Saisei Knuckles
 

Hey guys, so this is an ongoing project that I’ve been doing, and what brought me to take this on was the low front end support we have.

We have awesome front upper control arms (FUCA) by SPL and voodoo, and then if we want to go further with steering it’s all full on conversions; Part Shop Max, Wisefab, Voodoo.

T-demand offers an adjustable FUCA, along with a fully adjustable - bolt on- lower control arm (LCA) but at a very expensive cost.

There’s also some DIY mods out there as well but don’t do enough, and doesn’t solve the ackerman issue when getting that 1-2 more degrees.

*Cue in my Saisei knuckles*

"Saisei" is Japanese for "rebirth", rebirth knuckle if you will, and I will be doing a few variations.

Version 1-3 will be mainly for grip setups / stance culture for tower clearance for those super low ride heights.

Version 4 will incorporate an overhaul of the outer tie rod (OTR) point, and will test a few variations before the final result. More than likely an offset spacer may be necessary to reduce the ackerman. (Part shop max, also just announced their upcoming steering rack mount, which pushes the rack forward, eliminating the need of offset spacers)
However the purpose of my project is to obtain better angle, with good ackerman, at less cost with the least parts changed.

The jig will work on the knuckles for the following chassis
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psef8mixgs.png

By factory the upper arm is angled upward in comparison to the lower arm. At stock ride height, suspension travel and camber change is fine, but when lowered these values change and can lead to unwanted characteristics depending on your goals.

• Shortened 30mm bringing the upper and lower arms in parallel, and away from hitting the chassis.
• TIG welded and gusseted on three sides to ensure strength to out-stand the abuse track driving: grip and drift.
• Optional static camber / KPI setting.
V1 - 30mm shortened (~ 1* camber correction)
V2 - 30mm shortened (~ .5* camber correction & scrub reduction)
V3 - 30mm shortened (neutral camber & further scrub reduction)


Started off with a couple of cores to ensure consistency
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pseduu5vaq.jpg

Super overkill jigs to prevent any deformation
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psrtxlqkti.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps6aeg3tdf.jpg

Sectioned and prepped for TIG welding. Shown here is V1.0
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psh8zogczq.jpg

Gussets
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psbfdobfdz.jpg

Super hot TIGs
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psmqx5thve.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psjcondwgv.jpg

Painted
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pshr4oohao.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psizogrxwa.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psnj52nkeg.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psun31pf0f.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psewxlzj7b.jpg

For those interested in seeing the background work, you can follow my Instagram: @hardparked_z34

I will be posting in here as well, but at lower volume. I will also be offering these for sale in the forum once AK responds to me about the “vender license”

Well I guess that means they won't be for sale in the forum then :(


No but seriously... phenomenal work. Love the innovation. Kudos :tiphat: :tiphat:

The track rat in me is going road race set up hmmmmmm.

The welding engineer in me is going weld prep, filler wire, and a few other things.

The mechanical engineer in me is digesting the spec's.

Super awesome we're getting this addition to the Z34 market

it seems like alot of japanese mfg skipped the Z34. Went from Z33 to GTR and just never bothered to go back

looking at Garage Mak and Rocket Bunny

Haha! I checked his last activity and it was two months ago!

Thank you, but this is no innovation, its derived from other platforms! but dont see it offered publicly specifically for z34

Stay hungry!

Tell me about it, but from an engineering stand point, if you compare the specs of the z33 and and the z34 knuckle, the z34 knuckle was improved, not only structurally, but for feedback for the driver.

Ive been bugging Garage Mak to make z34 aero for awhile now. Cant say i'm a fan of rocketbunny for our wide cars already.

Innovation to convert a product from an existing platform to another platform that isn't well represented in the marketplace is still innovation :twocents: :tiphat:

Meh... I think there's plenty of overfender solutions for the Z34, and the Rocket Bunny front looks the same on just about every car minus the S14 and FD3S conversions.

That Garage MAK wing though... why hasn't anyone made one that mounts similar to that!?!? Looks sooooo much better than the middle of the hatch mounts (no offense to APR/Voltex owners).

Install photos
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psxobqphfk.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psqvnpvxhk.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pshwdpfe0g.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psemtmyayf.jpg

These should work with all 370s as well as G37s (including AWD); granted your tire size does not interfere.

Correct you are, actually I’ve done my research and found out these fit a lot more than just 370z, and g37...

Here’s my list, which I’ll add to the to OP.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psef8mixgs.png

It seems midway through 2013, they revised the knuckle (hence the new part number)
My theory is that they cut out some meat or redesigned it to make it more universal for all the other models. Resulting in lower production cost in having one knuckle, vs multiple ones.

Or you could just go billet ............ as these fit

http://www.brypar.com/shop/prime-r/n...front-upright/

I'm with Rusty - not sure about welding a cut/shut (even with bracing as shown) in a race car going thru T1 at Philip Island GP circuit or thru McPhillamy at Bathurst

Rep for having a go though ....

I am glad I didnt have a swig of my coffee when I clicked on that link and saw the price! :rofl2:

:iagree:
But if you need it. It's going to cost.

After the conversion from AUS to US it is not as bad but something I hope I dont ever need to buy. :)

Don’t forget the extra 2-3k+ USD GTR brake conversion to go with that knuckle :)

I understand your concern, and I don't make this product, but as a person with welding skills and someone who has seen quality welding for a large portion of my life and been formally educated on the craft: any professional welder will tell you if done right, that weld is most likely stronger then the rest of the piece. However, if done wrong it is a weak link with a lot of lateral load. I just wanted to say this, not to start anything, but point out that actually the weld is most likely the strongest part of it, but only if done correctly.

As an example of billet isn't needed (but is super nice bling) the wisefab kit is pretty much all welded sheet metal: Nissan 370Z Front Lock Kit. And teams have been using it with no issues for a few years now on track and drift.

For the price range the OP is looking to get (I've seen these on FB) it is a killer deal, IMO (which is a grain of salt to many). This is a good example of innovation over throwing money at something I feel.

https://voodoo13usa.com/shop/09-370z...g37-angle-kit/

How would these compare to this?

Apples and oranges honestly

That’s one of the full conversions, which I’m trying to avoid

Currently right now it’s just a shortened knuckle with some optional KPI alterations.

Soon in development will be more steering angle options
Again I’m aiming for a bolt on, affordable, solution for your avid track driver without having to change your upper arms, lower arms, inner tie rods, and outer toe rods.

Had some guys ask all sorts of questions about my Saisei knuckle, and then they went with another guy because they did it cheaper...

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps43hxbqmv.jpg

Oooop's..............that will buff out.

Still make these?

Yes
https://scontent-lax3-1.cdninstagram...59&oe=5E9C0DC2

I understand most suspension basics, but stuff like KPI gets into the concepts that are a little on the fuzzy side, even after I looked up what it means. Assuming that you're into suspension mods because it's fun, how do you decide which configuration from the OP is the right one?

In my case, on a lowered street car seeing occasional HPDE-type events with good tires.

I'm interested in a set if you are still making these.

http://www.the370z.com/parts-sale-pr...le-v1-0-a.html

There you go

Haven't gotten a response, possibly due to COVID shutdown.

Maybe try contacting him on his IG: https://www.instagram.com/dedpedal/