Project Assimilation

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Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

Thank you very much for the help. You're very clear.

So I need 280ZX front struts hubs and brakes. I'll search the forum for the install,etc.

In the rear, I need 280ZX rear shocks. Are the 79-83 Datsun 280ZX rear shocks, just shocks? or struts? If they are struts, do I cut off the spring seat?

As for the spring, I'll need 3.8 times more spring rate than I want as if it were a coil-over, because the spring is being compressed by the trailing-arm that has leverage. ok.

I think I'm starting to get this. Please let us know if we are on the right track. Until then, I'll be searching for typical 280ZX setups.

Can I go all new? or are there some things I have to find from a scrap yard?
:D
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

I don't think you can find new hubs or spindle/strut tubes. Everything else can be had new.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

I had 195/60/15's laying around, so we've installed them for now. Better than the 13's for the look, the speedometer precision, road dampening, and highway rpms ;)

The rear were bolt on, but in the front, we used 1,8mm thick washers to make sure the tire doesn't rub on the shock. Now there is approx. 0.5-1mm clearance from tire to shock.

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Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

YEEHAW! We're going to dub you "Project Good Ol' Boys" if those stay on for long.

.5mm might not be enough clearance for an old steelie. Putting around town is probably fine for now. Aggressive driving (well, as aggressive as you can get with old 195/60/15s) may well bring the rims into contact with the struts.

I'd also mic the washers you're using for spacers and ensure they are the same thickness overall. Not necessarily tight tolerances in the creation of washers these days, and it could set you up for a vibration.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

okayfine wrote:YEEHAW! We're going to dub you "Project Good Ol' Boys" if those stay on for long.
hmmm he knows too much :shock:
okayfine wrote:.5mm might not be enough clearance for an old steelie. Putting around town is probably fine for now. Aggressive driving (well, as aggressive as you can get with old 195/60/15s) may well bring the rims into contact with the struts.
Oddly enough, the right side had very little clearance to the tire (to the rim would be more) and the left side...well....I think we've shaved off the superficial rubber, because by hand spinning the wheel while it was jacked there was friction, just barely. We test drove it and there was no noticeable rubbing. And when we drive, we drive hard....these are not the same wheels, but same wheel size and type...they can be driven hard :wink: man that was fun!(see pic)

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okayfine wrote:I'd also mic the washers you're using for spacers and ensure they are the same thickness overall. Not necessarily tight tolerances in the creation of washers these days, and it could set you up for a vibration.
Yep! The 1.8mm mentioned above was measured with a digital caliper. Mike's the mechanical engineering tech afterall :wink:
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

We know we are jumping around quite a bit, but you can't have a linear process with a rolling project. While we are planning the composite floor pan, looking for 280ZX hubs and shocks, wondering about the oil leak we have, contemplating the distributor swap to eliminate the points, and finding ways to raise funds (BTW there is a donate button on the blog :wink: ), we have been scrambling with a gas leak from the filler neck.

We used Permatex no.1 and sealed up the top half of the filler neck.

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Here is the blog article: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/turn- ... -high.html
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

Well we are electronic ignition now. We bought the Pertronix mod and it's working great. We still have some hesitation even tough we've checked the vacuum advance and have timed the engine. We are thinking fuel filter and are picking it up today.

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To see the blog post, head over to: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/match ... ghter.html
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

Project Assimilation wrote:We still have some hesitation even tough we've checked the vacuum advance and have timed the engine. We are thinking fuel filter
Can't offer advice without a proper description of the problem.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

Well the filter is changed and you can go check it out at: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/kidne ... plant.html

Image

But we still have this hesitation. On full throttle its fine, on low rpm its fine, but between 3-4000rpm, there is hesitation when loaded.

Mike was pulling some good G's the other day and had a bad sputter. We since changed the filter and it was notably better. I just filled the car to the top for the first time since we have it and it's acting up again under the same conditions. We're supposing there is some crap in the tank that needs to run through or is clogging up the fuel line and filter. Should we empty the tank and clean it out? Couldn't hurt!
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

Project Assimilation wrote:But we still have this hesitation. On full throttle its fine, on low rpm its fine, but between 3-4000rpm, there is hesitation when loaded.
How's your ignition system look?
Project Assimilation wrote:Mike was pulling some good G's the other day and had a bad sputter. We since changed the filter and it was notably better. I just filled the car to the top for the first time since we have it and it's acting up again under the same conditions.
The OE carb is known for sputtering in constant turns (IIRC it's right-hand turns). If it sputters in both directions, it is something else.
Project Assimilation wrote: We're supposing there is some crap in the tank that needs to run through or is clogging up the fuel line and filter. Should we empty the tank and clean it out? Couldn't hurt!
Next time you're at empty, remove the fuel sender in the back/bottom/center of the tank. Run your finger along the bottom of the tank. If you've got a layer of sludge/rust, then pull the tank and clean it. If it's NBD, it's not enough to cause a problem.

Also, fuel filters are cheap. If you think it's crap in the tank, pull the filter you just installed and cut it open to examine the element. If it's clean, it's not your problem.

But these sorts of issue have a million causes. How are your rubber fuel lines? Cracked and sucking air? New and solid?
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

Awesome. thanks for the suggestions. We'll do that once the tank is empty.

Now we have located the 280ZX suspension.

In the rear, do we need the 280ZX trailing arms? or is the hub/spindle bolted on somehow? Should we go with the 280ZX spring? or is it worth going coilovers at that point?

Thoughts?
Thanks.
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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71pl510SanDiego
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Joined: 19 Jul 2007 14:58
Location: san diego

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by 71pl510SanDiego »

on mine i got techno toy tunning rear coil over kit, and and bought rear disc brake adapter plate with wilwood calipers and 12 inch rotors. You use the 510 trailing arm.
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

Project Assimilation wrote:In the rear, do we need the 280ZX trailing arms? or is the hub/spindle bolted on somehow? Should we go with the 280ZX spring? or is it worth going coilovers at that point?
As always, it will be helpful to fill in the details on what you want to accomplish. It has dramatic impacts on the advice you are seeking.

For instance, you CAN use the ZX rear trailing arms in the 510 crossmember. However, they'll increase the track by 1" per side, which means new wheels with FWD offset. And the ZX rear won't use a spring like the 510, you will HAVE to go coilover. If you're only looking at the ZX arms for the rear disc setup, there are other options.

Alternatively, have you downloaded the DQ backissues? There's an article in the first few volumes about using the ZX brakes on a 510. Involves making a bracket, but it's all laid out in the article.

As for the "worth" part of coilovers - rear coilovers make it easy to set ride height and to select spring rates. Beyond that, they're mainly eye candy. You can find the right spring rates in OE-position springs and dial in the ride height with some trial and error, skipping the cost of coilovers. Coilovers are convenient, only you can answer if they are worth it.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Project Assimilation
Posts: 28
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 17:08
Location: Quebec, Canada

Re: Project Assimilation

Post by Project Assimilation »

I eventually want 4 wheel disc brakes and a ride height thats equal or lower than stock. Don't want any bottoming out or bouncing around. The car will have 15" panasport (or similar) wheels with whatevr off set I need to not rub in the fenders.

Don't care if I have coil-overs or spring in trailing arm...but I don't want to go junkyard serching unless you know exactly what spring I can get to have 200 of spring rate at the wheel. So according to your comments....coil-over it is!!

Next, I have searched for the Dime-Quarterly, but have never been able to find the actual articles or an archive or a download. Do you have a link for me please?

So if I study what you've said below...I gather that I can use my 510 trailing arms, buy coilovers, and get 280ZX brakes on this setup in order to go with the disc conversion later on. Is this correct?

Thanks... you've been a great help so far!!
Project Assimilation
Thread: http://the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24250
Blog: http://michaelduddy.com/datsun510/
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okayfine
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Re: Project Assimilation

Post by okayfine »

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... 7-iA7ePvtQ
Project Assimilation wrote:So if I study what you've said below...I gather that I can use my 510 trailing arms, buy coilovers, and get 280ZX brakes on this setup in order to go with the disc conversion later on. Is this correct?
Yes.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
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