Guest super280z Posted February 25, 2002 Share Posted February 25, 2002 ahight the rat race for my suspension revamp is on. and i need some help, #1 im having a pretty hard time finding a suitable bushing kit. victoria british has gmachine bushings but no kit and also sells energy suspension kit's up to 78. fine under normal circumstances, ok but my car is a 79 zx. nothing from MSA. does anyone know if there is complete bushing kit made for zx's? Ross C? Q #2 here's what it looks like as of now, im looking at QA1 adjustable coilovers in the rear up to 250+# & tokico's 5 way's up front with motorsport springs. does this sound ok for say 2200lbs and 450-500 hp SBC? i need some good imput on thins guys, it will be a serious 1320 street car setup and not an auto-x er what do you guy's think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted February 25, 2002 Share Posted February 25, 2002 I think you should get some of my adjustable TC Rods to give you some added positive caster for those 1320 runs! Also Energy Suspension makes a complete KIT for Zcars. It isn't cheap, but probably as good as it gets. Mike Kelly ZF Racing LLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted February 26, 2002 Share Posted February 26, 2002 "I think you should ..my adjustable TC Rods to give you some added positive caster for those 1320 runs!... complete KIT for Zcars Mike Kelly" Mike, he's running a 280ZX for which their is NOT complete master kit offered. Do you have 280ZX TC rods available now? Any pics? Last we talked you hadn't yet so I'm likely going a local route with a fella who's already done some ZX ones and is 10 minutes away which I can't pass up. Vince, the MSA springs will be too soft up front if you want stable higher speed braking without noticeable nosediving IMO and the progressive rear setup you're talking (that is progressive right?) will be slower to react with it's progressive nature (ie. you won't have 250 lb/in spring rate RIGHT AWAY). It will also squat a fair bit further than non-progressives as all the softer coils will compress first. If you don't mind the time delay and can still setup your rear alignment so you have minimum camber at full squat for maximum traction (hard to do with much rear spring compression happening) then they'll suit you OK, otherwise I'd reccomend against it. Depending on your desired ride height it may be very stable as is. I've dropped mine a bit and am going to use some caster/camber plates to neutralize camber back to OEM and then IF needed I'll go to some extra caster. Only if needed as it's shown some slower lap times when not needed with extra tire heat when dialed in to excess. Great to have Mike's alternatives when needed for our Xtreme rides:) I can easily setyou up with all items you're looking at including bushings/struts/coilovers etc. I also have some stock on the discontinued rear 280ZX illumina struts. Drop me a private email for any quotes/personal q's etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted February 26, 2002 Share Posted February 26, 2002 Ross, thanks for the heads up. im still in the learning stages of suspension work and it's about the only link left on my project not addressed. i had anticipated that you would be the right person to consult with, being a fellow zx owner. i'll send you an e-mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted February 27, 2002 Share Posted February 27, 2002 IMO, 250# springs might be a tad too stiff for a 2200# drag car. DO NOT use a heavy spring in an effort to reduce the squat. MOF, despite what many say, do not think squat about the squat. None of the Zs drag racing with the IRS that are in the 1.40s to 1.60s 60' range worry about the infamous Z squat. With sticky tires, the car just flat rockets off the line "dragging its tail" A company like QA should offer 1 free spring swapout, so remember to ask them about that. For the shocks, you want to make sure it is adjustable, specifically the rebound. You want to slow up the rebound so the rear suspension does not unload as fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zthang43 Posted February 27, 2002 Share Posted February 27, 2002 I agree with Scottie about the springs in the rear. Before I changed springs, my car would launch like crazy and had awesome traction. I changed to MSA springs that are 275-300# or so (not quite sure) and I get a lot more tire spin. Fine for me since I'm not drag racing, but acceleration was better with stock suspension. The weight transfer to the rear gets limited by stiffer springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted February 27, 2002 Share Posted February 27, 2002 thanks guys, im looking for ~ 1.5-1.4 60' times with or without weight transfer. i know now that the motorsport springs will not be adequate and im curious as to what i'll end up with up front. zthang, what engine are/were you using? my car with stock 160+k suspension and the L6 would weight transfer like no-body's business but with the new engine setup i know it'll bottom out and throw my differential drive angle way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zthang43 Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 I'm using a Chevy 4.3 V6 with a TH350 (shoulda used a 5 speed). Weight balance is about 49/51 front/rear. It would squat quite a bit, but never bottomed out. Also, remember that since your differential is mounted solidly to the chassis, the driveshaft angles do not change regardless of suspension travel. I don't know about the axleshaft angles though, if they can be too severe during lots of squat. ScottieGNZ, or anybody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 i went to the local ricer shop where i used to live and i was able to ge an energy suspension bushing kit. dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 Zthang, correct about the driveshaft angle. The axle angle is another story. No doubt the CV is capable of dealing with extreme angles better, but I really have to question whether or not the angle of the halfshaft under hard squat is so extreme that it is causing the u-joint failures so many are seeing. I wonder how many have really been broken under extreme squat? Punching it at a light is not extreme as it can get. Dropping the clutch at high RPMs or after flashing a high RPM torque converter, that is extreme! How many halfshaft u-joints have been broken launching at the track? And no, I do not count cars like 1FastZ, as running u-joints in cars like that is just asking for it. I just think they break because they are old, defective, wheelspin with wheelhop or just too much HP. Ever compared a Datsun u-joint with a full-size GM unit? Of course, I could be totally off base. Super, hi-1.40s - 1.50s are not difficult with a Z. It takes HP, suspension setup and tires. NO STREET TIRES! I have run a couple of 1.55s with DRs but your best bet is 26" ET Streets or Quick Time Pros. With that, I recommend you go away from the u-joints. I do not think a solid rear is needed, so you should go with the CVs and the R200 or R230 if a R200 LSD is not available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 "I don't know about the axleshaft angles though, if they can be too severe during lots of squat" I wasn't questioning strength of the halfshafts necessarily......for maximum straightline traction you want your tire perfectly square to the pavement (ie. zero camber), if it squats to +3 or more degrees camber (which a Z and ZX can do) then your tire is no longer planting it's best contact patch for traction. Tweaks like this to gain max traction so your max corner exit squat (road racer) yields best traction will make a difference to a competitive driver and are tweaks pros make good money for dialing in. Perhaps drag tires are softer and more tolerant to tire geometry to traction surface but I know above is true for roadracing tires etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 2, 2002 Share Posted March 2, 2002 it seems like most of the problems with the nissan IRS comr from the half shafts. i think with a good set of custom made shafts similar to the c-4 vette's i should be ok on an LSD r-200. Scottie, do you know if anyone has actually broken a ring and pinion on an r-200? personally i've never even heard of it. i had planned on using some good slicks on this setup and i'm hoping for 1.5-1.4 or lower sixty's with the right HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted March 2, 2002 Share Posted March 2, 2002 I have never heard of the R&P from an R200 breaking. Most powerful car I personally have seen using it is a 86 300ZXT running 10.0 with an estimated 700rwhp with a 5-spd. He got tired of breaking CVs (all used) and mostly stub axles. How quick are you looking to go? If you can truly get the running weight down to 2200lbs, you will greatly reduce the chance of breakage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 4, 2002 Share Posted March 4, 2002 Scottie, lets just say when it's all said and done, im looking for about ~700-750 at the wheels. just wondering if i could have any kind of reliability on an r-200 with custom half shafts? i guess since that 7 sec vg30ett was using an r-230 and custom shafts i'd be ok. also it's an auto with a decent converter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 IMO, that is asking a lot of the R200, and if you are that serious, I would go R230 instead. Either way, your problem will then be the stub axles, requiring custom units there too. 750rwhp in a 2200lb car puts you in the 8.0 territory. Despite what that Japanese car is doing (and you never know the full story with those high-$$ cars), if was going that route, I would spend the money on a pro 4-link setup and never have to worry about reliability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 5, 2002 Share Posted March 5, 2002 Scottie, you think that with that weight and that hp, it;ll put me in the 8's? man, i was shooting for high 9's (ooh dangit, cat;s outta the bag) we all know that dean (1fstz) is in the mid 9's with ~750 @ the wheels but im not quite sure what his weight is. i guess we'll just have to see how it turns out. i think im just gonna go the r-200 w/custom half's and if it blows find something else. who knows... thanks for the feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KraZ4spd Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 There seems to be a question on whether or not there is a bushing kit for the ZX. I called Performance Suspensions directly (got the # from a rodding magazine), they make the graphite bushings, (I believe the G-Machine line). If there is a kit for the ZX it will also be available in the graphite impregnated. Call Performance Suspensions directly. You might be surprised. The guy seemed very knowledgable in the product and was EXTREMELY helpfull. Go Here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Nemeziz, look here: http://www.suspension.com/nissancars.htm Super, not sure what 1fastZ's car weighs, but he is giving up a lot off the line not being able to launch as hard he needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 16, 2002 Share Posted March 16, 2002 Ross Corrigan is hooking me up with some VERY nice parts for the ZX so if anyone else needs anything let it be known that Ross is the man to ask. he's setting me up with a poly kit for the front end. i think that i will eventually go with a mini-tubbed setup and a 4 link for the rear and look into the 17X9 SS wheels. i think they would look pretty mean on a street driven z. not to mention the strength and reliability of a solid axle and avalibility of slicks for the track. i dont care so much about keeping the sleeper vibe anymore by retaining the IRS. oh well... we'll see. thanks for the help guys, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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