260DET

Fairlady two seater here too, 80 model tin top. Project in progress, due for more pics but there are some, click below and scroll down in the gallery.

Good, thanks jt1 and pz, will have to look at the nitrogen aspsect but I was under the impression that they are normally charged with air ex factory. I guess if air is used then the air compartment could be drained occasionally.

Engine is a VG30DET, they have a crank concentric oil pump of course As the Accusump has to be plumbed in to the system before startup, it would be good if it could be preloaded.

Is it possible to fill the accumulator with oil prior to starting up a new engine? There does not seem to be anything on this in the official Canton literature but prelubing a new engine immediately before startup seems like a good idea. I'm thinking it may be possible by letting all the air pressure out then running oil in, hoping gravity will do the job. Don't have any facility to pressure load the oil, if thats what it takes.

Thanks for that Paul, great contribution. On the rear multi link suspension of the Z32, which is similar to that of the S13, there does seem to be an inherant traction problem. The S14 is different and is regarded as a better setup. However both the S13 and S14 make highly competitive circuit cars, as do the similarly suspended Skylines. All with the soft factory bushes replaced of course.

Yeh that looks like a throttle off oversteer situation, not representative, nice action pic though

Track days are fun, speed costs money so at present it may be best to concentrate on learning to drive fast with what you have, as John indicated. With my 260Z I could not beat well driven Silvias, GTR's, Supras and RX7's but not all such cars are well driven, plus there are plenty of others to own. Joining a Z club is a good idea too. Link to some pics of our clubs Zeds in action. http://www.digitalrealism.com.au/supersprintb/gp19and20/gp19-20.htm Most of those cars have cages with spring rates between 220 and 275 pounds, 22 to 24mm front ARB's, light or no rear ARB's. Most of them are sitting nicely on the track as you can see. The 71/72 car has a RB30ET engine, the 70 car is running 220 pound springs and a 22mm front ARB, see the body roll but a quick car.

See my post here http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=117389&page=2

This air dam has been discussed before. From memory a supplier in New Zealand was located but once the cost of freight to the US was worked out it was too expensive for those interested. Those dams are one huge piece, air freight on something that size is a killer.

What sort of racing do you want to do? Because mostly a cage will be required and than can be used to stiffen up the body. Second point, with a seam welded body up to ~300 pound springs can be used and thats plenty, with appropriate ARB's. Finally, in AU we don't have the sort of rules which enable a S30 to compete with modern cars like in the US.

So, you blokes don't believe in the 'JDM is Better' theory, well

Its funny but I have never heard of a single failure in AU, even with the early 240Z type. Maybe we got the better quality JDM stubs

Its never a good idea to approach a conversion from the situation of having a particular engine available, cheap. Then trying to justify why that particular engine is suitable. The best approach is to define what you want from a conversion then look at what will do what you want.

Watch it Jon, mine is going to be a real race car

Thanks John, I was thinking that you may like to be a reseller for their Z range. Not for me, for your domestic market.

MSA seemed to have dropped their 280ZX spoiler range but WW list quite a few rear spoilers. However WW don't sell direct and no other Z parts retailer seems to be selling their range. Could trawl Ebay but was wondering if anyone here knew of a reliable seller who does international orders? Seems like a bit of a business opportunity for someone, assuming WW are OK to deal with. Links here, have to fill in the search details for WW. http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/7BSA1 http://www.wingswest.com/

Agree, use a high mounted catcher, should work. Unless you are doing a 24 hour race in the desert

Here is a link to some Z31 specs, engine weight right down the bottom of the page. VG30E 162kg, 21kg lighter than the L28E. http://www.zshop.net.au/Z31tech.htm EDIT: 162kg = 356lbs http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight_common.htm

I know that the VG30DETT bare block weighs somewhere around 110 pounds, so the complete engine is supposed to weigh almost six times as much? Put it another way, the complete engine comprises other components that weigh almost as much as five blocks

This is a typical S14/15 race setup which may be of interest. F: caster 8-9 degrees, camber 2.5-4 degrees, toe zero. R: camber 1.25-2, toe zero

Thanks for the offer Cary, have decided to start with the makers recommendations and take it from there. Race setup S14/15's run much heavier front springs compared with the rear so I'm hoping the front end grip those cars must get will transfer to mine.

Will do a writeup on it when finished, in the meantime careful examination of the present pics will clearly show how the rear end was done. But really the stock suspension is quite good, I may have been better off just improving it. Now, where are the comments on the spring rates question?

If you have'nt already, consider what suspension angles are going to be appropriate eg caster, camber, etc. Also what adjustability is going to be built in eg adjustable strut tops. As I've said before, the hard part will be building in the front mounted tension rods that the S14 has, compared with the stock S30 rear mounted rods. Done properly it will be good, some useful Ackermann for a start.

Two seater 280ZX like avatar car, VG30DET engine but the car has been stripped out so relatively light, bit shorter wheelbase than a S14, track the same of course, 4-500whp, R tyres, Torsen type LSD. Weekend driver and sprints, timed circuit laps or battles or whatever they are called elsewhere. The custom made Proflex suspension is just about ready, three way adjustable with remote cannisters. The maker has suggested as a starting point 400 pound front springs, 250 rear, big front ARB, light rear ARB. I'm happy with all that except 250 at the back seems low to me although I'll be happy to accept some high speed understeer for better corner exit power down. So whats it going to drive like do you think? We can assume that the spring rates are about the effective wheel rates.

Recently weighed the bits of a VG30DET engine, with bathroom scales. So no claims for absolute accuracy but they indicate my real body weight OK so somewhere near. block........................ 51kg one complete cyl head..22 crankshaft..................17 cradle, pistons,rods......13 harmonic balancer.........5 flywheel.....................10 misc bits eg sump........10 Included all bolts etc but not accessories eg alternator, turbo - total 150kg.