We love to see owners installing our Z Car Garage CV Axles in their vintage Nissans and Datsuns. This 1971 Datsun 510 is owned by Jay W and he replaced his old CV Axle kit with our ZCG CV Axles.
Z Car Garage is proud to offer a CV axle conversion kit for your Datsun S30 and 510. We have sold over 200 sets of axles globally, with customers installing and enjoying them on everything from street cars to full-blown IMSA racers. These CV axles will help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts.
For years we have used aftermarket CV axles that utilize an aluminum adapter prone to loosening up over time. Despite efforts to keep things tight (Loctite, hardware changes) we had to keep an eye on them. We developed a better solution that eliminates the need for aluminum adapters and remains 100% bolt-in like a factory half-shaft. These are the beefiest CV axles on the market. They have been tested on the track by our vintage racing customers and also in high hp* street cars. Each axle has a serial # for peace of mind and the kit comes with everything you need to install on your car.
Jay was looking for CV Axles to run on his 1971 Datsun 510 with Subaru R160 diff and stock 510 bolt-in stub axles:
“I’ve followed ZCG since you launched the Z Car blog years ago. When I first saw the axles on the blog I wanted to purchase them, but I already had the WCR CVs with adapters. I got tired of checking the adapters and safety wiring the bolts. The ZCG axles appealed to me due to their overall design and race proven duties. Talking to Rob about them earlier this year made the decision easy.”
Like many enthusiasts Jay wanted to install them himself as he enjoys working on his Datsun. He kindly sent us a few installation pictures of the ZCG CV Axles (set #0403) replacing the old CVs.
We were pleased to hear Jay’s installation went smoothly:
“I work in Mountain View, so I picked them up in person. Rob walked me through the process and pre-greased the CVs so installation was very simple. I had to adjust my exhaust a bit to clear the axles, but that was pretty easy. The build quality of these is top notch, I really like the details: The hole alignment marker and clearance for a box wrench. “
More install photos can be seen in the gallery below:
Datsun 510 Dreams
We actually know Jay from the days of the All-Datsun Meet at Mt. Shasta many years ago. Let’s hear how he got into his Dimes:
“I purchased my 510 wagon in Oakland in 2005. The seller had this green sedan in his garage he purchased new in 1971. He was performing an engine compartment refresh and swap. I offered to purchase the sedan too and a year later he called me back. The car was rolling, but all the parts were in various boxes or missing. Besides a clean body the car came with a DL Potter engine and Nissan competition transmission which had zero miles on them. I fell victim to project delays and scope creep due to work, family and moving.”
“I didn’t get the car on the road until May 2020. I also enjoy doing as much work as possible myself which definitely slows down progress. The goal with this car is to build a dependable well-handling driver which is period correct in appearance but can still be comfortable for my family. Much like the BTW 510 from Car and Driver. I plan to use the cars in some driving rally’s and the occasional autox- and track days.”
The car has changed a lot over the last two years and will continue to evolve as a driving project. As of today the car has this configuration:
Engine: L18, dual 40mm Mikuni carbs, custom roadster air filter, Fujitsubo exhaust
Drivetrain: Nissan comp transmission, Kameari flywheel, 4.11 R160 LSD
Suspension and brakes: 280ZX front struts and brakes, 240Z rear drums, Koni struts and shocks, 225 lb/in F and 900 lb/in R Swift springs, DPR bushings, 25mm F and 20mm R sway bars
Body: Resprayed body in early 80s, but close to factory color.
Interior
FloFit front seats, full carpet with extra sound deadening. Jay added some footwell lights which turn on with the dome light. Makes night access a lot nicer.
Enjoying the Ride
Jay has been driving his 510 everywhere, most recently on last weekend’s Breakfast Club Rally in Petaluma, CA:
Jay is stoked with the ZCG CV Axle performance and had a blast running the 510 through the Sierras on the DWA Rally in June:
“Rally was amazing, so much fun with a great group of people and cars. The 510 drove perfect and the prep paid off. Car is definitely underpowered at >8000ft above sea level. Still very fun.”
We love Jay’s attention to detail and it shows in his rally prep! Check out the skid plate his CAD designed:
Enjoy this video of Jay’s 510 in action:
Jay even made it out to Laguna Seca with his family in the 510 to watch the SVRA B-Sedan races (full report soon)! See more of Jay’s 510 on his Instagram.
Thank you Jay for your support and keep Enjoying the Ride! More photos in the gallery below:
“Just following up regarding the CV axle kit. I installed the kit right after picking it up from you in the beginning of March. Thank you for pre-greasing the CVs, and making the install pretty quick. Thanks again for making these parts, now I’m just waiting for the 510 brakes you’ll make. Also, congratulations on 18 years, that’s very impressive!”
