myfastdat Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 I have started this post to share my adventure as I bring a datsun 510 with an SR20 swap to its full potential…on a budget ;) When I sold my stock 2dr 510 5 years ago I was never able to shake the desire to get another one, especially one with some real power. I had the urge to do a quick search for datsuns in my area, after watching transformers, and stumbled across this one. The price was way more than I could spend, but it was dropping. I decided what I thought it was worth and the guy seemed to be on the same page. My father-in-law happened to be taking a trailer full of vintage motorcycles to Alabama which was right on the way. So like any smart person with 510 on the mind, I convinced him to leave on his 5hr trip that night at 9pm. When we arrived the datsun was in way different shape than I imagined. When I was told I could drive it 3hrs home without problem, I did not picture a car where nothing electronic(gauges and lights) really worked…not to mention the rest of the build quality was unknown. I started to sense how overwhelmed he was with the project, which in turn made me overwhelmed. Then I made an offer (nowhere near our negotiated price) that I figured was worth trying the project and he accepted. We then decided it was not road worthy so we needed to figure out how to fit it in our 24ft trailer that already had 6 or 7 bikes in it (on a navy base at 2am). I’m not sure if it was the gas fumes from the 510 that had a switch operated fuel pump or buyers’ remorse, but I was feeling a little sick at this point. We finally got everything to fit but one motorcycle which was my ride home. Then after a few days the trailer was back and I got to drive the car for the first time…all buyers’ remorse was gone! Now it’s up on stands and the project has begun. Wiring is getting cleaned up, gauges are being retro fitted, and everything is being gone over with a fine tooth comb. Here are a few before shots: fresh off the trailer we had to put all the misc stuff inside the car We removed a TON of wiring, did some spot painting, relocated some stuff, and added a few gauges that all seem to work: The car does have some really cool suspension, wheels, and brakes. I am waiting on a CAS right now because we grounded it by mistake and now it doesn't work. Once it's up an running I plan on doing a little bit of bodywork in some of the badly rusted areas, but I kinda like the whole look of the car. Let me know what you guys think. Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 So I guess I need to figure out how to post the pictures properly. 1 Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 So I guess I need to figure out how to post the pictures properly. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/691-how-to-post-pictures-and-keep-online-photo-albums/ Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 http://community.rat...e-photo-albums/ Thanks, I'm going to work on it right now Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 I don't think that rad is going to sool it. Is it a 3 core? Quote Link to comment
Creepy Cruiser Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 Love the FZ in the trailer. Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 The radiator is a 3 core but I'm not sure what it's out off. It's definately old and on the list to replace. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Looks like a stock 510 radiator to me... Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 What radiator would you guys recommend to replace this one? Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 What radiator would you guys recommend to replace this one? ron davis 1A-22163 Quote Link to comment
fuzz's '71 510 Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Maybe.... Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 how is your inter cooler pipe ran under the radiator or around the sides? Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 how is your inter cooler pipe ran under the radiator or around the sides? The inter cooler pipe comes from the front of radiator and around the sides. There is not much room for a wider radiator. Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Love the FZ in the trailer. Thanks, It's a 1989 in brand new condition. Earlier in the year it was on set of the movie "Rock of Ages," so it may be a movie star soon. Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 how is your inter cooler pipe ran under the radiator or around the sides? looking at the articulation of the pipes it looks like they are run on the sides. Quote Link to comment
myfastdat Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 After cutting through a nice thick layer of bondo: Thanks to qwik510 I have a nice patch panel for the rear quarter Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 I bet a ron davis would work Quote Link to comment
Creepy Cruiser Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Thanks, It's a 1989 in brand new condition. Earlier in the year it was on set of the movie "Rock of Ages," so it may be a movie star soon. That's killer. (it looks super clean) I bought an 88 brand new off the showroom floor, back in the day. I loved that thing. Quote Link to comment
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