I'm in the USAF and just found out that I'll be at Hanscom AFB in June. Just wondering if there are any f-body owners in the area. Also, is the Z going to be alright to drive in the winter? Being from Orlando, FL I've never driven in snow.

Allen

 

Well, I'm not in the military but I am a civilian who works on Hanscom. A coworker of mine (also a civ) has a 97Z. I have seen a few LT1/LS1's on the base, but never met the owners.

If your Z does not have M+S on the side of the tires (like GS-C's) they will suck in the snow. Even the M+S rated RSA's are pretty bad. I would recommend getting a set of dedicated rims with Blizzaks. I actually drove my TA thru 3 winters up here with that setup before I got a daily driver. Or, better yet, get a daily driver. They salt and sand the roads up here, it's pretty hard on the cars.

Joe

 

>Welcome to "Taxachusetts"
I am stationed out west at Westover ARB (C-5A base) .
I hope you enjoy the stay ... and get a winter beater .

 

Allen I see that your from Monerey Cali. I have alot of family down there. Do you know anyone with the last name Santora or did you ever listen to a Radio DJ named Diamond Dave (I forget what station I think it was 1-0 something BDU).



Mark

 

Thanks guys, I guess I'll have to look into a beater for the winter

Mark, sorry, I don't know too many people here. I'm actually from Orlando florida but I've been stationed in Monterey for the last 7 months. I don't listen to the radio much but I'll try and listen for Diamond Dave .

See you guys after my short 4 month stay in Texas.

Allen

 

Hey man

I don't know if you do the work for your car yourself but Hanscom has an excellent Auto hobby shop. My best friend's dad is the manager there and I've done ALL my work there (3 motors, 4 trannies, etc) There is a pretty big mustang crew thats there but they are all wicked cool. The group of guys from the hobby shop usually go to New England dragway at least once a week

I'm usually around the shop during the weekends tinkiering with random stuff that always seems to go wrong

definately let us know when you get here, this is a really good crowd of guys to hang out with.... especially at the world class f-body dyno days at New England Dyno & Tuning

 

>Yes they do let just about any "Vermin" in that place .
... JK Jay .

 

Yes! This is such insanely good news! Here I thought I'd be leaving all my car buddies behind and not really be able to do much to the Z. Sounds like you guys have a fun crew. It's also good to hear that there is a track nearby. BTW, do they do emissions checking up there? That could be a problem.

Allen

 

Allen,

Unfortunately the emissions testing up here is as bad as it gets - you will have to take the IM240 treadmill. I can reprogram your car to help you pass if need be.

Joe

 

Aw crap. I guess this means I'm going to have to buy a new air pump and a cat . I wonder if the base commander there requires a smog test before allowing a base sticker to be issued. If not, I can always just keep the car registered in FL. Emissions is the reason I don't have my car out here in Cali right now . Oh well, I'll figure something out.

Allen

 

>If you can ... Do not register your car in Massachusetts ! keep it registered where ever you have it now .

 

Allen,

I have a base sticker and did not have to do anything like that. You would need a cat, but could get by without the air pump. The im240 only checks the emissions once the cars warmed up. My air pump is not hooked up and they didn't say anything. It seems that if you are taking an actual emissions test they don't bother with a visual. I don't have any egr either.

But yeah, if you could keep it registered in FL that would be the easiest thing to do.

Joe

 

>The Base (Wing Commander) doesn't care if you have emissions or not , but you will have to have a street legal car for the place that it is registered . If Florida doesn't require you to have a catalytic converter or an air pump than the Wing Commander can not make you install one . The base sticker is only for access to the Base and nothing to do with emissions (but they need proof of insurance and regisitration) .
If you are an Airman you should receive a red (maroon) base decal .
If you are a NCO than you will receive a gold (yellow) decal .
If you are an Officer than you will receive a blue decal .
If you are a civilian than you will receive a green decal .
All will have the Base name in the appropiate color .

 

Hey I live 5 minutes from Hanscom AFB. If your around I wouldnt mind meeting up.
And about driving in the snow. Get some Blizzaks or Michelin Artic Alphine Snow tires. I havent had any trouble in the snow all winter yet. Even made it out of my driveway which is a hill in 8 inchs of unshoveld snow with the blizzaks. Last year I couldnt make it out in an inch of snow.

 

Cool, sounds like the emissions stuff won't be too big of a deal. I plan on keeping it registered in FL if possible. Looks like I won't be there until July sometime instead of May. I have clinicals after my tech school and that's 7 weeks long. I assumed before that it would be at Hanscom because it doesn't say anything about another location on my orders but I found out that it's at one of ten bases and I won't find out which until within two weeks of my grad date.

Allen