280ZX Strut Swap

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Revision as of 08:46, 27 August 2007

The 280ZX strut swap into a B110 is popular in America. What you gain is large, vented rotors that won't overheat while racing. The 280ZX is model years 1979-1982 (Nissan chassis code S30).

For more overview, see main article: Strut swaps.

Features:

• 10" vented rotors
• solid, single-piston caliper
• shorter strut height
• will clear certain 13" wheels. Note that Z-car (240Z, 260Z, 280Z) struts/brakes require 14" wheels, as will 300ZX struts.
• decrease in track allows wider wheels/tires
• Wheels tuck in better than with B310 struts (requiring less offset wheels)

Can't you just put the big brakes on the B110 or B310 strut? Converted said: "need to swap the struts as the Sunny stub axles are too short for a brake swap."

Is it required to cut the strut tube? Or only if you wish to lower the car at the same time?

Why not 240Z? Feral says: "240Z Struts for 1200 sedan...240/260Z struts stub angles are wrong for this conversion. You will have heaps of positive camber...[you need the] stock 7 degree angle used by most Datto struts". Nzdatman added: "Z struts won't bolt to [B310] arms. ZX strut will. Z struts brakes are way too big for 13s but 14s fit."

280ZX hubs and struts bring the wheel in closer to the strut than the B310 setup so wheel spacers may be needed (around 20mm thick?).

Whitesedan is looking into Toyota Hilux 4-piston calipers for this swap. Hilux 4-piston calipers have greater clamping force than the ZX calipers, but are considerably heavier cast iron units. Most say stick with the ZX calipers or upgrade to the MK63 FIA brakes.

B110 strut housing is 45 mm diameter. B210/B310 is 51 mm. What is 280ZX?

Coil Springs & Strut Top

Now the spring of the ZX strut is too large diameter for the B110 strut tower bodywork. So you need do one of the following:

• Use the B110 coil spring (110 mm diameter), spring cup and strut top hat, and fit it to the ZX strut.

Or

• Remove the spring perch and use a weld-on Coilover Springs kit

Also drilling may be necessary for the insert to fit into the strut top. Whitesedan used noltec camber/castor adjustable strut tops.

If using TRD inserts, use the TRD strut top.

Balljoints and Lower Suspension

The spacing where the strut bolts to the steering arm is the same as a A10 (1978-1982 Stanza aka 510), 610 (180B), 810 (Maxima, 200B), etc. This is different from the B110/B210 spacing. So, use A10 or B310 (Sunny, 210) parts.

B310 parts:

• steering arm (knuckle)
• LCA (same length as B110?)

A10 Parts:

• lower control arm (slightly longer than B110, decreasing camber and increasing tread width)
• steering arm (knuckle)
• balljoints
• outer tie rod ends

Tension Rods

The B110 and B210 Caster rods (aka tc, radius, tension rods) can be used. The length is correct, but bolt spacing needs to be wider for the A10 balljoint and tapped to M10. This means drilling one new hole in the tension rod.

For more details, see Caster Rods.

Instructions

Parts Needed

Grab the whole front strut/brake assembly as well as the brake hoses and the brake bias controller unless you plan on using an adjustable unit. Also grab the brake master cylinder if it's the same style as the stock 210 one. There's no difference in the front suspension/brakes on any of the 79-83 280ZX's, it's the rear brakes that are different for 82-83, the later ones are better.

Details

Use at your own risk.

1. Disassemble strut, including removing cartridge or guts
2. Cut spring cup off the strut
3. Cut length of strut down
4. Reweld cup at new lower position

   example

5. Fit new, shorter inserts
6. re-assemble using stock B110 spring and top hat

Optional:

• Fit quick-ratio 280ZX steering knuckle