Hey all - as you may recall, Alexandria is up and running on all six cylinders. I figured I'd get some cheap fenders, new struts, and complete the exhaust, and drive her. Nope. She wants to be fixed, but now there's a few problems.
-Massive oil leak-
She's leaking profusely from between the cam cover and head. Also, she burns oil in cylinder 4, and there's some bubbling from between the block and head between cylinders 3 and 4.
-Clutch system failure-
That's just that ... massive failure. So I'll be replacing both the master and slave cylinders, as well as the hoses, if necessary. Might go ahead and get a Centerforce Stage-II clutch while I'm at it.
-Bodywork-
Well, she's better than when she started, but definitely not up to par with where I want her. I need to do a bunch of straightening and rust removal to the front-right area [around the headlight area], not to mention the rest of the paint is starting to peel or flake. I can't show ZSpec's body parts off like that, no sir.

-The Plan-
So here's the deal. I'm going to put 'Lexie into the garage for the winter, and focus on the body work. For right now, she can look good sitting still. I'd like to work with Jason at ZSpec to see if we can get that airdam design of his into production in the near future, otherwise I'll get the MSA Type-II kit for the dam and skirts, though I'd like to keep the stock bumpers exposed. A small wing is in the works as well. Paint is an entirely different subject, and is still being decided upon. If I can take care of the details rather easily, it's onto the engine.
For that, I'm thinking I might as well pursue the KAZ24 hybrid I've been scheming and oogling over since conception of the idea.
Suspension is still a chore that needs doing - I'm looking into some Tokico blues and an Eibach coilover kit. The super-serious side of the spectrum calls for S13 front suspension assemblies [struts, hubs, etc] and rear S14 suspension subframe [diff, axles, struts, etc.], and then adding aftermarket suspension goodies to that.
Interior is going to be an ongoing project, as I'm designing a custom center console. I'll be recovering some '89 Maxima buckets in black leather and mounting those, as well as covering the stock rear 2+2 seats in leather. Black plush-cut-pile carpet from either MSA or VictoriaBritish will be called upon, and I'll also make custom door panels. All plastic bits will be refurbished and given a healthy coat of black spray, and the dash will be recovered. Silver accents and pinstripes will probably be added as well.

That's all I can think of for now. I just thought I'd let y'all know that Lexie's going into hibernation for awhile. Since I'm moving tomorrow to a much nicer house with an ACTUAL GARAGE [none of this carport nonsense anymore] and air compressor complete with toolset, more work can be done in a relatively short amount of time.

 

Hey Dorifto,

Looks like you got youself a plan. Good luck to you. Too bad its not a rolling prject but soon enough I guess.

about that centre force clutch. do you know how much it will cost? what part number etc..I'm interested as my clutch will need replacing by the time I get around to swapping the turbo motor into the Z. lemme know what you know about that.

 

Yeah it definately sounds like you know how to get it going man! Good luck to you on your project, let us know how it turns out as you go along. Is this plan the bridged or unabridged version?

 

You can get that clutch through MSA's catalog. Not sure on the price though, Check out the site, should be on there.

Good luck dorifto, and you got a PM coming your way.

 

thanks for the reply jfairladyz.

 

I'll look up prices for all possible clutch options - I start my job at Checker Auto [Schucks or Kragen, to the rest of the States], so once I figure out how to use the online catalog, I can order and source parts more easily. I have an employee discount, so if you need parts, let me know.

Yep, that is quite a plan. That, believe it or not, is the ABRIDGED version. I've got a two-page writeup on my ideas, thoughts, and plans for the build on just the engine. Body and suspension I'll bat as they come.

She's a rolling project ... just no clutch. I actually drove her into my new garage [I just moved, thus my absence for the past week]. Now that I've got air tools and a big-*** compressor, work should be that much easier.

jfairladyz, I got your pm, an email is on the way.

 

Hey man I was just messing with you. A little humor never hurt anybody. Congrats on your new job, hope it works out for you! And also your current project!

 

[QUOTE=Dorifto]I'll look up prices for all possible clutch options - I start my job at Checker Auto [Schucks or Kragen, to the rest of the States], so once I figure out how to use the online catalog, I can order and source parts more easily. I have an employee discount, so if you need parts, let me know. QUOTE]

Hey sounds good. Although will they ship to Canada? Hope so cause you guys do a lot better with product variety and low prices then here in the Great White North.

 

Center force II:
MSA-$295.95

 

I know it was a joke ... just saying. I believe humor is what keeps most people sane. If you can laugh something off, it obviously doesn't entangle you to the point of suffocation.

I'm not sure if they ship to Canada, but I think I could ship a package up to Vancouver for pretty cheap. I'll look into that as well, for all my Canadian buddies.

Much thanks on the price quote, jfairladyz, I was sure it was around $300.

 

thanks much to both of you.

Dorifto, I much appreciate your offer to help out with the shipping. When I have something I desparately need and cant get up here, I will graciously accept as long as it doesn't mean that you have to go too much out of your way. You are one genuine guy.

I guess the clutch will be the next major upgrade for me as the turbo swap is due to happen sometime this summer. I will be changing the engine cross member as well as the steering system to match the turbo motor. That bay will look empty!!! Sooo it will be good to do the clutch at the same time.

Let me know what you find out about youir discount pricing etc on that when you start work there. At an aotu parts store here they are charging $360 + $300 labour to do the job. Also rather then extend this same post in another direction I am starting a post on the clutch replacement etc.. look it up...

Thx again gents

 

Hey hey ...

Good news - I get a 25% discount on most retail items.
Bad news - I can't get any prices on performance items for ZXs at work.

So ... the 25% discount is still available. And as you number crunchers might already figure, the higher the price tag is, the more of a discount I get. That's on most OEM replacements. I might be able to order performance parts, but I might not get a discount. So yeah, good and bad.

I've been out a while guys - my internet was disconnected when I moved into the new house, so I'm on a friends' computer right now. If you want to get ahold of me, send me a PM or email, and I'll get back to ya in due time.

On an updating note ...

I've been tearing the interior of the Zed sled out today, and damn ... everything's covered in 26 years of dust, dirt, grime, and rust. Everything's being stripped to the metal, primed, and repainted. Finally, after wanting to tear this car down to the frame and start again, I've passed the point of no return. I should have some pics up soon for your viewing pleasure.

That's my small story for the day ... enjoy. Peaces,

-Dave-O