Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

mraitch wrote: slept for a bit - can't do that in stock seats.
fwiw

Like hell you can't! I slept in my early 67 inside the speedway at the 24 hours of Daytona, I slept in it for a power nap in a rest area on a long road trip. I even slept in it in the college parking lot after a particularly bad evening one night in college (no drinking was involved). It may not be the most comfortable thing in the world, but it CAN be done.

That being said, I did not say that the Miata seats don't make sense, I just think that they are butt ugly in a vintage car. They look fine in a modern car - like a Miata for example, but not so much in a vintage car.

wow! - i just get that we have a difference - butt ugly - works for me - i like semi-horizontal - rather than the 5-10 degree aspect that stock seats provide - I guess that I am older than you and need better 'nap' logistics

Thanks for the insights guys!

I'll have to check the amperage on the seat heaters - some will work off a cig. lighter, but the ones I put in my mom's truck a few years ago were hard wired. I'm still learning about this car too, so I'm not even sure yet what the stock alternator puts out. I definitely like the idea of the inflatable lumbar supports; wonder how well they would do under the seat covers (esp. with the heat pads under there too)? I don't want to try to do too much with them, but I'll look into what can and cannot fit under the covers when I get them. I'm sure memory foam will be a great upgrade from the stock foam, so that should help keep the padding thin. I'm not sure how many more 1600 mile trips I'll be doing with it, so we'll see...

As far as the look of the seats, I wouldn't call them ugly, but I like the look of the stock seats much better. Also, with the top up the passenger seat creates a big blind spot, even without anyone sitting in it.

And I think I'll stick with black on the seats; never been a fan of the red. Just my personal preference.

stock alternator is 30 amp. There are some that you can get that bolt in that offer more amperage.

Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know what higher amp models will bolt on?

I will try to noodle my old noggin to remember....

280Z models put out more and are pretty close to a bolt-in (may require some shimming to get the pulleys to line up).
GM alts come in various different outputs, (mine is 55 amp) are intenral regulated, some say they look out of scale in the engine compartment (which they kinda do) but are dead cheap and reliable.
Most hot rod alt shops will rewind and IntReg anything you bring them, no problem (just the bucks and wait of the custom winding.
The Chev/Ford guys have to be warned about the rpms we spin, because 6500 when geared down for the size of the alt pulley can make for a GMalt spinning at 10k, and that alt fan blade might go BOOM.

Fergus, the 280Z models are close to the late roadster alternators. The early unit is different...

I think I was remembering the Ford Courier alternator which can be had in 40 amp versions. The seat heaters on high for both seats draws a total of 10 amps. On low for both, 6 amps. High for one 5 amps, low for one 3 amps. I don't know that you have to upgrade for that level of draw, but will defer to the electrical gurus. I would guess it all depends on if you are going to add a big thumping stereo and/or rally lights or other such high draw electrical stuff. If you keep it stock except for that, then I doubt that you'd have to upgrade.

spl310 wrote:I think I was remembering the Ford Courier alternator which can be had in 40 amp versions. The seat heaters on high for both seats draws a total of 10 amps. On low for both, 6 amps. High for one 5 amps, low for one 3 amps. I don't know that you have to upgrade for that level of draw, but will defer to the electrical gurus. I would guess it all depends on if you are going to add a big thumping stereo and/or rally lights or other such high draw electrical stuff. If you keep it stock except for that, then I doubt that you'd have to upgrade.

Sid is on track suggesting that an upgrade may not be required. Reasonable maximum load including seat heaters will rarely exceed 30 amps. My experience with seat heaters is that after 10 minutes you are switching to the lower setting for comfort.

BTW, I think the alternator's 30 amp rating is conservative, maybe by as much as 10 amps. Mounted on the cool side of the engine, with proper tight connection to the fuse panel and some tweaking of the regulator circuit the alternator will deliver 40 amps continuous at ambient 30 Deg C. I think the limiting component to be the diode bridge. I've examined several non-working alternators and found them with good windings but with failed bearings or worn brushes. When I asked Ross if he had ever encountered a burnt out OEM alternator he could not recall one. Something to consider before swapping alternators.

For the time being, I will leave it stock. I still haven't decided if I'll put the heaters in, and if I did, my wife is the only one who would run them on high anyway, so it isn't like they'll both be running on high. If I have problems I can always swap alternators later.

LOVE that interior/dash! great buy!

Spent some time with Moneypenny on Saturday, giving her a thorough check (and cleaning/installing the washer tank I got), as well as making her a more comfortable spot in the garage. The door seals are worse than I thought, esp. the passenger side, and the heating system needs some work, but nothing major. Looks like I have a few projects to get done before the driving season starts (which in Washington, is usually mid-July! )

I love the dash congrats with your roadster thats a nice color

This style dash is far and away my favorite of all the roadsters, so I was very limited in which years I wanted. I also didn't want a "project" car - I have enough car projects, and wanted somehting I could drive right away (I guess driving it home 1650 miles qualifies it there!)

Since I've had it home, I haven't done much, except get a '66 plate for it and get it registered/titled in my name. The good news is that it has spent the past 15 years in Arizona, so the body is in great shape. The bad news is that it has spent the past 15 years in Arizona, so the rubber seals are all shot. Those are pretty wasy to replace, so I'll work on that this spring, then have all summer to enjoy it!