go z racer, go

Ya know, I just learned of the multiple terrorist attacks, as well as attempts (SAM to civilian airbus) to Israeli interests. Yup, here I am at work with my fellow Firefighters watching football and fighting off the ensuing turkey-coma, while the terrorists are out there working. Man-O-Man, they don't even take time off for Holidays. Real tough group guys there to ignore these Holidays even when most are gathering with family in celebration of life. In recognition for the terrorist diligent pursuit to kill innocent Men, Women, and children (and hundreds of my colleagues on 911) in the name of Ala. We should all make an effort to give them some free time. Yeah, in fact lots of time, in the form of a one-way ticket to Hell! A smart-bomb ticket stamped up their arse courtesy of the US Military might. My payers on this Thanksgiving Holidays are with our brave Men and Women fighting for our freedom overseas as well as the victims (and their families) of terrorism world wide.---Jerry

Judging by your Z's resume, you do so with ease.

got rice?

Mr. Hanson---- A solid differential mount has been dangling around my Z maybe-someday-to-do-list for quite sometime now. Having read your reply, I now feel confident that this particular modification, for me, is appropriate.Your resume is one of envy. Especially in light of your actual time and experience logged on a race track. Speaking of which, I wonder how long, if ever, it will take before the racing technology found on today's F1 cars (arguably the state of the art in Motorsports) reach us commoners. I realize they spend millions on materials and R&D (not to mention driver salaries like Ferrari ace MS rumored to be in the hundreds of millions) on these fine thorough breds. However, the three basic principle found on these cars are as follows;monocock-to-engine-to-gear box (carbon/Ti blade suspension mounts right atop the gear box). The V10, 700HP @1800 plus RPM, gasket free (yup, presicion cuts equal no head gasket), go anywhere-fits in your trunk engines aren't too shabby either. Hell, can't the Japanese (who supply motors to a few F1 Teams now to include Toyota's full team effort) copy this principal and come up with a cheaper version? It would sure trim the pages off a parts catalogue. Murphy's law would only apply times three. I'll take those odds. I don't mean to base on our Z, just the opposite really. I love my Z so much, making time spent under the hood, time missed hurling across asphalt. Anyway, thanks again on your most insightful information.---Jerry

Can someone (anyone) please provide me with information concerning the benefits of a "solid differential mount"? My 240Z (series one model) stock rubber differential mount is in need of replacement, again! Replacing a differential mount after only serving seven months doesn't seem reasonable, or the least bit appealing. An R200 upgrade from my R180, as some have suggested, doesn't seem necessary, nor a cure (the extra weight wouldn't be welcomed either). Besides, it's not as if I ran a 300hp, L28, stroker-torquer. I favor a road-race setup so I kept the L24-E31 to maintain higher revs. and carefully trimmed fat where I could. My stiff-lowering springs, after market firm suspension, low-pro tires, and urethane bushings (to include the mustache bar) leaves my Z void of any comfort now. Having said that, are there any other characteristics associated with running a solid differential mount I should be aware of? Your advice is deeply appreciated, thank you.---Jerry

Exotic Super Cars like the McLaren (who are now getting their butts kicked all over the F1 circuits), Ferrari, Lamborghini and the like are without a doubt objects of envy. The more you spend the faster you go. That's a no brainer. The real hat trick, thirty years ago, was the Datsun engineers producing a reliable sports car for a fraction of the cost for the above mentioned. Give me a Viper at half the price of Lamborghini. Getting more for less calls for "thinking out of the box." You don't have to look far to see that same spirit today. I think the exercise shown here on this post, "the Ultimate Z," is a fine example. The many ideas here are really not that far from reach for the average Z owner. Hell, I know of a Z made almost entirely of junk yard parts that could run circles around a new Mustang. David vs. Goliath...it's timeless.---Jerry

Wow...I like your blueprints...a Bondo Rocket from Hell!

If you had unlimited resources to build...no, create your ideal Z for spirited street legal use, what would you have? That is to say, where would you start? Although I believe most of us take great pride in Z ownership (as evident here on this website) ultimately our customizing decision and approach are compromised by reality needs (food, rent, girlfriends, family, Back Street Boys CDs). So, let's just pretend we won our respective state lotto and set up a booty camp on Malibu. You just kicked Brittany out for suggesting you sell "that old Z car" so you have the time and motivation. Would you go NA or turbo, maybe V8? Would seek pure, raw horse power, or strike a balance with suspension? Once you had your ideal power and handling package what color scheme would you pick? Maybe choose the "sleeper-stealth" route, ignoring the dents and bondo to prey on unsuspecting Ricer's? In the end, what would your Z's resume (spec list) look like?