Z28 is back on the road after 3 years.

[Project84]

After an angry evening, and dumping the clutch in reverse at 5,000 rpm shattering the spider gears 3 years ago, I finally found the rear end I needed to swap with mine and get my Z28 back on the road.

Needs some work, but man how I miss that experience. I took it out for the first run on 1/3/11 and on cold tires and soggy brakes it scared the living hell out of me.

Planning to get it back into SCCA for a few events this year while I finally finish the turbo Miata build, then either sell the Z, or just buy nice wheels for it, throw a lumpy cam in it, and make it a Sunday cruiser.



So from Cap'n Crunch in my rear end...


to back on the road. Looking forward to this summer!

[shatto]

Have fun. Behave yerself.

[kamesama980]

gotta love GM 10 bolts :-p I've seen a few like that including my 90 hp S10 before I got it. (actually why I received it)

[Project84]

I promise to TRY to behave... I've already avoided driving it a few times because it's not yet licensed for the road. Chompin' at the bit!!

I'm planning on buying a rear end cover with bearing reinforcement studs.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-8510400/

[Project84]

Put the new tags on it today and went to the grocery store.

Never have I smiled so big while fearing for my life. There's something real special about cold temps, gobs of torque, and summer tires.

MUST. RESTRAIN. MYSELF.





AAARRRGHHHHH IT'S TOO MUCH!!!!

[VetteOwner]

nice, sounds like the reason i have my 92 gmc s15 jimmy 4x4 lol. total gas hog but still gets decent at 17-18. id love to own a ex police car as a weekend toy.

[Project84]

When I was driving the Z full time back in '08 it was getting 17 mpg average. Took it to Cleveland and back once and it managed 23mpg overall.

I'll never make that mistake twice, the droning sound of the catless 3" dual exhaust nearly drove me insane. It was funny though, rolling 75mph at 1,500rpm in 6th gear.

I'd like to get a 4x4, specifially a little Jeep Wrangler. Mostly for the novelty of the soft top and its ability to drive well in snow. I bet that Jimmy is a beast!

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by Project84

Put the new tags on it today and went to the grocery store.

Never have I smiled so big while fearing for my life. There's something real special about cold temps, gobs of torque, and summer tires.

MUST. RESTRAIN. MYSELF.





AAARRRGHHHHH IT'S TOO MUCH!!!!

This by far the hardest thing for me to due. Coming from a racing background.

People have told me when you get older it will go away... NOT LOL

[Project84]

It's just too easy. The car isn't by any means "BAD @$$" but it'll click off a 13.2-13.5 consistantly at the strip at only a 2k rpm launch.

The thing for me is this... when I'm in something that's underpowered, I just appreciate it's A to B capability and don't go romping it like you see these "kids" doing to their stock Civics or Integras. But give me a machine that's somewhat purpose built, and I'm going to do it some justice. I simply can't control the urge which is what pushed me into SCCA'ing the thing last time it was roadworthy. I had to "get it out of my system" somehow.

Which brings me to the next phase of my life... wanting to upgrade motorcycles from the tiny little 250 ninja, too..... something that'll end my life in a flash. I'm trying hard to like the idea of a cruiser like a V-Star or a Marauder, but a sport-standard like an FZ6 or SV650 is tempting the hell outta me!!


....random sidenote....

The cool thing (read: arrogant thing) about having power whenever you want it, is merging into traffic. In the Z, I just push my way in. It's speed and brakes combined make it a dart. You just point the nose where you want it, flick the throttle, stab the brakes... bullseye.

I imagine the turbo miata will be more like a rocketship. Wind it up and wait for that boost spike, spend 1/2 a mile trying to slow it down with those tiny brakes. lol

[IndyFetch]

Originally Posted by Project84

I imagine the turbo miata will be more like a rocketship. Wind it up and wait for that boost spike, spend 1/2 a mile trying to slow it down with those tiny brakes. lol

I guess my old '99 Civic Si (1.6L) was the "rocketship." It had a CAI, 4-2-1 header, 2 1/2 inch exhaust, chip, lightweight flywheel, racing clutch, short-throw shifter, lowering springs and stiff shocks, larger anti-roll bars, a strut tower brace, 17 x 7 lightweight wheels with 40-series tires, etc. etc. etc.

That thing made no torque, but when the cam phasing switched over at 5,600 RPM, it would break the tires loose, even in 2nd gear. The The brake rotors were vented, grooved, and cross-drilled, but since they were still the stock size, they would overheat in a hurry. Any extended spirited driving could result in a hairy moment or two.

I sold that car in 2007, and I still miss the sound of that engine as I banged off 8,200 RPM shifts. I sold it because it was waaaaaaaaay too much of a temptation. Everyone wanted to street-race it. I beat a 97 Mustang 4.6L V8 automatic, a 3.8L Eclipse, and a few others. My favorite, though, was an immaculate BMW 330i coupe that pulled up next to me at the same stoplight FOUR days in a row. Every time, he hit the gas hard at the light, and once my RPM would spool up, it was no contest. I would go back by around 70 mph. By the fourth day, he practically ran the red light trying to get a jump on me, but I still caught up by 80 mph.