260DET

From what I've been able to find out the bodies of the two are quite similar in design approach, except for the appearance of course. One source said that basically the body structure of the 280ZX was modified to take the V6 and that was about it. The Z32 of course was almost a complete redesign job. As to weight, that seems to be a bit of a mystery. The V6 was lighter than the L28, maybe there was just more comfort equipment, anti pollution gear, gadgets and sound proofing in the Z31?

Thanks all, its just that the Z31 looks weak around the rear quarter windows compared with the 280ZX coupe, which itself is so much better looking than the 2+2. In Oz only the +2's in both models were officially imported, although there is the odd grey import two seater around.

For the next road/race project the choice is between these tin top two seaters. Most of the mechanical stuff is interchangeable between the two, a V6 turbo ~500rwhp engine for either. Probably a VG33 with a five speed. Other than the first series Z31, I like the look of both of them, important when you get to the stage of 'why am I doing this' So the choice boils down to which has the stiffer body, no T tops here. They both appear to have a similar structural design, anyone have any experience as to the rigidity or lack of it for either?

Don't know what you are talking about but love the sig banner

Nissan put a lot of aero effort into the development of the 280ZX, for example it must have been one of the first production cars to flow air for the radiator under the front bumper. That was done specifically to improve the aerodynamics. The single most important improvement to the S30 seems to be a reduction in front ride height at speed. This has several benefits. It reduces the effective frontal area, reduces underbody drag and improves stability. Good value.

Hanley in The Racing & High Performance Tire talks about the delay in weight transfer. My guess is that if the car is set up to get maximum drive out of corners resulting in some understeer in other situations, you may be able to use that delay with Ackermann assisted quick turn in (plus some trail braking?) to drive around any such turn in push problem. Going to try it anyway.

Yeh Jon, noticed that comment about the roll center, interesting. On mine, taking account of the physical limitation imposed by a front mounted rack, there is now as much Ackermann as is possible. With that plus 3mm toe out the car now turns in beautifully, its really big fun to drive Too nice in fact, to get better drive out of corners the rear end is being softened a bit. To be really quick I figure its got to be a bit of a pushing pig, by imposing more load on the front, which I now know is working well, so the rear wheels can use more of their grip for forward traction.

The old Charger eh Ford apparently have spent a lot of effort to get their front suspension right though, that plus a better modern understanding of such things.

Another avenue could be checking on whats available for the S12. I'm fairly sure that the rear suspensions are the same. Drifters seem to go for the solid bushes, poly would be fine for general use.

There was a recent discussion on this subject IIRC. Anyway, adding 10mm track each side at the front should not cause any significant problems. It may make the steering a bit heavier at low speeds, there may be a bit more steering kickback, but I wouldn't agonise over a total 20mm.

Here is a comprehensive article on Ackermann, the comments at the end have some practical value which is nice. One thing I found interesting was the turn in assistance given by dragging the inside front wheel as a result of a large slip angle induced by static toe out and Ackermann. Anyway, enjoy http://www.clubracer.com.au/articles/ackerman.asp

The portable garage seems like a good idea, particularly if it can be used as a spray booth. The newer the better for a spray booth, so things that insist on dropping on wet paint don't get a chance to settle in

What about the function of dampers in autox? Never done it myself but transitional handling would be significantly important? Doing some relatively slow industrial estate testing with mine we found that more bump on the rear dampers cured a snappy 'lose the arse end' problem.

Sounds like the clutch, not uncommon. The problem often surfaces when you come back to the pits after some hot laps and try to select reverse gear to back into your bay. Keeping the clutch release mechanism in first class condition helps.

IIRC there are/were some Mercedes with a similar front suspension setup, there probably are others too.

Don't know for sure, but if the Z31 PS swap into a S30 was a goer then we'd hear all about it, which we don't. So, the reverse is unlikely?

Hmmm, don't often ask, but WTF would you want to? Not happy with the Z31 power steering? Just trying to understand

If you want to only go in a straight like, the choice is obvious 510 yeah Semi seriously, lots of info around on them, plus, they are light and can be made lighter. Best of luck, I hate the L series BTW

Was thinking that the suspension of the type like from an Aussie Falcon, see cutaway pic below, may be suitable for a Z. The top of the coil spring sits in the body about where a strut suspension spring would sit, instead of the more common location sandwiched between the two wishbones. May be a bit cramped in a S30, S130 and Z31 have wider strut housings. Mounting the upper wishbone seems to be the biggest challenge, but without the spring load to carry it should not require that much beyond the mere welding of pivot brackets to the existing structure. Looks DIY doable to me anyway

Disc Brakes Australia do slotted for the Z31, they may be able to put you onto a retailer. http://www.dba.com.au/DBAcat_012005.pdf

Can't beat that deep dish look, great stuff BTW the drifters reckon that stretching a tyre on an oversize rim reduces any tendancy to snap oversteer when doing their thing.

OK, but you have to do pics in due course

Yes..............you Seriously, if thats a 944 turbo with boxed guards, boxed fenders if you prefer, they won't fit, the shape is quite different, there was a 944 turbo at the track today so the shape is fresh in the mind.

That is either a bad photo or a very ugly scoop, or both Sorry, but it is