4G 210 Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Hi there people. I'm sharing here and will certainly be asking a few questions along the way. Please forgive my ignorance regarding the Datsun platform. First I'll share that I decided to build a small car for 1/8th and quarter mile racing after running my Porsche 951 in our local street outlaws series this year. It is not very well suited for 1/8th mile racing (it's barely working for 1/4 mile racing) . It runs about 130-134 at 5800 ft elevation. Very custom engine build in it. I've been drag racing all my life and have decided to get back into it on a smaller budget. Onto the Datsun. After taking a vacation to PR and seeing how well the little cars were hooking down there, I knew exactly what I needed to do to compete towards the top of our list. Here is a list of my build specs and some images to show progress as I go. I hope this type of build is welcome here (given the different power plant) Engine- Mitsubishi 4g63 2.0. Pretty well built Eagle. JE, HKS, custom header and intake, using DSM link on E85 and a Holset hx40 pro wheel turbo (same as my Porsche). Looking to run it to around 9000 rpms and make around 550 hp. Trans- Th400 with 5500 converter. Mated using a CNC adapter Rear- Ford explorer 8.8 self narrowed using two short side axles cut initially to 56" 4.10 with tracloc Cage- SW for a toyota corolla IC- 4" thick (should be pretty low IAT's) I've been cutting weight as much as possible and have it down to 1600 for a starting point before the swap and cage work. At this point, it's mini tubbed and I'm in process of getting the rear end finished up. I hope to have that done in the next couple weeks. I'm using the stock lower arm locations with a more traditional 4 link location for the uppers. The plan is to get the stronger diff in it then throw a big shot of Nitrous to the stock engine just to see if it will take it at all lol. Our first race is in July and I'd like to be ready for it. I'm shooting for mid 5's in the 1/8th (which will make me competitive at tehetop of the list). I'm not sure how hard I'm going to go after the 1/4 since I remember very well how much money I spent on my Nova just to run 9's. Here are a few pics of the progress so far. It's not much, but should move along quickly. Porsche engine just for fun My Old money pit 4 Quote Link to comment
Lonestar Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Haha, the Ultimate sleeper, a 1980's 210 or 310 if that is what you call them over there in your neck of the woods. Interesting choice of engine swap and I see your already well on your way to making one (scary) fast little strip car. Can't wait to see your next pic's and how this will progress, welcome to Ratsun btw and good on ya for posting the pics! 1 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Oops 3 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Sorry, it won't let me edit, so I am making multiple posts. A few questions 1)Looking to use larger brakes on front. I've read that the 280zx brakes may swap? If so, what's involved and what's the rotor size differential? (I'll be researching in mean time) 2) are there removable steering wheel hubs that work on these columns? 3) Where is a good source for some sheet metal? I'm specifically looking for the fenders from a '79 along with the grill etc. I like the round headlight look better and not having the large turn signals at the corners as well 2 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 280zx struts/brakes will swap. I don't know size, but you get vented rotors, bigger calipers, and better choice of pad options. I don't have an answer to 2 or 3. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 All datsuns use the same steering wheel spline count. Find one for a 510 or 240/260/280z car and it should work fine. The spline count changed in the late 80s with the d21, the 240sx, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 We're you located? Puerto Rico or are you in the 48 states for sheet metal. NRG makes steering wheel hubs your looking for not sure for your car though.. Nice car and nice build going. 2 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Welcome! Great first post. 4 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Thank you all for the welcome. I'll use that info to source some needs. Bigtanker, I'm in Colorado. I went to PR on vacation. My girl is from there. I was very impressed with how fast they made their cars down there. I had told her while we were at the track that one of these cars would dominate our street outlaws. 2 Quote Link to comment
m.o.n.a. Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 hey welcome, Another 1979 210 coupe here! i was going to do the same style swap a few months back.. im kinda going a different route now. I think ive seen that Porsche around in the past. I weld for a living so if you need any welding/fab help please do ask. Anyways welcome and look forward to seeing ya at outlaws 3 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 making slow progress over the last couple weeks. Waiting on the cage before doing the rear end, so I can tie the coil overs into the rear down bars. I ordered a toyota corrolla cage from S&W race cars since the cars have very similar dimensions. I have been enjoying the gas mileage in the mean time and the looks I get with the bigger tires on the rear :) I've been collecting parts and doing some small work in the mean time. I have also started doing the welding to convert the front end to an earlier version. I need to find a grill and headlight assemblies if anyone knows where I can find them. Couple of pics At home after the cutting of the sheet metal to fit tires and wheels where the front end is at this point Next to my other toy I should get the new front wheels and tires next week. I'll upload a pic of that, bc I think it's gonna look pretty badass. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Nice 210 two-door sedan. Good choice in the 8.8 rear axle assembly. Note to the poster above: it is not called a 310 in any country. The 310 is a FWD Datsun. Quote Link to comment
dukerollo Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Cool build. Do you have any detail pics of the mini tub in the rear or the reworked upper links? What did the difference in width come out to be between the 8.8 and the original rear end? Sorry for so many questions, but I have thought about doing something similar. Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted April 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 A few update pics Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Oh shit! I didn't know you were building rocket ships. Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Oh shit! I didn't know you were building rocket ships. It should be fun on takeoff. It's coming along quicker now that I've collected most of the parts. I'll be adding some more pics of the assembly this week. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsun Special Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Cool.little.car. Used.to.be.a.guy.in.my.area.that.bracket.raced.at.our.local.outlaw.strip.with.a.Dodge.Colt.with.a.440.in.it.....it.was.STUPID.quick! Tiny.cars+.big.horse.power.are.hard.to.beat.in.the.1/8th! 1 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Cool.little.car. Used.to.be.a.guy.in.my.area.that.bracket.raced.at.our.local.outlaw.strip.with.a.Dodge.Colt.with.a.440.in.it.....it.was.STUPID.quick! Tiny.cars+.big.horse.power.are.hard.to.beat.in.the.1/8th! not sure if it'll be big horsepower. I'm really just looking for around 500-600. Should be very easy with this engine. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Shit. 150hp would make that thing scoot. 1 Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Shit. 150hp would make that thing scoot. Yeah, but it wouldn't be enough for me. two things I'm really looking forward to is wheelstands on the street and revving to 9000 rpms. I've never had a really high rpm engine. Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Yeah, but it wouldn't be enough for me. two things I'm really looking forward to is wheelstands on the street and revving to 9000 rpms. I've never had a really high rpm engine. Wheel stands on the street is not only idiotic, it is illegal! Do you have a lawyer on retainer? Quote Link to comment
fritzdixxon Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Wheel stands on the street is not only idiotic, it is illegal! Do you have a lawyer on retainer? But they are wicked sweet tho! It is only illegal if you get caught. Quote Link to comment
4G 210 Posted September 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Wheel stands on the street is not only idiotic, it is illegal! Do you have a lawyer on retainer? rolleyes...... I think I can handle myself just fine. I've made it 45 years without a problem. It's not like I'm talking about any old public street. We have a nice shop parking lot and I have a nice long driveway. I'm really meaning at the street outlaws events. IE; unprepped asphalt surface vs prepped track. Not that I really need to explain myself to you. Anyway back to more fun stuff. Received a few pieces today to mock up: Quote Link to comment
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