Wow. I think we've got 20 years left LOL but we pay a little more than due to shorten it. My wife ran the numbers on that and has it all set up.

Last year's BF I got a new laptop - got 70% off a new Lenovo X1 Carbon. So far it's boringly competent LOL. Next maybe is one of those 49" wraparound monitors. I doubt I'll need another one unless there's a quantum breakthrough (literally) and all the OSes change dramatically. Also managed to get lifetime MS Office 365 licenses for mine, my wife's and my daughter's computers.

I picked up a small compressor from harbor fright for our bikes 2 years ago, also kicks butt at low tires on the cars. https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-10...tor-63745.html

I'm looking forward to the week between Christmas and NY having off, so I can put the G on stands and do some stuff. I'll even have help in the form of my FIL.

 

@RobC7 @rotarymike

I finally got around to replacing my diff bushings (used Z1 polyurethane) here locally (decided not to drive to Pitstop in AZ). One of the Techs at the shop I use has a 240Z and had replaced his recently, so he understood the difficulty of task at hand. Took him 8.5 hours and a broken bushing professional removal tool, but I was only asked to pay for 7 hours. I talked to him when I picked the car up and he said that drilling out the inner core (see the pic below), then using a zawsaw to cut/bend the metal insert worked. He then had to cut a piece of pipe the same diameter to pound the piece out as it was rusted in place and wouldn’t budge. I am in awe of you guys that were able to do this work with the car sitting on jack stands. I’m not worthy!

I would highly recommend this upgrade as the car feels like a much better version of itself, firmly planted (the odd “wobble” in the rear is gone) and an instant transfer of torque. I realize now that the blown bushing also caused a weird vibration when backing up and taking off. It appears that I had just gotten used to the lackluster performance of the oem bushing and didn’t realize what I was missing as the rear of the car feels much more intuitive now.

Anyway, I appreciate all the guidance you guys provided. Definitely not a cheap mod, but my birthday is in a week and interviews are going well, so I treated myself to a set of diff bushings.

 

Same here. Drill/sawzall around, push out rubber and center tube, and then chisel/beat/curse on the outer sleeve.

 

Both pics of ours scream <insert curse words>

Nissan did not design that bushing to be removed. I’m still a little confused as to why they didn’t use a solid rubber bushing as this is what was used on the 240Z and what’s available through most aftermarket automotive suppliers. We likely could have gotten 5 more years out of solid rubber bushing.

I’m struggling to find a tradeoff with the polyurethane bushing as it’s night and day with no noticeable NVH increase.

 

Poly motor mounts are next.

 

LOL @ the do-iiiiiit

Make sure you leave one mount with some flex. Trans mount seems to be the right choice for OEM - the poly ones create a lot of NVH I've heard.

IF NVH doesn't bother you, there's always Delrin...

 

I've begun the search to replace my 25-year-old beater pickup. The market still stinks.

I'd rather have a lobotomy, root canal, and kidney stones... at the same time...

Good luck on your search!

 

Ford Maverick, if you can find one.

I, on the other hand, am on the hunt for a sub-$5k work van. Ford or Chevy doesn't matter, just want a RWD one that can tow a car trailer and maybe a box trailer if I ever get really wealthy.

 

Nope. Likely getting a Toyota Tacoma... hopefully by April 2024. Given their reliability and my usage, the truck will likely outlast me. If I can find a decent one. The used market is just as bad as the new market these days...

Then there's a 'Vert...

 

Z1 tool, 6 hours of tedious extreme cranking and kicking with two people, bruises, and a bent ARP is all it takes to get that diff bushing out. No problem.

 

agree. Love the one you’re with seems to prevail in the current market. When I picked my car up today, my mechanic told me that the car was in great shape and would likely outlive me. Not sure how that makes me feel ?

 

Only 37 degrees out, but that won't stop me! Installed the Z1 diff brace today. I originally had a Bell Racing Diff brace but it wouldn't clear my exhaust so I had to sell it. This one not only was designed specifically with the Z1 diff cover in mind, but it also can be used as a jack point! If you have the Z1 expanded cover you lost that function without this. Pretty rad! Took about 1 hour to install but I had to have my son help me for the top bolt. Kinda need 3 hands for that one.

 

I plan to replace the gallery gaskets on my car this winter. I ordered all the hardware and gaskets from z1. I also added a new OEM water pump and thermostat because why not? I will also refinish the timing cover with some gunmetal gray cerakote to match the rest of the car and top off the engine bay. After that, I will be getting a rear 370z Nismo sway bar. This will be my first time in a car engine other than replacing a valve cover on a friend's N54 engine. I'm looking forward to getting this done.

 

Finished an oil/filter change to my oil of choice: Mobil 1 0-40 FS and Nissan filter. I've had good results using this product and wondering what others think of M1 0-40 FS?

 

Nice! I used to use 5-30 mobile 1. I did some research and talked with my tuner and he recommended 5w-40 shell rotella t6 diesel oil. So that's what I'm using now with a K@N filter. Seems to be working well after 3 oil changes. That M1 0-40 seems like it would be a good choice.