R32 GTR Front brakes on 280zx, a few questions.

[JMortensen]

It's really a 510 brake kit. It has 10" rotors IIRC. Lots of 510 guys swap in 280ZX struts because the strut length is shorter so it's like sectioning the strut. If you look at the questions the guy selling says they fit a 13 x 7 wheel over the brakes. It's a good system for a 510 or maybe an autox 280ZX, but I'd expect that it's too small for a road racing ZX.

[Cody 82 ZXT]

What do you guys think of this brake kit for the 280zx? here

 

This kit is a joke for the 280zx.

[tec280zx]

So its basically a stock rotor with wilwood caliper? Thats all I could get from it.

Is this Arizona Kit good? I'm thinking about the stage one at the top.

[JMortensen]

Yes, that is a much better option.

[tec280zx]

Do you think 15" wheels will fit over the arizona brake kit?

[JMortensen]

Let me see:

15 inch or larger wheels are required for the kits with 12.2" rotor

and 17" wheels are required to clear the kits with 13" rotor

[tec280zx]

sorry, didn't see that at the bottom, thanks.

[David K]

Maybe using the z31 control arms would fix the camber issue. They may be longer and look to share the same mounting points for all suspension components.

 

z31 control arm from http://www.redz31.com

http://www.redz31.com/images/bushings/fpic2.JPG

 

280zx control arm from http://www.sounddomain.com/id/nismopick

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/403000-403999/403158_56_full.jpg

 

Im working on obtaining measurements of the z31 control arm as we speak. It would be cool if someone here can work on the 280zx control arm measurements.

[tec280zx]

The control arms are the same length, its the z31 crossmember that is wider. I already thought of that. I know the later z31 control arms a tad longer, but I don't think its enough.

[David K]

z31 control arm measurements

 

Total Length is 15 1/2 inches.

 

Mount to ball joint is 12 inches.

 

Tension rod to ball joint is 1 1/2 inches.

 

No measurements on WxH.

 

http://z31.com/board/read.php?id=33910

 

Pallnet suggested checking out s13 (240sx) control arms.. That opens up a whole new world of options to fix the camber issue (s12, s13, s14).

[David K]

I looked into the s13 front control arms to correct camber as Pallnet suggested. It looks like the s13 control arms may as well fix the positive camber issue. Check this out.

 

From Nebuchernezzer at http://www.club-s12.org/board/showthread.php?t=7791

s12 arm on the top, i think its the same length as 280zx/z31

s130 arm bottom. Check out the length on that. It looks to also curve to the back which may solve the castor issue as well.

 

Ill work on obtaining measurements of the s13 control arm.

[Guest nitr0]

DavidK thats a mighty fine idea you've got there. So far heres what looks most sucessful.

 

- 84-87 Z31 Front struts seem like the best option, i think the stub axle gives 0.5 neg camber more than the 87-89 ones due to control arm length.

 

- 87-89 Hubs (5 lug) have the right offset to bolt on the GTR brakes.

 

- 89-92 Nissan S13 180sx/200sx/240sx control arms look like a possible solution, you would need to redrill holes for the radius rod and if you were feeling dodgy you could redrill them to push the castor back a little more, at the same time maybe putting excess strain on other components (ie inner control arm bushes).

 

- Z31 steering knuckles, i havent aquired any but all the pictures indiciate no or very little difference between the turbo/non turbo models. Depending on which control arm we used, they might bolt up or might not, but i think they are the only ones around with the right size bolt pattern for the strut housing.

 

If all that works, the only thing we'll need to think about is the tie rod ends, and how to rig them up to provide the right toe adjustments.

 

If the control arms dont work, then we'll probably need to fabricate steering knuckles but to can be made to bolt directly onto the current 280zx control arm. Even looking at the difference between the 280zx and Z31 steering knuckle you can see the ball joint mounts on the inside of the strut on the 280zx ones, possibly 10-15mm which would definately have an affect on camber.

 

Custom steering knuckles should only cost about $80-$100 each once a design has been made depending on what material is used and if it can be machined, would a steering knuckle need to be moulded for strength or will a CNC machine do the job? And what material would work?

[Cal Poly Zmanaustin]

Hey guys,

Any new findings?

[stony]

not a 280ZX but here is the info on my swap. i did the exact same thing but to a 260. Had all teh same problems and got them fixed. i was able to adjust teh camber and caster with teh use of AZC front control arms with no problem actually got them back to stock specs.

 

 

Anyways look at these links

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=70957

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=82357

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=71077

[frank280zx]

hmm why not make the control arms adjustable with ball joints so you can adjust the lenght

[frank280zx]

any updates on this project ?