nippon challenge 260z 2+2

[tel240z]

Any comments Nigel510???
or maybe your just building your car

 

[nigel510]

Thanks to all

Well guys,
Thanks so much for all your input and comments. I have decided that I am going to go through with it and the car is being striped this week to send it down to Dorset to have its t45 msa cage fitted. I do understand all the comments about using a +2 and the disadvantages to it but am going to do it anyway as this is the only car I have to do it with. I bought the car 6 months ago and have decided that this will be its fate. So if we could all pull together and start talking about ways to make this big beast go fast that would be great.

Can anyone help me find a hard suspension set up. What do you suggest?
Rob I will call you this week to speak with you about gear box, engine and diff set up.

Thanks Nigel

 

[nigel510]

Cheers mate

I Think everyones being a bit hard on the 2+2s virtues because in the past no body has been successful in campaigning them no reason in this day of Hi performance mods you cant get a 2+2 to hussle !!! and be competative. As with Robs 240 hes modified the gearing and suspension fibreglass tailgate weight saving etc and built a great Track day car !.
I have a set of Fibre glass wings you can have, and if you strip the original brakes down, get a wilwood caliper conversion, best weight saving is change the glass to perspex !! rear seats out, bumpers etc, but talk to Rob about the gearing and diff as the +2 is too long legged for circuit work, Good luck be great to see it run.

Thanks Marten,

Could I please take your number so we can have a chat about the wings etc.

Nigel

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Can anyone help me find a hard suspension set up. What do you suggest?

Rob I will call you this week to speak with you about gear box, engine and diff set up.

Thanks Nigel

Nigel, you would be better discussing on here really. If I was starting with a new car I'd contact Dave Jarman to see what he would advise re 260 suspension. Tell him you ARE going to use the 2+2 - otherwise he'll try and put you off. Dave may have some bits to sell you and his advice (as long as you support him) will be invaluable.

Engine - 280ZX if poss. 2" SUs or triple twinchokes.

Gearbox - if you can get away with an S13/14 (SX200) conversion get a kit off PMac - not sure what prop you need on the 2+2. If not you need a late 280ZX box (hard to find)

Diff - you will need at least a 3.9 (I assume you already have the R200 bigger version already). Ideally lower geared than that and I suspect your budget wont run to an LSD (not essential).

Brakes - vented discs the minimum at the front. There are various different ideas, again DJ should be able to help. Rear perhaps for budget reasons start with drums.

Bushes - you need poly bushes - especially for the rack.

I suggest you put a wanted list in the classifieds section - QUICK.

 

[Ian Patmore]

Weight saving running a 2 seater yes, but remember Volvo ran their estate instead of their saloon in the UK touring car series in, what the 90's. Estate was heavier, but it handled better.

 

[260ZG]

One thing I would advise is to check on what modifications are allowed under their regs.

The reason that this needs to be done carefully this year is that the Blue Book has some significant changes regarding sprint class structuring which are now no longer discretionary but mandatory (in other words you can't amend/change them in SRs)

This affects a number of areas such as list 1A/1B tyres engine mods etc so really needs to be checked asap with the organisers.

This is always assuming you can get a definitive answer

As a case in point we pointed out that in modified, allowable engine mods have been restricted by the poor wording and because of the premise that if it doesn't say you can do it it is not allowed.

Apparently they didn't realise this and it wasn't what they meant, but that is what is in the regs. We now have a couple of members of the motor club I belong to facing the prospect of an expensive re-build to get less power than they have at the moment!

It sounds as though the car would also by definition be eligible for a number of sprint/hillclimb championships which would increase the number of potential events considerably.

As an aside the Volvo estate was reckoned to be better aerodynamically which offset the increase in weight.

I have also seen a T5 estate being Autotested on grass which was quite a sight. On damp grass it behaved rather like an ocean liner turning right about 5 minutes after the steering input.

 

[Mr Ex]

Weight saving running a 2 seater yes, but remember Volvo ran their estate instead of their saloon in the UK touring car series in, what the 90's. Estate was heavier, but it handled better.

PLUS it depends on the driver.

 

[moggy240]

good luck with your project.i do not think it is the first time someone has raced a 260z 2+2 as i think it was someone called Emerald but they do not use the site anymore after selling the car

 

[grolls]

Well guys,
I have decided that I am going to go through with it

Good on you, go give em hell.... In the best possible Z club spirt, if you need help feel free to shout!!!!!!

One point to mention....the majority of 240/260 over here are carrying 50 kilo's of underseal and extra steel plates splattered with pigeon shit so by the time you've taken out the rear seats etc ya wont be a million miles away.......lol

 

[martin]

Good man Nigel, I reckon you will find the 2+2 great fun if youve seen the Samuri version, Ive not read what you are allowed to change for the series, but if you want my list of mods your welcome, firstly suspension and anti roll bars really improve the car ! MJP Mike is only up the road from you in Brentwood, he supplied me with beefed up anti roll bars and polly bushes, lightened and balanced flywheel, centreforce pressure plate, and sintered clutch which you can abuse all day long, Rally design made the radiator for me fantastic ! suspension struts from geoff Gale and the list goes on with the engine but give me a ring I think Ive got a complete suspension kit wish bones and legs you could modify with adjustable struts etc, as Rob says look out a 200sx gearbox and a 240 diff, and you can attain 200 bhp with out to much trouble, if you get the weight right you will be competative, and it will corner like its on rails Lol straight past the filler encrusted 2 seaters !!! Ha HA

 

[jay28]

Cant wait to see this project unfold, best of luck with it!

 

[pmac]

Good on you, go give em hell.... In the best possible Z club spirt, if you need help feel free to shout!!!!!!

One point to mention....the majority of 240/260 over here are carrying 50 kilo's of underseal and extra steel plates splattered with pigeon shit so by the time you've taken out the rear seats etc ya wont be a million miles away.......lol

No. No No.
Race cars do not have tons of underseal. sound deadening and plating.
Check out the current crop of race cars... Matt Bannister, Charles Barter. Clive Foskett etc. or lok at Big Sam. Ti Rileys car etc etc.
The difference in basic weight still remains. the 2+2 is around 10% heavier.
And Nothing will alter that. Whatever you do to it.

 

[samuri-240]

The difference in basic weight still remains. the 2+2 is around 10% heavier.
And Nothing will alter that. Whatever you do to it.

It may be a very rusty example making it a light weight limo. :lol:

 

[jay28]

I think this is going to surprise a few people

 

[SeanDezart]

If I was starting with a new car I'd contact Dave Jarman to see what he would advise re 260 suspension. Tell him you ARE going to use the 2+2 - otherwise he'll try and put you off. Dave may have some bits to sell you and his advice (as long as you support him) will be invaluable.

Dave is currently sorting me out with a complete GrpIV suspension system, parts thereof of another and yet another set for a track-day car over here.

BUT, I repeat others here, you need to know what you can and can't do. With the engine set-up described by Rob, you'll get more than 200bhp so watch the weight categories.
If I was serious, I'd slot the car into the least competitive weight slot (meaning with the most feeble competition with me) and angle the engines' performance to suit. Any penalisations in power and/or weight, I'd try to compensate with the dogs danglies in suspension set-up AND with an LSD and correct diff ration and a 3.9 is too low - you want to be doing at least a 4.1.

But then your budget also determines your spec and since you've gone for a 260Z because that's what you've got, I assume that the budget is somewhat limited which will seriously impair your competivity.

It won't stop you having fun of course and all power to you for going ahead - BUT respect us for having stated our views honestly and in your best racing interests - best of luck to you !

 

[SeanDezart]

I think this is going to surprise a few people

For the right reasons I hope !

It may be a very rusty example making it a light weight limo. :lol:

And just a bit 'flexible' in the corners !

Ian/Colin - wasn't the Volvo Estate mostly a hugely succesful advertising campaign and it wasn't until they started racing them that they discovered said advantages ?

Must admit - I loved watching 'em.

 

[samuri-240]

And just a bit 'flexible' in the corners !/quote]

If it flexes enough we could call it bendy bus.

 

[pmac]

Pete you may be able to help out with parts supply - I know he needs a new gbox and I'm sure that 2+2 diff will be the wrong ratio etc.

No gearboxes or diffs available from me. Sorry. in fact virtually nothing at all for a 2+2.
Free advice available!

Gearbox - if you can get away with an S13/14 (SX200) conversion get a kit off PMac - not sure what prop you need on the 2+2. If not you need a late 280ZX box (hard to find)

No conversions available and not likely any time soon.
deffo no late 280Zx boxes!
Looking at the regs the S14 box isnt eligible.... legally!

your budget also determines your spec and since you've gone for a 260Z because that's what you've got, I assume that the budget is somewhat limited which will seriously impair your competivity.

It won't stop you having fun of course and all power to you for going ahead - BUT respect us for having stated our views honestly and in your best racing interests - best of luck to you !

My thoughts too . I wish you well. As Sean has pointed out ...the comments have all been made honestly based on (my) experience and knowledge.

 

[zedhead260]

a 3.9 is too low - you want to be doing at least a 4.1.

High - not low.

 

[SeanDezart]

Oops - two nights with sick children so a bit tired - sorry !

If pmac hasn't got 'em, Dave Jarman has the S1* boxes !