Datsun 510 Swaps?

Hi,

I'm asking this here since I don't know any other good Datsun websites and the Datsun forum here isn't looked through much it seems. Anyways, I'm going to be getting a Datsun 510 soon and have a few questions. First of all, how's the stock motor? Does it have any potential to be fast? My goal is to run high 13's to low 14's.

Secondly, what engine swaps do you recommend if the stock motor doesn't have any potential? What engines are easy to get and don't cost a fortune to install and what not? I heard that the CA18DET and the VG30ET are really good. Any recommendations?

Thank you!

The stock motor isn't all that crazy. Good lil motors, but if you're looking for driveability.

Go with a swap.

www.hybridz.org has lots of info on Datsuns and swaps. You can also www.google.com to look up 510 forums for more indepth discussions. :thumbsups:

They put a 350z motor into a 510 on Monster Garage, but that was a drifter, not a drag car.

One website you can go to is "510again.com" Lots of Datsun sickos over there... (:-

The L-16 engine is actually one of the better powerplants the Japanese had in the late '60s/early '70s. Durable and somewhat powerful.
At this point I must ask: What year 510? The early ones ('68-'74) have a lot of performance potential, especially in the autocross or mountain racing arenas. They have an independent rear suspension, unlike the later 510s ('77-up).
The L-20B is the final itteration of the L series 4-cylinders. Using that engine will give you the most performance potential of the Ls. Comp supplies some good grinds for the series. Ross also supplies light weight forged pistons. SI Valves has good stainless pieces. In short, yes, lots of goodies still out there for these cars. The later "Z-24" engine will also "fit" with some mods. The trans will bolt up, and the mounts are in the right place. There doesn't seem to be as much interest in that one, though.
The 5-speed from the earlier 240SX will also fit the car. THAT'S a popular swap.

Jim

Just googled datsun 510. That's a nifty friggin car. :bigthumb:

They put a 350z motor into a 510 on Monster Garage, but that was a drifter, not a drag car.


That was a Datsun 210 Honeybee.
http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B31559.jpg

This is a 510.
http://www.avonhill.com/thumbnails/coupe_imported/1971_Datsun510_gold.jpeg

I watched that episode of Monster Garage, it was a 510, i had no idea what it was at the time though. Now i know..

Thanks for all of the replies guys. So, the stock engine isn't to bad it seems like. Would it ever be able to reach low 14's or would an engine swap be necessary?

Do you guys have any recommendations for specific engine swaps? This is going to be my daily driver so if I do get one and swap an engine in, do you think it can be reliable enough for a daily driver? I've never done an engine swap before so I'm really nevous...

Oh yeah, here are some of my favorite Datsun 510's:

http://oldschoolimports.net/EventCoverageJapaneseClassicCarShowDatsunNissan510 Page.html

This particular one is my favorite:

http://oldschoolimports.net/images/Japanese_Classic_Car_Show_045.jpg

Enjoy!

RB26. Go.

Wow! Thanks for the fast reply. Since this is my daily driver I would like it to have pretty good gas mileage for city driving. Are there any motors that can get decent gas mileage (20+ for city driving) yet can still run low 14's?

Thanks!

Get a SR20DET and shut up

j/k but really get a SR20DET or if gas mileage is that big a deal the SR20DE. However down the road you will wish you had the DET.

What's the major differences between the DET and the DE? Also, can the DE be made to run low 14's? Or would the DET be necessary for that?

Thanks.

DE=N/A
DET=Turbo
DETT=OMGWTFBBQ

13 sec quarter mile and "good fuel economy" don't really belong in the same sentence. Making it happen will be difficult. The 510 doesn't really make a good drag car, the IRS tends to make it squat off the line and lose launch power. It can be done, there is a video out there of a turbo rotary 510 doing low 11's, but really the best quality of the 510 is its handling and drag doesn't use it.

Your questions.....
Yes the stock motor from the 68-74 510 has great potential, (dual carb or turbo, or both) but 13's isn't really likely.

I like the L-motors though for a number of reasons, I run a L20b with dual sidedrafts and it pulls! I am kind of curious what it would do in a quarter mile, but the car isn't really set up for drag. (autox, mountain road driving)

Swaps.... I would go with a KA24 and get a turbo kit for it, these engines are getting cheap because the 240sx guys all want to swap for the SR20. It won't be an easy swap, but it has been done many times and is well doccumented online. Plus it is a bigger motor 2.4L insead of the SR's 2.0L.

If you are looking for an easy swap go with the L-series.


72 Datsun 510
built L20b race motor
dual Dell'otro DHLA 40's

Okay, thanks. Do you think that the stock motor would be at least be able to pull 14's?

I'm thinking about just sticking with the stock motor now but I think it may be kind of hard to find one in good condition. Also, what kind of gas mileage does the stock motor get?

Thanks.

Anything can happen with money. However in the end it would probably be cheaper and more reliable to do a swap. I still stand behind the SR20DET swap. Its smaller than the KA24 so you still have great handling. And it makes way more power stock. If you had a SR20DET you would run 13s stock... well if you can get traction that is. I would suggest a limited slip differential (LSD) and some sticky tires and your all good for 13s or better.



Edit: Oh you never said what year 510 because some have solid rears right? If it does then that would work well for drag but its not a must.

I watched that episode of Monster Garage, it was a 510, i had no idea what it was at the time though. Now i know..

Ugh... No, it was a 210.:mad:

Proof:
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/slideshows/episode_50/gallery/50_2_hzoom.jpg
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/episode_50.html
Episode 50: Honey Bee Drift Car

For those of you unfamiliar with the sport, drifting calls for a high-powered car with enough rear-wheel power to slide sideways through corners at high speeds. Some compare it to rally racing, but in drifting the winner isn't the first to cross the finish line; rather, judges determine who wins based on execution and style. All drifting competitions take place on closed courses where racers maneuver their cars into spectacular power slides around corners. To successfully execute this type of racing, a driver must figure out the balance of the car's engine power, gears, brakes and steering to go beyond the normal limits of the suspension and tire traction.

That said, in this episode, Jesse and his team took a classic 1975 Datsun 210 Honey Bee and transformed it into a drift car with the help of a 280-horsepower engine from a brand-new Nissan 350Z. So how'd that turn out? Click through our pictures of the Honey Bee Drift Car, or just check out its specs below. Then see what engine guru Mario Lozano had to say about his experience on the show.

Okay, thanks. Do you think that the stock motor would be at least be able to pull 14's?

I'm thinking about just sticking with the stock motor now but I think it may be kind of hard to find one in good condition. Also, what kind of gas mileage does the stock motor get?

Thanks.

stock L16 could probably reach 14's with a turbo, lots of weight reduction, and severe rear suspension stiffening (ie replace shocks with aluminum rods)

My 69 510 had a weber 32/36 and an L16 it ran high 16's with awesome 60 ft. times, (less than 2 sec) it was done accelerating at the eighth mile, more of a gear issue than a power issue. fuel consumption varied wildly depending on how it was driven (12-24 mpg)

fuel consumption will depend on carb setup used, more power = less economy
weber 32/36 gives good performance while keeping good economy (better than stock hitachi trash)
twin SU carbs = more power (especially low end) but uses more fuel
twin dual-barrel sidedraft carbs = awesome power!!! poor economy

Edit: Oh you never said what year 510 because some have solid rears right? If it does then that would work well for drag but its not a must.


I was refering to the 68-74 Datsun 510 not the later model 510 (77-??) which had the solid rear axle. In my opinion the later model just wasn't as good looking as the 68-74, also the late model has to be smogged in CA. But, yes you are right, D12 there is a 510 with a solid rear end.

Ugh... No, it was a 210.:mad:

Proof:
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/slideshows/episode_50/gallery/50_2_hzoom.jpg
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/episode_50.html
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So sorry to ever doubt your wisdom Mr. Matty

:worshippy

So sorry to ever doubt your wisdom Mr. Matty

:worshippy


:nutkick:

SHUDDUP KID!









:lol2:

:nutkick:

SHUDDUP KID!









:lol2:


I guess i got-

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/36460Img-20041020-0308510746.jpg

I guess i got-

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/36460Img-20041020-0308510746.jpg


:spit:


That's great Josh.
TROGDORRR! (http://www.videlectrix.com/songs/trogdor_theme.mp3)
And the Trogdoorr comes in the Nighhhhhhh (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html)


:worshippy

:spit:


That's great Josh.
TROGDORRR! (http://www.videlectrix.com/songs/trogdor_theme.mp3)
And the Trogdoorr comes in the Nighhhhhhh (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html)


:worshippy


:ylsuper:

thenewkid89, if you are interested, private message me your email address and i can email you the videos of that 11 sec 510, i couldn't find the site i found it on, but i have them saved on my computer.

Okay. I'm still trying to decide what motor to swap in...if I do a swap. Anyways, I'm looking at the SR20, KA24, CA18, and the VG30. Which do you think would get the best gas mileage for city driving?

Thanks!