The interior, like the entire project, was a ground-up endeavor. Stewart started with two layers of sound deadening and one layer of insulation. He rewired the entire car with a Painless universal kit, and installed fresh carpet followed by a reconditioned OEM dash, cleverly outfitted with a Defi tachometer in the factory location and three 60mm gauges on the dash. A pair of Bride seats was fitted in the Datsun's cockpit with Bride universal sliders custom mounted to the OEM seat brackets. A Nardi 330mm deep-dish steering wheel and a NRG quick release hub with a shortened/modified Momo hub adapter add style and security to Stewart's ride. To tie the interior together Stewart ordered authentic gradation-style Bride fabric for the rear seats and door panels.
The 510's steep racing heritage means there are many ways to enhance the coupe's apex-carving abilities. Stewart fitted the front of the car with adjustable coilovers from Design Products. The coilovers are mated to 280ZX struts, and Tein camber plates were bolted into the factory strut tower for fine-tuning the setup. The rear suspension features Techno Toy Tuning coilovers. Stopping power has been addressed with Wilwood Dynalite components. Stewart is running four-piston calipers and slotted 12-inch rotors in front, and two-piston calipers in the rear, mounted on custom brackets.
The remainder of the powertrain consists of a shortened driveshaft, an R200 limited-slip differential with a custom powdercoated cover, and a Wolf Creek Racing axle kit that's not only stronger than the OEM U-joints but also much lighter and more efficient.
Stewart says the whole project was wrapped up in a year. "I really wanted a show-quality, unique build," he says. "I tried to mix a little old school with new school (old-school car and new school parts), creating a supremely driveable car. Some of my friends and I did most of the work. I tried to complete as much as I was capable of and the rest was subbed out to shops."
The result speaks for itself. Stewart was in the process of selling the beast on eBay until we noticed the old schooler at the '08 Chinatown Show-off. This exposure has made him rethink his priorities and Stewart plans to drive the Dime while housing prices fall-another sound idea in our book.
Specs Engine
S13 SR20ET
Reddy intake manifold (polished)
GReddy 1.2mm headgasket
GReddy rocker-arm stoppers
OEM intake manifold gasket
OEM exhaust manifold gasket
OEM throttle body gasket
Sard blow-off valve
Sard fuel pressure regulator
Sard oil cap
ARP head stud kit
TiAL 38mm wastegate
SS valve cover bolts
T3/T4 Lovefab log manifold
Datsport steering brace
Garrett T3/T4 GT30R
V-band exhaust clamps
Veilside titanium muffler
Valve cover powdercoating
Battery relocation kit
Custom intercooler
Custom radiator
Taka turbo lines
Nismo motor/tranny mount
HKS Super Mega Flow Intake
Cast 90 front-mount intercooler ends3-inch SS mandrel piping
Fuel system:
Sard fuel rail
RC Engineering injectors (750cc)
RCI fuel cell (16 gallon)
Aeromotive fuel filter
Walbro 255lph fuel pump (mounted in trunk)
Custom 3/8-inch aluminum lines
Suspension/drivetrain:
280Z struts
Datsport SR conversion kit
Datsport tranny cover
R-200 limited-slip differential
R-200 mustache bar
Differential cover (custom powdercoated gold)
C's short shifter
ACT Stage 3 clutch
Resurfaced flywheel
OEM clutch cylinder
Custom Wolf Creek Racing CV axle kit
Tein camber plates
Custom Don Olenburg front coilovers
Techno Toy Tuning rear coilovers
Shortened/balanced driveshaft
McKinney tranny cross-member
Wheels/brakes:
Rays CE28 16x7
Volk Racing lug nuts
205/40/16 Falken RT-615 tires
Wilwood Dynalite brake kit
Slotted rotors (front/rear)
SS brake lines
7/8-brake booster
Extended studs
Wheels spacers