please help me...

I dont know much about dato's other than the engines, but I can compare what Ive heard of 1600's compared to Gemi's & Esky's (Ive owned both).

Gemi handling is OK on the later RTS versions but not very workable - only real option for horsepower upgrades is G200 (old rodeo) engines. not much scope there.

Esky handling leaves alot to be desired. Engine option basically is pick up an old FFord engine and drop that in. BIG $$$$. Either that or cosworth or lotus engine. still bloody expensive.

Dato 1600 - handling is pretty good - you can do strut swaps etc with z cars and skylines (from what ive learnt on this site) IRS rear is a big bonus too. Engine swaps are many and varied - most common seems to be SR20s in turbo and non turbo. Big horsepower - cheaper than either of the above. take insurance into account for DET though.

1600 is great car for rally and club racing - Ive even them as full on offroad cars! goes to show how much punishment they can take and just keep on running. L series engines wont ever produce massive hp without spending massive $$$ - but can be made pretty competitive. We compete against mostly Toyota twin cams (4AGE's and 4AG 20V's) with our mild L16 - and got 3rd in class for NSW championship last year so they go pretty good for minimum outlay. Not only that - they are damn near bloody indestructable and very forgiving.

If I was to live my late teens again I wouldnt bother with the Gemi or Esky - go straight to something with massive potential for minimum dollars.
Rivmasta

_________________
Life begins @ 160km/h, 6 feet off the ground!
www.offroadracing.com.au/sorra

I'm seventeen and just got my slightly modified 1600 on the road. I know what you mean about insurance. I managed to get third party property through 'Just Car Insurace'. I'm pretty sure they're nation wide, and will insure just about anyone and anything if your willing to pay for it.

As for 1600's, don't expect a whole lot from a standard one, but you have to look at its potential. If your buying, a good body comes first, worry about mods later. The less rust the better.

You summed it up nicely Rivmasta..

Basically, expect to pay about 1.5 grand more for a 1600 than a Gemmi or escort. Thats just because of the demand. If you want something to do up well, buy a stocker.. some granny's car. If you want the 5 speed later, a SSS stanza 5speed (good gbx) is pretty cheap and real easy to put in).

As far as insurance goes. Don't tell the insurance company it's had anything done to it. (Assuming you want 3rd party). They don't car what's on your car, they care about what you hit!

Oh yeah.. They won't have heaps of performance, but they go forever, so you can rev the sh*t outta them, and they keep going.. With my old 1600 (L18, 5spd dogbox.. pretty stock stuff), that spun the wheels on a dry day between 1st and 2nd. And... well.. lets not talk about when it was wet. (3rd + 4th )

when you slam into the back of a brand new car...and they are paying out $20-30-40-50k....the sure will come and look at your car....they will look for any excuse to void your insurance and not pay

NEVER lie to you insurance company when getting insurance...if you do, you may aswell not have any

insurance companies are bastards, plain and simple....sorry but its the truth

thanks for the advice guys yeh i found insurence for the 1600 through just cars... $670 or something thats with exhaust & extractors and stuff... say if i found a GOOD datto 1600 and i wanted a SR20DET or a CA18DET and stuff in it... what aproxemetly would be the cost of such a conversion? including the engine and stuff... what sort of things would it need? ecu, fuel injection? what else?

thanks for the help guys... byes

bare minumum of $6k to do it yourself, and cut some corners.....bout $10k to do it properly

$670 damn!!!

just cars quoted me $420 for my SR20DET bluebird and i have a licence suspension on my record

I didn't have any problems when i hit a rendered brick wall

did you do $50,000 damage???

yeah it was gold plated

im just saying, if all you did was $500 damage, then they most likely wouldnt worry about checking your car.......but if they have to pay $100,000 then they will find any way possible not to pay out

I have found this one...

Datsun 1600 sedan, metallic blue, 4 spoke dragway mags, 2ltr motor,
240k 5spd, 240k discs, heavy duty suspension, Subaru Liberty seats, fibre glass guards, ono -$2500

does it sound ok?

Yeah it sounds ok - is it registered though? Have you had a look at it? Doesn't say anything about the condition of the body thats all.

As for a CA18/SR20 conversion you were asking about, it would probably be better to wait a few years before you delve into that sort of modification. It's good to wait and get used to driving and handling a car first, then there's all the expense, especially if you can't do the majority of it yourself. And it sounds like you are having enough problems with getting insurance as it is without throwing a turbo into the mix!!

An engine conversion may sound like a simple operation but there are numerous hidden extras that will always blow out the budget! You must make sure the rest of the car is up to scratch to handle the extra power (brakes, suspension, driveline) then there's the fuel system, intercooler plumbing, computer/wiring, and modifications to fit the new motor and gearbox. Keep it in mind for the future though ... If you want to see just how much this can all set you back have a look at the budget page in the technical section of my website.

Good luck

Hey ca18_datto, your on the GC where at? im in Labrador

could you please add me to msn? id love to know about your datto and stuff!

hardkore_to_tha_bone@hotmail.com

i so love them now... when i see them i fall over myself

i saw a sexy gold one yesterday (kinda like the VTSS tigra gold)

Check out her web site for Info on her datto and others.

http://www.turbophile.com

Go the datto, would be very good first car... If you can find a good one.

Cya
Jamie