IRS in a roadster and other swap info?

blackduck · Post by **blackduck** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 11:45 pm

hey guys
I'm new to the fourm
a while back I saw some pics on the internet of a roadster with
independent rear suspension. the setup I saw was out of a 200sx.
well I bought a 200sx a little while ago cause I was thinking a 5spd and fuelinjection might be nice to have. the turbo was kinda a perk too

I'm wondering if anyone has any links to some pics
or has anyinfo on doing that IRS swap.
also has anyone put a 1.8caet in a roadster?
I took some ruff measurements and looks like
I'm fabricating a new exhaust manifold.
fun stuff indeed!
I'm wondering what othere kinds of interference issues
might pop up.
I know I might have to notch the cross member too.
I was looking at the sr20det swap
very cool!
wish I had to funds to pick up one of those!
maybe someday!

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 12:55 pm

DELETED

oilleak · Post by **oilleak** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 9:18 pm

I don't really get the IRS swap. Unless you're doing as a fabrication project it really doesn't make sence. Roadsters handle pretty well as is. The idea of making one better over bumpy surfaces doesn't fly as you still have the front end to deal with. Remember, the way to make a roadster handle well is to put seriously high spring rates on it (860lb/in springs on a 2000lb car - think about that). Basically, to make a Roadster handle well you need to limit front suspension travel which is why the heavy springs / swaybar work well. Given that, even if the back end handled bumpy pavement well, the front wouldn't. If you really wanted to go the IRS route and do a lot of interesting design and fabrication, you be better off to build a custom tube frame and put the roadster body on it. that way you wouldn't be limited by the front end. By the time you've done that though, you could have just bought an S2000.
the engine swaps on the other hand make some sense. I wouldn't mind a 200+RWHP Roadster

blackduck · Post by **blackduck** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:01 am

I belive those may have been the pics I saw a while back
yeah I guess it was a 240sx.
I may just do the break swap.
that rearend swap may be a bit much for me right now.
I woulda been doing it mostly as a fabrication project.
I do however have the nissmo springs for the front
I'm gonna be picking up thoses comp sway bars too

but tube frame huh! hummmm!!

I took some ruff measurements and
there is gonna be a steering rack issue
I'm going to make a new exhaust mainfold and relocate the turbo.
similar to that sr20det one.

has anyone put rack and pinion steering on a roadster?
I have the rack off that 200sx too and I'm thinking
if I swapped the sideds of the spindles and found or made some
outter tie rods I could put power steering in that thing.
does anyone happen to know if thats possable?
is the shaft in a netural position?

and how do you attach a pic to these things?

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Post by **spl310** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 7:37 am

I heard tell of someone that put a rack on a roadster with the spindles in the stock locations. They were not happy with it IIRC. I often thought that swapping the spindles side to side and putting the rack in front had merit, but I have not looked into it. I have way too many other projects to consider that.

On the IRS issue, just a thought. When Ford approached Carroll Shelby to make the GT 350, he had a full IRS version made. This was tested with what became the final production prototype. The track times were the same. The IRS rode a little better - especially on rough spots - but there was not enough of a significant improvement to justify the outrageous costs that it would have taken to put it in production.

blackduck · Post by **blackduck** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 1:01 pm

the rack I have is for behind the wheels so I would have to swap sides . I can totally see a benifit in upgrading to the rack.
not as much play, lighter easyer to find, and cheaper to replace.
and pwr steering.
I know the pwr steering isnt big deal to most
of you but I have 15x6 in rims with 195/50s
parking can be a little workout
pulse when my wife drives it....

plans to go bigger. bling bling!
I have a set of 18x7 that I might try putting on.

yeah I dont think I'll be doing that IRS swap
I'm sure it would ride better going down a bumpy road
however I think for the time and effort
I would be better off buying a miata.
thanks for the input on that.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 5:14 pm

I'm just curious if anyone has ever looked into an aftermarket Mustang IFS system for the front? I am considering a Datsun Roadster V8 project and figured that was worth looking into vs trying to repair and upgrade the original front suspension and brakes to accomodate a V8 motor. They offer them for Anglias and Morris Minors, so I don't know why one couldn't be adapted to a Datsun frame as they have a similar wheel base and track width.

blackduck · Post by **blackduck** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 5:24 pm

http://www.artmorrison.com/

they have all kinds of cool stuff for custom syspension.
gotta check it out.
they can make pretty much anything you might need.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 6:55 pm

they have all kinds of cool stuff for custom syspension.
gotta check it out.
they can make pretty much anything you might need.

Thanks. I've put some V8's into a few things where they didn't belong, and I have catalogs from most of the suspension guys.

Speaking of putting V8's where they don't belong, I stumbled across this and I wish it were closer instead of a 1000 miles North of here. This is exactly what I'm looking for in a swap candidate. They are basically giving it away, IMHO.

1969 DATSUN 2000 ROADSTER SRL311 CLEAR TITLE, HARDTOP, GOOD BODY, NO ENG/TRANS $200/OBO 253-589-3071(253) 589-3071

Maybe someone could use a parts car. Isn't the hardtop pretty much worth that by itself?

blackduck · Post by **blackduck** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:34 pm

(253)
thats in my neighborhood

too bad I already have my swap candidate.
I paid 600 for mine
I had to do a little body work and paint it
looks kinda good now.