510 suspension question

Discussion forum for the venerable 510, and its non-US counterparts, the Datsun 1600 and Bluebird.
alvco001
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:58 pm
Car: mx
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Hi- What struts are the best for a 510. W/o major mods? I have access to a 280Z and 260Z. Both have rear drums. Are either of the Z's LSD? If so can I swap w/ my stock 160? Thanx, Tim:help


NISTECH
Posts: 12270
Joined: Sun May 25, 2003 4:17 am

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try this in the vintage datsun forum. datsun 411 might have your answer. better yet let me copy it to there.

ca18datsun510
Posts: 2050
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 7:28 pm
Car: bmw 330i zhp, 91 infiniti m30, 89 240sx, 07 zx6r, 05 trx450r
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280zx, not 280z, struts will bolt into your car with little effort, you have to change the spring perches over from the stock 510 struts. when i did this swap i just switched to coilovers in the front, from ground control. you can also find these struts in 79-82 maximas. the big advantage of this swap is the brakes though, not the struts themselves. as far as the back, use the aluminum z drums, they fit the 510, which has regular drums. or swithc to the rear disc from teh 280zx, but thats not really needed.

anything else?

510Racer
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:19 pm
Car: Autocross, drag racing

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My front struts are kinda weird. I didn't install them, they were in the car when I got it, but nonetheless, they are pretty cool. They are rear struts off of a MR2 Turbo. They have 1" diameter shafts and the strut tubes are threaded all the way down. They are also 5 way adjustable. I have a set of groundcontrol coilovers on them, and I have a total of about 10" of heighth adjustment and they handle awesome. I'm not sure what it took to install them, but maybe it something to check out. Also, I have 280z front disk brakes, that seem to work well with this strut setup.

ca18datsun510
Posts: 2050
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 7:28 pm
Car: bmw 330i zhp, 91 infiniti m30, 89 240sx, 07 zx6r, 05 trx450r
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never heard of this, you have any pics?

510Racer
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:19 pm
Car: Autocross, drag racing

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I can get some and post em I guess. I can probably get some this weekend.

Turbo 510
Posts: 129
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 10:45 am

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The MR2 Rear struts are a conversion to get more suspension travel in the front. I have never heard of swapping the entire strut but a late 80's MR2 rear cartridge will fit in a 510, 810, 280ZX, etc. strut with some modifications (shortening and re-welding). It will give you about 1.5" more travel and the shocks are readily available from most of the major performance manufacturers.The best thing to do with 510 struts is to pitch them and put in a ZX or an 810. By doing that it opens up a whole world of better brakes and rotor sizes.

alvco001
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:58 pm
Car: mx
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The best thing to do with 510 struts is to pitch them and put in a ZX or an 810.WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PITCH THEM? Tim

ca18datsun510
Posts: 2050
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 7:28 pm
Car: bmw 330i zhp, 91 infiniti m30, 89 240sx, 07 zx6r, 05 trx450r
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throw them in the garbage

alvco001
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:58 pm
Car: mx
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i get it

Turbo 510
Posts: 129
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 10:45 am

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The 510 struts have small spindle bearings and have limited brake upgrade options. By moving up to the 810/200SX/ZX struts (which have the larger spindle bearings)you can do all kinds of creative swapping for big brakes.

daniel
Posts: 163
Joined: Mon May 24, 2004 4:02 am

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you could use 91 mustang GT illumina's they're even shorter than the mr2/camaro stuff

or you could put in a TRD race height..


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