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 Carlo O and the old half shafts were replaced with our ZCG CV Axles. You may have seen this TSR Fabrication-built Dime at events in the SoCal area and we are proud to be part of it!
We saw Carlo’s 510 last year at the Japanese Classic Car Show and noticed he was running ZCG CV Axles with an R200 LSD. Great to hear that these parts earn Mario Lozano’s approval and he installed them with ease at the TSR facility in Gardena, CA. Carlo is stoked:
“The ZCG CV Axles were recommended by Mario of TSR Fabrication and we chose them based on anticipated power levels as well as reducing the vibrations associated with my half shafts. Installation was smooth as butter and easy as it gets. Performance has been great, they are quiet and definitely substantially reduced vibrations.”
Datsun 510 Dreams
Carlo dreamed of having a Datsun 510 and it had to be built by TSR Fabrication.
“I purchased my 510 in 2004 right after I graduated from high school. I was 17 and I remember searching for months, waiting every every week for a new Auto Trader. No online tools or social media like today. I would check DimeQuarterly every night. Finally found one about 7hrs from home. My Dad and I had a great adventure trying to get it, and no matter what condition I going to buy it!”
In addition to the upgraded ZCG CV Axles this is a full TSR Datsun 510 build. As a young enthusiast, Carlo worked several jobs and saved up to enlist the help of Mario Lozano at TSR Fabrication in 2016. Years later the result is a full, TSR Datsun 510 with SR20DET-power and all the goodies they are known for.
The body color is Nissan (350Z) LeMans Blue with 17×8 forged AG wheels. More pictures in the gallery below!
Photo by Ricardo Hernandez
Inside, a custom interior from Fast Ed’s features Recaro EVO seats wrapped in Aston Martin leather, Mercedes grey carpet, suede headliner, limited edition S15 gauge cluster, roll cage and custom billet parts like the sun visors:
The engine bay and chassis sport a full list of TSR specialty parts like their titanium heat shield, full stainless exhaust, JRZ suspension, Brembo 13″ brakes, TSR custom airbox, overflow tank, intercooler, radiator, turbo plumbing, stainless fuel lines and full adjustable rear crossmember:
See more of Carlo’s 510 on his Instagram.
Mario Lozano of TSR Fabrication
Datsun 510 enthusiasts worldwide are very familiar with Mario Lozano, owner of TSR Fabrication in Gardena, CA. Mario has been creating high-quality, functional and artistic parts for Datsuns over the last few decades, but that is just scratching the surface of his accomplishments and project scopes. We have known Mario for many years and recently caught up with him to discuss his passions (not just Datsuns), current work and future offerings:
Time flies: (L) Rob and Mario at the 2021 JCCS, (R). Alvin and Mario at the 2005 All-Datsun Meet at Mt. Shasta
Mario was a track athlete in school, heading for competitive (Olympic) levels until injuries sidelined that trajectory. Academics then became his focus and this is where a passion and love for Industrial Design was founded. Cars came second and Mario loves 510s, building them for fun while helping the Datsun community. Mario’s personal, SR20DET-powered Datsun 510:
While he is synonymous for fabricating high-end Datsun parts, Mario does so much more! From working directly with major OEMs (like Ford and their Mach-E wheels) to F1 and Indy cars…even helping senior citizens with their welding projects! Mario’s favorite material to work with: stainless steel (RathGibson US Mil-spec only).
We asked Mario what his favorite part on Carlo’s 510 was, starting with the full stainless exhaust system. He is truly an artist:
The custom airbox and titanium heat shield (It’s 13 years old!)
Mario is especially proud of the JRZ suspension and Brembo brake systems he designed and fabricated:
“I worked closely with JRZ (we are on V.4) and it transforms the car. Carlo’s wife would refuse to ride in his 510 before the suspension upgrade as it was too bouncy. Afterwards she said it rides like a Camry but handles and brakes…now she wants the same for her 510 Wagon! Smoothest 510 that simply does not feel like a 510.”
What can we expect from TSR for Datsun owners? Mario has been offering Carbon Fiber hoods since 1999, but materials have come a long way. These parts are like jewelry and CF trunks are next. A new rack and pinion steering setup, engineered for 510 use with electronic power steering. Finally, Mario is really excited to offer active JRZ suspension!
See more of TSR’s work on Instagram.
Thank you for your support Carlo and Mario, it was great seeing you at JCCS! Please read below for more information on our ZCG CV Axles:
ZCG CV Axles
Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. These are 100% bolt-in replacing your half-shafts and does not use aluminum adapters commonly found in aftermarket units. We have over 200 CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.
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.
Designed and manufactured locally with KAD Models, the ZCG CV axle kit works in both R180 and R200 configurations.
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 (powershifting, clutch dumps, etc.). Each axle has a serial # for peace of mind:
The CV axle kit is available now from ZCG for 1595.00 + freight and they come with everything you need to install on your car. Contact us at 408-452-0350 or send Rob an e-mail rob@zcargarage.com to purchase. Installation is just like doing a half-shaft: there is even a marking that shows you where to line up bolts and special hardware:
The ZCG CV Axles in action
The video below demonstrates the “looseness” associated with aftermarket CV axles that use adapters compared to the ZCG axles without adapters. Several customer race/street cars running our CV axles are also shown. Enjoy!
Enjoy this video made by our client Hazel. She installed our ZCG CV Axles on her Hazel’s 1970 Datsun 240Z
Over 150 sets of our ZCG CV Axles are installed in client’s cars all over the world:
Supermachine in Tokyo, Japan is running our Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and Z Car Garage CV Axles in their Series Datsun 240Z:
Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou is running our ZCG CV Axles in this IMSA GTU 260z race car!
Racer Brad H is running ZCG CV Axles in his IMSA GTU race car:
Race car driver and restoration specialist Jim Froula of Racecraft is running ZCG axles in several of his cars:
Set #246 – installed May 2018 on the “Harry Stewart #52” Datsun 510:
Set #247 – installed April 2018 on the 260z
Set #248 – installed on Adam Carolla’s “Greg Sorrentino #90” Datsun 510.
