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Swapping struts into your 1200 is the easy way to get super brakes. Or you could simply bolt the B210/B310 brakes onto a B110 for a better brake. The stock 1200 front-disc/rear-drum system was good for 1971. In fact, stopping power was better than most 'muscle cars' of the era (see Overview of the Datsun1200 HP and Performance). However, fading under repeated hard stops was a problem as these were not ventilated rotors. But compared to modern cars ... well, they don't really compare at all -- even the cheapest new import car has better brakes than the 1973 Datsun 1200.
On the other hand, there are some good reasons not to change your struts. The stock struts are very light, which is good for acceleration. They also have a good damping qualities for a smooth ride. Less work to keep them. Less expensive to keep them.
Reasons to swap struts:
- To swap from front drum brake to front disc brakes (a must-do)
- To fit bigger brakes
- To add adjustable camber & castor
- To lower car
- To fit high-performance strut shock inserts
Also see: Strut photo index
Contents |
Coilover conversion
Ground Control has fully adjustable coilover struts, for $199 USD a pair.
Coilover kit from Ground Control
you can modify Nissan struts to accept 2-1/4 inch coils
Popular conversions using Datsun donor parts
- 280zx strut swap brake upgrade
- Stanza (A10) Strut swap brake upgrade. A10 is similar to HL510
- Bluebird (810)
1200 Disc-brake Swap
B110 "Standard" models used front drum brakes (most Aussie sedans are STD models). You can simply bolt the disc-brake struts together with brake assembly directly onto a STD car. You will also need the master cylinder and brake lines.
B210 Swap
You can swap A14-powered B210 struts onto a 1200, to get larger brakes. Use the 1200 spring.
B310 Swap
B310s have a larger brake than B110, although slightly smaller than the largest B210 brakes. You will need to modify the springs to make this work. Also the tie-rod ends are different.
TRD
RD struts are often used on 1200s. See how-to pictorial on strut shortening: TRD Race Height Suspension Conversion Guide.
A10
A10 (1978-1981 Datsun 1600 aka Violet, Stanza, and similar to the HL510 "510") is a beefier version of the B110/B210/B310 suspension ... so the parts fit with only small modifications.
Stanza struts and 275mm rotor Commodore VL Turbo caliper
610
200B (610, Maxima)
200B Calipers
180B Struts (Datsun 610)
This is not a conversion for someone without a mig welder and a workshop. The springs are larger diameter in the 180B. They will NOT fit in the 1200 strut tower. You will have to remove the spring perches, and weld on stanza or 1200 ones. Stanza ones are better because the Stanza strut tube diameter is the same as 180B. You will also need to swap the top of the struts too, including the mount, 1200 springs and thrust bearing.
810
Z-car
car: 240Z/260Z/280Z, 280ZX
240Z brakes on 1200 Strut. This involves welding, and fabricating new parts. See Datsun 1200 Competition Suspension Manual 280Z strut swap 280ZX spring swap see stiffer suspension
280ZX Struts
280ZX (S31) struts are a great strut to use, vented brakes, solid 1-piston caliper and very short stroke.
The spring is too large for the 1200 strut tower. Whitesedan removed the spring perch and used a weld-on coilover kit, you could weld a 1200 lower spring seat onto the 280zx strut tube also. The spacing were the strut bolts to the steering arm is the same as a A10, 180b, 200b etc. You will need A10 (stanza, H510) lower control arms, steering arms, balljoints and outer tie rod ends. You can use modified 1200 radius rods, length is good just bolt spacing needs to be wider for the A10 balljoint and tapped to M10, for adjustable radius rods use a a set of LJ Torana rods that have adjustment but drilling is required to fit the thicker rod to the body and modifications need to be made to the rod to match the A10 balljoint. Track will be increased. 14" rims and larger rims will fit the smallest fitted on the 280ZX.
Also drilling may be necessary for the insert to fit into the strut top. Whitesedan used noltec camber/castor tops.
Whitesedan is looking into Toyota Hilux 4-piston calipers for this swap.
Less Popular Swaps
Subaru
Sylvia Swap
You can get 180SX discs and calipers adapted to the 1200 disc-brake strut.
The Sylvia S13, S14 centre bore is 68mm and the 1200 hub is 70mm at the disk seat. But the Sylvia disk has a huge backspacing compared to the 1200 disk. Perhaps 2mm need to be machined off?
Skyline R30, R31
Most likely, you would have to change the whole strut assembly, which will require B310 or A10 (Stanza) control arms, balljoints and such.