Datsun 510 Pro Touring ????

[aussiebj]

Ok i am starting a new project ..can a datsun 510 be considered a pro tourer?? here are my goals, the car is a 73 2 door 510 that now has a L16 with a Turbo Tom turbo draw through set up on it 4 speed and r180 rear, it has a roll cage and racing seats...this car will be a street driven car but mainly used for open track days and time trials when i get it dialed in ...so i am open to suggestions/input...so if this was your car what would u do to it??
what engine drive train???
custom suspension or modified stock??
flared fenders and wheel suggestions??
brake setup??
interior??
last but not least paint colour??
Lets see what kind of car i can build with all the input from you guys.....and yes i can build just about anything..lets open up the floor to discussion....

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

yes..

[John Wright]

Lets see some pics of your 510.

there are several 510 projects going on this board.

[Zee]

Pro-Tour all the way in my book. My 510 would have the bolt on flares, front and (maybe) rear spoilers and old school vibe. Lowered and on minilites. A solid color preferably something simple but ends up looking like you took a BRE car, painted it one color and unleashed it on the street. How 'bout a JDM SR20DET swap? That way you can get an OD transmission and injection as well without messing with the old motor.

[wendell]

Don't sell your self short. A turbo 510 is WAY cooler than pro-touring! Get some 14" pana sports on it and start raising hell.

[AintQik]

Muscle cars all my life. I want to do a 510 so bad I can taste it.

[Nessumsar]

510 eh?

Mine would have:

N/A 20B Rotary
Tubular control arms with heim-joints
Bolt-on flares
Some Mini-Lites or Work Equip wheels wraped in R-compounds
300zx Calipers and some nice rotors.
Satin black paint
piano-hinge-style rear spoiler, font splitter w/canards
What interior?, 2 racing seats, flat alluminum dash with minimal guages.

mmmm, one day...

[78 Type-LT]

yes..

A 510 is on tha list of cars i'd love to own...just fot tha cool in it..

[aussiebj]

How about this a LT1 510
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Nessumsar]

I would think the LT1 is too heavy for that chassis, LS on the other hand...

[ZVT]

This is my favorite car..Always loved the 510 wish i could pick up a SSS 510 very rare indeed

http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/tur0801a01_1972_nissan_datsun_240z/photo_20.html

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/0108tur_17zoom1973_Datsun_510Rear_Passen-1.jpg

[2ndgenhunter]

Pro-Tour all the way in my book. My 510 would have the bolt on flares, front and (maybe) rear spoilers and old school vibe. Lowered and on minilites. A solid color preferably something simple but ends up looking like you took a BRE car, painted it one color and unleashed it on the street. How 'bout a JDM SR20DET swap? That way you can get an OD transmission and injection as well without messing with the old motor.


Everything Zee said except a turbocharged Ecotec with a 6spd for ease of parts. SR20det parts are a lil PITA to find at your local parts stores.

[camarorad]

510 is on my list of to builds

[JRouche]

You know whats cool about this site? It seems to attract folks that have a common liking and vision for what IS a PT car. I have always lusted for a 510.

A V6 would be a really NICE setup. JR

[cl08]

there was a 510 four door I read about one time, that had a single turbo 2.8 GM V6, roughly 300hp. Seem to be a quick considering it was a road race car.

Made me want to build the 2.8 that was in the S-10 I had, had a spun bearing though...not paying to line a bore a v6 if you know what I am saying.

[John Wright]

Here's one that I think is a neat lil ride...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/674663

[ChevelleNV]

Years ago I had a buddy who had a 510 that had a turbo charged Buick v6 in it, that car hauled ass, I would love to have one to tear up the cones.

[showa]

I like what Zee suggests and I vote for a GM V6... I would use a 60 degree engine for smoothness and might help with fitting issues... Bruton (?) seven replicas use the blown V6 mated to a 5 speed to drive the rear wheels.... Neat looking setup... Good luck with whatever you put in it...

[aussiebj]

Lots of good info so far keep it up ..picking the car up in a week...

[2ndgenhunter]

I just had another Idea. A subi boxer 2.5 TT and the AWD set up from a WRX.

Just my crazy ramblings.

[78 Type-LT]

A cammed vortec 4.3 backed by a T-5

[dlouie87]

my friend did a dime with a sr20det with a GT30.

it was a blast to ride in.... (didn't get to drive it) hahaha

[1bad87ss]

Crazy different, that's how I like it!!!!

[showa]

http://www.bruntonauto.com/

Link to the V6 stuff I was talking about...

[vintageracer]

Here's a "Pro-Touring" Datsun 510 built in 1970 before there was such thing. Back then it was under 2.5 Litre Trans Am Racing.

This is my 510 Vintage race car with log books back to the 1970's.

These pictures are about a 2 years old. I have changed tires and now run Toyo's that are a little taller and narrower than the Hoosiers in these pictures and I have re-installed the front bumper to make the car look much better.

2.0 litre that dyno's at 238 HP with NISMO competetion 5 Speed. 4 wheel independent suspension all bump steered and modified with Wilwood brakes set up with a balance bar. Mostly old school but still runs 1.44 second laps at Road Atlanta. That's the same lap times as my old 66 Shelby Vintage race car with almost twice the horsepower and 30+ MPH higher speeds on the back straight at Road Atlanta.

There sure is a lot to this stopping and turning thing to make a car fast and turn good lap times!

[RobM]

vintageracer are you running at road atlanta for the historic races that are coming up soon? if so I cant wait to see that 510 in action

[vintageracer]

It's on the schedule but with a 8 year old and 13 year old soccer, softball and other activities can sure screw up a racing schedule!

[93Polo]

A cammed vortec 4.3 backed by a T-5
A Ls1 or aluminum block 5.3 would weigh less.

I would be look for an alum. block Turbo I4. If the Solstace GXP Turbo is alum it would be my choice.

[Twin_Turbo]

How about this a LT1 510
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Looks like a reg. 350, not an LT1 but with a TPIS miniram. Look where the plug wires go...to the back, not the front (optispark)

[showa]

Vintageracer's dime is "bad to the bone"....Now that would make a mean "street fighter" with some plates on it....

[aussiebj]

vintage racer 238 hp is that on pump gas....what size tubing r u running on your roll cage please....nice ride btw

[vintageracer]

vintage racer 238 hp is that on pump gas....what size tubing r u running on your roll cage please....nice ride btw


No. Racing gas with 2 big Mikuni carbs.

HP is wonderful but you still have to learn to drive the damn car. After 10 years of vintage racing I STILL have a LOT to learn!

[93Polo]

Looks like a reg. 350, not an LT1 but with a TPIS miniram. Look where the plug wires go...to the back, not the front (optispark)
It is a traditional SBC and owned by Peter Brock of BRE fame. The Datsun and long time SCCA guys will know who he is.

http://www.motoringjstyle.com/bre0408.html has some more info.

From the link:
Peter's latest project, code-named "Datzilla". A stock "looking" 510 on the outside that breaths fire on the inside with a fuel-injected Corvette ZZ3 engine with 550hp and everything from inside the grill to inside the trunk customized with the goal of contemporary "giant killer" in mind.”

More on V8 510s:

http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11707&start=0

I bumped into Qwik510 when he had the Silver LS1 240Z pictured in the topic at a Road Atlanta Vintage Race. It was one of if not the cleanest most OEM looking swaps I have seen. He seemed very knowledgable when we were talking about the swap.

[vintageracer]

If anyone is intereseted, the Original #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) Datsun 510 under 2.5 Litre 1971-1972 Trans Am Champion Datsun 510 is here in Nashville in the basement of the Lane Motor Museum. The car is still the property of Nissan Corporation. Jeff Lane currently has several of the Datsun, Oop's, Nissan Corporation company race cars and company cars at his museum. Nissan North American relocated their corporate offices to Tennessee about 3 years ago.

Check out the Lane Motor Museum on the web.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

actually.. Vintage your 510 is a streetfighter if you put some license plates on that car..

[Zee]

This site sucks. Now I am spending hours looking at 510 stuff rather than working on my car!! Seems like a lot of the guys are running a turbo KA24DE as parts are redily available stateside for that. The longer stroke lends itself well to turbocharging.

[aussiebj]

2 days and counting ....I was considering an aluminium headed 302 as i have one and a T5 setup already ...

[vintageracer]

Vintageracer's dime is "bad to the bone"....Now that would make a mean "street fighter" with some plates on it....


It's got a license plate on it!

[Bryce]

2 days and counting ....I was considering an aluminium headed 302 as i have one and a T5 setup already ...

Do it!! I have wanted to build one with a SBF for a long time. I think that would be awesome.

[11thhourfabrication]

2ndgenhunter we must be on the same wavelength. I have been thinking about a complete Subaru STI AWD or Audi S4 Quattro swap in my 510 for a few years. Just waiting for the right parts car at a decent price.

[aussiebj]

Well after a 750 plus mile drive on Saturday the 510 is in my driveway..ill post some pics latter today....here is a crappy cell phone pic
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[PleaseNoSteve]

Nice - cant wait to see some more pics!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

wooord.

[showa]

That looks like a great solid start !!!

[Tig]

Man, I'd love a nice 510, one of my all time favorite rides.

That one you snagged up looks great. Lookin forward to some more pics for sure.......

[aussiebj]

5-22 The day after the first Track Day......Well i made it to the Pocono event......here is a recap.. leave 3 am for the 3hr drive to Pocono..get to the gates at 6.05 ,good im the first there, this will secure a place in the garage...take some pics of the car in front of the Pocono sign ...Then i notice my trailers front l/h wheel is almost ready to fall off....so they let me in early ,i take the wheel off and no wheel bearings left at all just the inner bearing race welded to the axle.....OMG what do i do now, no fun if i cant get the car home...I run out to the auto parts store at 7.30am and they open at 8..i wait, and they dont carry anything, but they send me to a trailer place just up the road ..they dont open till 9am go figure...so i head back to the track to make the first session....I get the car all squared away check and recheck everything...This is it first time on this fast track with a new untested car....(Oh bty i could not adjust the boost lower than 15psi so yes you guessed it Race fuel ..shes running 110 octane).....they wave me out on the track for the warm up laps....The exhaust has a very small leak just below the turbo pipe small enough that you can hear it in the video.....so off we go everything looks good oil pressure good ..water temp good ...tires comming up to temp...noise still there..... after warm up, off we go motor running strong throught the twisties ,now on to the back straight lets open her up... 15psi through 4 gear up to 120mph..then i here a noise that gets louder so i slow and pull into the pits......I lift the hood and check out the exhaust as it sounded like the pipe came off....but to my surprise it was actually a failed spark plug that the complete center of the plug blew out of the motor, i mean the only part of the plug that was left in the head was the metal base with the thread.....so i ran off to the parts store and they had some autolite plugs ...ill take what ever i can get at this point to salvage the rest of the day..on the way back i stop at the trailer place and pick up the parts i need for the trailer ,and then to a hardware store to buy a grinder and chissel.....get back its lunch time .....after the great buffet lunch i fix the trailer and then replace the plugs....we are back in business.....back out on track shes runnig great 120mph at 7000rpm is the best i can do, as i run out of gear on the long straight... this is where i wished i had bought that 5 speed..after 4 laps i noticed the water temp climbing up to close to 200 so i pulled in to let it cool down ....checked the thermostate ,and it had been modified to just be a restrictor....changed the water added some water wetter...and back out for another session..she was running great but the water temp was climbing again after 4 laps....so i pulled in and called it a day..after that session was over an instructor that i knew came up to me and told me he was in a 2010 roush mustang and was right up my but comming off the main straight into the infield ,as soon as i made the first corner i was gone and the student in his 427hp stang just could not catch me..of course that was until the end of the back straight...but all in all it was a great day with an unproven platform.the 510 was a hit with everybody...now ill go over the entire car as my next event is on july 16th at Melvile NJ on the Lightning circuit.....and yes i have pics and video in car and out ill post it up soon...Barry

[ArtosDracon]

Very nice for a fresh car. I personally love these 70's and early 80's imports. Briefly had an 82 Corolla that I still regret having to get rid of. A first gen Celica has always been one of my dream cars. My mom keeps trying to get me into the 510's as she had one when she was younger and said it handled better than our go-kart, lol, I actually almost believe her too.

Congrats, hopefully you can get the temp issue worked out, I bet it's just a fan or fan clutch issue.

[aussiebj]

Here is a quick vid i just made of the 510 running down the front straight at 120mph and 7000 rpm .....if you turn up the sound u can here the motor purring.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGGKM6LZNbg

[zuess4u]

YES...a 510 is a streetfighter/pro-touring...fun car. It was my first car I owned, have a load of good memories with my 510.

here is a link to one of my all time favorite 510s...Yellow Fever...its done right. Id post pics but, not sure they would come out right.

http://www.bryanf.com/510/index.htm

[bosses son]

awesome car! looks like it is going to be allot of fun!

[twosaturns]

YES...a 510 is a streetfighter/pro-touring...fun car. It was my first car I owned, have a load of good memories with my 510.

here is a link to one of my all time favorite 510s...Yellow Fever...its done right. Id post pics but, not sure they would come out right.

http://www.bryanf.com/510/index.htm
I like that yellow 510 also, but last time I posted about it, some other datsun guy here ripped me a new one over it. I guess the 510 fanbase is pretty particular...

[70fireturd]

just jet the stock Webers and call it a day. LOL

[zuess4u]

I like that yellow 510 also, but last time I posted about it, some other datsun guy here ripped me a new one over it. I guess the 510 fanbase is pretty particular...

I know I know, but there has to be SOME respect, just in the fab alone right...lol...frickin purists..

[Jim Nilsen]

It sounds like your day at the track was an interesting one to say the least. The things that pop up or pop out, fall off or just plain fail are a surprising event. I had bolts come loose a valve cover leak ,blown engine and a couple things that just let you know it's racing even if they want to tell you it is just a TRACK EVENT,LOL.

You survived without any actual damage to the car and that they say is a blessing, just ask those who hit something or get hit !!

Sounds like you give em a good run for the money up to 120mph which is more than fast enough to keep them behind you. I'm good to 125/130 mph in 4th but have 5th and 6th to go after that so yea, you need a 5 spd if you had more room to go in the straight. The one thing is, at 120 mph you don't have to wait long and the turn comes up quick and the brakes have less to stop which was a good thing in my case.

I bet you will do really well in an auto x and most of the events have both types of racing to kill your car soon enough !!!!

Glad you had fun and found an auto parts store close by, I had to do the same kind of run to one and it is no fun when you miss the time to enjoy the event with others because you are thrashing on your stuff.

:cheers:

[aussiebj]

Here is a little longer vid with some in car footage....enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMkd_ddwq6I

[The Stickman]

Great car cool vids. I love going to Pocono. I hopeto get back there with the wagon sometime.

[ssx]

I really want to build a 510 also...Need to find a nice base car!!!

[ErikLS2]

Man, wish I never sold my 510 I had in high school. They were all over then in Calif (1986). Never got to make it into what I wanted it to be. Had one hell of a cam in an L20B. People at drive thrus would always ask "man, what do you have in that thing?".

[ArtosDracon]

I wonder what ever came of this, or if he's too busy driving it to be on here all the time.

[Mingus]

Love the 510s in this post.
I had one in the late 80's. Flared fiberglass front fenders, matching bond on rears, sidedrafts, 5 speed. Only problem was we went a little low and stiff with the suspension. Ended up with basically no travel and it would knock your fillings out on every bump. Handled awesome on nice smooth pavement but just chattered on anything rough. I'm sure it would have handled much better with a bit of travel and some softer springs/shocks. Ah, foolish youth. :) It was destroyed in a shop fire after I sold it.
As for engines, around 20 years ago I saw a Fairlady roadster with a Maxima V-6 in it. They did a really clean conversion and it hauled ass. They kept the EFI when it seemed everybody doing any kind of retro swap back then always yanked it. If I remember right it took them months to get the wiring sorted out. We're lucky to have all of the plug & play harnesses now.

[rixtrix1]

Really neat car. Got a guy here in Phoenix doing one with a turbo S2000 engine, but it's really a rustbucket and will take a lot of work to be as nice as yours.

[aussiebj]

Finally an update....been busy trying to finish up some other projects.. I picked up some upgraded parts for the datto.. Subaru WRX STI LSD rear with 3.91 ratio and some Beta Motorsports axle adapters so its a straight swap in..also planning on running some modified porsche 911 axles which the rear end would handle well over 400hp..and here is a proposed wheel and flare..i love the old school ansen slots..i would run 15x 10`s with some old time rubber like goodyear blue streaks..screams wide track
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[aussiebj]

I also have the drive train ..it will be a roller 88 302 taken out to 331 with a T5 tranny i took MM and it will fit with out touching the steering or brakes...

[Bjkadron]

Anything new?

[aussiebj]

Not yet my 69 mustang fastback (project57) is done with its paint job so ill be working on that for a while ....

[ponjohn]

Updates?

Cool videos.

[cobragt]

How about a 300ZX twin turbo motor and a 6spd