Suspension components & sources ??

[sstallings]

Guys,

The 5.7L TPI engine and T-5 are being trial fitted into the 280Z for the first time this weekend to check clearances for the clutch slave cylinder, locate the rear trans mount, run fuel lines, throttle cable, exhaust routing and other details. Then it all comes back out again, and the interior comes out as well for insulation, paint and sound deadening. Now that I'm getting closer, I need to start looking into the basic safety and handling details. I'd appreciate hearing from those of you with hands-on experience making a V8Z handle as well as it accelerates.

 

1. Who sells subframe connectors for the 77 280Z?

2. What shocks and spring rates on the rear will reduce squat for a 330 LBFT of torque street driven V8Z? (I'll go nuts later with CVs, adjustables, etc., but for now, I just want it in the ball park for decent handling)

3. Is the 1" front sway bar and no rear sway bar the best way to go for a street driven R200 without a LSD?

4. Is the Ron Tyler front diff mount the right way to go for a JTR kit? (It looks like it makes good sense and provides an adjustable driveline angle.)

5. I plan to upgrade to the Toyota truck four piston front calipers, 510 iron rear drums, and a proportioning valve, but I've read threads on this site that indicate that there are right and wrong calipers to buy. Which ones fit right?

6. I took a lot of pictures at the Z Nationals in So Cal in April and will be adding a four point Monte Carlo bar up front and simple strut tower brace and four point roll bar in the back for now based on some well designed ones I saw there (I may cage it later, but not now). What other bracing should I consider while I have the engine & interior stripped out? (I can weld, and have TIG/MIG equipment and a plasma cutter)

7. I also plan to swap all bushings to urethane, and I may relocate the lower front control arms to reduce bumpsteer, but otherwise, I don't intend to lower it more. I'm running 15X7s with 215R60-15s for now, but plan to go to lighter 17X7s with 215R40-17s at my next tire change. Ground clearance is going to be enough of a problem with dual catalytic converters and a 3" cat-back single exhaust. I read that Dynomax Hemi Turbo mufflers are much easier to live with than other louder performance mufflers. Does anybody have any other good recommendations?

 

At this point the body work and rust repair are done, and I'm ready to begin paint prep on the exterior ('gotta love sanding, and sanding...). The 350 TPI is rebuilt (just needed new bearings, seals, gaskets, and a water pump), engine & trans are painted, and re-assembled. Marrying the wiring from the TPI engine to the 280Z is the only really big task still lurking out there for me. Except for the dozen others I don't even know about yet.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Steve

[johnc]

A fairly cheap starting point is the Tokico Illumina Advanced Handling Kit. Five way adjsutable shocks and springs with spring rates at 175 lb. in. (Progressive "working" rate) and 200 lb. in. rear. I sell the kit and you can see the prices on my web site.

 

If you start lowering the car a lot, you can keep your front Illuminas and put them in a pair of shortened rear struts. Then, buy a pair of the Toyota MR2 Illuminas and put them in a shortened pair of front struts. Add a coilver kit with camber plates to all struts, up your spring rates into the 225F/250R rance, and now you've got a good autocross/track day car.

[sstallings]

johnc,

I checked out your site and it looks like you're right here in La Habra, CA. Since I'm just down the road in Cerritos, I'll have to stop by and check out the suspension pieces you recommended. Thanks for the advice.

Steve