Ready for 2024

Its been a year since I blogged about Me and My Z... so no promises this won't be the only post for 2024, but I at least need to share a post of what I have done, or er had done to get before season started. 

I slowly in 2022 and 2023 amassed brake upgrade parts and once I had all the parts I planned to install them all myself... but well life and time has gotten in the way. So while I know how to do all the work, I paid my friends at Dave's Garage on Main Street in South Bend to do the work. They have worked on my daily drivers for the past 15 years, I trusted them to work on the Z. 

While taking classes at Ivy Tech I did the stainless steel brake lines and took everything apart and did some OEM replacements, but now it was time for a little upgrade. So what did I buy? 

Powerstop Slotted Rotors
Hawk Performance Race Brake Pads
Rebuild and Silver painted calipers
FutoFab Adjustable Tension Rods

I also failed to post in the fall when I got another set of shoes for the Fairlady. I documented the previous pair my Shelby Libres that I restored. You can ready about those here... Fairladys New Shoes. I wanted to get some better rubber for racing so I picked up some 15 inch Konig Rewinds wheels from MotorSport Auto and then some of the new Bridgestones from the Tire Rack. 

A couple weeks ago I polished her up for a Cars and Coffee at the Studebaker National Museum and this past weekend got her dirty hitting cones and racing at the Tire Rack Test Track. The brakes are a loud noisier for daily driving, but VERY grippy for autocross! Next month we will test them out well at Gingerman Raceway! 

So Me and My Z are back in action... I have a few projects I want to get done to her this year but for now enjoying her as is, and glad to have a garage I trust to work on her. 

Race Day

I realized... I never posted the video link for the class project that N did on Me and Z... N just graduated with her BFA from Kendal College of Art and Design. As a parent it is so special when you see your child succeed... but I think this was just mega cool. Not just cause it was about me, but because she chose to do a story about Me and My Z. 

So enjoy... 

Oh and as the YouTubers say... subscribe to my channel... 

Now if my 13th year with the Z would get out of the bad luck category... last Gingerman Track Night... On my way there the air filter fell off (yes, actually), my rear brakes started making noise, I spun out (twice, video of that HERE), and two of my tires got pretty corded so I called it quits early. Hope new wheel, tire, and brake updates coming soon. 

13 Lucky Years

If you know me, you know I am not big into luck or fate or any of that type of stuff... I think success is created through hard work, opportunity and maybe a little good timing... but not just luck. 

March 2010 to Today
(well on a non-snowy Indiana day)

Well March 15th, 2010 is when I got my car, and today marks 13 years of ownership... not gonna lie for some reason I feel like I need to be extra careful with my baby in its 13th year with me. To say that each time I tackle a major project with the car that worry always clouds me... what could go wrong, how much more will it cost, how much longer will she be out of commission... 

Luckily, I just got one of the more major jobs done on the car I have been worried about... I got a new floor pan welded into the driver floor (you could see the street from a few spots...) and new frame rails on the driver and passenger side. They were not in great shape when I got her, and they got worse the past few years. I bought replacement patch panels three years ago... and two winters in a row had a shop back out of doing the job. Luckily this year, through a mutual friend I found someone to tackle the project for me... and it turned out great! 

Not the sexiest picture of my Z...
but a very important upgrade

While I was at it, we welded in some single point jack plates. All the parts were from Bad Dog Parts and were well made. My welder said it was not mega tricky to get it all done and got some rust proofing done and while you can't tell at all it was done... she is stiffer and a little safer. 

Coming up next? Assuming the tension rod install goes okay, I have new calipers (OEM style just rebuilt) for the front and new pads and rotors up front (OEM size but slotted). 

Well at least great so far, it looks good, and should be protected for years. Now going to mount new tension rods and finished a few suspension mods I didn't want to do until the rails were done. Ideally I get those parts in, and installed before the first few events of the year. Super pumped! 

So mostly just a short blog... and I want to tell you all I have started to think about doing some Datsun Z part reviews on my YouTube channel... Yes I made one, not much content now, but send me some suggestions I want to get that active this year! 

Me and My Z on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meandmyz4961

Come on lucky #13!