Jump to content
HybridZ

Open track car project advice


Recommended Posts

After reading this forum for the past few months, I've decided to take the plunge and relieve my '73Z of it's L28 driveline and go the Chevy route.

(Yes, the JTR manual is on the way).

 

This car is not street driven, and is used only at open track road race events.

 

So, here's the basic plan:

 

•Carbureted 350bhp Chevy (aluminum heads, lightweight starter, battery re-locate, etc.)

•WC T-5

•Arizona Z Car "racing" 5-lug brake packge (frt & rear)

•3:54 R200

•Wheel tire combo planned as 15x7 with 225/50/15 (non-slicks)

 

The suspension on this car is already nicely dialed in, very predictable and drifts nicely. A very fun road course car.

 

Can anyone advise on rear halfshafts? With this somewhat mild combo, is it neccessary to upgrade to the later CV style, or can I stick with U-joints?

 

The first event for this car is at Road America in April so I best get busy.

 

Any other general advice greatly appreciated.

 

–Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the board.

 

As for the CV conversion here is a link that will help you decide whether you want to do it or not.

 

http://www.betamotorsports.com/benchracing/index.html

 

Click on the R200 Handling Issues link and read the article.

 

I'm doing basically the same swap you are and had decided to run the stock R200 half-shafts until I read the article. I was able to find a set of 300ZX CV axles at a local JY for $50.00 each and then got the adapters from Modern Motorsport. The swap was very simple and now I have the peace of mind knowing my setup will not bust the axles.

 

Modern recommends upgrading the stub axles to 280Z units as well but I didn't go that route, I couldn't find any locally and I don't plan on racing mine agressively, only a little Auto-X. :)

 

You might think about upgrading the T-5 with a G-Force kit but if you don't abuse it it might survive.

 

Wheelman

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wheelman,

 

Thanks for the advice and the helpful link, lots of interesting information there.

 

I'm aware of the G-Force components, but was hoping they wouldn't be neccessary ($$$).

 

I'm also preparing a '71 CP vintage racecar, and there's only so much racing budget to go around.

 

–Thanks again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been doing open track events with my car for 3 years, R200 with the 280 u joint style halfshafts, 240 stubs with no problems yet. I'm going to upgrade to Ross's billet stubs in the next month or two if plans go well. I don't know how much horsepower I'm putting down, but probably a little more than you plan. As long as you stick to track events, no drag racing, and moderate size tires in the 225 - 245 range, I think you be OK without the CV joints.

 

You will probably want to consider some type of LSD. The quaife's are the stuff, the clutch types work but not as well.

 

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...