S30 vs S130 vs Z31 chasis strength

[Pete84]

I've searched and turned up almost nothing so . .

 

I know the frame rails on 280Z's are reinforced farther back than on the 240Z, but that is just about all I know on the chasis strenght of the various Z's up to '89. The wheel base on the S130 and Z31 is the same, but the engine bay is fairly different, as is the weight - always a few hundred more pounds. The trailing arm rear suspensino also appears very similiar.

How much difference in strength is there with each new generation?

Thanks!

[johnc]

Each generation got stronger. That's about all that can be said unless someone has access to data from Nissan.

[Guest Mike]

PETE... I hope this isn't hijacking your thread.

 

I've nearly decided on what I want to do to reinforce my early 260 chassis (240 frame). I'm going to keep it simple because I don't have a lot of $$$ to spend and this is a street/strip car. I won't be racing this one on the track. Everything I'm doing is something everyone will likely want no matter what they use the car for and they can add whatever mods they want later. Everything will be welded in except the strut bars.

 

front and rear strut bars

stronger floorboards

reinforce rocker panels w/ 2x4 steel tube

simple roll bar

front-to-rear 4x4 frame rails w/ 2x4 cross X-connectors

integrated scatter guard in transmission tunnel

 

That's about all.

[260DET]

No data from Nissan but plenty of examination of both S30 and S130 two seat coupes

 

The S130 looks to be quite a bit stronger than the S30 although of course the latter was strengthened as production went on. Main differences (referring to the S130) rails go right through to the back end. 'A' pillar is stronger, particularly where it joins the body, 'B' pillar/rear quarter panel area is stronger too. Front rails and firewall area are stronger, transmission tunnel is a bit better. Around the rear suspension towers it is much stronger eg there is a beefy cruciform between the two towers.

 

One area where the S130 is weaker is the radiator support panel. Cannot work out why is was designed so, seeing that it is one side of the engine bay box. Anyway, reinforced mine.

 

It just a damm shame that the paint Nissan used on all the S130 panels internally was so ineffective against barring moisture. There are some tricky double panels on the S130 which can make rust chopping very difficult, S30 is much easier to rust repair and is basically a much simpler structure.

 

From the little I've seen the Z31 is similar to the S130. I'm a two seat tin top S130 enthusiast, really admire the work the Nissan engineers put into it. Pity the tin worm likes them as well

[Pete84]

I noticed that you fitted S14 suspension - how hard is that? What advantages are there? I imagine that brakes are much easier to fit, but besides that? Wouldn't a set of stiffer springs fix the 'squat' issue that the 280ZX's are cursed with?

[260DET]

Its fairly difficult to fit the S14 suspension, very time consuming, not recommended unless its part of an extensive/expensive all round upgrade.

 

Yeh, the key to getting the rear suspension working better seems to involve getting the suspension angles right. I believe that the Z31 angles were improved, look also at what is done with BMW's and 510's that have a similar suspension. No doubt it can be made to work well and should not be that expensive.