what shall i do

[jrbd10]

what about this guys...once the old 300,000 plus motor or gives out should i:

A: Do a complete rebuild, i mean every nut and washer new nothing underturned...aim here is 200 or better

B: SR20DET aim here is about 300 but now in a perfect world 710 horsepower is preety sick

C: KA20 turbo as well aim here too is around 300

Let me know what you think

[bonvo]

rebuilding the stock motor is easiest and the cheapist way to go

[fiveNdime]

Umm.....isn't this a re-post

[Guest jaimesix]

Hi John. Have not seen your Datto in a while.

Your stock motor is running fine.

Before you think about another more powerfull engine, think about suspension, brakes, steering components.

 

If you were to install any SR20 or even a performance L18 in your car with your current suspension/brakes stc...you will end up wrapped around a tree.

It is no joke, I have seen monster engines installed in cars that had no stopping power, no suspension, and that is very dangerous.

 

Relax on the idea of super engines. It is about enjoying a car that behaves and responds well. If you are going to think about HP and HP and super engines....you will never be happy...there are Porsches , Ferraris , Maserattis , Bughattis...etc that will never allow you to be the fastest guy.

Even if you get a Ferrari ( or any exotic car ) I am sure there are some millionares that have those Ferraris all tricked and modified.....

 

With some headers and a nice Weber carburetor, you are set in for fun and good times. After that, concentrate on suspension.

You will find out that driving your Datsun with "coil overs" ( Ground Control...other brands ), nice "struts" and "shocks" ( Koni, Suspension Techniques, etc ), good "coil springs" ( Eibach...etc ) "decambered" rear leaf springs , "sway bars" ( Addco,etc ) , refreshed suspension "bushings" and nice wheels/tires ( stay away from extemely large diametre wheels, that is detrimental to your cars suspension and potential ).... you will find out that engine is only part of the equation.

 

It is so much fun to drive a car that can corner, can accelerate and brake and run smooth on highways without being mushy. I had the best time of my life driving my former B210. Stock engine , Weber 32/36 , headers , MSD ignition , Koni struts/shocks , decambered leaf springs , Ground Control Coil overs , 13X8 wheels/215-50-13 tires and those beloved ADDCO sway bars that gave the car Corvette cornering ability. I did not care I did not have the fastest engine. That engine purred and sound really good. I could take corners like a train on tracks .

 

I would rather drive a car with a stock motor, and tuned suspension, than a car with a monster engine , and jelly bean suspension.

 

The first car will give you tons of fun. Only then you will know what engine your car needs.

The second car in that example will send you off the road into a tree, a rock,off a cliff....think about it. You would not be the first. Mullholand Drive has a collection of smart guys' cars at it's bottom, from the 40's till year 08. That collection is updated every week:eek:

 

Engines are not going anywhere. By the time you finish your car's suspension and brakes, and have it nice and painted, you will find out there will be more options.

 

A winner car, winner in car races and in performance, is not the car with the largest meanest engine, but the car that is more balanced.

 

Mustangs with all it's mighty V8 power are scrap against imports , BMW's, Toyotas, Nissans and Mazdas beat them up not because Mustangs lack power, but those cars lack balance. Some MUstang racing cars are great, but that takes a lot of money.

The engine has to suit the car. A big motor is useless if you can not have that power transfered to road efficiency.

 

Where is your Datsun in the suspension department?

 

Hope to see you around. Come to any of several classic japanese car meets. Better of, come to a Datsun swap meet or event.

Hope to see you soon John.

 

Jaime._________________________________________________________

[datzenmike]

AMEN

 

My first car that I bought was 300 hp from the showroom floor. It had a thicker sway bar than the six cylinder models and more leaf springs. It also had disc brakes and wide tires. It handled ok by 1970 standards but it could far out run it's handling and definitely it's brakes.

 

Reread the previous post. Save your life.

[zerow]

AMEN

 

My first car that I bought was 300 hp from the showroom floor. It had a thicker sway bar than the six cylinder models and more leaf springs. It also had disc brakes and wide tires. It handled ok by 1970 standards but it could far out run it's handling and definitely it's brakes.

 

Reread the previous post. Save your life.

 

Jaimesix said it best, and a lot of us will concur. I wanted VG30 in my youth, and I'm glad I woke up and saw the light. I wanted more from my tired motor, so I just upgraded. Still is stock, and runs real well. I know I will be due for a rebuild one day, but I will get another L20 and move on with life. Get the electronic ignition, get the Weber downdraft, and with your manifold, it should be a nice bolt on. Jaimesix got my old, non-smog intake manifold, and if he would be *kind* enough to post pictures, if requested, compare it to yours. You won't be disappointed. I just wish you were around here before I sold my 32/36, you would have agreed that the performance was worth the price.

[]2eDeYe]

Hear, hear :D

[datrod]

Very well said. JAIMESIX,:D

[hang_510]

The second car in that example will send you off the road into a tree, a rock,off a cliff....think about it. You would not be the first. Mullholand Drive has a collection of smart guys' cars at it's bottom, from the 40's till year 08. That collection is updated every week :eek:

 

and the parts are never salvagable either, and i didnt even go part way down(fresh L18) :cursing: