280ZX 2+2 Build thoughts

[Jordon]

Hi guys.

 

Well I am basically at the start of my first build and I am second guessing myself a fair bit and was just looking for opinions or ideas on a few things.

Stock I have a 280ZX 2+2 L-28 N/A Manual.

A basic overlay on what I plan to do is:

At the moment the engine is out and I am basically in the planning stage.

I am looking at stroking the engine and twin turbocharging it. Going for high power and lower lag and decided to keep the L-28 as a personal decision.

I am looking at hitting some pretty high numbers between 500 and 700 hp (not sure what torque I will be getting with these numbers on a twin turbo engine? Any ideas?)

I will obviously have to increase my braking capabilities, strengthen the chassis and modify suspension. In those regards all I have is the 280ZX brake kit from AZC.com.

 

Now here is what I was worried about mainly.

The diff, if I have read properly is an r-200 (don't have access to the car for a month or so at the moment) gathered of an FAQ here.

People seem to be saying these diffs are pretty strong and can handle some big numbers. I was wondering that If I do do end up hitting close to 700 Hp will the diff handle the torque that comes along with it?

 

Second, the 2+2 body shape, is there any major disadvantages to it?

I plan on using the car to eventually be my entry into motor sport e.g. track days and eventually racing. Is there any major disadvantages?

(I will be taking out the rear seats doing some further weight reduction so hopefully I will be able to cull come of the weight.)

 

Third, The transmission, now I had in mind a T-56 swap but struggled to find much information on mating one of these up to an L-28. Will this transmission be overkill though?

 

And finally (for now) in regards to wheels and tires, I haven't been able to find anything on what I am looking at, and I'm sorry if it has been posted. But I was looking to put some nice 9 inch wide rears and 8 inch wide fronts on the car. The difference is, I see people stretching the tires over there rims and I don't really like that look, I was looking at going a 245/50/16or17(depends on brakes) on the front and something like a 275/50/16or17 (again depending on brakes). Is this do-able?

Also will it be worth it, I thought it would as the power I am aiming for may make mince-meat out of thinner tires.

 

Sorry for the long post, if there is anything you need to know more I am more than happy to give more information.

Your help is greatly appreciated guys.

[calvin280zxt]

2+2 has some advantages, bigger clutch, longer wheelbase and the reason why you have an r200 not a 180 and 3.90 gears as long as you dont mind the look and extra weight (to be removed anyway) assuming the 2+2 is the same in australia. i have 2 of them

[Jordon]

Ok, that's cool, I was worried about it being at a major disadvantage.

So the r200 with a 3.90 gearing should handle the torque I may be putting through it or should I be thinking on a R230 swap?

[kiwi303]

if you look around theres a pic of J&J racings Z with a blown v8 doing a wheelstand with fronts in the air and rear drag slicks visibly distorting from the twist. Yup, the R200 will handle it if you don't spend a lot of time spinning one wheel while the other is planted.

[Jordon]

ok thanks, I will keep searching about the t-56 and mabye post something in the respective area.

 

Thanks for your opinions and help guys (:

[kiwi303]

Re the T56, I remember on a Holden site a discussion about fitting a T56 in place of the T5's some holdens came with. From what I remember someones second hand T56 from a later LS engined holden came with no bellhousing and to fit to his 253 early Torana with Supercharger kit, he whipped the T5 bellhousing off, redrilled the bell to match the T56 bolt pattern and bolted them up.

 

Maybe an L28ET T5 ZXT bell could be made to fit the T56? worth checking out anyway.

Edited March 8, 2011 by kiwi303