260DET

Something came up upon examining the transmission cooler hoses out of the 280ZX, the engine and transmission conversion being done by someone I won't name. Check out the first pic, see the wear mark on the fitting? It had been rubbing on the transmission tunnel and in time would have worn through or split, nice if it happened while tooling down Conrod. A few whacks on the tunnel with a ball pein hammer would have given clearance, sloppy work to say the least. For something more cheery, the first coat of polyester resin with Q cells has been put over the roof panels after some wire brush work to remove excess adhesive and paint, it looks good, about three coats will do it I think.

Obviously some of you blokes are limited by the gaming equipment you have but to be realistic obviously the simulated car should be driven using a H shift, manual clutch etc. I've been trying to relate the simulated lap times to those who have done real laps so the info above helps. A H pattern shift will cost a couple of seconds around Bathurst, auto clutch add a second or two as well. Given that we are seeing perfect lap times, which in reality don't exist, it's all starting to be a bit more realistic. Add it all together and the simulator could have a ten second advantage over your average handy amateur driver.

As a MCA three way suspension user I some idea about MCA and Murray's ability to get the valving right which is everything. And Sc cars need the valving right just like any other race car, if I had a Sc car Murray would be the first suspension person I'd see, custom race car suspension is all he does. MCA are starting to sell their stuff in the US to big raps from race car users, once at Lakeside the Z was understeering badly coming onto the straight. Two clicks on the low speed bump adjuster and the understeer was gone with no adverse reaction. Without that I would have been chasing my tail with sway bars, alignment and all that mechanical stuff. So that's how important valving is, with the appropriate spring rates too.

For some strange reason Z racers seem reluctant to spend money on suspension, which is doubly strange because here we have access to the best, from overseas or local. Grip is everything . Jason used to whinge about all the advantages that P cars were allowed but was too mean to spend money on the best suspension available, MCA.

What other shift was there in a S30?

The great thing about the Zed is you can drive it without worrying about putting kays on it and proper maintenance is an investment in maintaining it's value. Even judicious improvements can be an investment. All that is something you won't get with an exotic.

What we need is someone to build a replica of that Z and see what actual times can be done. C'mon, a project like that would really be something and not a build by numbers one that's no different to a hundred others. The simulator's modest top speed and commensurate acceleration means that grip is what is getting those lap times, basically no aero too. Is it possible in reality?

Finally got the engine and transmission out of the 280ZX (don't ask), the engine will go into the Z31 while the excellent condition 4L90E is up for sale. At present a plan to operate a 6L80E auto behind the V8 is in progress, before the spending money phase begins I need to know all the practical details, with the proposed marriage of the two that is proving to be a bit complicated. Something that is relatively simple is get a bit more grunty cam and fit an aftermarket crank scraper and plate, LS lube systems need all the help they can get. Otherwise it's been a bits and pieces time, pics show the composite roof panels I made now bonded in place, They will be finished off on top by spreading a glass balls filler bonder over it all to provide some additional strength and allow matching the panels to the rest of the roof.

Be interesting to get Lofty Drews take on this, particularly the car he identified as the one he had competed in by it's Japanese plate. He lives less than an hour away from me but I can't see the point, sounds like he was used to validate something that wasn't.

The R200 diff on the project Z31 is solid mounted but all four bolts on the front are used plus there is a torque stay. If a diff is solid mounted it should have extra support because it is not designed to be a structural member, cracking around bolt holes can result too because of the extra shock and lack of some give. The more power the more support required. But I'm a fussy bugger who likes to build well and forget.

Sounds like a con to me, if the Porsche was still on the course then my bet is that it was still considered to be part of the event. The question is, why was it still there in an obviously dangerous position?

Just to be difficult there is no way in the world that I would use solid mounts, that parts like the diff a stressed member which they were never designed to be. There is at least one soft mounted design around that you could fabricate, even use the stock mount with a steel hoop around the diff with adjustable bumper rubbers works.

Can't take that 'build' seriously, suspect that it's click bait.

P clips, from the rubber lined metal ones to the plain nylon ones will cover pretty well everything.

Car needs to be either road registered or CAMS log booked, have you any official track experience? 99% of us do the Regularity event because we are not fast enough to be serious in the Sprints.

This is truly an awesome event and an experience you won't forget. So we need more Datsuns/Nissans to be involved, hit Dave up with your details now.

Looks like a new shell to me.

He's confused, again. The 'privateer' was BRE, Brock Racing Enterprises, and his cars colour scheme included red, white and blue diagonal bars below the A pillar.

Good question, Robs 243 kph top speed is attainable by any decent track L series but the lap times you blokes are doing are way in front. I put a lot of that down to tyres, we just don't see the wide wheels that dedicated track cars should have probably because there is no class for that sort of car to race in. Don't forget also that you blokes are doing laps equivalent to a balls to the wall qualifier with a pro driver who knows Bathurst. We need a couple of the gun Victorian racers to show this November, that would be interesting.

Al did the LS conversion of my 280ZX, I'm just taking a break at the moment from removing the extracters he built so that the engine can be removed for the Z31 project. They are a work of art, made in two pieces because the ZX has a narrow engine bay for a V conversion.

Guess that something like this was always lurking for Team 24oz given the performance they get out of that thing, good to hear that they are OK.

Good run Brett, Porkers don't seem to like turn 1 for some reason although the red one in front of you was driving some nice lines.

Nice one RA, it's a while since I played and that was with the Z32's but one thing I noticed immediately with yours is that the car seems to do a slow wriggle at times, particularly when coming in to a corner. Your car seems to be handling really well, she turns in like a beaut and that final understeer helps wash off a bit of speed when it's getting close to the limit. Weird but, except for the wriggle, it drives like I'd like my real car to drive. Obviously you have it nailed, well done.

Well then, you blokes had better rock up to Challenge Bathurst 2018 and try it for real. We need more Zeds, too many intruders.

Two things, there is no bathtub scene in that Big Short trailer, and, everybody's favourite Rack O'Bama let the US banks get away with financial murder. And yes, classic cars can be a good investment.