Drag Racing Coilovers ...

Z&I

Hey YzGyz ... Good to hear from you !

I'll be getting my car back very soon ... it's at AAM Competition in Maryland.
They are now doing the E85 phase of the flex-fuel tune...and I'm now over 700whp.
Last time down the track it was making 483 rwhp and even with that it was wanting to spin the tires on launch...[6MT with OS Giken Twin Disc Clutch]
Had changed over to the Mickey Thompson DRII's [19"] and that cured the wheel hop and did improve my 1/4 time considerably.

I've since been studying up and have already done some proven traditional mods to improve traction off the line:

Smaller Wheels [17"] and Taller Tires to start...
Installed Racing Brake Small Racing Calipers to fit the wheels.

M/T ET Street R 305/45-17
These fatty tires should really hook - just need the suspension to cooperate.

EcuTek Launch Control and Traction Control

I've also set the rear camber to '0' that will help with the contact patch when it squats...[also will correct the uneven tire wear on the inside as well]
Now looking in to those Drag Racing Coilovers to deal with the squat.


Here's a post by PHUNK a few years back regarding his approach to leaving better:
Theres 2 ways to get this car to hook the best its reasonably going to.

The BEST and proper way, is probably more commitment to drag racing than you are looking for. Small rear brakes, like the 350z non brembo in the rear, will allow a 15" wheel. Use a proper drag slick. Run the softest suspension you can, which means all stock. Align the car to remove as much negative camber as you can. This is the best you can do. And it will do pretty good.

The next best you can do is (when you wont give up your rear brakes)... run the widest and stickiest tire you can, on the smallest diameter wheel you can. This means 305-315 drag radials on an 18" wheel. Adjust your coilover height in the rear back to stock height. This will straighten your control arms back out and reduce your compression camber curve. Align the car to remove as much negative camber as you can (if you dont, all that extra width is meaningless because its not pressing into the ground). Set your suspension as STIFF as you can to prevent as much rear squat as possible. Rear squat is your biggest enemy in this car if you do not have a smushy true drag tire. This should be able to get you 1.9 60's and traction through most of second. Run low pressure in the tires... 18-20 or try a few spots to see what your particular tire likes. You might even get into the 1.8s like this.

The IRS in the 370z is particularly terrible for drag racing and/or hooking up high power. Even the slightest compression in the rear causes extreme camber. This is why you only want squat if you have a tire that is going to severely deform to accomodate this. Your street drag radials will have none of that, and you will be ice skating on the inside corners of your tread any time the car squats. This is my current status.

Hopefully by summer I will have some products finished that adjust the compression camber curve and our Z's on big tires can act like it.

A final good luck wish from PHUNK:
Good luck and try and get us some 10 second time slips. You have the power,
just gotta get it out of the hole. I know EXACTLY what you are going thru.
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I'm excited about getting the car back and will have to 'learn how' to drive it now that it has been extensively modded ...

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takjak2

Not a drag guy, but since I am heavily invested in the 370Z suspension this is very interesting news. I've love to hear how you're changing up those arms or if you're moving some of the points. Once this is solved I'm sure times are going to make a big leap.

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Z&I

Thanks for the reply ...
The project is on hold as of now - got some BAD news regarding the motor - and am probably looking at having to rebuild the motor again.

I did however contact MMA Motorsports back channel regarding the suspension/chassis when they responded to the original post.
They were very courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable - as well as being a full service shop with ties to racing.

They politely informed me that the drag racing coilovers I had inquired about weren't the answer I was looking for.

They did educate me and pointed me towards a custom designed and manufactured coilover specifically for my drag racing.
The coilovers are made by Vance - are special ordered and tailored to the specifications of my car.

They come in 2 levels of design and price.
The single tube version is only a few $ more than the other generic ones I had asked about.
The double tube version is fully adjustable for track conditions and you can actually dial out wheel hop.
It's also double the price.

MMA will install camber arms and set up the suspension and 4 wheel alignment with corner balance
MMA also offers a service where they will go to the track with you and dial in the car for you if you'd like.
This is the level of service and proficiency I'm looking for.

You can contact them directly with more questions regarding setting up your car - they are a sponsor of this Forum and you can find their post a few posts back:

MAMotorsports
The370Z.com Sponsor

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