Nice article on Steve Millens (stillen) race career with the 300zx

 

http://speedhunters.com/archive/2008/11/28/retrospective-gt-gt-millen-and-the-300zx.aspx

What a great find! What engine was in that when it was racing?

ahhhh :D

 

the 1200kg tube chassis racer was powered by a 24 valve, 3 liter V6 VG type engine, boosted by two Garrett turbochargers.

 

The Z32 styled racer was reported to develop between 650bhp and 750bhp.

Good read that, although i thought it was v8 powered?

Such was the competitiveness of the 1994 car, that IMSA banned their twin turbo engine.

 

I like that bit :D

Good read that, although i thought it was v8 powered?

 

 

1995 season only,last year of racing.Car was originaly a SWB,later they had the first LWB in the US, specialy shipped over,after which they got to winning on tracks they had previously failed on.

 

 

Tony:cool:

yeah i read once that stillen said the difference between lwb and swb was nothing

fantastic bit of 300zx motorsport history

yeah i read once that stillen said the difference between lwb and swb was nothing

 

True when talking of overall performance,but,due to some tracks being long with long sweeping corners(some banked)they had issues with stability with the SWB at top speed,on the shorter tighter tracks this was not an issue,so after a few seasons they got hold of a LWB and found in trials that it was better than the SWB for the more longer tracks,they decided to stay with the LWB and develop it more, as it gave a better advantage,higher lap times,more points scored,more wins.(Stillen has both models in his garage,lucky begger)

 

Tony

Its a tubular framed chassis with fibreglass body, it does'nt resemble a SWB or LWB.

Its a tubular framed chassis with fibreglass body, it does'nt resemble a SWB or LWB.

 

 

True,but the overall dimensions do,thats why they went with the longer chassis compared to the SWB.

True,but the overall dimensions do,thats why they went with the longer chassis compared to the SWB.

 

Yes...well presumably...there's no data out there on his wheelbase dimensions. But people try and use this excuse to claim the 2+2 has some sort of handling advantage because that's what Steve Millen used in a tubular frame car that only loosely resembles an actual 300zx.

 

In reality the advantages to the altered wheel base would offer the ability to alter weight distribution easier. The driver is positioned effectively where the rear seats would be normally, which is'nt possible with the SWB, and it gives more room for a larger fuel cell positiioned more in the centre of the car.

Edited December 2, 200817 yr by Yowser

Fantastic 20 years on:dance:

more detailed pictures of one of the IMSA/GTO Zeds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOW now theres a cooling/airduct system right there.