datsunaholic Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 You can get plenty of power out of a L16. I've run my '72 Wagon, stock L16 and 4-speed, right up to 80. It has no problems.. My Mom's '73 620, also with a bone-stock L16, could run 65 all day with a half cord of firewood in the bed. Stopping was a different issue. Stock gearing in a 510 with stock-ish tires should be hitting a lot closer to 55MPH at 3000 RPM. 3K @ 45 is more like 3rd gear. In fact, using the stock 4-speed gear ratios if a normal 510 did 3400 @ 60, it would do 3600 RPM @ 45MPH in 3rd gear. It shouldn't get hot doing either. That sounds like an ignition timing issue. Could explain the lack of power too. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Hey guys!, Im new to Ratsun and need some help! (Sorry if this is a noob question) I have a 1972, 510 with a stock l16. And i'm tired of going 45 in 4th gear with my tac at 3,000rpm and people going around me! Any crazy little tricks to go just a little faster? Stock 510 will be going 53.72 MPH at 3,000 RPMs in 4th gear. In 3rd gear you would be going 40.9 MPH or At 45 MPH you will be at 2512.89 RPMs. This is with the stock 13" tire 23.4" tall. 60 MPH is 3350 RPMs 70 MPH is 3908 RPMs 80 MPH is 4467 RPMs 90 MPH is 5025 RPMs 100 MPH is 5584 RPMs Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 I need to go faster and not pay the big bucks! How about go faster for no bucks? i'm tired of going 45 in 4th gear with my tac at 3,000rpm and people going around me! Then put your foot down. The L16 redline is 7000 RPM man! You don't have it half way there. I drive my Datsun A12 at 4500 RPM for hours at a time -- I keep up with traffic! i think and my temp is pretty high all the time Get that fixed first. At freeway speeds the fan is not usually the problem, the radiator is. Also keep in mind that you can run it up to the line before the H before it overheats, so if it is not close, don't worry. Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Im not looking for 100mph but 60mph or 70mph so i can feel comfortable cruising 50mph to go to the beach, around town and ect. I know something is wrong any other suggestions what it could be? Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 What is wrong is that you aren't letting the engine rev enough. Put your foot down. This is a normal Datsun temperature. Not overheating. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 this engine can do 5.5-6k all day (there just isnt any power up there) A stock L16 has power up there. If someone put an RV performance cam in it, probably not -- RV cams lower the RPM powerband. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Here is my Datsun truck from a 100+ degree day, pulling a hill to pass a semi. I was doing 4250 RPM. It still was not overheating even at this extreme normal range (Datsun owner's manual says normal range is anywhere between the marks). Any hotter though and it would start to overheat (push water out the overflow tube). So it's right on the ragged edge between running hot and overheating. Driving it around the Northwest up to 70 mph it never got anywhere near this temp. I typically cruise at 4000 RPM and the temp stays very close to the middle mark. But it is almost always under 80 degrees here. Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Like erbody says Rev it up! Make sure your secondary is opening Datsuns run nice and hot, keep you warm and cozy in the winter. Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Ok ill try that! thanks guys! ill try it out tomorrow and give a update tomorrow night. Thanks for the patients for all the noob questions. Im putting a new harness in to get all my lights to work. (Running light, revers lights, high beams) Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Be careful ... if it gets to the H mark, slow way down until the engine cools a bit! But if it's only at the 3/4 mark, keep enjoying your "new" 75 mph Datsun 510. Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Alright here is the story! drove it at 50mph (Don't know for sure, i have no speedo) at like 4.5 on my tac heat stayed around the M in temp im so happy now! you guys made a monster haha. Hoping to take it to the beach next week. If i put new muffler on it will it keep it cooler? I think it a stock muffler on it now. If so whats a good brand size ect. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 No muffler. Try 2.5" pipe to the back with a 24" glasspack in the middle and a fat tip at the bumper. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Holy No muffler. Try 2.5" pipe to the back with a 24" glasspack in the middle and a fat tip at the bumper. way too big on a L16... even a tad big on a L20b... Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Muffler or no muffler won't change the temp the engine runs at. Push it up to 5500 RPM. It it stays left of the H Line then it is OK. I bet you could do 70 mph. Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Holy way too big on a L16... even a tad big on a L20b... Oh yeah... l16 I thought 2.5 was about perfect for a high output l20b? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I need to go faster and not pay the big bucks! If i put new muffler on it will it keep it cooler? I think it a stock muffler on it now. If so whats a good brand size ect. Thanks! No. Leave the stock muffler. Drive and enjoy.... that's cheap enough. Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 So buying a muffler is for the nosies? How do L16 do straight piped? Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Ever heard a biplane? Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 No but im guessing thats bad? Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 It's entirely a matter of preference. Preference and local noise ordinances. Quote Link to comment
Panda express Posted October 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Ok ya. A not doing that. Quote Link to comment
Fat510 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Dat roof rack :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Panda PANDA Your making yourself look bad on here Dont worry about the muffler and crap like that yet. I asked you to take photos of everything If you got electrcal isses you should take photos of the harness and fuse box (Photos!!!!!) Most times the harness can be fixed Unless totally hacked up. Now get a test light for 5$. ground one end and place it on all the conncetors in back of the lamps outer and inner(highs) with the pointy end. if it lights up then power is getting to the lamp. Then its a ground proplem from the switch or thru the relay. If NO power at the lamp ck the fuse box. swap the fuse or remove the fuse box and look under neath the wire could be broken. as for pipe size I run a 1.75 in with 40mm Mikunis carbs and cam,I dont know where people getting 2.25 and 2.5 in on a L motor is a Joke in m Opinion Quote Link to comment
Jayden71 Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Dude, I got 4.88 rearend gears and my L16 cruises down the freeway at 65 no probs!! Just follow the advice of the grizzly ol veterans on here and you will be just fine B) Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Surely you can find a running L20b and trans for under 300$ That's the best upgrade you can do. Quote Link to comment
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