Pop's Z

Arne, You used the picture of my system that I had installed locally. I started out with a glass-pac in the tunnel, also, but it was too quiet so I had it taken back off. The tone is now fairly quiet with no drone at any rpm, but you know there is a hi-revving 6 under the hood. To sum up: I used a Dynomax#17741 6: ROUND muffler it is 19 1/2" overall and 14" long w/ off-set pipes. My whole system is 2 1/4" and done in aluminized pipe. The whole system was under $200. I also had the muffler shop(Ken's Muffler in Fort Collins, CO[free plug]) weld in a 2 bolt connecter for easier removal of the whole system. I am going to post the pics on my pic site here. Anyone w/ questions can pm me. "Be happy in your work" Cheers, Mike

FWIW, On my stock '73 Z w/ 20+yr. old Michelin XZX 185 SR 14 tires on 14X6 5-slot aluminum wheels, stock springs, KYB GR-2 struts(5/06 install), urethane bushings in front(haven't got around to the rear yet) the measurements are:Left side...rear ww...25 1/2", front ww...27 1/4", rear jack point...7 1/2"...front jp...7 3/4". Right side...rear ww...25 3/4"...front ww... 27", rear jp...7 1/2"...front jp...8". Rear bumper...17", front bumper...18 3/4". Hmmm, 1/4" lower on the left side(w/ the exception of the fww)...driver's big butt? Also the KYBs raised the car 3/4". Cheers, Mike

FWIW, I called American Stitches and their price for a re-do of a 280-Z steering wheel was $297...a lot of dinero in my opinion. I re-did my own wheel for the price of some liquid electrical tape(I know, it sounds bizarre,but I coated the old rubber with it to stabilize and build it up), some black satin spray paint, and a "Wheelskins" leather cover. Result: a new wheel for less than $40. I also had a Grant wheel and I found it too small to use(for me). These cars are heavy steerers at slow speed and that is exacerbated by larger wheels and tires. The wheel was a bit closer to me, but not much, they use a billet adapter that moves the flatter wheel towards you. Cheers, Mike

I have had the same problem on 2 different cars both 73 Zs. My "solution" was to reinstall the knob using a dab of silicon seal on the threads of the lever. Worked both times. Word of warning: don't use too much silicon seal or it will be difficult to remove the knob later on. Cheers, Mike

FWIW, I had a new exhaust system built locally for my 73 stock Z. I used 2- 1/4" aluminized pipe and a Dynomax ROUND super turbo muffler part#17 741. It looks almost like the stock muffler(dimensions:14"X6"...19" total). When I first had the system done I had them put in a 20" glasspac(reversed for better flow) for resonance, but had it removed as the system was too quiet,almost like stock. It sounds much better now, but is not at all loud...just right for me and no resonance. I also had them weld in a flange up front so the system could be removed for suspension work, etc. I'm very happy with the system. It cost about $200 and is nicely tucked up underneath the car...in the same plce as the old system. Cheers, Mike

FWIW, I used plastic covers that come with new mattresses. They were free and the material was very heavy duty. I used the door panels to make a template, cut them with scissors and put them on with weatherstrip adhesive. You will probably ruin the plastic when (and if) you have to remove them, but as I said they were free... Cheers, Mike

Or you could just block it off on the inside w/ a piece of fiberglass tape put on with some epoxy resin...Cheers, Mike

FWIW The KYB struts I installed on my 73 were silver and the above part #s are correct. Cheers, Mike

Arne, When I put on my KYBs a month ago it raised the ride height of the car1/2" all around. I measured very carefully before and after installation. I feel the old Konis had sagged that much. As I stated before the ride is MUCH better: smooth, yet firm, yet not kidney busting. fwiw. Cheers, Mike

There are no rubber end caps on my 73(build date 6/73). There are some rubber pieces between the bumper and the body, but they are small and go over the fastening points on the bumper ends themselves. They don't look like those in the Black Dragon cat. Hope that helps. Cheers, Mike

Dave, It's not really your car until it has taken some of your blood. Cheers, Mike

Dave, Saw your carbs at the MSA show...I would trade, but it's too labor-intensive to change. I really like your balance tube. Cheers, Mike

As ZSaint sez: The best is yet to come. I put my ZTherapy carbs on a month ago and WHAT a difference! The car was transformed from a nice runner to a great runner. It winds up to 6K without a miss or stumble. I was skeptical about the $600, but it was some of the best bucks I have spent on the car. Cheers, Mike

Arne, The Konis were on the car when I bought it last spring from the original owner. He said they were installed in the 80's. He also said they were set to the "softest setting". The car had only 69,000 original miles so the Konis weren't that old mileage-wise. The reason I changed them out was after some spirited driving three of them were leaking(possibly age related seal failure). When I pulled them they exibited signs of failure(easy to pull up hard to push down w/leaks around the top of the strut). They rode fairly hard, but they had no rebound i.e.firm on the downstroke, poor rebound on the upstroke(almost like there was no strut in the car). I am very happy with the KYBs. The ride is firm w/o jarring your teeth, but smooth over most road imperfections. For what it's worth, I also had Konis on my 2 Datsun 2000 roadsters and set on the lowest setting the cars had great road control, but rode like trucks. Cheers, Mike

I just changed out my old Koni struts for KYBs. The ride went from hard/harsh to smooth,yet firm. No more kidney pounding for me. I'm very satisfied with the KYBs. I did this work myself and found that it was not that difficult. I got the struts as a package from shox.com...great people to deal with. That being said, shipping to Bahrain might be a tad on the expensive side. Cheers, Mike