85xr.com Wrote:11/13/2004/
It's Done!
After a whirlwind of a day, the XR is running and in my possession. It's wild, it's loud, it's fast, and it's headed for the track!

So Keith and I took a defensive driving course this past saturday, and I must say I was bored out of my face the entire time. He took it so his dad would let him drive his car and I took it to reduce insurance rates after my last speeding ticket =p (52 in a 25 ho ho... no reckless though~)

I must say though it's a pretty good deal. It's 8AM-4PM with breaks and lunch, costs 60 bucks, and knocks FIVE points off of your license if you're taking it voluntarily (not court mandated). I know a lot of insurance companies will give you breaks if you show them proof of completing these courses. I have a list of all of the local schools in Harrisonburg I picked up from the DMV I think still somewhere, but if you're interested just run by there and grab a copy.

Finally started the Z today. First time since October 1st.

Original battery didn't have enough juice to crank it over, so I pulled the Optima Redtop out of the Lightning. Cranked it several times to build up some fuel pressure. Then, I was confused as to why the damn thing would crank and run but then stumble and die within 5-10 seconds. Gave up for the evening - but around 9pm, I realized I hadn't connected the throttle body intake hoses. I guess seeing the naked throttle bodies for 2 months made me forget that there were hoses to attach there. Apparently air the ECU doesn't know about is NOT a good thing Oops. So I dragged Jess back into the garage and she helped me put the stupid intake hoses on. It fired right up and we let it run about 30 seconds. All pulleys/belts seem to be fine, the only issue was a loud ticking from the top of the engine. My suspicion (shared by .RJ and Maeng) is that the lifters haven't been properly lubricated (2 months without oil) - once the engine runs for awhile and warms up hopefully the noise will subside. We didn't let it run very long tonight because I haven't put the new radiator on - I just wanted to check things out and NOT have to drain the coolant again if something was wrong. So close to having it back on the road...

Also got a new used exhaust (Stillen quad-tip) and a turbo-timer waiting to be installed, AFTER the car is running correctly in the current configuration of course :roll:

After a drive today I got out of my car and locked the car and then as I went to put my key in my pocket it snapped in half. Does anyone know any places around Harrisonburg that can make keys from VIN numbers?
I am headed home tommorow for break and need to get this taken care of. If anyone can help me out or has any ideas to get me a new key or this one working again I woud appreciate it.

Thanks
Nick

I just got back from the press conference in the College Center where the I-AA playoff teams were selected. We received an at large bid. The other teams in our conference that made it were New Hampshire, Delaware, and William & Mary. We are matched up against Lehigh, and our team will have to travel to Bethelem, PA. Mickey Matthews was saying during the press conference that the fans up there are brutal and that they sell out every home game. So if you want to get tickets he said to get them as soon as possible. I hope the Dukes will prevail.


A good chunk of the I-AA playoffs will be on ESPN family of networks, so we should give the team as much support as possible.

found this browsing the GRM message boards... some guy's project car in Phoenix, AZ.

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friend of mine in business class has some for sale, told him i'd post up here:
rims are 16x7 universal lug (used on his civic, nothing else guaranteed). Tires are Centennial Interceptor 205/40R16 with ~500 miles on them.
Looking to get ~500 for all of it.
Contact him at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:willi2ja@hotmail.com">willi2ja@hotmail.com</a><!-- e -->
Pics


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Ground-Control swaybar. Built for LS/GSR/EG (i think) subframe. $175, comes with everything. Endlinks, bushings, brackets, bolts, are all new.





Energy Suspension bushings



Reinforcement plates and mounting blocks (if you do not want to use the rubber bushings). You will need to source longer bolts to use the mounting blocks, I do not have them. Thread pitch is 8x1.25



Spacer hardware to mount heim joint endlinks to LCA, longer bolts.



comes with free 'limited edition' carbotech box



Pic of swaybar mounted (not my car - picture credit: chris brinson)



JDM armrest 'eliminator' $30



Dash HPI RC, new in box. $100.





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Momo ebrake handle $30

s are overrated... try this:

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