Conversion: '02 Targa to COUPE Type-R

3 minute(s) of a 52 minute read

OK folks, for the next step in my Type-R project, I am looking for a 3.0L NSX long-block to build. I think I've found one in Florida, but if you know of any others, please ping me.

Edit: With Armando's help, I now have a 3.0L donor motor. Will be shipped to Jon Martin next week.

7-22-2006

Having fun in India? Uh, NOT!!!!!!

I have moved here for a little while, to give my kids an overseas experience, then returning to the GLORIOUS US-of-A.

During my first month here, I have experienced:

I have a builder that is part of the Indian Mafia, and I'm not using that term euphemistically. He's actually threatened us with pulling the electrical lines, cutting off water, locking us out of the place, etc. And his withholding signature on the sale registration deed of my home has shut down us moving forward. Without a proof of residence, no car can be bought, or registered, no bank account can be opened, etc. When I sneakily bought a Toyota minivan (sorry Honda, no Odyssey here), and on the day of delivery I found it was filthy inside and I refused delivery. Now the dealer isn't returning my calls -- I've paid all the money -- yet have no car to show for it  And when we finally opened a bank account under some stressful conditions, the signature card my wife signed somehow doesn't match her regular signature. So now all our funds are frozen -- we can't write a check, nor draw any money. We're borrowing funds from family...

Add to this that Delhi has experienced record 115F+ heat index with humidity hovering around 80%, that power goes 3-12 hours each day, and water only comes twice each day...the 2 reactors that Delhi buys power from tripped 2 weeks ago, so India's capital is down 1000MW of power each day...and there is no notion of central A/C...and...shall I go on? This is when a good Single Malt really shows its value!

And yet, our teenage boys are handling life OK for their first few weeks. We bought them some outrageous Nokia phones that do everything my home theater could do. They are having a ball with their new found cousins. Each day Nick organizes a game of extreme Frisbee. They all play in the park behind the house. And isn't that what I actually want for our kids' experiences in life? Our moving/teething problems really are secondary. Isn't it all parent's desire to have their kids out playing instead of in front of the TV, or Internet? And we're planning a surfing holiday to Australia this December. And don't even get me started how close Bangkok and KL are. So travel to Southeast Asia is a must.

Finally, our container arrived in Bombay port just in time for the monsoon rains! We are expecting arrival in Delhi shortly, and then customs clearance. Of course, customs is another Mafia organization, and it'll make great fodder for my BLOG what I have to pay to get my container cleared.

So the adventure starts with a Bang, and not a whimper!

One of the big highs of my day is logging onto Prime each day. Sad, but true! Plus, knowing that my 3.8L NA Jon-Martin-tuned Type-R clone will be finished when I return...only 22 months to go.