Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Car pics too cool not to share

BlueC said:
It's funny, the whole 240 thing seems to be a generational divide. You hear 240 and think Datsun, I (and probably @lBasket ) hear 240 and think...
View attachment 648497View attachment 648498
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It is funny , I don't even remember the 240SX . And to me the 240-Z was a cute little sporty car like a MX-5 . The whole car culture is interesting , I kinda like some cars I likely wouldn't buy ! The good thing about these are the Front engine / rear drive.
 
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ColoJeep said:
And to me the 240-Z was a cute little sporty car like a MX-5
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ColoJeep said:
The good thing about these are the Front engine / rear drive.
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The two are actually related, in my humble opinion. I believe the Japanese car manufacturers have had a love affair with the "classic British sportscar" formula* on and off through the years. The origins are in cars like the Datsun 1500 and Honda S600 from the '60s, carried on by cars like the Z in the '70s to the MX-5 in the '80s and '90s. The first generation NA Miata cars would pass as 125% enlarged copies of the Lotus Elan, and it's not by accident. I believe Mazda set out to make a modern version of the Lotus from the beginning, and they hit it out of the park on that one. I wouldn't mind one with a converitble hard top, might even do it up in Gold Leaf colors...

Teignmouth_Classic_Car_Show,_21_April_2013_(20).jpg


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* front engine, rear drive, possibly convertible, powered by a straight 6 or straight 4 backed up by 4-6 speed manual gearbox
 
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ColoJeep said:
Now the early Z cars are harder to find unmolested and bring big money for what they are.
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I remember reading years ago (like probably 35-40 years ago) that the Datsun Fairlady Z had thinner sheet metal from the factory than what was the industry standard at the time. It said that they had gone that route to keep the car light, and thereby aid in its performance. Subsequently, the dreaded "tin worm" didn't have to chew as hard or as long to work their way through the panels. Too bad, too. We just don't see that many solid examples around, these days.
 
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chili_pepper said:
The two are actually related, in my humble opinion. I believe the Japanese car manufacturers have had a love affair with the "classic British sportscar" formula* on and off through the years. The origins are in cars like the Datsun 1500 and Honda S600 from the '60s, carried on by cars like the Z in the '70s to the MX-5 in the '80s and '90s. The first generation NA Miata cars would pass as 125% enlarged copies of the Lotus Elan, and it's not by accident. I believe Mazda set out to make a modern version of the Lotus from the beginning, and they hit it out of the park on that one. I wouldn't mind one with a converitble hard top, might even do it up in Gold Leaf colors...

View attachment 648574

* front engine, rear drive, possibly convertible, powered by a straight 6 or straight 4 backed up by 4-6 speed manual gearbox
Click to expand...

There are four cars that I remember seeing on the road for the first time, and either being enamored with them, or somewhat confused by what they were. In order, they are:
1965 Rambler Marlin
1971 Dodge Demon 340
1978 Subaru Brat
1990 Mazda Miata

The Marlin was the only one that I hadn't seen as a "new" car, as I was only 2 years old when it was released. Everything else was new on the roads. The Japanese rides confused me as to what the hell they even were. Took a while to figure it out (pre-internet days, save for the Miata, perhaps).
 
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ColoJeep said:
The good thing about these are the Front engine / rear drive.
Click to expand...
Speaking of front engine and rear drive sports cars....

I seriously thought about the Scion FRS (now Toyota 86) back when we were looking for a car for my (unbeknownst to me) soon to be ex-wife, at the time, or heaven forbid the Subaru BRZ. (yeah I know they both had the Boxer engine and virtually the same car, save some suspension and aesthetic Qs) Ultimately ended up going with a more prudent and safer option, that fit more than 2 people (kids ya know) and had AWD. She decided on a 2007 Toyota Highlander.

 
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reddvltj said:
Speaking of front engine and rear drive sports cars....

I seriously thought about the Scion FRS (now Toyota 86) back when we were looking for a car for my (unbeknownst to me) soon to be ex-wife, at the time, or heaven forbid the Subaru BRZ. (yeah I know they both had the Boxer engine and virtually the same car, save some suspension and aesthetic Qs) Ultimately ended up going with a more prudent and safer option, that fit more than 2 people (kids ya know) and had AWD. She decided on a 2007 Toyota Highlander.

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A Z-3 roadster would be a Cool but probably unreliable sports car , The Subi twins don't do anything on my cool car meter , and a Subi " boxer " engine is a overrated POS in my opinion. The Highlander would be a somewhat bland , the good car .
 
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Squatch said:
Subaru Brat
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Funky vehicles. Actually, a really good compact 4WD vehicle and fun to drive (especially on dirt roads). The Subi platform it was based on was pretty solid, save for the body rust. Interesting story regarding the origins of the rear facing bed seats.

ColoJeep said:
Z-3 roadster
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Pretty solid platform and plenty of performance with say a 3.0L/5 speed. My only worries would be with electronics.

reddvltj said:
I seriously thought about the Scion FRS (now Toyota 86) back when we were looking for a car for my (unbeknownst to me) soon to be ex-wife, at the time, or heaven forbid the Subaru BRZ. (yeah I know they both had the Boxer engine and virtually the same car, save some suspension and aesthetic Qs)
Click to expand...

Believe these are reputed as being very good driver's cars, well balanced and not overpowered. I'd like to drive one.
 
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ColoJeep said:
A Z-3 roadster would be a Cool but probably unreliable sports car , The Subi twins don't do anything on my cool car meter , and a Subi " boxer " engine is a overrated POS in my opinion. The Highlander would be a somewhat bland , the good car .
Click to expand...

The mods for power and driving performance went wild for both. I haven't really looked at the newer platforms but I have read they got some power and suspension updates to help them keep up with everyone else... Still no standard turbo offered yet which surprises the hell out of me. As unliked as those boxer engines are (including by me) given turbo upgrades can lay down some serious power, over 300hp if my memory serves me correctly. (Thinking the WRX STI 2.5l Turbo)
 
chili_pepper said:
Funky vehicles. Actually, a really good compact 4WD vehicle and fun to drive (especially on dirt roads). The Subi platform it was based on was pretty solid, save for the body rust. Interesting story regarding the origins of the rear facing bed seats.



Pretty solid platform and plenty of performance with say a 3.0L/5 speed. My only worries would be with electronics.



Believe these are reputed as being very good driver's cars, well balanced and not overpowered. I'd like to drive one.
Click to expand...

I test drove the Scion and it was a fun little car. Little being the driving factor behind ultimately not getting one... 4 teenagers 2 adults and multiple dogs just don't make for a good fit...

I'd likely revisit the idea of owning one now if I somehow lost my mind, sold my Jeep and said to hell with wheeling... :unsure:
 
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reddvltj said:
The mods for power and driving performance went wild for both. I haven't really looked at the newer platforms but I have read they got some power and suspension updates to help them keep up with everyone else... Still no standard turbo offered yet which surprises the hell out of me. As unliked as those boxer engines are (including by me) given turbo upgrades can lay down some serious power, over 300hp if my memory serves me correctly. (Thinking the WRX STI 2.5l Turbo)
Click to expand...

WRX STI would be fun while it lasted ! And I am very Jaded by our 58,000 mile EJ-25 jumping through its ass , owned since new and fully maintained .
Still the Subi twins don't do it for me . A lotus Elise SC would definitely rock my little sports car meter !

lotuselisesc-195377705.jpg
 
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reddvltj said:
The mods for power and driving performance went wild for both. I haven't really looked at the newer platforms but I have read they got some power and suspension updates to help them keep up with everyone else... Still no standard turbo offered yet which surprises the hell out of me. As unliked as those boxer engines are (including by me) given turbo upgrades can lay down some serious power, over 300hp if my memory serves me correctly. (Thinking the WRX STI 2.5l Turbo)
Click to expand...

Swaps are popular. A FRS/BRZ with an LS would be fun and reliable.
 
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