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5 minute(s) of a 731 minute read
7-2-2018
Over the blisteringly hot weekend we finished up the MC40 build we started in March. I am THRILLED with how this turned out. The picture isn't hiding anything, this car is CLEAN. We added the hood vinyls and installed the freshly painted wheels. We got it out to Cars & Coffee on Sunday and got lots of positive comments. It still needs a few minor adjustments to get it to 100%, but hot damn I love this car. Too bad it doesn't belong in Wisconsin. Winters will eat it before we know what happens.
I got the Z out a bit this weekend, I think it fared better in the 95* heat than I did.
9-17-2018
Boring update. I think the first birthday present my wife ever got me was a shift knob and boot kit for my Z, some 6-7 years ago. With the car being in a constant state of upgrades and me thinking a boot install would be difficult, I never got around to it.
Well, I was bored yesterday (leaving for Iceland Wednesday so can't start any big projects) and realized that the boot install wouldn't be too bad. It took about 45 minutes and only required the removal of 15 screws. I didn't think to take a before picture. Let's just say it looked like well worn 30 year old leather. The shift knob was polished and half the leather was gone. I'm very happy with how this turned out. I had concern that the color wouldn't match, or the new leather would make everything else look even rattier. Definitely not the case!
It does make me want new seats now though. With the seats replaced, it really would be a 9/10 interior...as long as you don't penalize it for being tweed.
3-6-2019
Winter has been cold and crappy and kept the Z pretty much locked up indoors.
Another mini has come and gone; and a few prospects have fallen through due to being locked into 3" of ice.
The arrival of March generally gets me thinking about warmer times and planning the next year of Z ownership. Part of my antsyness was driven by the desire to install a new bluetooth headunit that I picked up on clearance after Christmas. Like most people, I moved away from using CDs for music years ago. I generally use Amazon Music when in the car, which has always required connecting the phone via an aux cable. I've never been a fan of this process nor the sound quality but a bluetooth adapter for my deck was >$200. I realized I can live without a CD player so grabbed a great deal on a bluetooth only headunit that matches my interior color scheme (and sticks with the Pioneer brand).
I failed to document the installation, but it was pretty straightforward and boring. Frozen fingers made the work slow, even in the garage. I gave it a test run with some of my favorite music *cough* KESHA *cough* and now I can't wait for the summer Friday afternoon commute home!
Last year I started daydreaming about an E85 tune to eke out a bit more power and get me to the 500whp threshold. Hardware wise; I have room. My 755CC injectors were larger than what I needed at the time of installation to allow a bit more power ceiling in the future. My turbos are about maxed out for boost; but E85 would allow for safe gains without really pushing the envelope. The only improvements needed are bio-safe fuel lines, an ethanol content gage, and a tune. The fuel lines are 'easy' as is the ECG. Finding a local dyno tuning session with a reputable tuner familiar with my software (Nistune) is not. Imagine my surprise when I log into www.twinturbo.net for the first time in 6 months and the third post is looking for people interested in a Chicago tuning session with the same guy that tuned my car 5 years ago. Yay!!!!!
I've got my deposit in for the tune and work has already begun. Part of my annual spring tradition is to do a boost leak test to make sure everything is nice and tight; as well as look for new fluid leaks. Unfortunately I failed both tests so I'm currently working on solving an injector seat boost leak and when my Quickjack becomes available I'll determine if I need a RMS replacement. I have about 7 weeks to get everything sorted which should be more than enough time. I just hope the snow holds off for me to get the car to Chicago. I'm hoping to crack 500whp with unhealthy boost levels, and reach high 400's at the 19psi I'm running now. Stay tuned!