Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: manifest on September 11, 2014, 08:35:05 AM

Title: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 11, 2014, 08:35:05 AM
Been a while since I have posted anything on here about our MS build.  We concentrated on our Classic Production VW Karmann Ghia (which is for sale) for the past few years. 
I have built new front susp. and did away with the factory front clip and struts that we had planned to use.  Stretched the wheelbase 16". Went with a straight axle with early Ford spindles.  Kept the factory Datsun rack and mounted it to the axle to eliminate bump steer.  The coilover work off of a cantilever setup. Hope to get the car on the ground in the next few weeks and Have our friends in Knoxville start work on the front sheetmetal body work.

Zach Burns
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 11, 2014, 08:35:35 AM
another picture
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 12, 2014, 10:28:25 AM
more pictures
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: kustombrad on September 12, 2014, 10:33:05 AM
You've done your homework, very nice!
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 12, 2014, 10:52:43 AM
Thanks kustombrad, your liner is top notch from what I've seen.

Got a new steering u-joint from Woodward out of Wy the other day so we don't have to rely on the 1974 one that's in the pictures.  Because the front 4 link is swinging on a much small radius than the steering column, which only has a u-joint at the rack and at the firewall, I machined a slip joint using some original splined male and female parts out of the stock Datsun column.  I will try to get some more pictures up in the next few days.

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: gkabbt on September 12, 2014, 08:09:19 PM
Zach, Looking good so far! I'm sure the build quality will be equal to the Karmann Ghia!
You going to run Wilmington when you finish!

Gregg
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 15, 2014, 07:00:19 AM
Oh yea, Wilmington is to close to home for us not to run there.  Like to make it to Loring sometime too.  Got the front suspension back on with the exception of a few washers and spacers on the cantilever rockers this weekend.

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 22, 2014, 03:05:46 PM
Got the car on the ground this weekend.  Still so much to do I can't see straight.
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: debgeo on September 22, 2014, 06:22:27 PM
I found I am much better to focus on next step, When I look at whole elephant it overwhelms me. Good Luck it looks great.

George :cheers:
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: wickedwagens on September 23, 2014, 03:44:56 PM
It's looking great! Did you guys sell the Ghia?
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on September 24, 2014, 01:14:50 PM
No, we still got it Mark.  A lot of lookers but no interest in it yet.
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on October 16, 2014, 11:35:50 AM
Baby steps being made.  Got the body tide to the cage along the A-pillar so it wont move when we peel the top off later on.  Ended up ditching the Datsun rack and going with a 20:1 Stiletto. 

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: SteveM on October 16, 2014, 09:01:23 PM
Beautiful work on a beautiful machine!
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on October 16, 2014, 09:21:19 PM
Got the car on the ground this weekend.  Still so much to do I can't see straight.

You know, it's tough.  You start on one aspect, a dozen other things come up while you're working, and you question whether or not you'll ever get done.

But the build diary helps.

When I found myself questioning the end game, I'd take some time, pull up the diary, and took stock of what I had already gotten done.

The diaries are a slick way to show off your work, but they also make for a great tool to keep you to task, and to assess how far you've actually come.

Keep posting - it's good for you, good for the car, and good for us.

Chris
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: lsrjunkie on October 17, 2014, 09:35:04 AM
I have to agree 110% with the Midget!

One other little trick I use is, As your working on one part and you think, "I'm going to need to do this or that." I'll jump up and run over to the bench and make a note of it in. Those sheets of paper with beer, grease, and my chicken scratches all over them sure have kept me moving in the right direction.

Great looking project, and a cool car in general. Looking forward to watching this project come together!
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: PJQ on October 18, 2014, 04:02:44 AM
Really neat work Zach and a fave sports car of mine. What's going to power this beauty?

Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on October 20, 2014, 07:57:39 AM
PJQ, planning on starting off with a 383 Wedge that we run in our drag car ('68 Dart).  Eventually plan to build an "A" class motor (496") wedge with mechanical injection on alcohol and maybe, if the funding is there, a nitro mixture on down the road.  Running a Jerico dr4 out of the drag car too with a 9"Ford rear.

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on October 21, 2014, 08:21:51 AM
Able to work on the steering last night.  Got the front axle pulled back out and welded the rack mounts up too. Waiting on tubing to show up so I can finish the seat structure and start adding gussets to the cage and chassis.
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on November 05, 2014, 09:19:02 AM
Got the suspension limit straps mounted on the rear suspension and added some bars to the funny car cage area. 

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: tauruck on November 05, 2014, 09:58:30 AM
It's looking good manifest. :cheers:
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on November 12, 2014, 02:03:05 PM
Just more pictures of the cage and the limit straps on the rear. 

On a side note, I will be in southern California this coming week for training in Chatsworth (San Fernando/ Simi Valley area).  Does anyone have any suggestions for things to see, eat at and do in the evenings around LA?  Hoping the NHRA museum has extended hours since the finals is this weekend.  Irwindale is having their Thursday night test'n'tune so I will probably go see that. But the Peterson Museum is closed for renovations and a lot of the aviation and space museums close at 5pm.  Any LSR guys want to shoot the shit, I'll bring some beer.

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: lvsalt on November 12, 2014, 08:05:18 PM
looking good :cheers:
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on November 26, 2014, 01:53:59 PM
Car is Barillaro Speed Emporium in Knoxville.  I have been friends with these two brothers and their dad for 7 or 8 years now and they never fail to teach me something and impress me.  Their dad, Big Jim, campaigned a cammer powered Torino funny car and a wheel stander in his early 20's in the north east (Cammer Jammer and Wind Jammer).  Mikey and Jimmy are working on stretching the fenders and building the new front sheet metal to take the place of the radiator opening and bumpers. 

Zach
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on November 26, 2014, 01:55:29 PM
...
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: tauruck on November 26, 2014, 09:11:13 PM
The car looks really good and I love the front suspension set up. :cheers:
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on December 05, 2014, 10:23:45 AM
progress
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on December 05, 2014, 10:24:08 AM
.
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: manifest on December 05, 2014, 10:24:23 AM
.
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: lsrjunkie on December 05, 2014, 11:27:59 AM
Looking real good...  :cheers:
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: kustombrad on December 05, 2014, 05:13:37 PM
Man I dig this car!
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: Tman on December 07, 2014, 08:28:10 PM
Wow! That car does what many do not. It keeps the clean factory lines!
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: wheelrdealer on December 07, 2014, 09:06:22 PM
Really nice looking build. I love the stretch. Great cage and suspension.

BR
Title: Re: Datsun Modified Sports Build Back In Motion
Post by: RebekahsZ on October 20, 2015, 08:24:40 PM
Updates?  I'm running a 240z in Modified Sports class at ECTA, but my little machine isn't nearly as sophisticated as yours and I use is as a drag and autocross car as well.  I hope to build another Z-car strictly for drag and landspeed and am paying close attention to your build.  My car will likely remain stock wheelbase and will run stock front suspension with a 9" in back.  Also, the unibody will be preserved.  Do you have any pictures that show how and where you mounted your chute?