S13 Fastback with 300ZX rims & suspension parts? Is this possible?

[Fairlady S]

I was wondering if 300ZX rims would fit on an S13 fastback, I got the twin turbo rims on so the fronts are 16x7 and the rears 16x7.5 I believe. I got 225/50R16s in the front s & 255/50R16s in the rear. I'm unsure how the offset differs between my stock 240SE rims & the 300ZX rims. Will it clear? Will it hit the suspension or stick really far out omy wheelwells? Will I be able to get them machined for the correct offset? I also had aquestion about using the front control arms off a 300ZX ( I believe thats what they're called) on a 240SX. I heard the 300ZX parts are aluminum & the 240SX parts are steel so its better for unsprung weight. I have jacked up front ball joints on the 240 & 300 suspension pieces, I wanna know if I can use the 300ZX parts cause I'd rather buy a ball joint for that one instead. If you have any info, it'd be much appreciated, thanks.

[gr8bryt]

Welcome to Nico Fairlady S, we're glad to have you. You should be able to find answers to all your questions if you would please direct your attention to the top of the screen and notice the flashing red SEARCH button. Most veterans may give you a hard time because this topic has been covered serveral times.

[Fairlady S]

Thanks for the info & invite, I figured since the 300ZX brake conversion is so popular, someone may have tried the 300ZX rim son a 240SX also, I'm wondering ho wthey'd work, know anyone to ask?

[MoSinister]

Miss Fairlady, I happened across a site where a guy had the z32 brake conversion and was running 300zx wheels on the back as track wheels, so it looks possible. He also said something about a few Z parts for suspension. I didn't see any info on whether or not he had to do anything (like spacers) to make things fit. Here's the site.

http://custom.autos.yahoo.com/...-1862

My question to you would be, if you already have the wheels and the car, why not jack it up in the air and try fitting them? (Make your son do it...he's young and strapping right?)

As to your other suspension questions, I'll leave that to more experienced people on this board.

[gr8bryt]

The z32 wheels will work so long as you have the 5-lug hubs. Stock s13 wheels are 15", so a +1 won't be a problem, nor will you have to make any suspension adjustments unless you want to lower it. I'm pretty sure the offsets are the same for s13 and z32 wheels, or at least close enough that you won't need spacers. I agree w/ MoSinister that you should just go ahead and test fit them to see what you get. If anything, you may need a small spacer in the front, but not likely. As far as the other suspension question is concerned, no the z parts will not fit the front. The back can be retrofitted, but you'll be using basically the entire rear end of the z (control arms, and shocks--which have inverted mounting and will cause you to do some minor trimming and a little fabrication to make everything fit right). You can use the calipers from the z32 on your front if you wanted to though.

[Fairlady S]

Thanks for the great info gr8bryt & MoSinister, I'm a dude though. I'm a Fairlady Z (Z32) fan but my last Z ended up needing to be replaced. I'm a S13 driver now. Hence the Fairlady S cause I wanna make my 240 as much like a Z as possible. I love the Z but the weight difference definitely makes teh 240 a better choic seeing how I love to run track events. I'm kinda hoping to find out exactly what I'll need & guarantee if it'll fit or do I need to modify anything. I have a 91 LE so I have 4 lugs on my car now & its my daily driver so I don't want it to be down even a day if possible. Once I convert to the 5 lug & Z brakes, I don't wanna find out the hard way that I might need those control ams or anything else. I rather find out first so there wont be any complications once I start. Keep the good ideas coming though & if you know anyone who's done it or tried it, let me know ok. I could try getting a hold of that guy on the link & see what he knows since he's obviously done it.

[crzycav86]

If you do a search(or read the sticked threads at the top of this forum) you can easily find the parts and tools required for the swap.

once you go 5lug, the wheels will bolt on, but the offsets aren't ideal(I think they're around +45 on a 7.5 front wheel), so the wheel won't be flush to the fender. the wheel will clear the brakes, but it won't look that great on a 240sx.

[hannibal]

Just to clarify the specs, theyre 16x7.5 +45 front and 16x8.5 +35 rear. I think 225/50 front and 245/45 rear are better tire sizes. Those are the OE sizes.

The rear uprights/knuckles are almost interchangable. The Z's are aluminum, the S13's are steel. The difference lies in the shock mount. The S uses the type on the left and the Z uses the other one. If you get coilovers at the same time, you can usually select the mount type as needed. I know SPL will sell you KTS coils in either style for the same price.

[Fairlady S]

Thanks, that's the type of info I was looking for. So it'll work but it'll stick out a bit. I'm more into it for the function than looks. I agree the OE Z sizes would be better but its what I have on the rims when I used to have my Z, might as well burn up these tires first. I know about the back strut mount parts, I sold my Z suspension to a buddy before I even knew I was getting a 240 myself. I seen places that will sell the Z rear strut style for a 240 also. I guess I'll see how the fitment is once its on & how much clearance there is, maybe I might try to hit a machine shop or something to see if I can't change the offset or move rims up in my priorities.

The front lower control arms from the Z wil fit the 240 no problem right? I wanna upgrade the lower ball joints on the Z suspension & then install it. My 240 lower ball joints are shot too thats why.

[hannibal]

Not too sure about those lower front arms. I think they might be. They look very similar in the FSM's and SPL shows the same pic and charges the same price for the two arms.

Glad like you made it the the quake alright.

[gr8bryt]

Not too sure about those lower front arms. I think they might be.

Well, I've been pioneering the 4-->5 swap and from what I've researched, the only compatible bolt on z32 part for the front is the brake hardware. Each of the articles that I've read on Nico all say that you must use s14 parts up in the front w/ ball joints pressed into an s13 lca and light modification to the hole where the ball joint seats in.