DJames68;520 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Hello, I have a project going with a 68 520 pickup. I have the stock motor in it which is just too weak. I would like to replace it with something more powerful. Im looking to keep the gas mileage good and not looking to make it super fast or anything, I drive canyon roads quite a bit and just need a little extra juice. Is their any older Datsun motor that is compatible, so I would not have to make new engine mounts or get a new tranny? If not any recomendations on a kit? Any suggestions on replacement motors(or possible upgrades to the current motor for extra horsepower) are much appreciated I'm pretty much clueless at this point. Thanks! -Andrew Quote Link to comment
RadioRedline Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Vg30 Radio Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 three threads? so far at least 2 in general and 1 in project datto Quote Link to comment
metalmonkey47 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 L20B, side drafts, 5 speed and you're cherry. 1 Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 L20B, side drafts, 5 speed and you're cherry. not going to bolt into a 520 without a ton of mods I believe, J motor Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Search much? All will be custom. Quote Link to comment
INDY510 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 three threads? so far at least 2 in general and 1 in project datto and only 3 posts on Ratsun ..... :rofl: Quote Link to comment
yellowdatsun Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Nothing will bolt into a 520 without a ton of mods, so it really doesn't matter what he gets, they'll all need work. The only concern is room. A VG30 may fit better than the L20b, because it's shorter front to back. Length will be a BIG factor on what engine you can put in there. Quote Link to comment
DRIVEN Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 J15 is the only semi available bolt-in. I believe they were imported and also available in commercial applications like forklifts. Not much of a powerhouse but better than a J13. My brother had one in his 520 and it would keep up with traffic. There are other J-motor variants but you aren't likely to find one in the US. Quote Link to comment
yellowdatsun Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 But even with the J-15, it's crazy hard to find parts. The only places that stock J-15 stuff anymore are forklift shops, and that stuff is getting hard to find now. Quote Link to comment
KC Phirus Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 VG30DETT May have to cut the fenderwells. Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 still only 3 posts, started 3 threads and left trololololoololol Quote Link to comment
KC Phirus Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Ask us the same thing three times. And not a single picture of the truck. Quote Link to comment
DJames68;520 Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks for the responses, was just looking for somewhere to start researching motor options, Im doing the body work myself right now, will undoubtedly take a good while. Oh and I posted 2 threads on accident on General Discussion from my phone, whoops. Quote Link to comment
bonvo Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 well it boils down to this nothing is a direct bolt in and no one makes a "kit" for it so your gonna need a blue wrench and Quote Link to comment
KC Phirus Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Cutting tools. Plenty of cutting tools. Quote Link to comment
DJames68;520 Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Cutting tools. Plenty of cutting tools. I'm enrolled in an adult school body shop class working on my truck, all the cutting tools you can imagine, body work on a budget, highly recommended ha Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 I do beleave that a weber carb will help a little, when I bought my NL320 from Mike, before he delivered it to me, he put a weber carb on it and drove it to my house, one of his comments was that he should have made that upgrade a long time ago. Weber carb will give you more power. Quote Link to comment
Cahoon520 Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 You dont have a whole bunch of room under that hood.So get you tape measure out. And we need to see some pics of this truck. Quote Link to comment
DJames68;520 Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Don't have too many pics, here it is though [quote name=Cahoon520' date= '09 February 2012 - 08:38 PM' timestamp='1328848736' post='630915] You dont have a whole bunch of room under that hood.So get you tape measure out. And we need to see some pics of this truck. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Yes an L block will fit in there, but it will take a lot of fabrication, and you metioned that you wanted to have a simple bolt in type upgrade, so just about the only thing would be a better carb. I seriously doubt that the VG30 will fit without major mods to the firewall, or at the very least modifying the front of the engine to make it shorter, and then running an electric fan, and lets not forget about taking a advanced course in wiring one of these engines into your truck. Try a better carb first. BTW, Welcome to Ratsun :D Quote Link to comment
Jayden71 Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Why not an A14?? Quote Link to comment
DJames68;520 Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Yes an L block will fit in there, but it will take a lot of fabrication, and you metioned that you wanted to have a simple bolt in type upgrade, so just about the only thing would be a better carb. I seriously doubt that the VG30 will fit without major mods to the firewall, or at the very least modifying the front of the engine to make it shorter, and then running an electric fan, and lets not forget about taking a advanced course in wiring one of these engines into your truck. Try a better carb first. BTW, Welcome to Ratsun :D Good idea, thanks! Quote Link to comment
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