Forums/Z31P/z31-basics basic-modifications-basic-questions-aka-the-newbie-forum/2 lift possible?
Imported from Z31Performance.com Forums{{#if:rustytankerbean| — original post by rustytankerbean}}{{#if:2012-01-24 18:12:10|, posted 2012-01-24 18:12:10}}{{#if:33| · 33 post{{#ifeq:33|1||s}}}}{{#if:/Z31performance_archive/forum/z31-basics/basic-modifications-basic-questions-aka-the-newbie-forum/16742-2-lift-possible.html|
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rustytankerbean: (2012-01-24 18:12:10)
I just bought a 1984 300zxt from a buddy of mine really cheap. It has a "new" engine in it with 59K miles plus the old one that lost a timing belt. He has had this car for years but it has sat inside for about the last 3 years due to a growing family and the fact that the injectors leak. It has a pretty nasty dent on the rear quarter panel where his neighbor backed into it but other than that it is good. Anyway I will cut to the chase, I would like to lift it about 2" and put some bigger tires on it. There are lots of nice logging roads around me and I would love to be able to tear down them (at a reasonable speed of course) without worrying about ripping things off the undercarriage. I know the thought of throwing mudflaps and larger tires on a 50AE is not going to sit well with some people but I was hoping someone would have the information. On another note I have searched and brought up a few rally questions on here but did not see any definitive answers on the subject. Thanks for looking.
Aaron
Here is a 280zx that is about what I would want.
http://www.z-zxclub.nl/forum/uploads/Im … _280zx.jpg
Neil86t: (2012-01-24 18:26:06)
Re: 2" lift possible?
You would probably be better cutting the fenders to make the wheel well bigger. You can't do a body lift since it's not a frame on body car. And I don't know if you can lift the suspension in the rear and not blow out the half-shafts from the increased angle. I would love to see it lifted like a rally car. That would be sweet.
DeleriousZ: (2012-01-24 18:30:13)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Hahahahaha
NO
[archived image: 1237917779613a.jpg]
rustytankerbean: (2012-01-24 18:38:47)
Re: 2" lift possible?
I was going to lift it with a jeep style ACOS system, or just make a 2" spacer, and try to get some shocks with some better damping/longer stroke. Thanks for pointing out the CV axle angle issue I will look into that for sure. I will try to steer away from cutting the fenders as much as possible, I really do not need huge tires on it, just something with a bit more meat.
Neil86t: (2012-01-24 18:41:23)
Re: 2" lift possible?
On the bright side, half-shafts are cheap cheap to buy. And take about 30mins to replace.
Dave@SBC: (2012-01-24 18:49:40)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Post pics when lifted with new tires. It's definitely possible, I would add some sheet metal to the underside to keep your oil pan, diff and trans in tact.
Guest: (2012-01-24 18:51:28)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Put blocks between the front and rear subframe and the chassis.
[archived image: ssd1.jpg]
NissanXRMA: (2012-01-24 18:57:36)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Do it right.
Dave@SBC: (2012-01-24 18:59:34)
Re: 2" lift possible?
nice
michaelp: (2012-01-24 20:00:35)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Nissan rally-raced the shit out of Z-cars....its still lame though, esp. to a limited edition car.
edicer2: (2012-01-24 20:34:31)
Re: 2" lift possible?
should almost trade the AE for a different more common z31 since its just going to get beat up anyways
matico40: (2012-01-24 21:01:50)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Ask Ian, he should be able to guide you in the right direction [archived image: tongue.png]p
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=20017
DeleriousZ: (2012-01-24 21:08:04)
Re: 2" lift possible?
I see what you did thar.
NissanXRMA: (2012-01-24 23:31:13)
Re: 2" lift possible?
[quote]DeleriousZ wrote:
Ask Ian, he should be able to guide you in the right direction
Don't listen to these vultures.
Racinjitter: (2012-01-25 01:40:41)
Re: 2" lift possible?
I could have sworn that Jason84NA2T lifted his ice racing z31, but I didnt see any details about the suspension changes. I would add delrin spacers on top of the front struts and then put air bags or longer springs in the rears.
aceman: (2012-01-25 03:47:31)
Re: 2" lift possible?
would be easy to use spacer's between the subframe's and the body and find a car in the junkyard with a longer strut. Common sense would tell you to buy something cheap and easy to offroad like a volkswagen tho.
To the people saying that an AE or SS z31 is too nice to tear up, you could always buy them when they come up for sale at full asking prices.... But you wont… because z31 owners are cheap asses.
michaelp: (2012-01-25 04:12:12)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Putting spacers between the subframes isn't going to make the car sit any higher, all it is going to do is change the angle of the control arms at stock ride height. The frame of the car is still the body, and the springs go from the control arms to the body. The only reason body lifts works on trucks using spacers between the FRAME and the body is that the springs go from the control arm to the frame, then the body sits on the frame.
Pace: (2012-01-25 04:18:33)
Re: 2" lift possible?
+1[archived image: smile.png]
Skid plates would be sweet. The aluminum sheet metal splash trays that Zspeedperformance offered for a while would be perfect for the front. Diff guard wouldn't be too hard to fab either. A 2" lift with some rally armour flaps and gravel tires would make that thing a beast. Certainly something different from most Z31s you see.
rustytankerbean: (2012-01-25 04:21:50)
Re: 2" lift possible?
If I were to put 2" spacer blocks between the subframes and lift it at the springs also, would this relax the angle of the CV-shafts in the rear or would it make it worse? Sorry for the dumb question, I am just having a hard time picturing this one. Thanks again for all the replies.
NissanEgg: (2012-01-25 04:56:43)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Then you would need to get a slightly longer driveshaft. Plausible
Racinjitter: (2012-01-25 06:18:06)
Re: 2" lift possible?
^Yes and lower the trans mount for correct driveline angle.
aceman: (2012-01-25 06:19:18)
Re: 2" lift possible?
[quote]michaelp wrote:
would be easy to use spacer's between the subframe's and the body and find a car in the junkyard with a longer strut. Common sense would tell you to buy something cheap and easy to offroad like a volkswagen tho.
To the people saying that an AE or SS z31 is too nice to tear up, you could always buy them when they come up for sale at full asking prices.... But you wont… because z31 owners are cheap asses.
Putting spacers between the subframes isn't going to make the car sit any higher, all it is going to do is change the angle of the control arms at stock ride height. The frame of the car is still the body, and the springs go from the control arms to the body. The only reason body lifts works on trucks using spacers between the FRAME and the body is that the springs go from the control arm to the frame, then the body sits on the frame.
no shit, you need springs and struts like i said.
rustytankerbean: (2012-01-25 06:28:57)
Re: 2" lift possible?
By lowering the transmission would this bring the drive line back into spec enough to be able to run the stock drive shaft or would i need to add an inch to it? I am assuming the front end would need to be all realigned in order to prevent bump steer also. And the idea of the rally amour flaps and skid plates is great!!. I can not wait to get home and work on this thing, until then I'm stuck here in the desert planning it all out. Thanks again for all the great advice.
midian: (2012-01-25 13:17:14)
Re: 2" lift possible?
you can install stance coilovers =) - front rear, and increase clearance - 0.5 or 0.75 inch, but, you'll make your CV-axles work improperly.
Z already has 150??, you have 2+0, which have bigger ramp angle comparing to 2+2 seater.
If you'll drive accuratelly - with low speed, sometimes even "sitting on clutch" - mean driving with clutch partially pressed, you will never harm anything, but if you'll drive like prohibition time smuggler - even lift in 5" won't rescue bottom of you Z.
Neil86t: (2012-01-25 13:38:54)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Hell stick a ford 8.8 in the rear and run lifted coils from a truck. bam
midian: (2012-01-25 13:47:29)
Re: 2" lift possible?
"plus billion" - monster truck Z=)
aceman: (2012-01-25 16:49:47)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Translated:
In soviet russia, prohibition still fails.
midian: (2012-01-25 17:13:06)
Re: 2" lift possible?
all areas,except Belorusia,and some Muslim ex.SU countries.
and this is sad=(
those who drink,never owns Zs,Rs, etc.,any vehicle which cost exceed $10k,and which expensive to keep, I hasn't such friends yet[archived image: wink.png]
p.s. actually I marked prohibition, cause remembered Top Gear USA, episode with z31 then they tested cars you can buy for $1k.
rustytankerbean: (2012-01-25 18:34:59)
Re: 2" lift possible?
I replied once but my computer locked up so I hope this does not double post. I think I will go with the spacers in between the subframes and use some Grand Cherokee poly 2" spacers for the springs. I want to go for the Hella-Un-Flush look and have just enough power to surprise a few teenagers in there frame scraping civics. I have some stock DSM injectors and I think a starion intercooler from my GVR4 days. I hope to put an HX35 on it eventually also. Does anyone know off hand of a cheaper longer travel shock that could bolt in? Just so all of you know I will not be posting up any pictures until the May/June time frame because I am stuck in Kuwait currently unless the Army cuts us a break....not likely. Thanks for all the advice, this seems like a great community to be a apart of.
midian: (2012-01-25 19:18:37)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Huh, now it's became understandable why do you want to lift it [archived image: wink.png]
I don't think anyone of z31P members ran em.
I know Tein could make any for you, but they are not cheap.
Or you can make custom spacers for rear strut mounts (actually you'll also need same for front).
Big travel of rears won't be good, simply because spring may become uncompressed fully and fell away.
Pay attention for specially equipped trophy cars - they have long (and soft comparing to sporty) springs and shocks with long travel (go to official Tein web-page and look on examples).
Kimbro Slice: (2012-01-25 20:58:46)
Re: 2" lift possible?
By the way Mid, did you get those shocks?
I would be interested in seeing this being done. Hit 'em with teh SWAG.
[attachment=0:1y6383bk]300zxPOR69.jpg[/attachment:1y6383bk]
Kingman: (2012-01-25 21:23:01)
Re: 2" lift possible?
Wheeler's trick, big ass zip ties to secure the coils to the seats.
midian: (2012-01-25 21:26:55)
Re: 2" lift possible?
[quote]xbxrxtorquex wrote: By the way Mid, did you get those shocks?
I would be interested in seeing this being done. Hit 'em with teh SWAG.
[attachment=0:3hxjpe09]300zxPOR69.jpg[/attachment:3hxjpe09]No, I didn't. Z is not offroad car, for such cases Nissan designed D21 series and Patrol.
150mm of stock clearance enough for me even in cases then I drive country roads (very-very occasionally and very smooth). I had problems only until I changed 'kg/mm' lowering progressive springs (sold already) to stock.
But I mentioned Tein, cause I was at official dealer's workshop and asked such question.
They say - any height, any stiffness, but it will costs you $450 per one.
Also, I mentioned spacer for struts, you saw maybe, use if you unplug swaybar and lift car, removing rear springs could be done w/out removing bolt, fixing strut to arm (not easy like with removed bolt, but it could be).
Or you can make custom spacers for rear strut mounts (actually you'll also need same for front).
Big travel of rears won't be good, simply because spring may become uncompressed fully and fell away.
^^ agree.