I decided to hold off on my forged internals, my engine is in dire need of a rebuild as it is... So I've decided to focus on the drivetrain setup since I'm actually going to see how long my OE spec rebuild lasts. I managed to find a S5D 320Z (BMW ZF 5-speed) at my local LKQ, and I've deicded to just fab my own trans member and diff mounts. I also want to beef up the chassis bracing, my rear subframe brace is missing so there's that...

I'm not sure what to do about the suspension though. Can I still use coilovers in this case? I'm assuming they would need to have adjustable dampening but I'm not sure what spring rates etc to use. I have cheap coilovers on at the moment, but I don't really have an idea of what I should be using at the power level I'm after.

 

Leave the cheap coilovers alone. I haven't looked at your build, but something tells me those coilovers may be the only thing functioning by the end of it.

 

Definitely use good suspension.

 

By looking over your other threads you need to take a step back for a moment and do some major reading.

 

Unless you're a fabricator by trade I'd hard pass on making my own mounts. Between V8r and Kmiata you can buy everything to install the ZF5 and the Getrag for under $6k. Driveshaft, block adapter plate, half shafts, getrag to rear cradle brackets, shifters, EVERYTHING.

The suspension for 600hp is the same as one for 120hp. Don't skimp on your chassis.

 

Factory OEM suspension are coilovers.

There's enough wisdom, experience, and knowledge here hiding under the search button that you really need to read more and ask less questions.

 

If you are looking for answers, I can tell you I don't have any,
but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long noob roasting career.
Skills that make me a nightmare for noobs like you.
If you research more and ask less silly questions, that'll be the end of it
I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for your posts, I will find them and I will roast you.

 

I hear Felpro makes great coilovers.

 

Holds off on building a forged engine, to rebuild a stock one, because needs to build BMW trans swap kit, , to prepare the chassis for 500 hp, but shocks are the big question.

Did I get that all correct?

On a more serious note, check this..I built a trans adapter for another project. It cost me 2 x my estimate cost, and was an insane amount of work that required a lot of special equipment.


The project you are dreaming about (I do it too, its fun) is MASSIVE. If you are really set on the trans swap, do this: make a dropdown chart. Really. Put the finished af trans installed in the car, at the TOP of the chart. Now drop down with details to reach that end product. Get more and more detail as the list drops down. This will lay out a much better picture of all the sub projects, and might make you re think a few things.

If you dont do that ^, there is a 99.9% chance that this car will get parted out in less than 2 years.

I'll go out on a limb and assume you are renting your residence. This is a major factor to consider when deciding to undergo a project that can and will take years to complete. Owners dont want fab shops set up at their place, and projects are hard to move.

Good luck young adult.

 

Ford 9" with a 4 link setup

 

500hp and what usage?

Dyno queen? (rarely driven anywhere other than hardpark and car shows)
Drag racing?
Drifting?
Time attack?
Road racing?
HPDE?
Autocross?
Street driving?

Pick one as your 1st priority.

 

Not by trade but I have a lot of welding experience and a few certifications. Diff mounts are super easy and the trans member isn't much work either.

I should mention this is for drag racing. I don't know how to set up the suspension for maximum grip and power delivery at launch.

Probably should have worded my question better based on the responses.

 

Tubbed?
Live axle?
Downforce?
Weight with driver?
DOT drag tires?
Radials or wrinkle walls?

Not that any of us here know a damn thing about setting up a drag car. There are few guys here that a gotten high horsepower Miata to launch in pro solos, which is a similar engineering challenge.

 

Sell the car and go buy a Fox or F body in whatever year you find acceptable. Then you're 90% of the way to what you want with 10% of the effort.

 

If you've never backhalved a car before, then this is 100% the right answer.

 

 

This suspension should support your power goals: