jfg455

iTrader: (5)

well i kinda blew the $2011 budget already! Although I have thought of building something for the GRM challenge. I have $1800 in the rear end alone (didn't want to bust anything) and $300 in the rear rims so game over there.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (16)

Not any worse then the rest of us... I forgot when I actually bought my 55. I know I started working on the project back in 2005 getting the outer sheet metal, the frame and cage done. It just finally made it back into my buddies shop at the end of 09 so we can finish the tin work in side, build the rear end, mount the motor/trans, get the seats in. I have not even taken 1 picture since I got it back over there. I guess its the lack of progress...

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

lol! its worse when you are looking on the shelf for a part you know you bought and find another part that makes you say " when did I get this?". Unfortunately between the day job, side jobs for hot rod buddies and the family I havent had any time for my own stuff. I made it a point that, even if for 1 hour on sunday, I work on my stuff. It has seemed to help. That and getting rid of 3 other projects.....

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

ok, cage, floor work and some bling. done!

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

revision for the dead thread. I finished the triangulated 4 link for the rear end, qa1 coil overs mounted, and picked up a 1" sprint car sway bar that will fit between the narrow rails. Got a RCI fuel cell, need to mount it, finished the rear bars for the cage, and started the tubs.

raymer626

nice to see your keeping it alive. Any more updates?

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

Not much to report at the moment. All of my free time is spent training for a career change to law enforcement. I am hoping to have some time to get back on it after the first.
But I did pick up a fuel cell, a speedway rear brake set up, and a 1" sprint car splined sway bar setup for the rear suspension. I also scored a set of C6 stainless headers from work for free (accident car) that I am going to cut up for the turbo headers.

seawalkersee

Can you post more pix of your front suspension? I can only assume you used the installed height of an F-body as your front setup to match where you welded on your upper strut mount/plate. What kind of end did you use? You show you are using something different than you originally had.

Wish I could find an LQ4 for pennies...

SWS

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

The installed ride height of the 3rd gen camaro strut was actually 3/4" shorteer than the datsun strut. But, I did have to move the strut tower in 3" and back 1" to get the camber and caster right. The lower control arm is 9" main strut with a 13" adjustable rear leg. I did make my crossmember (seen in earlier posts) so that the lower control arms would be flat at ride height. The upper pivot is a spherical bearing that is made for a lateral load. A normal bearing would just come apart with any lateral load. this makes the bearing 3 times more expensive but is nessesary due to the strut shaft angle not being on the same plane as the knuckle when it turns. Make sense?

seawalkersee

Yeah, I understand, but why did you not make them on the same plane? Is it not possible with the setback/caster?

SWS

quadriplegic

I agree with cheap first. Go budget to start with, the 5.3 and cheap turbo. Once you cut it you can't go back and build "budget" You can always go all out later. Plus the build might help others here with budget builds, then later could possibly help the same people step-up as you go big. Just a thought.

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

the towers are the same on both sides. and not I tried to just use the stock towers but it gave me 2 degrees of caster and a positve 7 degrees of camber. this is why I had to relocate the upper mounts.

The build is still sort of budget minded in the fact that I am using used or fabricated parts where I can. I use new stuff where it is a safety or strength issue. I will still use a junkyard motor and such to keep the costs down. I would like to go into the 9's for less than $6K

vetteguy22

I know this is a very old thread but I just happened across it and was wondering if the project was ever finished?
I was really enjoying it and am thinking of doing a similar project on a 4 door Datsun 510.
Does anyone know of others that have done this?
Thanks,
Rob

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

Well it is slumbering at the moment. Life, work vehicle A.D.D. all get in the way. It is just about to where I need to build the engine for it and then wire and plumb it. The rear trunk area is all done, cage is 95% done etc.

jfg455

iTrader: (5)

vetteguy22

Thanks for posting. Look forward to your future progress.
Rob