JLarson's build thread

[JLarson]

Originally Posted by BettyZ

It's JAR by another name.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

If it was Jar, he'd have offered some form of payment, like a "brojob" as he calls it

[JLarson]

In light of the cancellation of Zdayz 2020 due to Covid-19, the illustrious Madwi offered to host an event for some of the members on the forum. This has been captured in other threads, but I'll mention it here so I know where to find my notes again in future.

This was my first time in Michigan. The Grand Rapids area is a bit over 700 miles each way from Philadelphia, which, with stops, makes it around 11 hours of driving. We left Thursday the 2nd, stayed overnight in Pittsburgh with some of my wife's friends, and arrived at Madwi'z Estates Friday around 4:15 pm. Ghostvette, Zs Carpenter, Leingod, Bettyz, and JARblue had already arrived. Beers were had, pizza was consumed, cars were admired.

Day 2, Rusty and his wife arrived along with OldGuy. The corpses of millions of bugs were washed from cars, we enjoyed a 4th of July BBQ with Madwi as grillmaster, and eventually we took a late afternoon cruise out to Lake Michigan before returning to the manor house for light refreshments courtesy of the culinary skills of Lein and his paramour. We also celebrated Rusty and Chris's anniversary with cake, and Betty drank all the whiskey. Perfect end to a perfect day.

Drove home day 3. Stuck due to a car crash on I76 in midwestern PA. Wife did yoga on the highway. Rolled in around 8:30.

Now I just need to install my diff brace, courtesy of Rusty's Z Fab Shop!

[JLarson]

Couple pics

[JLarson]

Diff brace is in. Thanks again to Russ for the modification of the brace to allow easy fitment!

This is a simple job, one of the few that has actually been much less difficult than anticipated.

It is not necessary to remove your exhaust. This can be done with everything in place.
1) 2x 14mm bolts are removed from the diff cover. This should be very apparent.
2) Insert bushing into subframe. I believe this is 19mm or the equivalent. Russ shows this in his thread as well. I used the same technique - put it in the closed end of a wrench and used that to align it.
3) Align brace. Get a couple threads going on the top bolt, using fingers to tighten just a bit.
4) Align middle bolt. This can't be installed if the top bolt is not loose, because of the angle. You'll see what I mean.
5) Bottom bolt goes next.

Tighten everything up, remove car from jack stands or other contrivance used to lift car, test drive it.

Enjoy the huge difference this makes in loss of slop in your drivetrain. This is much more substantial and apparent than poly diff bushings or trans mount. No more clunky rear end.

[madwi]

Originally Posted by JLarson

In light of the cancellation of Zdayz 2020 due to Covid-19, the illustrious Madwi offered to host an event for some of the members on the forum. This has been captured in other threads, but I'll mention it here so I know where to find my notes again in future.

This was my first time in Michigan. The Grand Rapids area is a bit over 700 miles each way from Philadelphia, which, with stops, makes it around 11 hours of driving. We left Thursday the 2nd, stayed overnight in Pittsburgh with some of my wife's friends, and arrived at Madwi'z Estates Friday around 4:15 pm. Ghostvette, Zs Carpenter, Leingod, Bettyz, and JARblue had already arrived. Beers were had, pizza was consumed, cars were admired.

Day 2, Rusty and his wife arrived along with OldGuy. The corpses of millions of bugs were washed from cars, we enjoyed a 4th of July BBQ with Madwi as grillmaster, and eventually we took a late afternoon cruise out to Lake Michigan before returning to the manor house for light refreshments courtesy of the culinary skills of Lein and his paramour. We also celebrated Rusty and Chris's anniversary with cake, and Betty drank all the whiskey. Perfect end to a perfect day.

Drove home day 3. Stuck due to a car crash on I76 in midwestern PA. Wife did yoga on the highway. Rolled in around 8:30.

Now I just need to install my diff brace, courtesy of Rusty's Z Fab Shop!

It is no Castillo De Larson but I am glad it suited for your stay. It made me happy the two of you could make it, you both are most welcome at anytime.

[JLarson]

Originally Posted by madwi

It is no Castillo De Larson but I am glad it suited for your stay. It made me happy the two of you could make it, you both are most welcome at anytime.

Your home has one of the most desirable traits of any home - distance from other humans If Megan was ok with it, I'd surround the Castillo De Larson with a dense forest. Or at least some land mines/mole traps or something!

Follow up on the diff brace - this thing is well worth the money. Dollar for dollar, it's probably my favorite mod, barring the BP turbo.

[Rusty]

Need a couple of Claymores. Just make sure you point them the right way. Where it says, "Face Towards Enemy". Make sure that side is pointed away from the house.

[JLarson]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Need a couple of Claymores. Just make sure you point them the right way. Where it says, "Face Towards Enemy". Make sure that side is pointed away from the house.

I just have to provide my local UPS driver (a fellow Z enthusiast) with directions through the mine field, so he can bring me my Z parts.

[jchammond]

Originally Posted by JLarson

I just have to provide my local UPS driver (a fellow Z enthusiast) with directions through the mine field, so he can bring me my Z parts.

Then let someone else sign for them & put them away

[Ghostvette]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Need a couple of Claymores. Just make sure you point them the right way. Where it says, "Face Towards Enemy". Make sure that side is pointed away from the house.

Dillon Aero's on remote towers would work well, along with overhead surveillance.

[JLarson]

Today's update brought to you by the letter T

[madwi]

Did someone say C for cookies?!?!?

( Click to show/hide )

[Spooler]

Originally Posted by JLarson

Today's update brought to you by the letter T

I hate cutting holes in my car but, the benefit out weighs it in this case. I hope you got all 3. The big one in the middle is the most important one.

[JLarson]

Originally Posted by Spooler

I hate cutting holes in my car but, the benefit out weighs it in this case. I hope you got all 3. The big one in the middle is the most important one.

I only did the sides. So far my temps have stayed pretty low, even with 10 hours of continuous driving, but I'm also not tracking the car, and at a lot less hp than you. If I start turning things up, I'll add the 3rd.

[Spooler]

Originally Posted by JLarson

I only did the sides. So far my temps have stayed pretty low, even with 10 hours of continuous driving, but I'm also not tracking the car, and at a lot less hp than you. If I start turning things up, I'll add the 3rd.

You may be OK where you live. The problem comes when you have the engine heat soaked, come up on stop and go traffic due to an accident, and then the temp gauge starts climbing while you are sitting there. You will start sweating cause
the gauge won't stop going up. Been there done that many time before in my 1975 280zt. Even had to shut the car off many times.