mdbrandy

Interesting. I've actually seen several 3.9's recently, bought one for $75, and I can't remember seeing a 4.11 (at least on e-bay). Other than e-bay and this site, I have very limited sources for used Z parts (there are always the dealers like z-barn and the like). Since the 3.9 is about 2/3 of the way between the 3.545 and the 4.11, I expect that I'd get a "pretty noticiable difference" versus your characterization of "very noticable". Know of any 4.11's around that would be easy to get and not terribly expensive? One reason I'm even considering doing it is that this summer I will be removing and refurbing much of the 280's suspension and drivetrain, so now is an easy time. Oh, and thanks for the info! :classic:

Bueller? Bueller?

OK, I've read the tech article: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1957 and I've messed around with the transmission calculator at: http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/ and I've put my own spreadsheet together comparing my '78 5 speed with the stock R200 3.545 versus the R200 3.90 that I have recently come into (see the attached pic for a table of my calcs). Essentially, at 70 MPH, I'm running less than 300 RPM higher (3211 vs 2919 RPM), and in that range, I'm losing around 7 MPH in 5th gear. Lower speeds have even less difference. So, I know all the data. What I don't know, is how it feels to make this change? I do most of my driving around town, and/or around the local rural highways. I don't do more than 70 (or so) as a max speed anywhere anymore, and I'm really looking to pep up the acceleration a bit on the low end if this is a cheap way to do it. If I did this, I gather I would essentially have to shift more often (at lower speed), and the idea is that the engine would be kept closer to it's power band more of the time, and thus, as long as I shifted correctly, it would be able to, say, do zero to 60 a bit faster. So, for racers, or anyone who has done this specific '78 5 speed change to a 3.9 rear end, how did it feel? Were you happy with the result? Thanks.

Yes, it's the thin metal strip that comes around from the bottom, and something like halfway up the right side, that looks like it has a little metal button on the end of it. I had to bend this (carefully) toward the driver, as much as an inch to get it to contact the copper ring on the wheel adapter. Do you have the big polished aluminum billet adapter? I gather there are different kinds. That is what I have. Good luck! Mark

He's been offering these for over a year now - I see them offered every few weeks. I'm assuming that he's manufacturing them, and that it isn't actually the same set over and over. It looks to me like the small kerfs (cuts) in the metal are his way of making the bends in the metal. Not particularly professional. I'd go with Charlie Osborne's (and in fact, I did!).

Just so you know, there is a guy on e-bay that is constantly selling NOS alternator brackets, and they're blue. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7905223332&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT This must be the 10th one I've seen him sell.

Yeah, about 9 months ago I paid rzola on e-bay $50 for his. It was used, although you can't really tell. Looks NOS. As several others have said, I thought about making them too, but just don't have the time. Go for it Mike! $20 plus or minus would be a steal for anyone that doesn't need absolute Nissan NOS stuff.

Here's another set of 280Z hubcaps that a guy is giving away on e-bay (for the cost of shipping). They are pretty poor, though... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43946&item=7906215374&rd=1

Assuming that this isn't actually your auction, there is a set of 4 of your type hubcaps on e-bay starting at $50. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33746&item=7906194563&rd=1 You can watch and see what happens. I don't believe that they'll sell at that price.

Good story Rick! I have a good friend with two sons that could probably best that story - her sons must have totaled or damaged 4 or 5 different cars of hers over the past 7 years or so. I always thought she was crazy to let them keep driving her good cars after the first couple of times...

I was seriously considering that even before the accident. Now I guess I'll have to do it...

Given that I manage to complete the '69 BEFORE he's 40 , you're right! I suspect no kid will ever be driving it! (I have 3 kids, and the current car-killer is the oldest; two more to go!).

Interesting thought on the driving school, but as far as I know there are none anywhere near IL. That just makes it logistically difficult (not to mention more $$). Anyone know of a school within a few hundred miles of central IL?

Well, my 16 year old, driving 5 months, has now wrecked one of my cars. Luckily it wasn't my Z, and of course I can only write this because he and his brother are fine. So !@#$!@#%! Wet road. Not paying enough attention. Rear ended another car in the Camry. Camry lost. Hood buckled, radiator pushed into engine, who knows what else. Sigh.

I agree. The manifold is definately 280Z, and from what I can see, it looks like the setup on my '78.

Not very much. The ones on this thread are unique, early, hard to find items for very early 240Z's. The ones you have (pictured in your other sale thread) are for 280Z's, are not hard to find (I have 8), and are often up on e-bay and don't sell. Watch e-bay for a couple weeks, and you'll see a couple sets float by. That'd give you an idea.

Believe me, I've thought about selling my kids video game systems on occasion. Taking gaming away from them for a week or a month is actually pretty effective, since they all just LOVE those video games. And we all did stupid stuff as kids. The description in that add is stupid squared, though.

I've got scars all over my hands from 25+ years of car work. Wrench slipped last December when I was tearing down a 280 parts car and I took a huge chunk out of my right thumb, right at the base over the bone. Took about a month to heal right, and it's still sensitive. I've taken to wearing those "Mechanix" gloves now to "cut down" on the injury potential.

I can't believe it. They went for $149.28! I should have bid! Ah well, I'm sure I can find better things to spend $150 on... :classic:

If it's all true, then the kid got off light if all that happens is they sold his stupid video game system. Drinking, lying, destruction of property, .... at 13!:stupid:

They show up on e-bay quite often.

Later ones must be color matched. My '78 280Z has a brown interior, and brown straps.

Not defensive - we just like the first gen cars better. Remember that the site is: "Welcome to the biggest club dedicated to the CLASSIC Datsun Zcars (240z, 260z, & 280z). " Now, having said that, no one should insult a ZX owner here (There should be no insulting anyone anywhere on this site as far as I'm concerned). I, in fact, was seriously considering a ZX for my daily driver before I found my '78 280Z. So while I would have enjoyed a ZX, I PREFER the first gen cars.

No problem. I think it's cool that I own both one of the first and one of the last of the first gen Z's. So I'm fairly up on my body style dates .

Nope. 1979 was the first 280ZX. 1978 was the last year of the original body style in the 280Z.