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.