It's all SASSY's fault... Not a comet.. Engine swap

[RCMike]

So while Fred was in town, we went to the Saturday car show, and I saw a car I have loved for years.. And so I decided to see what they are going for these days.. And lo and behold, I found a nice one for decent money.. Of course it was in Portland, Or..

So 3 days later, me and my new car are home.. After one of the most incredible drives ever..

So Fred, thanks!!!

Here it is, my new 1968 Datsun Fairlady 1600..

Just out of the snow, in Crescent City, CA..


And closer to home, outside Malibu..



I can't believe i did not stop and get more photos in the redwoods, and in San Francisco.. but it was pouring rain, and the drive was so gorgeous.. I could not stop..

Mike

[Ojohnny]

That's not a comet. Sure is pretty though.

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

That is what happens when you hang out with Fred[SASSY],strange things seem normal!!!!! KOOL little car,have not seen one in years!! ROY.

[SASSY]

Hey!! Missed this !
I too have a sweet spot for those cars
How 'bout a Taurus SHO V6? (kidding)
Looks tidy,, better start savin up, Marilyn and i want to come
down again next winter and most of the cars at that show are
pretty big bucks so you'll need a fat wallet! LOL

strange things seem normal!!!!!! ROY.

Sounds like a bumper sticker to me

[comethead]

Thats a cool little car Mike. Nice find and another cool drive home!

Joe

[popscomet]

SBF/top loader 4-spd,,,AND it's COBRA time again....BUT if it was mine ..it'd stay just like it is ,,,OLE POP loves it I think it's super sharp.nice ,very nice bet it's a blast to drive

[RCMike]

So I was asked for some pictures... Here we go..



So I bought my 1968 Fairlady in March. Great car, loved the looks, handles beautifully. It had some minor brake fade issues, but those were solved with a transplant of z32 twin turbo brakes..

But the pushrod 1.6 liter was short on power, and well on the way to needing a rebuild. And the car really needed a 5th gear, it just ran out of gears too fast..

Still, it's too much fun and too pretty to leave alone..




So after some roadster get togethers, talking to some other owners, and this and that, while on my trip to Mt. Shasta, I made a decision. SR20 and 5 speed..



Next, the build starts...

[RCMike]

So I found a builder in Southern California, who has done several of these swaps, Kevin Desirello, and talked to him about what we needed to do to make this happen, and what swap did I want to do. Did I want comfortable, reliable, and quick normally aspirated, or insane stupid fast turbo..

Another thing to keep in mind is these cars are very light.. So you don't need huge power numbers to get great power to weight..

I drove Kevin's normally aspirated car, and was very impressed. I rode in a turbo car Kevin built, and was just floored.. The performance was stunning. But I chose the normally aspirated motor basically because I want to keep my license. I know how addicting that turbo whoosh would be, and I know I would end up racing people all over the place..

So NA was the choice. Here comes the build.

Kevin found me a s14 motor, and we got started.

Last call for the 1600 motor.. 44 years of service!


Body coming off..




Chassis ready for work..



Next, chassis work under way..

[RCMike]

So, the old motor mounts would need to come out, new ones in, a trans mount would need to go in the x member, the front cross member would need to be sliced for clearance, a notch taken for clearance for the oil filter, and a second torque arm installed so the car would go straight on the throttle..

Motor mounts replaced, cross member sliced, and notched for filter...



Trans mount installed..



Second torque arm built including frame and axle mounts..



X-member cutouts for exhaust removed and replaced with 3" square tube..



Motor and trans mocked up..



Next, motor, trans, and chassis cleaned, painted, and installed..

[RCMike]

Ok, cleaned, painted, and installed...

I wanted it all to look as classic as possible, so we went with Datsun blue paint on the block, natural on heads, water pump, and trans, and black valve cover..

Chassis painted satin black..









Ready for the body.. Here it comes..





Next, details..

[RCMike]

Radiator modified for the new motor, electric fan installed, air intake tube built, Sentra se-r exhaust manifold installed, valve cover powdercoated, intake manifold polished, wiring harness installed..



The new motor is considerably lighter, so new springs went in to lower the front.. New exhaust installed, 2 1/2" all the way back, good to go..



Any questions, ask away.. If I can answer, I will!

[SASSY]

Too COOL !!
We'll be down by Feb 1 I'll be phonin for a ride!!

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

Mike had a lot of pictures and video to show us at this years Mercury Show,looks like TOO MUCH FUN!!!! ROY.

[Ojohnny]

Love it, in my younger days I had a 91 SE-R. That is a very under rated power plant, very torquey and damn near bulletproof. That car was one of the most fun cars to drive I have ever owned and was a real sleeper most people had no idea how quick that little thing was. Was like a big go cart, some butthead totaled it for me one night when he decided to drive through my yard. Beautiful car Mike.

[Boss/Cyclone]

Cool build, I like any car done up right like that. I had a 1974 260Z [only Datsun I ever owned] when I was a teenager, fun light car.