that you don't have to look at them if you don't like it, but we get the constant reminder of their presence every time we click on new posts. If it was my list I would not allow them. But that is because I want to have everyone participate in the Z-car discussion. It would be interesting to hear what the women think. Darbji? NurseLaura? (the only two females I can remember) Anyone? PM me if you prefer. Al PS. E. the above isn't directed to specifically to you. You just brought it up. :nervous:

Maybe you are both right; Though, I would ask myself what value is it adding... dade280's comment aside, this should be a Z-centric website that is friendly to anyone who has an interest in Z-cars. So, while it is clean 98% of the time, we still have the occasional Neanderthal comments about women. That 2% stands out to anyone who visits, and it reflects poorly on all of us. Let's clean it up so everyone feels welcome and comfortable in our little Z world. If we keep it clean, we won't have to ask where the 'girls' are. They will be here enjoying their Z's right along-side us. Al

I am embarrassed and ashamed that we allow comments like those from dade280. Allowing these posts suggests that this behavior is tolerated. I love cars; I love to be around car enthusiasts, Men or Women. Why should we let these comments turn off our fellow car-enthusiasts? Perhaps our registration agreement should list some things that get you expelled (or posting privileges suspended). Maybe it does. Then it should be enforced. Screw-up a little, you get a warning. Screw up a lot, privileges get revoked temporarily or permanently. Only then would we see our fellow female enthusiasts continue to participate and contribute. Al

Miata's were available in powered and manual versions. The manual racks require a higher number of turns lock to lock. However, the general consensus is that a depowered power rack makes a better manual rack. To do this most people connect one line to both fittings on the rack. One more thing, I am not sure if there are differences between the early cars 90-97 versus 98-2005 cars (99-2005 us). The above applies to the early cars. Al

Living in the rust belt, I have found that clean Z cars are nearly impossible to find locally. What really kills me is how much people will lie, or hide about there cars. I cannot tell you how many times I went to see a Z that sounded great "No Rust", "Ready for Paint", only to find out the thing was a basket case. One time I agreed to meet a guy at a convenient mid way point to see his clean Z . It was just a shell so he was trailering it over. He pulled in and first the thing I see is a wire harness dangling through the rusted out floor. Then I see the bent hood with rust along the crease... Then he mentioned he had a really nice car at his daughters farm across the state. That car was worse. I left so mad at the guy. Some years later, I took a two-week shopping trip to Arizona and California. The cars I saw in Phoenix and Tucson were rusted and generally in rough shape. The same was true in San Diego. Finally I guy I talked to in LA described what I was looking for. Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst, I went to see it and a couple of other cars. The Z was fabulous. It looked it over for hours. I then went to see another car that sounded very good too. No way. The next day, I called Classic Datsun to verify some things I saw on the nice car, bought it and had it shipped home. Every so often, I see a Z on ebay that I think may be really nice, but then I remind myself of the countless times I saw cars that were not even close to what the seller claimed. -Al

I love this explanation. Not a hint of guilt. Just a person enjoying her cars. As a hopeless car addict, I understand. Al -who has heard more than once, "why don't you sell those cars and get a good one". I don't want a good 'one'. I want the ones I have.

I am old enough to have had the opportunity to drive one in 1986. It belonged to one of the owners of a stereo shop I worked in. The car was definitely cool. I went to California specifically for the Japanese Classic car show in 2006. I searched out other shows going on that weekend and found this British car show in near San Diego. I love San Diego. -Al Lost in the Midwest

Arne, I also think that not disturbing the structure is the best Idea. A first class metal worker/ welder could cut the new section to fit, then butt weld the entire patch. Alternately, I would investigate cutting the existing roof sheet metal back to the-best-place-to-hide-the-seams. Then reskin using the yellow cars sheet metal. Al

Hilarious! Every so often I come across a car that I seriously want to buy. Recent examples: 85 Supra - 4x,xxx miles 77 Celica Fastback 72 Datsun 510 Eventually, I come to the same conclusion I have so many times before. I don't have the time to keep up another car. No matter, this will happen again. Currently there are a couple Z's I want to look at. A rarity in this neck of the woods. Darbji, Of course I get the Z. I get the Delorean. I get the Cadillac. I think I get a (one) Neon. I am a little lost on the rest... Right, it is a disease! :laugh: Al 73 240Z 48,000 miles - Garage queen 94 Miata 49,000 miles - Fair weather car 92 Miata 92,000 mile - Track car --- 94 GMC Sonoma 179,000 miles - Utility 2005 Altima - The wifes car 2007 Kia Spectra5 - Work car

Y'all are something else 8-) Darbji posts pictures of her new headlights and the first comments are mostly critical. Wow. I appreciate that she went to the trouble to post pictures. About the lights: I am in favor of superior lighting. HID's are a great upgrade. As far as preferences: I would probably run the projector lights only, but that is because I prefer to keep the look of MY 240 original, and I don't think they would go well with the 70's orange. If I had built a car with a more modern look, (modern wheels, bright paint, whatever) then I would maybe want the blue light to compliment the look. I think they look great on Darbji's Z. I did replace the big sealed beam assemblies in my 94 Miata (think spiritual successor to the Z) with low profile Hella projector lights mostly for the look. If it was just a lighting thing, I could have just installed Hella E-Codes. Al BTW Darbji, I really like your car collage.

Oops. That should say: I hope to see it at the next west coast show I attend. Al

Ron, In 2006, I flew to LA specifically to see the 2nd annual JCCS. The show was fantastic. I saw your Z and took a bunch of pictures, the car looked absolutely fabulous. It wasn't until recently that I figured out it was your car. So it was great to see you car on CCTV. I am really glad our cars are getting the respect they deserve. Keep it up; I hope to see it at the next show West coast I attend. Al -Somewhere in the soulless Midwest

Decades ago my dad was sure his 78 Dodge Diplomat had an electrical problem as the low beams didn't work, (4 headlight system)...In the end it was that both low beam units had burned out. Try a new headlight or check the plug with a voltmeter. -Al

perhaps 225-50-16? Thanks Al

I am truly impressed. I see you have (had?) a butterscotch Z in the works. I love the before and after shots. The photography is excellent. I will try to duplicate some of those low angle shots. Really nice. Are the Panasports on the white Z originally from the green Z? What size tires are on them? Thanks, Al