Improving the Suspension Geometry and Alignment on my Datsun Ep. 12

[@dekebell3307]

Great explanation and series!

[@JordanPayneLV]

Awesome video and great content! Looking forward to the next one :) Also, I think your explanation of roll center and bump steer was great! I appreciate these explanations because I too have adjustable suspension that I’d like to tune on my car!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Thanks Jordan, glad you're enjoying the series!

[@trasher2848]

top notch explanations, thank you.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnshaft5613]

Great work! I had exactly the same situation with the front sway bar. I just made a .25" aluminum spacer to lower the bar to clear the frame. Something to think about setting your ride height: I can't remember if you have done your exhaust yet or not, but if you are going with a dual 3" exhaust, you will find it very difficult (maybe impossible) to route the exhaust in such a manner that it does not sit significantly lower than the frame rails. Just something to keep in mind when setting ride height... In my case, the exhaust hangs approximately 1.5" below the frame rails.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey John thanks! You're getting further and further ahead of me now, car looks great! Great tip on the spacer, makes a ton of sense as it's definitely preloading at this height, I'll do the same for sure. I haven't done the headers yet, honestly one of my biggest concerns left in the build. I thought I did a good job creating a ton of clearance under the transmission mount so I'm hoping mine wont be quite that low. I did bump up the rear quite a bit to get the pipes under the diff with a decent amount of ground clearance... like anything else with this car, I'm sure I'll have to wind up making changes over and over again.. good and bad to doing a project to this scale for the first time! Hope you and your family are doing well John

[@Hangin_With_Shane]

@@GrindhousePerformance Chiming in here, you can always oval the 3" exhaust to help with clearance issues too! The engine you're using only requires a 2.5" for HP. What top HP are you going for?

[@mako757]

Bravo Maestro! the car is beautiful,

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Too kind, thanks for checking out my channel!

[@InvincibleExtremes]

Roll center, and bumpsteer are easily and cheaply fixed with mustang spindles btw... and the super 8.8 is hands down the strongest diff you can put in these.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Great tips! I didn't know folks were putting mustang spindles in these. If I were to do it all again there's definitely a lot I'd do differently in hindsight!

[@dominiccesarz4133]

@@GrindhousePerformance Could you make a video on what you would do differently? I am currently planning a build and i am looking at a similar drive line and suspension.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

That's a great idea, there's definitely a lot I would do differently in hindsight. I was thinking of something when the car's a little further along you think?

[@dominiccesarz4133]

@@GrindhousePerformance I guess that depends on how long you think this build will last. I am sure you will run into plenty of little gremlins during the journey. Perhaps a breakdown of each major components when you have them completed? For example are you happy with the Apex and T3 combination? Would you stay with the 200 rear end or use the ford 8.8?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

My schedule right now is pushing to drive this this year. Probably will never be done done with this project though. Ive made so many concessions and changes throughout the build and learned a lot through those mistakes. Don't want to come off as too much of a downer though, it's all good things! Apex Engineered didn't exist when I bought the main suspension and rear end parts. Having such original T3 parts is a little concerning since they've changed so many of their designs since. Hoping those changes aren't all because of failures of the parts I've got in customer cars. The new AE stuff is gorgeous and would've done everything they have if starting over. I also would run an 8.8 over an r200 any day because of the parts availability, strength, and familiarity I have with that rear. If my unicorn r33 r200 fails I'll have a parts replacement nightmare on my hands

[@TheShicklee]

Love this series. Keep them coming. 👍🏼

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey thank you!

[@dwaynefong]

subsribed and liked ... great content !!! cant wait to watch all your videos

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey thank you! I hope you enjoy checking out my projects

[@milesjones4559]

Hey Dave, I got a 240z with a 5.3/4l60e. I recently got a Viper t-56 and super excited to get it in. The problem is, I have no idea what parts needed. It would be great if you could give me some direction. Thanks

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hey Miles! I think there's a fair amount of variation between the different model year viper transmissions. Has this Viper trans been previously mated to an LS? If not, you'll have to either have the Viper input shaft machined, or replace the input shaft for an LS one. You could have a custom pilot bushing made, but I believe the viper input shaft is longer, too, so you will need to be very careful choosing a bellhousing/slave cyl/clutch combination that disengages properly. You also cant use an LS slave cylinder on the viper trans unless you replace the front plate. I haven't done a viper swap myself, but you need to decide whether you want to change to an LS front plate and input shaft to use regular LS parts, or if you want to purchase specialty viper t56 to ls conversion parts/bellhousing with some machining. I'm not sure which route is most cost effective. Luckily, you're not the first person to go through this swap and there should be a lot of helpful information out there! Good luck!

[@JPMcCann2]

The hat looks so good

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Im really stoked how nice they turned out, thanks JP!

[@marcoreyes7348]

Do somebody know if i can have A/C on a LS swaped 280z?

[@GrindhousePerformance]

I wouldn't see why not, but would take adapting a universal kit and fitting it the best you can. Would likely need custom lines, brackets, e.t.c for the entire system, since it's an uncommon platform compared to like a C10 or Camaro

[@marcoreyes7348]

GrindhousePE do you think it would be expensive to do that? Its because i really want to swap my 280z but it is important to have A/C in the city i live, and im trying to rebuild it as cheap as i can

[@GrindhousePerformance]

You should get the compressor with the used engine, and assuming you still have the blower stuff in the car you'd only really need all the lines and condenser I'd imagine. Think it could be done relatively cheaply if you get everything from a "you pull" junkyard

[@ohmster101]

Love it!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Thank you!

[@TravYFZ]

whisker biscuits.... YES!

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Hahahah I'm glad somebody noticed 🤣

[@roberttemplin527]

You don't have any upward suspension travel. The top of the tire is almost hitting the inner fender. You need to raise the front end up some. Thats why the tie rods are at such a step angle. To have a car sit that low you need to move the inner ends of the A-arms up, and the steering rack up. You can cheat by shimming the outer tie rods down. That doesn't correct the tire hitting the top of the fender. You will need 1500 LBS spring rate so the tire doesn't move when you hit a bump. 500 horse power in a 2,400 lbs car is more than most people can handle, so take it easy with that thing when you get it drivable. Good luck.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Good points all around, thanks for sharing! The inner control arm points have been moved up to help roll center correction. The mustang wheels and tires are a bit taller than the ones I'll be using, so I've got a little more clearance to the inner fender than appears. I'd also wanted to see it a bit slammed because, well, it hasn't been on the ground in years and ya gotta do it sometimes! I'm sure I'll have to bump up the ride height.. I'm hoping I can avoid having to add material to the front fender arches though.. the kit was designed around an absolutely slammed track car so we'll just have to see

[@antaltieri7154]

So what you were saying at 6minutes... More Bodywork?!?! ;D

[@GrindhousePerformance]

One day there won't be anything left to sand......... 😥

[@antaltieri7154]

@@GrindhousePerformance but it is NOT THIS DAY

[@TallGarage]

joe dirt reference, i seen't it.

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Haha, I was a little too proud of myself for that one 🤣

[@alexnds1]

sounds like you have a degree in Mechanical engineering and understand Physics

[@GrindhousePerformance]

Good catch! Yes, I've got a degree in ME with a concentration in mechanical design.

[@georges-alexgarondo3652]

Tu as fait du bon boulot. Mais tu ne montre pas le sujet que tu parle et tu montre du droit, on ne vois que ton visage. c'est dommage 😅😜