Z Handling

[Guest redm0nster]

Guys,

 

We have been talking about power. Can I ask those of you who have already done your respective mods/transplants, how does the car handle? under braking, cornering etc?

 

What would be your advice to improve handling?

 

Have anyone heard of the foam injected into the chasis tubing being done in Japan?

 

I'm just starting on my Z to RB25 swap and in the process of selecting the bodyshop to prep my car for the transfer. Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

Best,

 

Rizal

[stony]

My car didnt get really railed on any type of road course or anything but i had really stiff springs in it with sway bars installed and it fellt pretty good, as good or better then my gen 2 RX7 with aftermarket suspension

[Guest redm0nster]

That's great to hear! we all know how tail happy the z is in its natural state.

 

Thanks - RH

[Guest Z Draci]

I have a 240Z with the Tokico springs and Illuminas. It also has the full polyurethane bushing kit. The car also came with the rear sway bar. Tyres (temporarily) are 185/60-14's mounted on iron cross wheels.

 

I REALLY got to test out the car during the brief Southern California rain this week. I push my car as fast as road conditions allowed.

Man, was I blown away! I had no idea that the 240Z had so much mechanical grip! It's also a very well balanced car that is easy to predict (once you get to know it). You can easily pull high angle slides for fun and feel perfectly safe doing it. I thought the 240Z would be a tricky little car to drive, but it is more forgiving than many exotics I've driven! Yes, it's still twitchy by normal car standards. For what it is, the 240Z is awesome. (I can say that newer cars are much easier to drive fast though. The 240Z takes a bit of courage to enjoy.)

 

Under braking, I've found that the fronts lock up quite easily on bumpy roads (as would most cars). You can solve this by setting the front shock bound soft and rebound rate high--probably requires a custom shock absorber by Bilstein or Ohlins.

I experienced mild understeer on turn in but nothing excessive. It actually forecasts the oversteer that soon follows. If you start sliding too much, a dab of left foot braking will keep it in line. Throttle control will keep everything neutral.

It's an extremely well balanced car for being so old! It's not as smooth or responsive as newer cars, but acceptable for a vintage car. (response is something I'm trying to improve in my car now)

 

A big weakness of the 240Z is the chassis--it's flexible as a milk carton. You need to get chassis braces to strengthen basically the whole chassis. (If you've driven newer sport cars, the flex in the 240Z is almost scary.)

An LSD is also a big must. I found that I was spinning the inside wheel way too much on my rainy "test session."

The chassis and LSD are the next things I'll have to address next on my car.

 

With any lightweight car, the 240Z is twitchy in the rain. Get some nice progressive tyres so that you get a warning before it starts going all over the place. I have some Pirelli somethings on my car right now. They worked very well in the rain.

[Guest redm0nster]

Great stuff Z Draci. Good to hear. Although I wish I had a 240z, i'm doing my upgrades on a 280zx. Its not easy ot come by a 240z in these part of the world (Malaysia). Its my 1st car, bought it back in '91 and its been sitting in the garage unitl recently.

 

As I have mentioned, I'm just starting with my swap and think i have everything i need. Hope to share it with everyone here end of the year...

 

- Riz

 

p/s anyone heard of the foam that is injected in the chasis tubing and hardens like concrete without the weight? Apparently its really good and I'm just wondering if anyone has done this?

[Guest JAMIE T]

It has been done, but IMHO, it's not a good idea. That sort of thing HOLDS water and moisture. It will cause you car to rust from the inside out. Do not think that moisture will not get into your frame.

[Guest redm0nster]

hmmm... thanks for the heads up! I'll check it with the guys and post their response.

 

Its a quick fix I agree. Just hoped that it would be long lasting. Wouldnt want it to corrode from the inside!

 

Looking at other optins to strengthening the chassis. - Riz

[frank280zx]

FULL cage would make it stiff, bigger stabilizers, puly bushings, adjustable rods..... a zx in my opinion is better for track use in stock form than a s30 much more predictable in slides, though the brakes are to tiny

[MusPuppis]

From my understanding the foam would be good to do on an all-out race/track car or something very new. It will indeed help but it makes repairs extremely difficult by making a huge mess - and I read somewhere on HybridZ that when it burns (if you had to weld something or the like) it gives off very toxic fumes.

 

As stated it holds moisture and will aggravate any rust problems you have.

 

Just not the best option for an older car really.

[Mikelly]

I would recommend you talk to guys like Mark Icard and JT1 on this site about their specific car's handling characteristics, if you're planning to do a V8 conversion. Those two guys ring their respective Zs out on one of the toughest road courses in America on a regular basis.

 

What do you plan to do with the car? What powerplant (You stated an RB25, but are you 100% sure that is the route?)? What tranny and differential? Will the diff have LSD? Did you know that the stock Datsun S30 has ZERO suspension adjustment, save for toe adjustment in the front wheels only?

 

Most any "project" Zcar you buy will need the following:

Stiffer springs

Uodated struts

newer bushings

upgraded sway bars.

 

If you want the suspension to be adjustable, then you're gonna need upgraded control arms and a coil over kit. Really doesn't matter what powerplant you're gonna install to this point, other than spring weights. Do a lot of planning and research, and spend your money wisely, after you decide the intended use.

 

Mike