Chewievette Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 I know it sounds like a dumb question and I feel funny asking it because someone's probably going to chew me a new one but since I dont know, I'm asking! I finally decided on what look I want to go with on my body work and I'm going to make a replica of the 2004 Ferrari 575M GTC(see signature). I know I can do the body, that's the easy part, but in order for the car to look anything like the Ferrari it needs to be substantially wider, 6-10 inches wider. I can probably get pretty close to that by upgrading to larger tires and a smaller offset on the rims, but then I'll have the "deep dish" look... Nothing like a ferrari. So basically I need to find a way to push the hubs out further. Since I havn't a clue how to do that to the stock suspension, I was thinking about swapping in C4 suspension front and rear, I like this idea because it will get me in the range where it'll look good, I dont have to mess with suspension geometry(much) and the independant suspension is MUCH more forgiving to wide tires. So far that sounds like the "simplest" solution. As a bonus I'll also get five bolt lug pattern. The C4 suspension sounds like the best, acctually it sounds like the Only way that I can do it. but I just wanted to run this by you guys, who have infinately more experience with these cars than I do. I'd really like to hear any ideas that you have. Is there any way to do this without replacing the entire suspension? In case your wondering, I decided that I should get the suspension done first so I can build the body to look good around that. Then when I get the V12 installed, it'll even sound like a Ferrari! I still havn't decided on whether I want to put the v12 in when I'm doing the suspension or after I get the suspension and body work done, I'm leaning twards during, purely because when the body is done, the car is done. edit: Has anyone seen C4 suspension installed on a 280ZX before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 22, 2005 Share Posted March 22, 2005 Great project! I hope you'll keep us updated with photos and text as the project progresses. I don't think the "deep dish" look will detract from the overall impact of this design. In fact, with the proper finishing on the wheel, it could look quite dramatic. many prototype design drawings are with the deep dish wheel look. The BlueOvalZ is roughly 9" wider than the OEM Z body, and with the wide wheels, I have been able to reach the outside edges of the fenders without having too high an offset. Unfortunately, the proper proportions will not be possible due to the "tall and narrow" Z unibody. The high hood line and roof line will pull your proportions off somewhat. But you'll still be lightyears ahead of others if you can "mold" the Ferarri body around the Z's unibody shape. One of our members that has chopped the roof on his Z has brought it's roofline very close to the Ferarri's roofline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 That's Very true, in fact most of my drawings are done that way... I'll have to think about that. It would certainly shorten up this project a bit! So what all did you do to get it that wide? Wheel Spacers? what are the specs on your wheels and tires? I think the width that your running will work nicely for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 what about using the 240SX rear drive-train and suspension, like Maichor did? I think that ended up being around 6 inches wider from the start, and would get you very close to where you need to be, making wheel sizing and spacing much less of an issue. Plus, you would be able to use the very stout R230, and take advantage of the better suspension design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 tannji - Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into that! blueovalz - nevermind about the wheel sizes, I just noticed that you have them posted in your album. btw: I LOVE that roadster photochop you did!! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 blueovalz - What Backspacing did you end up with on your rims? are all four identical? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 No. The backspacing on the rear wheels is 4.5 inches and the front 5". This was because the wider quarter panels required the "aesthetically" correct change from the front wheels, to fill the rear wheel well as best as was possible. Even then, I added a 1/4" spacer to bring the rear wheels out just a tad bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 LOL, now that we have BlueOval and Chewie in the same thread, anyone notice the similarity between the BlueOval Z and Chewie's Avatar car as seen from above? Both are working on the figure-8 profile pretty hard..... looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 We folks (in the know) prefer to call it the "Wasp body" look. I knew my car would be "da bomb" when I first envisioned it, AND I knew it would be fast, so I took a tip from the design of the B-58 Hustler supersonic bomber (yeah, I'm telling my age as well as spewing out a lot of masculine bovine feces here ) in which low drag was accomplished by the "constant cross-section" theory. Hence, wide before and after the doors, and narrow, between the front and rear glass. Now, if you believe all that, I've got some great ocean front property here in Arkansas I'll sell ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 Or if your a Corvette fan, it's commonly refered to as a "coke bottle" or If you want you could refer it as a very pretty woman ...think about it. Dont worry blueovalz... I know what a B-58 is! of course I'm also an A&P but is that REALLY considered cheating? The Northrop F-5 series was also designed using this principal, just a little FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 LOL, you both probably have a few years on me.... but I spent most of my childhood not going to school, and reading, because we didnt believe in TV.... (not at all a bad way to grow up, IMO) My Grandfather retired a full-Bird Colonel and had lots of WWII pics to share.... so I spent 3 or 4 years driving librarians nuts for a 30 (country) mile radius, and I used to draw and model every plane I could find. I think I get where you are coming from to a certain degree.... it was a long time before my love of old planes gave way to love of old cars. The thing that scares me is how much I like the BlueOval, and Chewie's "dream" as well..... I used to be a very good modeler, especially with balsa..... I have to put on blinders sometimes or I start envisioning things to do to my Z... and I HAVE to finish basic resto and mechanical upgrading before I can entertain those fantasies. I went through a Sci-Fi drawing stage, and coincidentally, the "wasp" body was a common theme for my space fighters. My parents thought I was nuts.... but they tolerated it, and like any good parent tried to use my interests to steer me in the right direction. Anyway.... While I try to keep myself in check I will live vicariously through you two.... I have seen very few Z cars that inspire me as much as the BlueOval, and it look like Chewie has the same affliction... = ) tannji Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Well, if your good with balsa, bondo is a breeze. Take the blinders off now and step toward the car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 Well, if your good with balsa, bondo is a breeze. Take the blinders off now and step toward the car! I second that motion! Just let us know what you want to do and we will give you all the advice we've got! It just takes some knowledge and a bit of practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Cool, thanks guys... I have already had a little contact with BlueOval (Terry?) in the past about some of his design.... and when I get to the point where the rest of the car is ready, I will indeed be in touch! I am getting ready to throw the car in a friends garage to begin disassembly and basic resto, so you know where I am in the long process, basically at the beginning. It is already hybrid, but I am yanking out the current TPI 350.... and was all set to go LS1.... but now some of the other options have waylayed me. believe it or not, I am strongly considering a turbo 4-banger as well. I like the potential of either the SR20 or the Toyota 3RZ, would like more torque like the V8, but as I plan on doing a new nose vaguely along the lines of Terry's, the extra room a 4 provides would be nice. Body-wise, I am thinking similar lines for the nose to either the BlueOval, or Chewie's red car, and vaguely similar to the red car's rear, with the larger horizontal area on top of the fenders to isolate the greenhouse a bit.... more of the exotic/supercar look. The only reservation I have is in trying to keep the Z origin apparent.... I dont want a complete kit look like the GTO or others, where you dont readily see Z in the design. I dont know if you can do both... but that is what I'll be looking at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewievette Posted March 27, 2005 Author Share Posted March 27, 2005 Before my heart got set on making this ferrari lookalike, I wanted to build something like this: It still looks like a Datsun, but better. It would have been a Much quicker build than what I'm going to do. oh well, why is it that I always gravitate twards harder projects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 I remember you posting those drawings, I like them a lot and I would be tempted to do the same style of roadster if I owned a ZX.... I think that would dramatically improve the ZX. For myself, while I would love a roadster 240 or vert, (the second car I ever owned was a 1971 Triumph Spitfire, miss it... shoulda kept it and thrown a L28 in it = ) I want to develope some skills and get metal working and glassing down, not to mention getting a complete restoration under my belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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