More cool 80's cars, J3!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-oldsmobile-cutlass-2/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-pontiac-firebird-5/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-dodge-lancer/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-mercury-zephyr-wagon/

one of the best from that era, and a personal fave:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m6-70/

There are more... but this is enough! Enjoy!

It's been kinda busy.... all things being equal!

California is in a more coordinated lock down, due to COVID-19. Which means more home time than before. There doesn't seem to be a rule against going out, but masks are required. I think that's only required to actually go into a store or business. I don't think it's required to go out or drive. If you want to go in the supermarket, mask up!

Did our taxes yesterday... Watched way too much TV... Did some software side work...

Did learn that they are increasing unemployment by some $600 a week!! That starts now. Whew, a huge help. Considering the unemployment rate is now 20%.

Now... that is a bad number, but it will drop by half once the economy opens back up. I just hope and pray that I am one of the half that gets hired.

And on a happier note, I celebrated the third anniversary of buying my 2006 Coupe! It's very yellow.

Wasn't the turbo 2.3l I-4 available? I know in the TBird that motor had a 5spd option.

It was the same used in the SVO Mustang...175hp! Pretty beefy back then... but with some mods, 300-325 was easily attained!

The next gen TBird/Cougar had a supercharged V6 with a 5spd available. It was a nice motor, but had head gasket issues.

I honestly don't think it's an issue.

Air intakes are restricted by the size of the MAF or the throttle body, more than the filter housing. I would consider a K&N filter, tho... but that's because they do a great job and are reusable.

In short, I wouldn't worry about it. The air intake biz is based on bad bench racing concepts and good marketing. Short of very high power applications - think 800hp - the factory intake should be more than upto the job.

You will get more power from reconfiguring the OEM exhaust than anything else. The L98 single cat system is a real pig... replace that with a dual system, with dual performance cats and an xpipe, is worth 50hp. Add headers, add another 20+hp. Do that to a 383 and the upgrade will be insane.

Please note, none of what I said is smog legal in CA. Sad.

J3 - do you subscribe to Bring-A-Trailer?

Check this out:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987 ... l&utm_campaign=2020-04-05

Letty - thanks. I really appreciate the concern and wishes. It means a lot!!!

As for the on-demand heater... I am not sure it's the right choice for areas with winter... They work here, because winter means a low of 45F... that's not cold! Just seriously chilly. They have advantages... mostly the lack of a pilot light and compact size. I am just not sure how they would work in your winter. When that water comes out the tap at less than 50F, it will take more than a quick pass over heat to make it hot.

The windows will do wonders. We got them from Home Depot a few years ago. Had the windows in the kitchen replaced, along with the window in the livingroom. They are well worth it. Killed off a number of drafts in the kitchen and livingroom, but also are easier to open!

They totaled about $5k for all of them, installed. A total of 8 windows were installed, of various sizes. We also had insulation blown into the attic. That did a lot towards keeping the heat down in the summer. I want to do attic fans to move the air out, at some point.

I am looking forward to normalcy... the shelter isn't the problem... the lack of a job is the problem...

Ohh! Belated Happy Birthday to Ultrawoman!!! I sure hope her college class went great!!!!

Gris - hope your wife continues to get better!!!

We are staring at more rain... which is great!!!

Oh, well... back to my window on the world... I mean my TV! I am going out later to get new tires on my Vette, tho.

Our house came with solar electric and hot water.

They were installed by the prior owner about 20 years ago.

There are two arrays on the garage roof, with two inverters. I don't remember the output at this time. I would have to check the inverter ratings. What I do know, they were saving us about $75 a month on our electric bill.

As for the hot water, our summer gas bill would drop down to about $7.00 a month. During the winter it still saved us some $30 a month, IIRC... The solar hot water has an array on top of the house, with a 75 gallon storage tank in the basement. There is a pump with thermistors that test the temp in the tank and in the array. When the temps change, the water is swapped from the tank to the array and back again to maintain temps.

The next step is the standard gas hot water tank. The only gas used is the pilot. Once the tank gets hot, the water flow from the solar to the gas powered tank, and that water is more than hot enough - and I mean hella hot - to keep the gas heater from firing again!!

This renders the gas heater more or less a long term backup if the weather gets gnarly.

The downside, the solar hot water is DOA right now. I need to get someone in to fix it... just finding someone with reach to get to the peak of the roof - and it's really high!! Tommy - you have seen that peak! Apparently, some critters chewed through the wire to the thermistor on top of the roof... and the pump controller died or the thermistor died... not sure which.

Our electric system is aging... and at some point, I would like to upgrade it. However, that is not today. I like the discount it offers, but the technology has changed SO much in the last 20 years, that what was good then is merely tolerable today.

One thing, Tommy, make sure the installers are actually good. Our realtor had solar installed on their house a few years back. There was a nasty storm with some stiff winds... ripped the panels right off the roof, destroying the panels and the roof. Might have even shorted out the inverters... don't remember for sure. IIRC, $100k in damages!! The rain did water damage, too, I think. Either way, they screwed up big time. This was also a common problem here 4-6 years ago. So many fly-by-night operations came up and caused a ton of issues.

Knowing the cost of electricity in FL, I would not hesitate doing it. Just be damned sure the panels are hurricane proof!!!

After things settle, I am going to look into a Tesla battery wall. The solar would recharge it and it runs the entire house. It is more expensive than a generator, but we would not need a huge propane tank or have to by 500 gallons of the gas at a time, either. Less space, less complexity and a full house backup when the power goes out!

I need to do more research... the Tesla is about 2x the cost of a full house propane generator (Gencom).

One other thought... windmills...

John - The Linc - The Eagles football stadium has windmills. The stadium, IIRC, is 100% powered by those windmills. 1 or 2 windmills would generate a ton of wattage.

Random thoughts....

The Ferrari... I LOVE the GTB over the GTS. I like the clean lines of the hardtop roof. It just rocks. I would own one in a second.

The Buick is nice, too. KPotter had the Olds version, and they were nice cars. Rode well, drove well and actually got good MPG.

The Firenza? Burn it. Hate those J-Cars of that era... sorry...

The 928 has always been a favourite of mine. I do prefer the later GTS versions with a bit more engine, but the 80s editions are sweet! And the look is so modern and sleek. Looks new and fresh today. I know it was hated by the 911 snobs back then, but the shape has aged so very well. I am glad they are finally being accepted by the collectors market.

Thanks for the updates!!!

See you in November, Charley!!!!

Late check-in... Bastet44 sells her baked goods at a local farmers market... 0600 to 1500! Long assed day!

The farmers market is considered essential and as long as you sell food/produce, they are exempt!

Now it's raining... seriously raining.

Did you watch the Sebring race Saturday? It was impressive!!!

It's been grey and rainy around here for the last week. Makes staying inside much easier, really... and it's been chilly cool - 50-55F, which is much lower than norm, add in the rain, and if feels like November in Delaware.

Otherwise, all is good here. We are healthy and avoiding people. The downside, the job hunt has been slowed massively.

And they have set up a mini-NASCAR series, too. Quite a number of cup drivers are going to be in it.

https://www.imsa.com/news/2020/03/18/g ... sa-sebring-supersaturday/

Beats nothing, eh?

morning gang... just hanging in!

My only plan is to head out and fill the tank in my Vette... just to have it done.

I did the DNA testing through Ancestry.com... learned I was 13% (or was that 11?) Irish... Shocked me... Mom said we were Scottish...

Oh, 54% Eastern European... Dad was Polish/Russian, depending on the boarder on the day his folks came to the USA.

The extra 4% validates the eastern Euro Jewish component in Mom's family.

And 20% Nordic...

To you all - keep diligent and healthy!!!

You are my friends and I want you all to stay that way! Extended family is seriously included!! Love and health to all!!

As for us, we are good. Here in LA, we are not limited to products or supplies yet - the local markets are still getting products and things are still in production.

I hope this blows over quickly... very quickly.

My 92 had 220k on it when I sold it 3 years ago...

The engine was swapped at 185k. The thing is, the engine was ok, really, but the optispark was giving me issue and wanted to update to the Gen 2...

Get the BoP sorted out... the C8 might just have a chance.

Yeah... what Matthew said...

I am getting my chores done, then off to watch the rest of the Daytona 500... at least Trump is done with all of his grandstanding...

I hope it's a good race!

Yo. It's nearing my lunch time now... doing a side project with a friend.

Waiting on him to build out the data model so I can code it!

If you had a real leak, there would be stink... check the injectors, too.

I would bet on the check valve in the pump.

Check valve... common failure point.

I gave up on junk pumps and bought one from Racetronix... really nice part.

the key is most likely worn, or, the sensor inside the ignition is bad.

Using the key chip, get some resistors and match the resistance... then, under the dash, there are to very small wires with a small connector... jump them. I will research for more accuracy.

There is a little black thingy on the key... about 1/4" long... put a meter on both sides. That will give you a resistance number... then translate...

1 402 386 - 438
2 523 502 - 564
3 681 650 - 728
4 887 850 - 942
5 1130 1085 - 1195
6 1470 1411 - 1549
7 1870 1795 - 1965
8 2370 2275 - 2485
9 3010 2890 - 3150
10 3740 3590 - 3910
11 4750 4560 - 4960
12 6040 5798 - 6302
13 7500 7200 - 7820
14 9530 9149 - 9931
15 11800 11328 - 12292

It just started raining... hard, too... within the last 10 minutes or so.

It was dry, then soaking wet... that quick, too!!

I guess it's gonna be an inside day! But we can always use some rain.

howdy gang... still here!

Still on vaca. Hoping to find some time and revamp this place. Needs some love, eh?

Good find, but common considering the nature of the wiring harnesses in the early C4's....

Wow. 2020 is already 10 days old. It will be driving soon.

I have a major bit of news... I was laid off from my job on Tuesday.

I will be making a similar post on FB later today...

I did get a nice severance... so it's not all bad. Unemployment and all that rot.

All will be ok. Just taking a few days to clear my head and start the job search.

Happy New Year gang!!!!

It's Friday. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition....

The Suburban lunched it's rear axle... and driveshaft... the front ujoint melted down... and the rear diff bearings went south for the rest of eternity.

I hope to pick it up tomorrow or Monday. Either way, it will be a good job done. All for the sum of about 2 modern car payments.

This is a touch on the shocking.

Try www.bringatrailer.com.

Heavy rain here! And snow about 5000'!

Have a great Thanksgiving gang!!!!

Morning gang!!! How's tricks?

Been busy here... hoping that December will let things calm and I can refocus my efforts to revitalize the Guru!!!

whew... it's been crazy in our world... the suburban has been down due to a number of issues. Finally got it running again...

Bastet44 closed her retail store at the end of August, and the house is a bit of a mess... add in the fact we had guests Monday and again Saturday... that ment "hiding" things and lots of vacuuming... and my knee is still not perfect.

sigh... too much going on and not enough time!

I did a DeWitts in my 92 some years ago... It lasts and lasts and as far as I know, is still in the car, 2+ years after I sold it. Wasn't cheap, either... and at the time, the Champion wasn't an option... then again, if I had the choice, the DeWitts is a nicer piece, but it's over $500!!!

At the time, I was going through Modine's every three years... at $200 a pop, that added up quick.

The other trick to cleaning them is to use a pressure washer at the local car wash... just hose it all away!

the asshole on TV just called this game a "classic". If by "classic" you mean a near total collapse of the Husker defense, then sure... grrr...

ooh!! Happy Birthday Sue!!!! Send her our love Tommy!

I am hanging with Ultraman, so to speak... The Huskers are up 17-0 midway through the 3rd.

cool stuff!!!

I found a pair of American flags, that screw into the targa top holes on the windscreen header.

https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvet ... Aq2KEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you want them, they are yours!! All I need is a couple of bucks for shipping.

That's awesome news!!! Congrats!!!!

not a problem. share away!

Here are my pics from yesterday at the Petersen.

There was quite a turnout!!!

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yes! I will!

it is a sweet ride!!!

I will be posting pics Sunday... There is a presentation and Corvette Car Show at the Petersen. I am so there.

I have a set of grey belts from a 1993 or so. Need them?

cool as all get! I love vintage Riv's. The first gens are still my fave. That 65 is sexy as hell.

Are you going to buy one?