S13 Suspension in a 510

[Byron510]

Did you end up loosing some caster when you moved the X member backwards?
This is an interesting build, glad to see you still at it. I’ll look forward to seeing more at you go.

Byron

[SR20DAT]

I am not %100 sure but it looks like the coilover is at the same angle as the shock tower bracing. I think the stock 510 LCA bolt on the backside of the cross member? So with the LCA in the center on the s13 cross member it might be close to stock caster angle. What do you think?

And thanks for the motivation. I certainly need it from time to time.

Caster.JPG (214.44 KiB) Viewed 2064 times

[icehouse]

The problem is you want everything set the same as the S13 if you want it to drive like an S13. So you want the S13 caster, wheel offset ect. any deviation from that and it will effect how it drives. Luckily since it had a steering box before you really gotta mess things up to make it drive worse.

[SR20DAT]

Both @icehouse and @byron510 brought up some very valid points which I didn't fully consider before. I do not know all the differences of the 510 and s13 geometry, but I do know that the s13 coilovers I bought bolt right up to the shock towers. Nissan/Datsun keeps engineering pretty standard over the years so I am hoping that carries over to my hybrid build. As far as wheel geometry goes they could would fit on a stock s13 so I think I am good in that department.

[Byron510]

I do see visable caster at full droop.
What's the angle of the strut at ride height? This is the caster angle that matters.

As Jeff has always complained, the 510 design in today's age - is, well showing it's age. Just about anything out there on the road today is better in most respects. But many of us have made the old suspensions work pretty good for what we do.

Keep the progress up, love to see it coming along. And always like new ideas.

Byron

[SR20DAT]

According to the highest tech harbor freight angle finder it is a little less than 5 degrees. I used blocks to load the suspension at ride height.

caster angle.JPG (113.09 KiB) Viewed 1958 times

[bertvorgon]

That is good, are they the same on BOTH sides...that is really important for consistent handling.

Are you able to get 5.5?

[SR20DAT]

I raised the drivers side (pictured ~0.5-1.") to see what the clearance for the stock fenders would look like. I think that lowered to what ride height should be would increase the caster angle slightly. This project is no where near roadworthy so I have not dialed it in just yet. I am more using the cross member / engine position / ride height to figure out how to get the weight balance better and cut the fenders to make new flares.

[KiKiIchiBan]

This is an interesting project. Only other one I know of uses S14 front and rear with an SR20DE and R33 skyline brakes. I don't have much information on it, but it looks like a lot less was cut away.

[SR20DAT]

I am surprised they used S14 suspension. I thought it was even bigger than S13. At least I recall the rear shocks to be. I am not sure how it could be done with out major modification.

[KiKiIchiBan]

I'm sure there's a lot going on but it isn't as well documented as yours. I'll dig out a couple pictures:

04_2524

on 2nd thoughts, maybe they have done a lot to the rear. Arches look like a semi tub, suspension pickup points higher and the shock tunnel is more inward.

09_2551

I'll try find some more info if you're interested.

[SR20DAT]

Thx...I am interested. There may some camera angle issues but its seems that the suspension arms and camber angle are not close to stock. I took a full 4 inches off my sub-frame to have a good 2" stick out each side past the stock body panels. It's likely he doesen't have 10.5" wheels with 22 offset but would be good to know for comaprison. I got the Volks for a steal so I kinda built the suspension around that. I also got the engine for negative cash so I made that work. I just wish I could employ someone to finish this project for a good rate!

[SR20DAT]

Kudos to him for making a clean finished product. His fabrication and completing a project look great from here! would love to see the whole build, but I know I am not good at documenting sometimes.