I haven't had much time to work on the Race Wagon this past month, the senior guys are enjoying their summer vacations while us junior guys handle the summer crowds. I finally got a day to work on the rollcage with my buddy (and professional fabricator) Paul Moore. We got the main hoop in and laid out the plans for the rest. . . This is why you build a good … [Read more...] about ROLL CAGE STARTED
Datsun Racing
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Yesterday I went through some options for my race wagon with Paul Moore, owner of The Moore Speed Co. The current rear suspension has the OE configuration of leaf springs and live axle. Pictures here show the previous owner's unique multi-link system. It anchors the rear diff to the frame rails at the forward leaf spring perches, so as to limit lateral movement while allowing … [Read more...] about DECISIONS, DECISIONS
WAGOON MOTOR
I've made the decision not to sort out a new drivetrain and new chassis simultaneously in the race wagon. Since I have no firm data on 510 Wagon race specs to build upon, I will start the tuning process on the chassis first. With this in mind, I purchased a known-commodity drivetrain. This purchase was made from a customer of Troy Ermish's race shop, as he was upgrading to a … [Read more...] about WAGOON MOTOR
WAGON UPDATE #2
... The Wagoon is slowly morphing into a race car. The interior has been stripped of all components (windows/cranks, panels, headliner, carpet, dash, sound deadening, weatherstripping, etc), and then I sold it all on Craigslist for $100. The interior sound deadening material was a long project to remove, but I collected it all in a trashbag and it totalled 20 lbs! The … [Read more...] about WAGON UPDATE #2
WAGON POLL
So, do I leave the roof rack on the race car??? Let me know what you think. UPDATE: The rack weighs 15 lbs!!! And the roof trim underneath weighs another 3 lbs. Regardless of the drag issue, the rack goes. But I think I'll keep the roof trim, it just looks too cool to get rid of. I'll keep the rack to bring my surfboard along to the track however ;-) … [Read more...] about WAGON POLL
WAGON UPDATE #1
I spent a couple of days dismantling to see what I've got. Engine bay stripped, dash removed, starting on the doors, glass, and suspension. Previous owner made a few cool mods for track-day events: lowering springs in front, teflon TC bushings, rear comp springs with lowering blocks, and a first gen multi-link rear axle mod that I think I'm gonna update and give a try. I found … [Read more...] about WAGON UPDATE #1