ok everything i know about my 280zx (83) (which isnt tooo much compared to some of u) tells me that its a strong built car even under rough driving drifting and so on. until iv heard a rumor that something is weak in the rear end that could break and cause me to roll it when sideways. im sorry i dont have details but i was wondering if any of this rings a bell to any of u and what this guy could possibly be talking about. i bet its like taking the hottest girl to prom... he is just jealious that i drive a Z

 

I've never heard (or experienced) that... and I've taken 280zx's sideways before. Who ever told you that "rumor" is a panzy.

 

the weak part of the rear is the factory springs. They are kind of soft.

Replace all the struts and springs (tighter drop springs) on all four corners and the handling will improve greatly. You won't roll your 280ZX.

 

I have heard about the 280ZX sagging in the rear, or having bad wheel bearings, wheel hop, etc, but never heard of rolling it.

 

Two words...

Eibach Springs.

 

IIRC the only spring they make for us is a progressive spring which sucks for hard driving because it's slightly soft at first and stiffens up the more it's worked, good for street driving but definitely not for slideways.

 

I guess its possible to roll it if you drive over 100mph and slam on the brakes while turning the wheels hard. Other than that I have never heard of it as well. I have seen plenty getting rear ended by jellouse non Z owners.

 

i had the dubious "honor" of finding out at 0530 on wet pavement in downtown LA that our z31s, with their natural tendency to oversteer, tend to crave turtle position, BUT, with smart driving skills, they do come back nicely. but, normally, a little sideways ain't gonna flip ya UNLESS ya panic and overcorrect. so, if ya wanna slide--learn well how to avoid the turtle.

 

I've spun my Z on the track at nearly 100 mph and it didn't roll. Of course, I shat a handfull of diamonds in the process and it took a week for them to pull the seat cover out of my azz after it got sucked in from the pucker factor!

If your suspension is in good working order, you're not going to roll over unless you hit something, go into a ditch, have VERY sticky tires (R compound) or are going sideways at a high rate of speed.

If your suspension is worn, the springs are sagging and the sway bars are gone, then it's possible, but unlikely you'll roll it at normal driving speeds even if you throw it sideways. One exception might be if you throw it sideways at highway speeds, even then, unless you have sticky tires, you'll most likely just do a pirouette.

 

right. Even if you hit a curb sideways the suspension will break out from under the car before it will roll. A 280ZX is wide and low.

 

i've had my z32 sideways, and all the way around for that matter, at highway speed. never for a second did it feel like it wanted to roll.

 

I've never had my Z sideways, or done donuts... I treat my car better than that....

 

you sir. are a liar^^^
and i cant believe i read a post on lww's *** and the things he keeps in it. talk about wierd. lol, just messin around.

 

You spin out at 100 mph and you'll understand...

 

I have spun out at over 100mph, on a 25mph curve, in my '81 before. Doh! Talk about a wild ride, I spun at least 3 or 4 times all the way around. Before it settled on an embankment. Never once did it try to flip over.

 

dont tell me those things l-dub. im young and impressionable. lol. i was just kidding. i love all.

 

I dont think the issue was about rolling while getting sideways. It was about something being prone to breaking while getting sideways which could lead to a roll. A wheel folding under your car due to part failure while sliding sideways at high speed is definitely capable of putting a Z into a roll. It still stands though that part failure in the suspension capable of such a thing is not something I've ever heard talked about. I've had my Z sideways on both asphault and some pretty rough gravel and never had a problem.