Hi guys,

I finally got around to starting a build thread on my Datsun 1600. Just never really had the time between fixing/modifying the car to sitting down and documenting everything I did. Now I am not sure where to start

I purchased the Datto with the FJ20 Turbo conversion already completed and engineered in Victoria. The conversion looked neat and and the car drove well, so after handing over the cash, I was in possession of a white 1972 Datsun 1600.

The Datto came with 240K front struts, hilux calipers up front and standard rear drums. Whiteline strut braces front and rear and a strut tower brace. Lowered springs gave a lowered stance, nothing ridiculously low and surprisingly the car handled extremely well. A locked diff was fun getting use too, but is now showing signs if fatigue and soon will be replaced with an LSD.

I nice sounding 3 inch exhaust from the dump pipe back with a resonator and single muffler. I was informed the turbo was hi flowed sometime in its life. The FJ made a modest 160 kilowatts at the rear wheels on Protek Automotives dyno at 12 psi. That was using a bleed tap, which I have since removed and replaced with a BLITZ Dual Solenoid EBC.

The previous owner told me that the car was "Bare" metal resprayed some three years ago. I am not too sure about that though

Interior the Datto was neat. Nothing over the top. I have removed all the gauges and have wired up the standard dash again. I will at a later date install an oil pressure and temp gauge.

Now, what I have done to the car since I purchased the Datto. I ripped the front 240K struts out and made coil overs using R31 struts and KYB inserts. I bought the Pedders sleeve kit, welded the kit on and have trialed 3 sets of spring rates up front. Now I have settled with Eibach 180mm 225LB springs up front. Datsport camber tops and brake lines, new wheel bearings, slotted rotors and rebuilt R31 calipers. Running BENDIX brake pads up front.

The lower control arms where removed, blasted and powder coated. New bushes installed and ball joints. The tie rod end were als removed and blasted, and new inner and outer tie rod ends installed. I set of Techno Toy Tuning Tension Rods were purchased and installed.

The rear end I removed the trailing arms, springs and shocks. Found the shocks to be blown. No rebound at all So whilst I was shopping at Techno Toy Tuning, I purchased a pair of there rear coil overs. Straight bolt in and seem to work well on the street. Yet to hit the track. The trailing arms were replaced with 180B trailing arms I bought off a forum member who was going to do the R31 rear disc brake conversion. So it was a matter of rebuilding the calipers and bolting everything up into the car. I purchased new slotted rotors for the rear. The only outstanding fitment is to hook up the hand brake cables. I am contemplating installing a hydraulic hand brake, so I may remove the cables.

I use to run 17 x 7 Gold FR Simmons, which I passed onto Rexy510, and now am running 15 x 8 +15 XXR501. These soon will be replaced with a 5 stud conversion and R33 brakes. Thanks to LAG 510 Leighs Datto proved to me that GTR rims on a 1600 are just so right

Currently I am replacing the front mount intercooler with a smaller cooler that will fit behind the grille. When I purchased the 1600, it had a huge front mount extending down to the lower apron. The person that installed the cooler really went to town with carving up the front radiator support panel, so I have purchased replacement panels from a forum member, and I am currently in the process of welding them in situ.

My build will hopefully produce a clean and streetable Datsun 1600. I do want to hit the track and have some fun in this little beast. I'll post pics up as I continue modifying the vehicle.

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Another Datsun Project...........

Here are some pics I found on my computer

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Another Datsun Project...........

Some more of what I am currently completing now. I bought a standard FJ turbo to throttle body plumbing, so I can still start and move the car around if need be whilst the intercooler is off.

The cooler is 450 x 300 x 60 from memory.

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Another Datsun Project...........

Thanks for the history of your car.

It is interesting to note some of your improvements are "a stepping back" from a full on power boost, to a more balanced, streetable vehicle, with some of its "visual heritage" resurrected. (Intercooler/body mods, wheel size, dash restoration). More attention to the whole package with further upgrades to suspension and a proper LS diff.

It sounds like it will be a really good car to use on the road, and I am sure it will be equally good fun on the track.

Keep us informed of your exploits with NIsmo4

I am sure some upgrades are really for power only and are only straight line performers. Yours will turn, stop, and handle brilliantly also, all important if you want to drive it quickly.

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RichardC
SSS016

Nice car mate I remember having a good look at it at the all jap day

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120Y 4DOOR SEDAN SR20DE WITH ITB'S

http://datsun1200.com/modules/newbb/vie ... post494892

Go the FJ!!!! Geez the previous owner had removed most of the Rad support.
Keen to see more FJ 1600's getting out and about.

Stu.

As you can see the front radiator support panel has had its day, so in goes a new one. I have sent the panels off to be blasted. I'll then start to graft the new panels in.

The FJ's are not that common as they may have 10 - 15 years ago. I remember back in High School I went to the Fours and Rotaries National in Sydney and saw a few FJ Datto 1600 and I swore one day I would get one of my own.

I ran in a new bonnet release cable over the weekend. Not a big job, 5 minutes actually But when you have two kids, time with the Datto must be spent productively

I removed the N13 Pulsar radiator (as seen in the picture). I'll give that a thorough flush and clean before re-installing. Not that the car suffered from any over heating. The FJ actually ran at a reasonable temp of 70 -74 degrees C in traffic. On a hot day (35 + degrees c) it would nudge 80 degrees C. That's with one thermo fan.

I was going to start the brake upgrade, but If I start biting off more than I can chew, the car will end up sitting in the garage longer than anticipated. I really want the car back on the road in a few weeks.

Cheers Rich

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Another Datsun Project...........

Wow that's even worse than I imagined!!
I cut f'all in dads car. Only enlarged the two holes either side of the rad.
Should end up looking great !!!

Stu.

Finally found some time to post pics of the progress.

I picked up the repair panels from the sand blaster and gave them a coat of RUST KILL primer.

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Another Datsun Project...........

Also attached some new mirrors I had purchased over a year ago.

XY GT "Tear Drop" mirrors.

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Another Datsun Project...........

I paint stripped the radiator support top and behind the valance. I'll give it a good rub down and weld up all the redundant holes and give it coat of paint, so fingers crossed it should come up allot better than what it was.

I have pinned the repair panel in position ready to be tack welded in. Does require a little bit more trimming but you can see the difference in material that should be there and what the previous owner removed !

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Another Datsun Project...........

This picture below illustrates the difference in material that was attached to the radiator support.

I have also decided today to remove the front guards and clean up the matting surfaces and apply some rust preventative coating. While I have the welder in my hand I'll also weld up most of the holes in the engine bay, especially around the inner wheel arches. Smooth them over and throw a coat of paint on it.

Might as well do it know and not worry about it for a while.

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Another Datsun Project...........

Great work Richard, loving the updates, keep em coming! Mirrors look great although I might be biased

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build-threads.com

Thought Id take the time to update the thread. I welded in the left side repair panel. My mig did the trick and I was really happy with the alignment and that the new head light bezel and indicator light mount points line up near perfect. Once I have both sides welded in I will make the cut carefully to accomodate the new intercooler. I got stuck into the engine bay too. Welding up all the redundant holes visible and reachable with my welder. Already is looking better.

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Another Datsun Project...........

Here is a pic I found on my phone with the FR Simmons.

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Another Datsun Project...........