[hgray14]

Has anyone run a small wing or other aerodynamics kit on the front of their Z-car? I have an MSA aerokit up front but at high speeds the front of the car just wants to come off the ground. I guess I could add some weight under the hood but don't want to loose too much of my speed. Any suggestions? (I am already running Tokico shocks, eibach springs, sway bars and urathane bushing all around.)

thanks

Houston

 

[dgracer]

Surprising. I've been 115 in my stock-bodied 77 and have noticed a lift sensation (lightness in the steering) but not to the point of feeling dangerous. I was thinking the lowering + MSA front airdam would cure that. It almost sounds as if you are worse off.

 

[hgray14]

I think that the '72 is lighter than the '77. I never had this problem in my '78 which traded off for the fact that the rear end on the '78 liked to slide out which the '72 does not. Also 145 must really start to push the aerodynamic limits on this car especially which crosswinds. At 115 you are going to notice a difference if you have an aero kit on your car. I have run a lot of cars at 115 and rarely felt in danger but the extra 30 miles per hour (at 145) definitely makes everything more noticable. Adding ureathane bushing to the steering and all the suspension contacts helped quite a bit. I felt a noticable difference in control when hitting top speeds but the car can still be thrown around. And since I am pushing for higher top end speeds I want to figure something out before I get out of control.

thanks for your input

Houston

 

[KennysGreen280zt]

if you go to hybridz.org , they are having a huge discussion in the high tech forum on z areodynamics.
~Kenny

 

[JJs72]

I agree with Kenny about the hybrid Z site. Car and Driver did an article about this issue back in 1974. The short story is that all early Zs (prior to 1979) need a front air dam. However the C/D article was quite strong in their recommendation that when you put a front scoop on you MUST put a rear wing of some size on too. The new front scoop drops the nose and raises the rear up....very unsettling at speed. I've had my 240Z (w/ 3.0 engine) at speeds of 120 or more but until I put on the rear spoiler (BRE style), I 've made a promise not to go any faster. I've still got a lot of engine to go, even at 120 - thanks to the folks at Rebello. Good luck with your quest....

 

[yo2001]

G nose should help alot because 240zg in Japan was 20km/h faster then 240z. I recently lowered my car and stiffen my suspension and that helped alot too. The car leans forward a little too.

 

[MK 72 240]

I've often thought about doing like the old muscle cars and having the rear end sit up higher..will this help? ( I am also adding a front spoiler and now possibly a wing after reading the last posts.....


Z ya later
Mike K

 

[hgray14]

I would rather have it lean forward a little bit than push the back down with a spoiler so hard that it lifts the front even a little bit. But then again, I have a '72 240z and the back end seems to stay pretty stuck no matter what I do. And in that rare occasion when it comes loose a simple tap of the gas and it is right back to being stuck to the pavement. I wish my '78 had been like that. Man, once that back end came out it was **** getting it back in place.

Houston

 

[JJs72]

The low front and high rear set-up is called "rake". It was widely used in the 70's and 80's in NASCAR. Remember the Hemi Superbee with the big wing ? A rake will never completely replace a front and rear spoiler set-up, so be careful. Raking a car will improve high speed handling but remember to also leave enough room in the front end for any travel caused by hitting a bump and the oil pan/header can hang real low too. It is easliy done with coil-overs but you need to consult on spring rates before attempting. Aero add-ons work, the 30 degree rear unit is the best but many don't like the looks as much as the smaller, but effective, BRE unit. It's all a trade-off....