[rollacoasta]

Anybody out there into cars, like restoration projects or performance cars etc?

Be cool to chat about what you have etc and plans you want to carry out!

I'm in New Zealand and very much into Hondas and Nissans, definitely Japanese cars.

Cheers!

[bubbles00]

i LOVE cars (im not too geeky bout it but i do love them!)

im more of the mercedez, bmw, ferrari and lamborghini person though :P

my dream is to own a ferrari (yes i have big dreams!)

but the bmw i8 is quite something

I used to be and may be again. I owned some pretty cool Nissan/Datsun cars. Thinking about getting one again. A 280z to convert to turbo or leave as a carbed car... yes the one I'm thinking about has Weber carbs on it right now
I'm also thinking about a Mustang GT instead... they are a lot easier to find and cheaper.
A 944 turbo would be fun too but so much trouble to work on.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by rollacoasta

Anybody out there into cars, like restoration projects or performance cars etc?

Be cool to chat about what you have etc and plans you want to carry out!

I'm in New Zealand and very much into Hondas and Nissans, definitely Japanese cars.

Cheers!

Fellow gear head here!

If you have not had a chance to explore our social groups here, there is one for autos, called "Car Buffs" I will send you an invite.

Look forward to talking more.

[rollacoasta]

Hey all, awesome to see we have a 'car buffs' group here! I'll be seeing you there timgt5.

Hey George, I'm liking the sound of the 280z, that is a really rare model here, especially one in good cond. I keep imagining one with a rb30det engine!

I own an EF civic track car with 2.2L prelude vtec engine installed. It's great fun.

[TheDeepGreenSea]

Yep. I grew up going to classic car and corvette shows with my Dad. As a result, I learned a bunch about corvettes and classic American cars.

My first car was a 3rd gen Supra (not turbo, but it was in great shape).

Later I had a Honda S2000 that I modded a bit.

I got out of it, but if things turn around for me healthwise, I want to work on an r129 Mercedes SL. Over the years of owning sports cars I've learned that where I live, speed and cornering ability aren't really helpful. You need something with a compliant suspension that's comfortable in traffic haha.

240z-280z are cool cars. People put small block chevy v8's in them pretty regularly.

[rollacoasta]

Hey there, Haha that's the beauty about owning an auto! It loves the traffic that's for sure. What year is an r129 merc?

[TheDeepGreenSea]

Originally Posted by rollacoasta

Hey there, Haha that's the beauty about owning an auto! It loves the traffic that's for sure. What year is an r129 merc?

Yeah they do love traffic And it's unavoidable in New Jersey.

The r129 is 1989-2002 SL. They had the power convertible top and the boxy body. I miss the convertible for summer.

You guys can get older gt-r skylines and silvias and other fun things in NZ, right since Japan is close enough to reasonably import?

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by TheDeepGreenSea

Yeah they do love traffic And it's unavoidable in New Jersey.

The r129 is 1989-2002 SL. They had the power convertible top and the boxy body. I miss the convertible for summer.

You guys can get older gt-r skylines and silvias and other fun things in NZ, right since Japan is close enough to reasonably import?

Do those mercs come with the v8 engine? Grunty... so you used to have one yeah?

Indeed, lots of people modifying the r32 r33 r34 skylines and s13 - s15 silvias yep! The drifting culture is part of the force behind that.

A lot of the cars on NZ roads are jap imports, I have forgotten the percentage tho.

[clairmontman]

Definitely a motorhead here too! Current list is;
mustang GT convertible with too many mods
dodge ram done up for offroading
Honda vtx 1300 cruiser
ford f150 (for work)

[TheDeepGreenSea]

Originally Posted by rollacoasta

Do those mercs come with the v8 engine? Grunty... so you used to have one yeah?

Indeed, lots of people modifying the r32 r33 r34 skylines and s13 - s15 silvias yep! The drifting culture is part of the force behind that.

A lot of the cars on NZ roads are jap imports, I have forgotten the percentage tho.

Yep, the SL500 is a v8, that's generally the one to get. There's a v12 SL600 but it's more expensive and harder to find.

Oops, I didn't used to have one. I had an s2000 with a power convertible top. I meant I miss the convertible top in the summer I think I just want to try a cruiser kind of car next time, the s2000 was constantly goading me to push it.

What was your car history before the EK with the swap you currently have?

Originally Posted by rollacoasta

Hey all, awesome to see we have a 'car buffs' group here! I'll be seeing you there timgt5.

Hey George, I'm liking the sound of the 280z, that is a really rare model here, especially one in good cond. I keep imagining one with a rb30det engine!

I own an EF civic track car with 2.2L prelude vtec engine installed. It's great fun.

The RB engines are great. They weren't offered in Nissans here. I've owned three turbocharged cars, one heavily modified. Great fun but after you experience a cammed straight 6 with triple Webers, turbo loses a lot of appeal.
I have a couple of youtube vids of my 240z with Webers but Google+ has made me post personal info so I'm not comfortable showing those vids anymore. This is what it sounded like tho:

Like music I may have a pic of mine in one of my albums. It was a beautiful car.

Originally Posted by TheDeepGreenSea

Yep. I grew up going to classic car and corvette shows with my Dad. As a result, I learned a bunch about corvettes and classic American cars.

My first car was a 3rd gen Supra (not turbo, but it was in great shape).

Later I had a Honda S2000 that I modded a bit.

I got out of it, but if things turn around for me healthwise, I want to work on an r129 Mercedes SL. Over the years of owning sports cars I've learned that where I live, speed and cornering ability aren't really helpful. You need something with a compliant suspension that's comfortable in traffic haha.

240z-280z are cool cars. People put small block chevy v8's in them pretty regularly.

They do... usually w/ Powerglide transmission or R4's. Sacrilege lol. I'm not a drag racing fan so it's not something I'd consider. Hope the health thing turns around for you. I'm thinking about trying cars again despite or maybe because of health problems

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by TheDeepGreenSea

Yep, the SL500 is a v8, that's generally the one to get. There's a v12 SL600 but it's more expensive and harder to find.

Oops, I didn't used to have one. I had an s2000 with a power convertible top. I meant I miss the convertible top in the summer I think I just want to try a cruiser kind of car next time, the s2000 was constantly goading me to push it.

What was your car history before the EK with the swap you currently have?

True I had no idea they came out with a V12! Makes you wonder how that model would handle with that big engine up over the front wheels aye?

Ah yes the s2000, was it a six speed manual? Great engine in that car, the F20C, a lot of the drifting boys here like to shoehorn that engine into Toyota AE86's, man they sound cool.

My EF you mean? I have owned two Hondas prior, a DA6 integra, a CD accord cruiser, and a couple of Toyotas. The EF with the big engine is the special car I will never sell.

Originally Posted by George H.

The RB engines are great. They weren't offered in Nissans here. I've owned three turbocharged cars, one heavily modified. Great fun but after you experience a cammed straight 6 with triple Webers, turbo loses a lot of appeal.
I have a couple of youtube vids of my 240z with Webers but Google+ has made me post personal info so I'm not comfortable showing those vids anymore. This is what it sounded like tho:

Like music I may have a pic of mine in one of my albums. It was a beautiful car.


They do... usually w/ Powerglide transmission or R4's. Sacrilege lol. I'm not a drag racing fan so it's not something I'd consider. Hope the health thing turns around for you. I'm thinking about trying cars again despite or maybe because of health problems

Man, that is definitely music!! Nice soundtrack. So I'm not the only one that finds google+ annoying...

There is something about naturally aspirated cars aye, like their power delivery compared with the turbos. There is one Japanese tuner that got it right on the Mines R34 skyline, that is a great car.

I still like the concept of turbocharging but I've begun to see the allure of superchargers and all motor cars. Even newer cars that are so complicated that the owner almost can't work on them have their attractions. I'm amazed at the MPG some of the new cars get while still generating <300hp and torque. And the suspension and steering systems are awesome.
There's no way I could afford one and anyway I'm more than content to just be impressed ... I'd rather have the s30 w/ carbs or a 944 turbo.

[rollacoasta]

Yeah, I like that feeling of putting your foot down and instantaneously getting propelled into the back of your seat. Grinning just thinking about it! Vehicles are constantly being refined, I feel like I am 20 years behind the development, but still getting a taste of it, a bit like a timewarp!

I watched a Best Motoring vid a few months back, there was an old R31 skyline with rb30 running ITB's, man it sounded good.

[Werewoman]

Back when I was young and stupid, I bought a '69 Camaro SS - totally stock and in fairly good shape. The stupid part comes in when my current boyfriend at the time kept complaining about it. I realize now he was jealous because a lot of guys were always asking me about the car and I now know he thought I bought the car to get dates. I didn't need a cool car to get dates, I bought it because I loved it! I sold it to shut him up, eventually married him, got divorced 4 years later and I am still pissed off that I don't have the car anymore!

Anyway, I am currently looking for a '93 Thunderbird. I bought one brand new off the lot and it was the second best car I ever owned behind the Camaro. I am 52 and have always wanted to restore a car and have decided on the Thunderbird.

Took me a sec to recall individual throttle bodies I was just watching a vid of an s30 w/ what looked like Webers doing laps at Laguna Seca. Porches and Bimmers kept getting in his way lol. He has a totally tricked out suspension and steering setup from Arizona Z Car. About $10k in parts alone. Not much for a race car but a fraction of the cost of a Porsche suspension. And I think it has a license plate and inspection sticker
He drives pretty good for an amateur.

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by Werewoman

Back when I was young and stupid, I bought a '69 Camaro SS - totally stock and in fairly good shape. The stupid part comes in when my current boyfriend at the time kept complaining about it. I realize now he was jealous because a lot of guys were always asking me about the car and I now know he thought I bought the car to get dates. I didn't need a cool car to get dates, I bought it because I loved it! I sold it to shut him up, eventually married him, got divorced 4 years later and I am still pissed off that I don't have the car anymore!

Anyway, I am currently looking for a '93 Thunderbird. I bought one brand new off the lot and it was the second best car I ever owned behind the Camaro. I am 52 and have always wanted to restore a car and have decided on the Thunderbird.

Haha I can understand how you would be mad at that! If that happened to me with my car I don't know how I would begin to forgive myself!!! Nice choice on the thunderbird, I absolutely love restoring cars. It is a therapeutic hobby and a great distraction.

Originally Posted by George H.

Took me a sec to recall individual throttle bodies I was just watching a vid of an s30 w/ what looked like Webers doing laps at Laguna Seca. Porches and Bimmers kept getting in his way lol. He has a totally tricked out suspension and steering setup from Arizona Z Car. About $10k in parts alone. Not much for a race car but a fraction of the cost of a Porsche suspension. And I think it has a license plate and inspection sticker
He drives pretty good for an amateur.

Don't you just love that track, nice mix of high and low speed corners and elevation! That's a sweet video man, the wheels look great on that car. The sound when he was downshifting..... amazing

[rollacoasta]

Here is me for your enjoyment at my last track day, I lunched the engine. Silly of me really, I could feel something about to break but I just carried on... ha ha

Damn that sux. It seemed to change tone at about the 13min mark. Something came loose and broke or something just broke? The belt was still on the pulleys?
You had it going good there. You seemed to know the lines pretty well.

Werewoman... you may have been young but not stupid... until you sold the car. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time Good luck getting a '69 SS now

My second oldest bro had some great cars. 67 LeMans, 69 Judge, 62 Impala, 56 Bel Air etc. I was too young to drive any of them but I did get to drive the LeMans one day when he needed something from 7/11 and didn't want to go himself
I just looked online and none of those cars are worth what I'd have expected.

I talked to the guy with the 280z tonight, I'm amazed it hasn't sold yet. Someone is looking at it tomorrow. I probably shouldn't say this but when I get my SSDi back pay I am buying some fun. It's irresponsible I know but... I've found a 99 Cobra, an 01 Roush, 86 951, and the Z that are all well within my budget. Must be a good time to buy cars because they are all bargains. Only real interest in the Mustangs is that they both have handling/brake packages and they are convertibles. The 951 might be my pick but I think it will be sold before I can buy it. They probably all will. I need to watch myself to keep from getting obsessed again
Oh I did have a pic of my Nissans in an album along with my two dream cars... 78 930 and a 72 RS 2.7. I had to sell that one for a fraction of what it should have sold for. It was almost perfect but didn't hold much interest for s30 purists.
The 300zx I almost built myself. Had a built engine and big turbo and intercooler and an Electromotive Tec3 computer and completely rebuilt suspension/steering/brakes.
.
I had an Infiniti G20t also which was a pretty fun little car.

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by George H.

Damn that sux. It seemed to change tone at about the 13min mark. Something came loose and broke or something just broke? The belt was still on the pulleys?
You had it going good there. You seemed to know the lines pretty well.

Werewoman... you may have been young but not stupid... until you sold the car. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time Good luck getting a '69 SS now

My second oldest bro had some great cars. 67 LeMans, 69 Judge, 62 Impala, 56 Bel Air etc. I was too young to drive any of them but I did get to drive the LeMans one day when he needed something from 7/11 and didn't want to go himself
I just looked online and none of those cars are worth what I'd have expected.

I talked to the guy with the 280z tonight, I'm amazed it hasn't sold yet. Someone is looking at it tomorrow. I probably shouldn't say this but when I get my SSDi back pay I am buying some fun. It's irresponsible I know but... I've found a 99 Cobra, an 01 Roush, 86 951, and the Z that are all well within my budget. Must be a good time to buy cars because they are all bargains. Only real interest in the Mustangs is that they both have handling/brake packages and they are convertibles. The 951 might be my pick but I think it will be sold before I can buy it. They probably all will. I need to watch myself to keep from getting obsessed again
Oh I did have a pic of my Nissans in an album along with my two dream cars... 78 930 and a 72 RS 2.7. I had to sell that one for a fraction of what it should have sold for. It was almost perfect but didn't hold much interest for s30 purists.
The 300zx I almost built myself. Had a built engine and big turbo and intercooler and an Electromotive Tec3 computer and completely rebuilt suspension/steering/brakes.
.
I had an Infiniti G20t also which was a pretty fun little car.

Yeah, that sound was the cambelt coming off the pulleys and rubbing on the rocker cover, silly really, could have saved the motor had I pulled into the pits when it started. You know how adrenaline just takes over? Ha ha.

Well that's pretty good news then that the cars you are looking to buy seem to be going cheap?! That's a really nice looking Datsun (the silver one). Do you have any pics of the 300zx?

I don't see it as irresponsible, but I know what you mean, other people usually just roll their eyes at me, but they don't understand my passion for cars.

Cam belt? I don't know much about Honda engines but I'm guessing they are interference engines and valves maybe got intimate with pistons? Sucks anyway. Looks like you were having fun on the track. After I get a car I need to see if there is a track like that around here. The 240z would have been fun on a track. That white car is the 300zx. First gen special edition called a Shiro Special only made in '88. They were all alike. Pearl white, special lip, upgraded suspension, same turbo engine as any other 300zx. Oh and Recaro seats. The seats and body were the only things stock. I ported the heads and manifolds and it had cams, forged pistons, bigger injectors and turbo w/ Tial wg, and a front mount ic. The first gen 300zx's didn't even come w/ an ic
The 280z I'm looking at is in good condition but it needs a wiring harness and other odds and ends. Then I'll want ported heads and a cam and suspension and I'll end up obsessed. I don't think I want another project.

[Auja11007]

I'm a semi-gear head more on the import side though. I have a 2013 HFP Accord. She's my baby.

[Auja11007]

Originally Posted by George H.

I ported the heads and manifolds and it had cams, forged pistons, bigger injectors and turbo w/ Tial wg, and a front mount ic. The first gen 300zx's didn't even come w/ an ic
t

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by George H.

Cam belt? I don't know much about Honda engines but I'm guessing they are interference engines and valves maybe got intimate with pistons? Sucks anyway. Looks like you were having fun on the track. After I get a car I need to see if there is a track like that around here. The 240z would have been fun on a track. That white car is the 300zx. First gen special edition called a Shiro Special only made in '88. They were all alike. Pearl white, special lip, upgraded suspension, same turbo engine as any other 300zx. Oh and Recaro seats. The seats and body were the only things stock. I ported the heads and manifolds and it had cams, forged pistons, bigger injectors and turbo w/ Tial wg, and a front mount ic. The first gen 300zx's didn't even come w/ an ic
The 280z I'm looking at is in good condition but it needs a wiring harness and other odds and ends. Then I'll want ported heads and a cam and suspension and I'll end up obsessed. I don't think I want another project.

Yeah, apparently it is a lot to do with whether the belt snapped when you were in vtec or not, to be honest I can't pinpoint the exact snappage so lets just hope the motor is ok! But either way, shouldn't take too long to get going.

So the 300zx did that come out with the 3L v6 turbo engine? Man, thats a lot of power for a car that size, sure would make for some fun. Where is the nearest track? Fair enough about not wanting to get obsessed. I need to have it, it's like my outlet. I like to pull the engine in and out and change things.

Originally Posted by Auja11007

I'm a semi-gear head more on the import side though. I have a 2013 HFP Accord. She's my baby.

Cool, do you have any pics? I would like to see what they come out like over there

Originally Posted by Auja11007