yellazed

Non-alcoholic beer, I trust, Rev.

Interested, but yes, need photos - I'm not familiar with FTO seats, I'm afraid. Can't picture 'em.

I went to see Paul last week and picked up a very nice a/c unit from a 78/79 260Z. Very happy with the price, too. He has a swag of bits and pieces and 2 zeds on the go. Paul is a long time Zed enthusiast and is an extremely knowledgable and helpful guy. I also recommend him to our fellow Zedders. Cheers, Wal F

Some great work there. A vast improvement, Rev. Let's hope we have started a trend.

stevo_gj: Does it HAVE to be that particular Z? I know it was probably 'love at first sight' but it sounds like a lot of trouble and expense to go to when you might find a well preserved/restored stockie that will be just as nice and be the daily driver you seek. Hang in there, I'm sure there is at least one other for sale out there, even interstate. My 2c.

I have just ordered a Wilwood big brake kit including 4 spot calipers for the rear. It comes with a line locker for a handbrake, as there is no handbrake mechanism in the caliper. This could be a solution for you. It is basically a small plunger operated device that pressurises the line to the rear and locks into place, clamping 'on' the rear calipers. There is a lever system available for about $350 plus installation costs. It is a Ford Cosworth setup out of UK and I am told it is a little difficult to install. It is for rally use and I don't feel it is worth the expense and the hassle for everyday use. I can put you onto someone if you want. PM me. I was toying with the idea of eventually mounting a separate small caliper with its own hydraulic system a la Ferrari and others, using a more conventional handbrake lever to act on the plunger. The line locker is a far quicker and easier solution, though.

Thanks for that. I'm going for a new aftermarket compressor, drier, etc, etc. I think I have it under control, but will yell out if not. The fact that it's a Chevy means that original is not an issue. Modern compressors etc are much more efficient and lighter, too. I might do a post eventually of all that the beast has undergone, if there is any interest. Won't be done for a month or two, though. The T56 is sorted, (what a saga), just final balancing of the new tailshaft to go. Still have the power steering and Autometer gauge conversion to go, then it's the Wilwood big brake kit, lsd, a few body mods, etc, etc. Sheesh!

Update: Last night I took a trip out to see Paul (ZBitz). He's out the West side of Ipswich. We pulled the complete in-dash dash system I needed from a late donor car and it is smicko. $150 changed hands and I'm ecstatic. Its the vacuum type, so should be easier to install than the early cable pull mechanical jobbies. With the rad and other bits from Sulio, I'm on the way. Paul has a day job but also sells Z bits and pieces from home. He has a couple of project cars on the go and is happy to help other enthusiasts at sensible prices. If you need anything I'd recommend giving him a call. During the day leave him a message, or try him of an evening. (07) 5464 5056 or 0405 630 107 or e-mail him: zbitz@westnet.com.au Many thanks to Sulio and to Modular9 - Thanks Mike! A great find. Wal F I'll buy a new compressor and under bonnet bits and have it all professionally installed.

Thanks nat0, I had a look at the Simmons site but didn't pick up on the repairs guy. Great lead, I'll get in touch with him and post the outcome, 'cos it might be of interest to others if it works. The only snag might be the number and spacing of bolts holding them together - 16 for mine and it looks like 30 for the Simmons. But hey, nothing ventured .......

Modular9: Agreed - initially I was making all sorts of comparisons, e.g. Mustang front, Lambo hints, but as an overall 'look': I like it. People are busy putting modern running gear under the S30 and this kind of bodywork brings the whole package up to date. Ford have revisited the GT40, GM with the Pontiac GTO and if someone actually built this Z it would be a similar modern tribute to a timeless Classic.

Thanks, Zedevan, the link throws a bit of light on the subject. PZG302: Very encouraging. I might give Simmons a go. My plan was to swap the current rear 8" with a bit of dish to the front and widen the existing fronts to become rears. I'm just trying to be a bit stingy as there's still a lot I need to spend on other bits. If I could find some bare rims with neg offset and a 350mm pcd to take my centres it could work. I contacted Watanabe about new wheels and received a reply from their rep in W.A.: 16 x 9.5, -19 and 16 x 8.5 -6 offsets for $2400 plus freight. A bit pricey, but might have to go that way in the end. But of course, Sulio has gone and spoiled it for me. Just when I thought I knew what I wanted my Z to look like he goes and posts that deliciously aggressive Swedish number. :-\

Not yet, Batman ... Toecutter just weighed in with a General Post "What the 370Z Should Have Looked Like" = Slam Dunk. I'll never be the same! Why doesn't Overhaulin' come Downunder!!!

Mmmmmm ......I Like.

One for all the 'Wheel Men' out there. My 260 has a set of 16 x 8 "Watanabe R-8" 2-piece wheels, but I have a near identical set (different offset) on which there is a 'Speed Star Wheel' label. Both sets carry the same logo, like that in attached pic. I think they are Watanabe rip-offs, but I have surfed the net and found a lot of these same wheels being passed off as genuine Wats. Does anyone have pics of the real McCoy, i.e. 2-piece Watanabes? I want to find a pair of matching wider wheels or even bare rim sections I can fit my centres into, say 10" with around -15 to -20 offset. Does anyone know of any, or whether any other rims (e.g. ROH) would be compatible, i.e. same outer pcd and number of bolts holding them together?

Thanks to Modular9 and all who PM'd me. Fantastic to have received such rapid responses from our fellow Zedders. Sulio has come to the rescue with a complete system and Modular9 is heading over to ZBits to see if he has a good fan assembly as a back-up, so I am feeling pretty cocky right now. Might have a 'cool' Z after all! Thanks again and I hope I can return the favour one day. This Forum really is 'the goods'

Oldmates260z: thanks for the tip, I'll give him a call. I'm really after the in-dash bits and could afford to wait on compressors and the like. Edit: It's a '74 model. Sulio: PM sent. rbz260: Bummer! My timing has always been bad.

Have the dash out of the Z, so a good time to install an aircon system. Does anyone have one for sale, or know of a substitute system that will do the trick? I'm in Brisbane (hence the need to cool it!). Cheers, Wal F

Scott: Recommend you e-mail Austin, as per his Nov 27 post. Might get a quicker response. Don't know how often he logs in to this Forum. Rgds, Wal F

I download from You Tube when it is the only option, but I prefer Torrent downloads which have much greater definition and replay in a bigger window. If you get uTorrent or similar, it's quite easy. You can then download latest movies, music, etc. (e.g. A few days ago I grabbed "I am Legend" - not due in cinemas here 'til 2 Jan).

That's not bad at all. Looks quite repairable.