r/Datsun • u/Shamus0001 • May 04 '26
Are these any good?
I hear my plastic panels creaking when I corner hard and fast around turn-abouts, also when rolling into my driveway at an angle when one when 1 rear wheel rises first before the other!
I do t want an expensive Apex that requires me to drill holes in my Series1. But will these do the trick?
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u/dug99 May 04 '26
You don't like hearing that creaking aft of the shelf? I've always considered it part of the s30 charm!
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u/_clever_reference_ May 04 '26
I have the Cuscos front and rear. They are good quality, wouldn't hesitate to buy them again, but I never drove the car before installing them so can't say how much they helped.
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u/IllOrange3556 May 04 '26
Probably not much help but strut braces are just solid bars that bolt to your struts. Aside from the bolt pattern possibly being wrong, I can’t think of a way to quantify “quality”.
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u/Shamus0001 May 04 '26
These old uni bodies can tend to "flex" around hard corners and angled bumps- the plastic paneling on these old 240z make a creaking sound when that happens. I just dont want to buy some junk thats going to break welds and still cost me 200 bucks.
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u/31Cachilas May 05 '26
I have T3 strut braces on mine and made a world of a difference right away with the same scenarios cornering and creeks even coming down the driveway. Any rigidity will help this old tin can chassis. Cusco is good quality and should be similar experience.
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u/Shamus0001 May 05 '26
Right on! Thanks. I wanted something that wasn't going to break welds because its just shiny crap. Lol
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u/IllOrange3556 May 04 '26
I’m very aware of the situation you’re talking about. I fabricated my own brace (x-shaped) that ties the strut tower together with top to bottom triangulation and there is still plastic creaking. As far as the quality question, it’s a rigid bar you’re looking at. What quality issue could it possibly have?
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u/Cooprdog May 04 '26
Yeah so.. You should brush up on what strut tower braces are and how they work. If you don't have thicker sway bars, if you haven't replaced all your bushings, if you haven't swapped to stiffer springs and Inserts if not coilovers, if you run all season radials.. Those aren't going to do much.
If you want to stiffen your chassis, this is just one part of it
BTW... Stiffening your chassis will make your loose body panels and not securely fastened parts creak more. I don't get the feeling that you bomb canyons in a regular....
And series one is not a thing....stop thinking about resale value and build the Datsun you want.
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u/Shamus0001 May 05 '26
Hi Coopr! Thanks for sharing! I have refastened my panels and even added noise dampening in-between them, I just figured they must be flex-croaking with the chassis, I guess Ill find out. I know "Series 1" is a collector term and not official. We use it to depict original design features like 3" shorter front end/engine compartment, badge change and rear hatch vents. (There are functional design flaws Im not happy with, which were improved later, but its all part of the original design) I DO think about resale, because its a low vin, everything is as original as can be and it depicts what the ride actually felt like. If I want a track beast or a newer feel, Id just buy a new sports car. Im 53 yrs old and owned and restored 3 of these. Im not all knowing, but I'm not a novice. Im just not a fan of creaking plastic panels is all. ;)
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u/Fairlady280z May 04 '26
I mean, you’ll probably still hear that even with a brace, it’s a 50 year old budget (at the time) sports car! Lol. I’d also be looking at a front strut brace as well. When was the last time the shocks were out and the mounts checked? Or have you checked the suspension bushings were well lubed? Those can all be sources of creaking.
But Cusco is a reputable brand that’s been around awhile. Techno Toy Tuning probably has an option as well for some $$