Sailor Bob

I looked them up after my last post - I like them - dirt cheap makes them look even better

Glad to hear - too bad they had to have their backs to the wall.

I have an old set of (what I am told is) Appliance wheels (?) that I recovered from a freind of the family's backyard. I have spent a couple of days cleaning and repainting them, although not perfect, I like them. They are stamped W. R. Grace & company 1976 and have SEMA 5-1A tags still attached. Wondering if there is any thing else I can do to remove what I assume is fused on brake dust from the insides (it is a brownish grey colour and lumpy) - all my effort to date was water blasting, hand brushing and painting (outsides) - without spending money? Main question is - Where can I get centre caps to fit? MSA has caps around the same diameter but the height is iffy. Also the shank lugs (alloy lugs) that I require were not available? I'ld post pics, but I browse and upload then the screen goes blank:tapemouth - technically challenged.

Is that an alloy wheel - if so you will need alloy wheel lugs.

Very nice - I also enjoyed the linked videos of the nationals etc... . I would love to participate in something like that. Thanks

I've told my story befor so I won't bore you guys only to say that both my brother and I had 71s when we were Darbji280's age and I had to buy another (like Stephen). My brother came home last fall and was likewise smitten when he sat in it, drove it and got pictures by it and in it. It's not just the car that affects us old farts - the car drags back memories and emotions of prime time. The smell of my Z was exactly the smell I remembered from my 71 (exhaust related - no doubt) and that just took me back thirty (or so) years to people and places buried in the back my old noodle. sob sob. The smell was almost as illuminating as the appearance for me. I suspect the Z does that for many others as well - "that takes me back" or "I had one just like that in 197?" with hand on chin/shaking head from side to side - are common responses. Of course there are only two on the road up this way, so they truley are only memories to most. By the way - KD, I'm with you on the "drive em policy" - you can sit but only I drive. I have done it initially when I got her going, but not anymore - too risky.

The term "crotch rocket" is a clue, the power to weight ratio is another good clue - in some cases less than 5:1, what is a Z's ummm 15 or 20 to 1 (depending on the car and how tricked it might be) 10:1 would be a stripped 70 with at least 200 rw hp. A Z with a supercharged LT1 can keep up with some off the shelfers, but really it's the chevy engine that's doing the work, simply pulling a Z body around. Sorry but stock Z's are not very good drag racing cars. I was talking to an old friend at a party last night and he told me about his Honda V65 (IT IS AT LEAST 20 YRS OLD) over 120 hp and around 500 pounds - I was thinking Z numbers, I didn't say them out loud though Maybe for about 10K and a couple of hundred hours of work you could get a wicked road warrior, but it is no longer a real Z.

I thought my 280 was quicker than that, but I really don't want to know - could spoil things. However I was looking on youtube last night at the 08 Altima and the guy did three runs in a coupe c/w 6 speed, 3.5 - turned up 5.93 in one run.

Went to the community gas station today to fill up and they were out of regular (which is the only fuel I use for the most part) so it was extra or walk, so I filled up with the high test type. Pretty disappointed with the cost - seemed like a waste of money. After all it's only gas. After a 10 minute spin I thought the car was pulling a little better, so I gave her a run on the crosstown and it seemed to be significantly stronger. Got me wodering if it was me or was I missing something from day one. I'm not going to say anymore on the matter for now, tommorow I'll try again:D. Anyone else have this experience?

I'm suprised to see so poor milage with the five speed - I have a four speed and I'm figuring 15-20, depending on how I drive . Even concidering the difference in the gallon, I am getting the same or better Idle speed is certainly a factor 1200 is way too high - I think 700-800 is about right, check your manual or try a search. I get the mess on my bumper as well - if you find a cure let me know.

Good tip Mike - I have been trying to figure why my car has touch up paint on both sides around there, hard to imagine damage on both sides? - Question answered. Later

Up this way it is a waste of time, they have heard of the vehicle, but due to their extremely low numbers they don't stock any parts - not even an oil filter.

Too late to edit the last post, I found the Department of Transportation fuel consumption Est for the Altima: 2.5L 32 city & 45 hw, 3.5L S 27 city & 37 Hw, 3.5L SE (with manual transmission) 25 city & 39 Hw So Just strike my first point - the salesman was correct. Might have to do with the Imperial gallon verses the american gallon.

Two points - sorry for the misinformation regarding fuel economy - numbers vary slightly but 21 city and 28 hw are the best I see online (the salesman must have been confused ). - Thanks for the #s Mike - that hurts - It is amazing how little we Canadians know about car prices in the states, That's one s#%t load of hidden taxes. When I got my Z from the US of A I paid an import car tax - I was advised there was no charge for north american cars - a nudge for N/Amer produced vehicles. I think it was around 10% - don't recall, still a big price spread between countries though.

That can't be right - you're saying the base 350Z is $26,000 USD? If that was the case here I would likely have one - can't be right. Further, back to the original conversation - I have four kids and two ex-wives (not mom and pop - simply pop and occasional mom type pal) - a four door is a necessity, I still lug around four kids at a time frequently, so to have a one that is fun to drive would be nice. I am looking at four different vehicles for a daily rig - honda Vtech (now in a four door), Volkswagon jetta, Ford fusion v6 awd (mostly because I am trading my F150 (also four door)) and now the 3.5 Altima. Got to say the the Altima is pricey, but likely a level above the rest. My 280Z is "my" toy, I can't have all toys, but as you can see from the cars I have looked at they all have a common theme, They all have some guts and the Altima has a very respectable wasteline - it will eat my Z and spit it out in a very embarassing manner. Most Mom and Pops can't do that. I don't think many of you have driven the CVT rig - I was impressed - if you haven't tried it, go do it, then comment. You will see that it is very effective/quick. Last point: Front wheel drive in a northern climate is not a bad thing, gets the weight over the traction, good in the winter. Got to be practical, Zs are off the road from November to April up here (those that weren't have blown away in the wind as tiny orange particles), gotta have a yearround rig.

Went into a Nissan shop today to see if I could get an oil filter for the old girl (no luck) and saw the discussed vehicle on the showroom floor. I though to myself - self, I'll soon be in the market for a new car, so why not check it out. When doing so I was shocked - why all the crap about this car, it is a dandy rig, four door, four seater, lots of headroom, CV tranny, lots of toys and last but not least it is wicked fast, with torque galore right through the band. It's not much like a Z (although the coupe ? maybe a little) - no doubt borrowed some, but I think it's an entity. A real nice family car with some upgrades for Dad, it gets respectable milage as well 27 city and 37 h/w. (double my Z) It was worth the time - Could be my next car. Had to submit this in after the wacky thread from a couple of weeks ago.

I'm jealous.

Hello from Canada - welcome aboard. Look forward to hearing Z news from the Philippians - Many Zs done that way? Right or left hand drive?

Did you consider crate engines - you can get a small block ready to bolt in that is packaged for shipping. They will come in almost any configuration you desire: blueprinted, balanced, fully assembled or basic setup. It will cost anywhere from $4K to 10K, but they are prepared to ship. You should just check Crate engine on Google - you'll get a bunch of sites. Good luck

Hey Bob I assume it is only to reduce protect glass or stop rattle - I used household strip, it comes in different colours, thickness', widths and densities. worked fine for me and got it at the hardware store ($2). By the way the light type worked well for all the connections in the ventilation system - I assume in any stock Z that stuff is powder.

Very nice - I recently priced getting mine done - verrrrry $$$$$. I was surprised. Anyway, You'll get lots of attention at the show. Good luck

Welcome aboard - I have a 77 as well, might be able to help with some stuff. Between the search function and posting questions one can solve most issues. talk to you later - Good luck

My shifter warms up as I drive - I don't think it means anything. As long as it doesn't glow red

Hey wingZro Befor you spend a pile of money on paint, you should try a mild/medium compound - polish and wax. You may be suprised.

Wow! That is in nice shape, what were you concerned about?