MattMe

The V12s are huge heavy things though. I'm after small and light to fit in an old, small light car BMWs a possibility though... The crate LS1 350hp with ECU, loom , anciliries etc comes in at over £6k + VAT Yikes! May just stick to 3.5 Rover for £500! It's not enough power though. I'm thinking if I'm going to do it I should do it properly and give it the engine it/I deserve!

So next year I'm looking at getting a project car (hopefully a 240z) and it WILL have a V8 of some description. I've got a little bit of Rover V8 experience but recently I've been thinking about other engine possibilties. The main benfit of the Rover engine is how common and cheap they are here in the UK which makes it the most likely engine I'd have chosen, but the power output isn't that impressive (around 200hp and 200lbft torque from a 3.5) and is really hard and expensive to acheive a whole lot more, hence checking out LS1s (350hp/tourque). The newer Jag/Range Rover 4.4 put out about 300hp but they don't come cheap either. So really I'm asking if anyone has any knowledege about the two engines in comparrison of weight (newer LS1 is aluminium), size, and power output vs. cost of the engines. I do like the Rover engines but ideally I'm after around (and over) the 300hp mark which is when you'd be looking at high capacity and highly tuned, where LS engines would give me the power I'm after completely standard, I believe. I'm going to start looking on the net, but I know this forum hosts a lot of knowledge so if anyone can tell me anything I should consider or any figures/weights/costs and anything I've overlooked (such as other V8s) it could save me some time. I'm lazy, what can I say? Me.

I'd never really thought about what you said concerning & understeering unless you have huge balls and an equally sized wallet to repair it when your balls get too big. When you see or read reviews about them they're (quite rightly) thrashing it to the furthest extremes possible to see how capable it is on the limit. That's how the car's evolved into being rally monsters. I guess that means Joe Average gets in, either doesn't enjoy it because he's not pushing hard enough, or gets over confident and pushes too hard straight into someone's front room. scary prices for servicing etc, so glad I didn't get one now. I guess if you're after a big fast chav mobile the Scoobys are awiser investment over the Evo. If cost weren't an issue I'd choose the Evo. It's about 1.8% less chavvy and less common. And it looks a lot better.

I used admiral multicar. I've got the Zed and my missus has a TT Quattro. Cost me £645. I'm 26, got 3 points and don't live in a particularly good area. Worth a shot Direct line can be good, as can Privelge. It is shocking how much we're expected to pay considering how often you actually claim

I've looked at them before and pretty much came to the conclusion as everyone else has. No matter how you look at it, they are ugle, chavvy looking things. The power/performace etc is impressive but you do pay for it. I know a lad who made a midly tuned FQ who struggled to get over 18mpg. Service every 5k miles (or less?). And you look like a chav driving them! Otherthanthat they are quite appealing. EvoV & Evo VI are for me, looks wise. You can get a 4 dirt cheap at the mo, but god only knows who's owned it. I think it's the same with most performance cars in general, people buy them to drive and enjoy, and you'll find as they get on and change hands they'll get looked after less and less. I feel this in particular toward Evos. I know I'm stereotyping and I'm also aware this isn't for everyone who owns one, but just think in your head what type of person might buy an Evo or Scooby.... Am I a car snob? Having said all that, I've seriously looked at them before, so I guess in certain cars you can over look all the bad points and just enjoy the good. We do with the Zed, after all... (still didn't buy one though!)

You'll never know unless you ask (or search ) Decat? Is where you replace your cat (catalitic converter) with a straight-through pipe, replacing the cats completely. This won't pass an MOT Cat back? The exhaust section from the catalitic converter backwards (not including cats) so mid section and back box. Bungs? I don't know! Probably baffles that go in the back box, sometimes removable. Race cats. AKA high flow cats. Allow more airflow through the cats and usually louder. Most will pass an MOT, although techincally I think they're supposed to be marked with a british standard, though doubt many, if any, would check. Hope that helps a little...

No. No. No. I I like like repetition repetition.

I'm not selling it right now - this was more a thread to see what people's opinions on it's value were. It got moved to the for sale section. Definitely some good advice there when I do want to sell it (ie sell it) Sorry you've had no interest in your car, but perhaps it's down to your advertising technique. I think the problem is the amount on the market at the momnet. We'll probably see another substantial crash in prices soon, especially when the 370z goes onto the second hand market more frequently. I might just keep it, sell the girlfriend. Takers?

Good question that I wish I had a good answer to. Depends on what it's worth as to whether I even sell it or not. It's purely financial reasons, houses, girlfriends, other cars, bad times. More a feeler as to what it's worth I guess.

I don't want to sell my 350z, it has honestly been the best car I ever owned. If I do sell it I know I'll buy one again as soon as possible. However, I might. If I do I'll want the cash fairly quickly so I need your opinions on what it might be worth. I've looked on AutoTrader, eBay, the For Sale thread here and I'm struggling to get a fair average. Car info: 2004 (MY04 plate) UK, Silver, GT (Bose, Cruise, Elec Leather etc) 62K miles Full Nissan service history, just had P2 Motul DOT4 brake fluid, always used Silkoline Pro oil Pipercross air filter, post '06 air box New clutch fitted earlier this year Red stuff pads all round New OEM back box fitted by Nissan around 2 years ago Front end respray (bonnet & bumper) to repair stone chips/laquer coming off - looks like new, perfect match. Number plate brick removed. Fitted splash guards all round. Paint in immaculate condition. Nearly new Falken tyres all round Stubby aerial Cleaned using dodo juice products, including SuperNatural waxed every few weeks. 4 Wheel laser alligned few months ago - wasn't far off TBH, just took it to check. New standard gear knob to replce slightly chipped old one. Bluetooth 20mm spacer all round Bad bits: Bit of wear on drivers bolster Bose stereo (need I say more?) Sometimes skips, sometimes left speaker cut out. front wheels slightly curbed (before I got, may I add!) That's about all I can think of for now. I've owned it over 18 months now, always really looked after it (3rd owner I think), previous owner looked after really well, only sold due to disability. I've made a few subtle mods (stubby, spacers, airbox) but I'm not a mad driver or crazy modder, I've looked after my car. I can't think what else to tell, so please ask, but how much do you think would be a fair price to shift it? I'd be hoping for £9,500 - £10,000, but that's probably top end? Cheers guys, Oh and if I do sell I'll still knock around here - definitely the best forum I've ever joined, log in every day to see what's going off. Matt.

I personally can't recommend any garags in the area If you do find one please let me know! Coolant and brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, so check when they were done last.

Sounds liek you've done your research matey, just give it a go first yourself I say, otherwise you'll never learn. At least this way if it's no better and you pay someone to do the correction you've not lost anything. Posting up pictures of the scratches so we can see how severe they are might help. If you get light polishes you can't do that much damage anyway, just go steady. I bet there's some YouTube videos for demonstrations on how you should be getting on. It is daunting the first time you do it, but once you get going you'll wonder why you made such a fuss about it! Let us know how you get on.

Other side of the world, more like! This is one of my favourite 240z I think: http://alteredz.com/ Just happens to have a v8

The 260z 2 seaters look identical to the 240z to me (nearly bought one before the 350z). The 4 seater are just plain wrong. Insulting, even. Would love a 240z V8. How much would one of them set you back?

May be tempted by this too soon.... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771894.htm

Yeah, I do like 'em... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1781823.htm I had one pretty much like that (without the arches, which I rahter like) and would go for another. Certainly cheaper than a 240z. Don't think I'd spend £8k on one like that though, it ain't worth anything near that IMO, especially after being dragged.

Some top idas (apart from the baja ) I looked at the Cobra kits. Not sure if they're what I'm after. Never driven one but I imagine them to be more a cruiser and scary in corners. Anyone got an experience of these? Westfield V8 is an idea, but like I said there's already a 200BHP, 200ft/lb 7 style car I can drive It's an ST170 engine with race ECU and throttle bodies. Nice. I think the 240z is still top of my list but they fetch so much if they're not rottern. Don't know if I could ever afford one. Maybe just save EVEN longer... Until then I'll keep my beady out.

Ah, good. Toe tapping is considered a compliment in my company. Like anything in particular? What's curious about Idea #93? I'm always interested in people's opinions and comments on stuff we record. It's not exactly made with the listener in mind most of the time, more along the lines of interesting things to my cumbersome ears.

Inspired by the recent guitar for sale, I thought I'd post some links to some projects I've done recently for your listening pleasure if you have a few miuntes to burn... Idea #93: http://www.myspace.com/idea93 This was a band project with 3 of us, vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keys, noises etc. It was fun playing mulitple instruments at the same time live. All recorded in 'proper' studios. Ca Va? Oui, Ca Va!: http://www.myspace.com/cavaouicava - Safe From Harm & Fluers are my favourites out of this lot. Idioteque cover you'll love or hate Juniper is my baby This is a project the two of us wrote and recorded while I was in Nottingham, and my friend Gary lived in Bristol. Quite a different way for us to write and record, sharing ideas electronically. We'd bought bought some home studio equipment so these are our best efforts at bedroom recordings Some rough stuff due to us keeping draft takes because we could. The project was based around the concept of writing an album using no drums, or a drummer. The percussion is all improvised things we could lay our hands on. Coat hangers, acoustic guitars, sweet tins etc. I had a good laugh and learnt a lot doing this. That's it really. We've done loads over time but these two are the most recent. We're currently working on a more dance influenced project with Gary using Koass pads, DJ equipment etc and me on guitar/bass/violin. Should be interesting...

So I know it's a long way off, even still I'm always looking. Basically I'm after a weekend car next year, either a project or not, but probably will end up being some sort of project. I'm just after your thoughts on a cool weekend car. My favourite would be a 240z and plop a V8 in it. I used to have a facelift Mk1 Capri with a V8 in and wouldn't mind another of those, plus they're much cheaper than the 240z. No necessarly looking for classics/older cars but they're normally cheaper and fairly light so go pretty fast with a nice big 8 cylinder engine in there. Also quite like the Manta A. yum. Not sure on room under the bonnet for a V8 though? (anyone else notice a reoccuring theme here?) I was looknig at a Tuscan or similar but I've gone off them recently, I think they're starting to look a bit dated, and not in a classic sort of way. Like the T350 but they're out of my budget. Probably looking for around £10k in totalish, either bought as complete or a few grand on a standard to upgrade to something silly... Quite like the look of a Stratos kit car (Hawk etc) but they don't often come up for sale and when they do they ain't cheap either. My brother's got a Tiger kit car (Lotus 7 style) which I do like, but not really after something like that. Plus I can drive his anyway Give me some things to start looking at! In return I'll build/buy it and put up some pictures

I've always wanted a Gibson LP Custom. I've recently faced facts and realised I'll never play enough guitar to warrant spending the best part of £2k on a guitar. If I wasn't saving for several other things I'd be quite tempted with this... Were ou selling the bass a few weeks ago too? That was also so very tempting...

Seriously? I think it's a great idea. I wish Nissan had them at my last service. I could have told 'their best mechanic' not to be such a clueless fool and drain my brand new DOT4 Motul brake fluid half way and top up with whatever was lying around. Then I could have watched as they wiped my oil filter, charged me for a new one and then sat around for an hour before clocking off. Seriously - I think this is needed. I might take my 350z to Audi just I can see whats happening. Trust no-one

i'm interested to know what facts you base this on as they run the same engine? If you look about you will see that imports usually have a few more bhp when dynoed and remapped. I think because they are used to running on 100ron. Also the import has more charecter, square rear plate, square front plate. Folding side mirrors, dipping side mirrors on reverse. Some stuff in the engine that arent there on uk engines. The writings also in japanese so it looks much cooler. JDM for the win. I feel I should disagree. IMO the square plates make it look like an import (ie a cheap 350z -oooh, controvesy) and I'm pretty sure all 350z have folding wing mirrors. My UK certainly does. What is this 'some stuff in the engine' you speak off? Crank? Mine has one too And the Japanese writingdoesn't look cool, it looks hard to read if you're English. Do you own a JDM by any chance?

Have a look on eBay. There were a pair listed in America a while back, can't remember the price but I have a feeling it was around $250 for both, excluding shipping. Sill much cheaper than buing here in the UK... Worth a look at least.

i'm interested to know what facts you base this on as they run the same engine? +1 and what do you consider to have more character between the two?