I'm building a drift exhibition Z31, and I'm almost ready to start putting togethor the suspension package. Suspension is one of the few parts of cars I've never looked at and know nothing about. So I'm fishing around the various forums and talking to local friends about it to get opinions and suggestions on the best way to go for drifting. No, we're not talking about street or parking lot joy rides, I'm talking about full roll-caged, pressurized fuel cell, professional drift competition car.

What I'd like to get is opinions from people with the parts installed, previously installed, or otherwise directly used, and what application you used them in, and how you felt they performed.

Specifically, I'm talking about springs, shocks, struts, the whole nine yards. Preferably actual track or SCCA/Autocross type racing experience, but other forms are also appreciated.

Oh, the car is an 85 300ZX Turbo 2 seater, but that's about all it shares with a Z31. It is manual 5 speed, rear-wheel drive, turbo, and a nice chunk of torque. (300+)

I understand that the chances of there being any 300ZX owners on here to contribute is next to nil, so those of you with drifting experience and suspension knowledge, feel free to give me a primer on setting up a drift suspension, and what kind of characteristics are desirable.

If there is a better place online to seek this information, please feel free to post that link or PM me where to go, as I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

zcar.com
they would/might be able to help
stan

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stan D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">zcar.com
they would/might be able to help
stan</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess I can always give them a shot. Z31.com's members are giving me exactly the static I knew they would about how you can't drift a Z31. -sigh- But I suspected as much so I'm not really disappointed. I don't think I've ever met/talked to you on here Stan, nice to meet you. I'd love to hear about your Z if you're willing to share.

Thanks for the suggestion too.

 

http://www.club4ag.com

Why not ask the masters of the art?

As for suspension, stay far away from hearsay and get yourself a couple of suspension books.

BTW drifting is mostly technique, not suspension. Anything can be drifted, even a front drive Honda.

 

Yes but Suspension is part of the teqnique you will gather with the balancing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shaundrake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.club4ag.com

Why not ask the masters of the art?

As for suspension, stay far away from hearsay and get yourself a couple of suspension books.

BTW drifting is mostly technique, not suspension. Anything can be drifted, even a front drive Honda.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll definitly go pick their brains, thanks for the link!

I already have the technique and experience to do it, but leaving the suspension in this car stock would be pretty much shooting myself in the foot, so...

 

well do u want to drift through POWER

or drift through "tricks"

pro drifters, for the most part anyway, are powered by 300 ++ hp engines, their suspension is built for maximum grip, but the sheer power is enough to break lose traction

or you can go the tricky way and simply make the car actualy LOSE control easily ( lets say its a FWD car, put skinnier tires at the back, with a SUPER stiff anti roll bar and remove the front anti roll ball) i wouldnt drive a car like this in the street , but i'm sure its fun all around.

just something to think about.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 7thGear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well do u want to drift through POWER

or drift through "tricks"

pro drifters, for the most part anyway, are powered by 300 ++ hp engines, their suspension is built for maximum grip, but the sheer power is enough to break lose traction

or you can go the tricky way and simply make the car actualy LOSE control easily ( lets say its a FWD car, put skinnier tires at the back, with a SUPER stiff anti roll bar and remove the front anti roll ball) i wouldnt drive a car like this in the street , but i'm sure its fun all around.

just something to think about.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Excellent points, and I appreciate you bringing them up.

The car bone stock, on stock boost is right at 300HP, so I can actually do it either way. End goal is 500HP to 600HP while not touching too much of the internals. I have the technique, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot with a crappy suspension.

I'm after the mechanics of what makes up a good drift car, both in terms of suspension and all around.

 

i dont want to get you down, but dont expect to build a professional drifting car if you need to ask basic questions about suspension..

go get a subscription to superstreet, they are all about building drift cars and look at what they do..

 

you wanna build a drift car?..ok you have rwd now you need good torque/hp to spin those wheels on comand and the rear suspension needs to be as stiff as possible make sure you get the rear strut tower bars and anything else you can get to stiffen up the chasis...have fun

 

i dont know how, but in theory you need a suspension that will make you regain control the moment you let off the throttle, thats the ideal setup

 

Put Falken Azenis on the front, and 185/60 Cooper Cobras on the back.

Until you learn how to drive the car I wouldn't suggest doing anything besides pick the right tires. Afer you get a feel for it then selectively start planning on how you want to upgrade it. Until then you as a driver will be the weakest link in the chain.

 

Not sure whats available for the Z31s....but look into Tein, Tanabe, JIC coilovers....and LSD, LSD, LSD...

 

actualy i think it would be easier to drift without LSD no?

you put more throttle, the car loses more control.... and thats what you want


the more suspension/tranny upgrades you do that make you GRIP MORE, the more power your going to need to break that traction!!

 

Well, once you learn more about drifting you'll find that its all about control and traction...LSD is the best single mod you can have for drifting...

 

Once again...

It is not about power. It is about balancing the car.

The current winner at the Drift Pro last year was a Corolla that had 180HP.

It is not about power. Its about Suspension Tuning.

Theres is lots of difference between Grip Set up and Drift Set up.

Once you get to know about this more, You'll see.

Its not the same.

 

Well, it helps if your car is as light as a Hachi, he's actually closer to 200whp...yes, balance is very important...

Actually theres not a huge difference between grip and drift set ups...maybe tire and some alignment changes if you're doing both...Even when you are drifting you WANT rear "traction" (even though the tire is spinning, they are still working) otherwise, you can't hold long and high speed drifts...

 

i used to drift my supra and that was 450+ hp,eibach springs,gab shocks,strut tower bars and 18" blitz wheels and street tires...fun stuff..takes practice and skill

 

a supra is what? 3200 pounds?

a stripped hatchi is what? 1800 pounds , plus its so popular because it has near 50/50 weight distribution stock!! from what i read finding balance in that car is easiest and most rewarding on the street.

 

are you talking about drifting a front wheel drive car?...thats silly yo

 

a hatchi.... hatchi roku... 86 in japanese... AE86.... "toyota treuno"... aka toyota corrolla...