Noobie's 510 project

[DADZSUN]

Yes, another post about CVs. Hopefully nobody's getting sick of them.

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This latest version will remain on my personal build so it does follow the original objective to this thread. As soon as the web site is live (ETA Jan 1st) I'm hoping to open a separate thread that will house details exclusive to Datsun Restomods products. That doesn't mean that the development of potentially future products won't first appear on this or my 280Z thread - in fact one product is being test fitted on my 280z (thread to be revived soon) and another PL510/S30 project starts over Christmas.

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This version of CV is not yet officially for sale, only one other 'tester' will be privy to a set in the coming weeks. Integrated stubs, vs adapter flanges, require a bit of a different think on how it's reliably fastened to the housing. Specifically, I like to have redundancy and enough engineering to ensure that it at least meets OEM R160 stub strength (the CV itself is beefy enough to handle LOTS - those who've seen can confirm).

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With clip-in stubs it only needs 4 bolts to fasten each axle - it took maybe 10min per side?

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I managed to get about 100km on the 510 today, it was awesome! With EFI I'm determined to enjoy my 510 throughout the winter so long as the roads are dry and not too cold. As I get older I realize I'm running out of track and am not longer patient enough to deprive myself of personal joys for 5+ months.

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My 510 is really starting to get really sorted out. What a freaking joy to drive! Next up is the steering and I'm *really* looking forward to installing JB Coachwerks' front end. I LOVE seeing these specialty shops come out with cool shit. JB Coachwerks, Hoke Performance, and Skillard Automotive are all examples that I hope Datsun Restomods can one day be mentioned in the same conversation.

[DADZSUN]

eCommerce site is up.

See add in classified: http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=31441

[Fred_L-P]

Congrats Fritz, this is awesome! I saved it to my favorites

[DADZSUN]

Thanks Fred. A few more super-cool items coming to datsunrestomods.com in 2019!

Sneak peeks will be in this thread and my 280z build - http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=29692

[DADZSUN]

Figured it would be a good title for this post because there's two things happening right now that are swamping me. Snow, and CV orders.

Lots of snow hitting eastern Canada right now. Thought I'd bring out the 510 to give perspective LOL...

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The other thing keeping me busy are CV axles orders - a good thing! I shipped 4 set this week including my first ever to Australia.

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Post office lady was NOT pleased with me. These boxes are 30lbs each.

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In an effort to manage production demand, I've begun to outsource some of the process. A part of the adapters is now being CNC'd which saves me a *huge* amount of time. These new adapters can be spotted with the OEM-like pocket on the flange side.

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There will be more changes coming soon including a slightly different version of the CV and even an integrated ABS tone ring for future Datsun Restomods product compatibility...

[DADZSUN]

What a shitty winter we've had in Ottawa. I was in Winnipeg last week and even they had better weather, Winnipeg!?!? Vancouver the week before felt like late-April, damn I'm jealous...

Thankfully, DatsunRestomods orders have been keeping me busy to help time go quickly. Thanks again to all those who've supported on the Realm (and there are many of you!), your investment is being funneled into this next product that I'm hoping to have mounted soon and if things go as planned, available later this summer.

I won't dive into too much details, but I can say this will be affordable, 100% bolt-in, and include some cool electronic trickery.

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I also think it's time to step up a bit more regarding Solo2. My son continues to have a strong interest and it can't hurt showing Datsunrestomod products getting beaten on. I've got a set of 14x7 ET0 CSA Bathurst alloys that came on my 280z that I plan to mount some track tires. They're not light @ 15.5 pounds, but they're good enough to do the job.

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I'll likely stick to track vs autocross tires so that my son and I can enjoy consistent stick all season w/o the risk of heat cycling out. It will also be a nice manageable stepping stone for him compared to the Azenis. I'll fab up a harness bar to leverage the two unused rear passenger shoulder mounts.

[icehouse]

Finding good rubber for 14’s is tough. What tires are you planning on running? What power column? We picked up a Vue column for our enduro car. It looks like quite the project to make it bolt in.

[DADZSUN]

You're right, 14" performance/track rubber is hard to find (Azenis for street are solid IMO). Hoosier still makes some but they're pricey for 2 drivers in a casual setup. I've inquired about the Nankang in classified, and am also considering the Nitto NT01 205/55R14.

Yeah, the Vue column pictured above is for reference only, will be going a different route. The plan is to make it compatible with the stock steering box and your setup too.

[DADZSUN]

It's been ages since I've updated but behind the scenes it's been crazy busy.

Several dozen sets of www.datsunrestomods.com axles have been shipped, and even more exciting, development of the next product is progressing well.

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Here's a pic of Mark I electric power steering in testing. Being a prototype it ain't pretty, but functionally it's 100%. The results are VERY promising, it really transforms how the car feels at all speeds.

Next steps are to make this setup as OEM looking as possible, which requires quite a bit of designing & experimentation.

Plans for a fall release are still feasible. Ultimate goals are 100% bolt-in (ZERO cutting), all pieces required to install will be supplied (wiring, fuses, bracketry), light (+12lbs max), safe, and affordable. I will source the actual unit and thoroughly test before it is shipped. Install time should be under 1hr.

Other news, looks like a 620 will be joining the fleet very soon. Some pretty insane Datsun Resomods-ish plans for it too!

[andrew.lori]

I drove his car today.... nice feel gave me the impression of modern rack and pinion. All I can add is I will be the first customer

[Byron510]

Interest.....peaked!!!!

Looking forward to this update.

Byron

[goichi1]

I did the Electric power steering in my first coupe build, I think it's awesome someone is putting a kit together to make it easy to install. I had to source the parts, research which parts to source, and then put it all together and wire it up, took me forever but that was the nicest mod I did to the car, makes it so much easier to drive and enjoy.

Will you make the steering assist adjustable? like installing a Rheostat type switch to have the option of increasing or decreasing the amount of input required to steer? just curious, I have seen one other kit that offered that, but that was years ago, not sure if it ever came to reality.

[DADZSUN]

... I had to source the parts, research which parts to source, and then put it all together and wire it up, took me forever...

Yeah, there's a LOT of experimentation, failures, and patience required to find the magic formula.

Adding to the challenge is that the R&D to mass produce a part can be even more complicated. Additional variables such as cost, supply, ease of installation, reliability, and most importantly safety play a much bigger role than one-off IMO. Regardless, it's a hell of lot of fun and very rewarding when success does come.

Will you make the steering assist adjustable? like installing a Rheostat type switch to have the option of increasing or decreasing the amount of input required to steer? ...

That is the eventual plan but far more sophisticated than a knob/switch . Having said that, the non-variable system I'm testing now is so damn good I honestly don't know how adjustability will make it better. Some of these newer systems are torque based, so a driver typically inputs less force into the steering wheel at speed which naturally results in less assist.

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I can also finally confirm that a 620 will be joining the Datsun fleet. My short term goal is to fit an electric steering kit as well for a release date alongside the 510.

[goichi1]

Yes! I also thought that mine was so nice as it was that I didn’t want to mess with trying to adjust it. I think it’s awesome that you are going to make this available.

[broke]

I like what you're doing with the plug-in CV axles. Very simple and elegant.