Suspension & Cooling- Righting some wrongs.

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Central QLD Z, Aug 2, 2017.

  1. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    That's ridiculous... will definitely courier next time!

    Shoot me a PM if you want to talk engine management and dash/data displays.
     
  2. Shane001

    Shane001 Well-Known Member

    FWIW my choice would be Adaptronic over Haltech. Not convinced they're everything they claim to be.
     
  3. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Just an update; I've got the newZ1 FUCA (with a slight negative camber), front set of powertrix's, brembo's and project mu pads onand now onto the rears.

    The rear set of powertrix's are well shorter than whatever the hell was in there previously (see photo) and speaking of the old shit, the old coilovers have many more coils in the spring aswell (thus making it stiffer correct?) I wonder what the go was putting such stiff suspension in it? I mean ultra low profile 20's running on 40 pounds, coilovers wound all the way up to accommodate the massive 20's and a spring that was stiff as shit.

    upload_2017-9-22_16-15-48.png
    To my untrained eye, seems to be that they've done everything possible to decrease ride comfort and handicap the already hard suspension.

    Hopefully once this is all done it should corner nice and flat :D

    upload_2017-9-22_16-16-32.png

    upload_2017-9-22_16-16-53.png
     
  4. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Oh and the suspension bushing's are going in as needed aswell, not sure how many bits out of the kit will be used with having the new coilovers, but yeah, figured getting them was the safe bet. Those powertrix's look positively dainty next to the other set hey lol :eek:

    Those brembo's tho...sexy as hell they are :rolleyes:

    That goddamn thermostat has arrived aswell Rob, was awaiting collecting as of this morning - talk about an epic endeavour huh! Scratch that, still going. Seriously wtf!

    After this lot has gone on (along with tackling a few niggling repairs) i'll be taking the Z back for a period and seeing how it travels before taking it back to get the clutch, lightweight flywheel, rear main seal, rad, fan and thermi on. Happy days!
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2017
  5. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

  6. Fists

    Fists Well-Known Member

    Look like stock R33 GTR struts with kang sprangs, it's R32 GTR struts that you're supposed to use in the Z32 in case anyone's wondering...
     
  7. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Why put the R32 struts in? And why do you reckon they put r33's in?

    Was it just a better quality set-up than stock z32 or..?
     
  8. Shane001

    Shane001 Well-Known Member

    Because R32 coilovers are more common and with a small amount of modification on the front top plates, they fit.
     
  9. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Ahh I see, easier to get a hold of hey. Wonder how the powertrix's will hold up now that the r33's are out
    Cheers!
     
  10. Shane001

    Shane001 Well-Known Member

    I'm guessing from the pics and Fists comment that R33 coilovers are not compatible as they're too tall.
     
  11. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    They are massive by comparison, the suspension felt like shit - so I'm not sure how compatible the R33's are and whether or not they are the same size as Fist's recommended R32's - and I'm happy to see the back of them! Should be a different beast now the 20's are out in favour of the 18's and these leaking shocks are removed in favour of some top shelf goodness! Am mainly wondering how much difference not having HICAS will make to it all aswell.

    My mech was a bit surprised cracking open the powertrix's as he thought they were too short when he ripped out what was already in place, I assured him that what I purchased was correct tho!
     
  12. Fists

    Fists Well-Known Member

    S13, R32 and Z32 all have fairly similar rear suspension geometry although only the GTRs use the same lower mount type (fork instead of eye like the fronts) as the Z32. In the S14 and R33 rear geometry was overhauled majorly to improve traction and ride (and sea worthiness), different upper mount position and angle of the dangle means they're much longer.
     
  13. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Hey lads, have got the FUCA, toe rods replaced with a HICAS lockout, Powertrix's, brembo's, pads, calipers recon'd and painted, and what could be replaced with the OEM suspension bushing kit replaced and a wheel alignment done since I didn't worry about it when I replaced the wheels until the HICAS was locked out - alignment was out by quite a margin, but that was to be expected.

    I have the Z back now and am just feeling it out before taking it back in for all the front end work - rad, fan, thermi (which arrived btw, thanks Rob), clutch, flywheel and rear main seal. It feels amazing to what it was, previously, but in all honesty, the biggest change in ride comfort came from removing the 20's in favour of some more sensible 18's. The Powertrix's aren't blowing my mind right now, but I think once I throw it around a few twisties it'll come alive.

    I have some Q's if you guys don't mind; My Z has a slight shudder at around 70 - 100kph and based on some research it seems likely to be the wheel baring's correct? I did have some broken wheel studs which I originally suspected may of been the culprit but they have been remedied but the problem persists.

    My other question is regarding the coolant for the new rad once it goes in. I have a red coloured organic radiator coolant concentrate corrosion inhibitor that I picked up from Natrad along with the rad cap, this is suitable for the new larger aluminium rad yeah? am just making sure.

    Thanks
     
  14. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Hello and happy holidays everyone!

    Just resurrecting this thread for a quick update now that everything I had lined up has all been installed - along with a few other tid-bits - and been given a good shake-down run with the t-tops off and Windows down on a beautiful sunny day.

    The shudder in the steering has been corrected; my bearings were fine, surprisingly my mech thought it was my wheel balancing. I said that it had just been done when the new wheels and tyres were fitted, but alas, it Was slightly out and with the correction the shudder isn't evident.

    My new clutch and lightweight flywheel are great, no issues becoming accustomed to that at all.

    New rad is amazing, my old stocky was beat-up and missing the lower fan shroud plus what was there wasn't great (to be expected i suppose)

    I had a new water temp digital gauge thrown in (Thanks for the recommendation guys) to find out how it's all performing and in a 40k drive at 100kph I was sitting on 77 and 78 degrees. On the 40k return trip I gave it a few more beans and I the highest I had it was 81 degrees which was in traffic back in town. With these results I agree with those that said going SMIC was unnecessary at this point. But perhaps a new FMIC might be on the agenda aswell as a new 2k front bar (prefer the stubbier nose over my current veilside bar)

    All in all I am thoroughly in love with it and wanted to thank everyone on here for pointing me in the right direction.

    What a helluva car these are!

    Happy motoring!
     
  15. Boorkus

    Boorkus Member

    Glad to hear your Z has a fresh breath of life :)
    Keep her alive and look after her and enjoy
     
  16. Fists

    Fists Well-Known Member

    Good to hear you got through all the trials and have a Z that's fun to drive again!
     
  17. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Thanks very much guys, you guys certainly helped me spend what repair budget I had the best possible way and certainly opened my eyes to things I wasn't considering and I appreciated any and all responses!

    Since I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys I wont be seen giving anyone my advice (lol) but I will be back in the next 6 months or so when I've enough cash to chop away at a few more things, so see you then!

    Thanks chaps!
     
  18. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

    Hello guys, it's been a bloody long while between drinks. I've realised I've had a few PM's that have gone unanswered and I apologise for that, it's been a .... challenging while since this thread stalled. Cant believe it was a bloody year and a half ago, the time just flies by doesn't it?

    I am unsure whether I should've just created a new thread or resurrect this one, but decided that since the info about my Z is here, resurrection was the preferable idea, (I apologise Mods if I was mistaken)

    I wont dither on about everything, but I will say that I've shelved the small trade construction business i was doing and have actually just been signed off as a train driver hauling coal now and I'm keen to throw some serious disposable income at my zed.

    My question is, what next. The poor thing has been seriously put aside while I've undertaken this training (the job has often taken me out of town for swathes of time at time besides being full on training in general)

    Some of the more broader things to be sorted is re-trimming the interior, sound system and a bloody good quality full car detail, but a lot of that can wait until the end. My question is, what else should I be thinking about before that.

    Allow me to summarize what has been done up until now to save you guys even more of a re-read.

    Suspension
    -powertrix coilovers installed, hicas replaced with an SPL replacement lockout (from memory) bar, new Front upper control arms and I purchased a massive set of new rubbers and dust boots et.all.

    Wheels and Brakes
    New 18 inch wheels and Hankook rubber installed on the corners, Zinc plated slotted brembos, project mu pads and reconditioned calipers. We pulled out the space saver and tested it aswell and it was fine. I do need to get a little aircompressor to actually inflate the bugger if needed.

    Cooling and heating
    Howe Quad core rad from Z1, thermostat+temp gage and I've got a new drier/evaporator in a box to go in under the house currently to get the aircon going

    Engine
    Exedy heavy duty clutch, z1 lightweight flywheel, engine was pulled and new timing belt, rear main seal etc. Installed

    And I think that's it. I've probably forgotten thongs, but that's the bulk of it.

    I believe my Turbos are fine, but will be taking the z into the shop tomorrow for the aircon, installing a new RH window motor, a cracked hose near the LH turbo and a service/look over and am wanting to quiz the brain trust on where I should be looking next.

    The main reason for this is we are likely to be moving around 4hrs north of where we live currently and I'll be storing the 300 in a self-storage facility here in town until it's back to pristine knick. I'm doing this because I have a brilliant mechanic whom I trust and wish to retain his services regarding the work on the zed.

    Sorry for the epic read and thanks in advance for any advice given :)
     
  19. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

  20. Central QLD Z

    Central QLD Z Member

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