Adjustable front strut tops for 260z 2+2

[Philthy]

Hi Zedders,

 

at risk of offending/infuriating/irritating/boring the s@#$ out of everyone...I'm trying to work out where (and if) its possible to get hold of adjustable strut tops for the front end on my 2+2. I've done a search of the forum and found plenty of references to offshore suppliers of adjustment kits.

 

I am however very new to this stuff (no idea really) and was hoping someone might be able to suggest something available in Oz. I'll be having the work done professionally (due to my personal limitations).

 

Anyone out there got stories about how they might have achieved this?

 

Cheers, Phil

[C.A.R.]

Question - what is the reason for wanting them?

[NZeder]

As Lurch has stated. Then road car or track car or a bit of both? What is the amount of adjustment you are looking for - camber/caster or just camber etc?

 

I know what I am about to suggest is not a cheap option but let me see if I can explain some of the benefits of this solution.

 

Check out K-Mac (http://www.k-mac.com.au) they have a complete bolt in solution for the front that will give you camber and caster adjustment and enough for any street car and one that will see track time too.

 

Now before I get yelled at "wow those are pricey" blah blah let look at what it would cost to do camber and caster adjustment in the normal way on a 240z/260z (adjustable lower control arm and TC rods). I know it can be cheaper if you made modification to the LCA and TC rods your self but lets look at it this way - The K-Mac strut tops are professional manufactured product so let look at the same for the adjustable arms etc.

 

Some of the Adjustable LCA on the market

Techno Toy Tuning = $350 USD + shipping

New Old Stock MotorSport  = $369 USD + shipping

Arizona Z Car = $299 USD each side (includes adjustable TC rods also) + shipping

ZCCJDM (Kameari from Japan LCA) = $799 USD + shipping

 

Now lets look at the adjustable TC rods

Techno Toy Tuning = $200 USD + shipping

Arizona Z Car = $299 USD each includes new LCA + shipping

ZCCJDM = $250 USD + shipping

 

So lets work that out for both adjustable camber and caster using LCA and TC rods

Techno Toy Tuning = 350 + 200 = $550 + shipping USD does both sides

Arizona Z Car = 299 + 299 = $598 + shipping USD does both sides

New Old Stock Motorsport + ZCCJDM TC rods = 369 + 250 = $619 + shipping USD does both sides

ZCCJDM TC rods + Kameari LCA = 250 +799 = $1049 + shipping USD does both sides

 

So the K-Mac adjustable tops that give both caster and camber adjustment and it is adjusting these at the correct location ie the tops - at the bottoms you have have issues to deal with so it is not the ideal location + the K-Mac setup does allow you to run normal bushes or you can upgrade to urethane if you like. The others have rose joints = harsh on a road car/light track car.

 

So this makes the $465 USD K-Mac are asking a fair price don't you think?

 

The K-Mac units are also on car adjustable (just unload the suspension). Now I am not connected to K-Mac in anyway - but I do have set of the their front top hats and I like them - they are not light mind you as they are made from steel = strong as.

 

Hope this info is of use to some of you.

 

Cheers

Mike

[620Z]

They look nice Mike.

[Philthy]

Question - what is the reason for wanting them?

Reasoning as follows Lurch...suspension on the car is pretty tired. I want to set it up for occasional (weekly?) road use and light track days. I'm dealing with WA suspensions (do a lot of track cars/toys). From what they've said, the back end is suffering from positive camber, which isn't necessarily good for track. However, from what a number of people here have said (think you've said it Lurch), the back end is not as important, so I'm just going for new shocks and springs.

 

This in turn means that the front is very important (this sounds basic I realise). To this end, WASus have suggested a complete rebuild of the front end. I can't remember what Brad said the camber up front is like, but he considered it important to be able to introduce some adjustability. I don't think he mentioned caster, but I guess adjustability there would be good as well?

 

I would rather not have to start cutting, welding and bolting bits off/on, so Brad suggested sourcing some adjustable strut tops. So...what do you think?

 

Mike - Thanks mate, I'll get Brad at WASus to have a look at these and check on any other info I need. Actually doesn't sund all that expensive to me...but then, I've got no idea  !

 

I should add that at present I'm aiming for a fairly budget upgrade (2-3k with little physical input from me). Once I have a year or two experience running the car in club events I'll look at upgrading further.

 

Cheers Phil

[NZeder]

From what you have stated if you lower the rear of the car then you will fix the positive camber issue as a lowered zed normally has too much negative camber. So if you have to lower the rears you will have to do the fronts to match

 

At the budget you have stated and the type of use of the car I would suggest the following

 

1. A set of K-Mac struts tops up front - gives Camber and Caster (caster more + the better the turn-in which is what you want on the track - does cost in a little more tyre wear as will the correct toe setting for good turn-in) this means the wheel does not move forward with the caster change - as if it does you then have guard clearances to deal with.

2. Koni or Tokico but this depends on the rate springs you want to run

3. Lowered springs

4. Upgraded bushes to remove any of the old slop in the old stuff (rubber or urethane depends on how hard you want the ride)

5. Upgrade the rack mount rubber to urethane

 

When my zed was last on the road it had Koni's and Lovell springs rated at 225lb/in both front and rear and it handled great but it did have adjustable rose joint LCA and adjustable TC rods. If the K-Mac tops were around then I would have got the same adjustments without custom made parts but bolt in. However I might point out that my struts were also sectioned/lowered so the travel was back to standard but the car was some 2" lower.

 

My 260z is the later type with the taller rear strut towers aka 2+2 - infact the whole setup was removed from a 2+2 race car that was going back on the road. The koni shock I recently sold and the part numbers were

Front 8641-1146 and rears 8641-1041 koni yellows. Spring perches were at the stock locations with just the tops of the struts (above the perches) lowered for these shorter shocks. In the rear were shorter strut tops ie 240z tops on the later 260z type as this lowered the rear some 3/4" more

[Mr Camouflage]

Apart from the Kmac tops the only other camber plates  i've seen for the S30 are the weld in ones.

[NZeder]

Apart from the Kmac tops the only other camber plates  i've seen for the S30 are the weld in ones.

I have some weld in one if someone is looking for some - so I can sell them and free up space at home

[zed240au]

have you looked at ben from otomoto looks like good kit to me and has them for 240z and 260z

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,4075.msg35439.html#msg35439

 

mick

[Philthy]

As Lurch has stated. Then road car or track car or a bit of both? What is the amount of adjustment you are looking for - camber/caster or just camber etc?

 

OK, I talked to my guy this am. I'm after camber adjustment, about 1.5 to 2 degs to start with. He seems a little concerned about getting assurances that the tops will fit and provide the required adjustment...I don't know enough to know whether I should be concerned or not!

 

On that note Mike, what sort of range do you get out of yours?

 

As Lurch has stated. Then road car or track car or a bit of both? What is the amount of adjustment you are looking for - camber/caster or just camber etc?

 

...and the weight issue can be resolved by buying the stage 2 alloy units I presume.

[C.A.R.]

have you looked at ben from otomoto looks like good kit to me and has them for 240z and 260z

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,4075.msg35439.html#msg35439

 

mick

 

Mick, I'm not sure you've understood what this topic is about: we are talking about CAMBER Adjustment.

NOT coil-over kits for ride height adjustment, which is what the link you posted is about.

[NZeder]

My car is still getting put back together so I have not seen an alinement so not sure in the range and I also have coil overs which gives me more room in the tower for movement up top. I still have the adjustable tc rods and lca so I will have lots of adjustment.

 

I think best to call K-Mac and ask them (at least the are an australain company)

 

You could also install an adjustable pickup point where the lower control arms joins the cross member. These give 1.5 to 2 of adjustment. These will be cheaper and only offer camber and work well (I had a set in one of my cross members before)

[Philthy]

Cheers Guys,

 

Lurch, thanks for the clarification on Micks post ...I thought I'd missed something with that! Would be interested in your thoughts about this too...

 

Mike, thanks for all the info...contacted Kmac and just waiting for a response. Will also keep the cross member pick up in mind.

 

Philthy