Datsun 510 considered pro touring??

[aussiebj]

I am picking up a 71 datsun 510 2 dr, would it be considered a pro touring machine????
of course my plans would not be to leave it alone..i have some interesting ideas on this one but i will wait to see what the masses say.....

[Derek Miller]

I hate to say it but I think it could be a cool project. With the right performance parts, wheels, tires and stance I believe pretty much any car could be a pro touring car. I had no idea what a Datsun 510 was so I did a little search on google and came up with the attached images. Good luck with your project and look forward to seeing what you come up with for a concept.

[qship510]

510's were Pro Touring before Pro Touring existed. Since they were almost new, there have been modified cars roaming the countryside and urbania that could accelerate, corner and stop better than the commercially available products from Detroit, Stuttgart or Tokyo. A relatively mild 510 outcornered the 911's of the day in the early 70's, and several iconic racers spent time in 510's (Paul Newman, Bobby Allison, John Morton).

I have two (cause I know you wanted to know); an early '70 2 door receiving a SR20DET transplant, cage and R Compounds, and a '72 wagon getting the sleeper treatment with a non-turbo SR20DE, factory option mags, and every period option I can acquire. The 2 door will be the fun/track car, and the wagon replaces a Suburban as a secondary kid hauler.

Greatest thing about building a 510 these days is that you have to really want a 510 to build one. Little to no aftermarket support (in the US anyway) means that every 510 is different. I am a "look what I built" kind of guy (read: broke-ish) so just about everything on my cars was literally made in my garage. The reason I lurk Lateral G Forums is because these are the guys who are really innovating in the automotive world. Steilow, Schwartz, and so on CREATE, not copy. I learn stuff all the time that I apply to my cars. Funny thing is, most 510 guys don't get Pro Touring, and most Pro Touring guys don't get 510's. No worries, I never cared for clubs anyway:D

Love, peace, and axle grease...

[COYBILT]

510's and 1200 waogon's are bad ass little rides and lets not forget the 521 pick up. I consider them pro touring due to the fact they were the road going go kart of choice for most in the day. My buddy has owned 4 of them, with 180hp and a good suspension setup your ready to tear it up. I think they look like mini muscle cars for them most part.

[Fluid Power]

yes...

[coolwelder62]

510's are cool. There is a ton of stuff out there on the net about them.I want a bluebird w/ LS2 & T56 someday.:thumbsup:

[ironworks]

I want to do one some day. An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill. I was thinking Ecotech with 6 speed.

[ccracin]

An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill.

Please take that back. That phrase should never be uttered on this site. I had more hope for you! :lol:

The 510 would be sweet. Please start a build thread. :lateral:

[ironworks]

Please take that back. That phrase should never be uttered on this site. I had more hope for you! :lol:

The 510 would be sweet. Please start a build thread. :lateral:

Sorry I was just thinking an LS engine with 400 hp would just be a sit and spin in a little ass car like that. With all that weight on the nose. It would be super loose any way. But 400 hp four cylinder that is half the weigh of a V8 would be pretty well balanced.

Believe me I have thought about this idea a few times. Turbo EcoTech hooked to a 6 speed transaxle with custom IRS would be slick. Believe me I support Overkill, Shoot I endorse it.

[tones2SS]

Those cars are awesome. Love the 510's!!!:thumbsup: :cheers:

[HWY Nova]

Check this out:

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



--Eric

[Ron in SoCal]

Check this out:

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



--Eric

WOW - that car sets the bar pretty high! I'd love to see that car run on any track...:willy:

[coolwelder62]

check this one outhttp://blogs.motortrend.com/6477190/editorial/whacky-engine-swaps-part-ii-datzilla/index.html.

[70rs]

510's were Pro Touring before Pro Touring existed. Since they were almost new, there have been modified cars roaming the countryside and urbania that could accelerate, corner and stop better than the commercially available products from Detroit, Stuttgart or Tokyo. A relatively mild 510 outcornered the 911's of the day in the early 70's, and several iconic racers spent time in 510's (Paul Newman, Bobby Allison, John Morton).

I have two (cause I know you wanted to know); an early '70 2 door receiving a KA24DE transplant, cage and R Compounds, and a '72 wagon getting the sleeper treatment with a non-turbo SR20DE, factory option mags, and every period option I can acquire. The 2 door will be the fun/track car, and the wagon replaces a Suburban as a secondary kid hauler.

Greatest thing about building a 510 these days is that you have to really want a 510 to build one. Little to no aftermarket support (in the US anyway) means that every 510 is different. I am a "look what I built" kind of guy (read: broke-ish) so just about everything on my cars was literally made in my garage. The reason I lurk Lateral G Forums is because these are the guys who are really innovating in the automotive world. Steilow, Schwartz, and so on CREATE, not copy. I learn stuff all the time that I apply to my cars. Funny thing is, most 510 guys don't get Pro Touring, and most Pro Touring guys don't get 510's. No worries, I never cared for clubs anyway:D

Love, peace, and axle grease...

What he said! 510 are killer little cars when set up right. Go for it! Just post ALOT of pics please.:cheers:

[70rs]

Check this out:

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



--Eric

Those little rotary zingers are a riot. spin to the moon and sound like an old dirt bike with open exhaust......big fun in a VW Bug conversion too.

[aussiebj]

I want to do one some day. An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill. I was thinking Ecotech with 6 speed.
I never thought of that ..ecotec i mean ...i was also thinking about using a chevy 4.3 v6 set up ..any comments on that also....

[coolwelder62]

LS2/LS3 or if you really have big ONES a LS9.Think how many magzing guys will be knocking your door down.:thumbsup: :lol:

[aussiebj]

That LT1 510 is sure looking like the way to go......
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/race%20car/lt1510.jpg

[93Polo]

I want to do one some day. An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill. I was thinking Ecotech with 6 speed.

Sorry I was just thinking an LS engine with 400 hp would just be a sit and spin in a little ass car like that. With all that weight on the nose. It would be super loose any way. But 400 hp four cylinder that is half the weigh of a V8 would be pretty well balanced.

Believe me I have thought about this idea a few times. Turbo EcoTech hooked to a 6 speed transaxle with custom IRS would be slick. Believe me I support Overkill, Shoot I endorse it.

I had thought of a turbo Ecotec from a Sky Redline, or Solstace GXP. I believe they used a 6 speed mounted conventionally behind the motor. A R200(?) Nissan differential swap designed for a 240Z I think would be a relatively easy to swap.

The weight of a LS motor may surprise you. 240SXs have lost weight ditching the iron blon K24 (4cyl) for a Ls1. 3rd Gen twin turbo RX7s have lost weight too.

I never thought of that ..ecotec i mean ...i was also thinking about using a chevy 4.3 v6 set up ..any comments on that also....

I would take a 5.3 Aluminum block Gen3/4 motor over an iron block 4.3. Miata guys are doing 5.3 swaps. If you are down in Australia a Mitsubishi 4G63 maybe a more budget oriented swap. I hear plenty of BMW E30 guys love that swap down there.

www.hybridz.org would be a good place to start for 510 swaps.

The LT1 510 had alot of fabrication. IIRC he moved the firewall to get better weight balance.

[elitecustombody]

Just right:thumbsup:

http://www.bryanf.com/510/images/rsusp10.jpg
http://www.bryanf.com/510/images/body1s.jpg
http://www.bryanf.com/510/images/body3s.jpg

[nvr2fst]

^^^^^^ Absolutely :wow:

[FETorino]

I am picking up a 71 datsun 510 2 dr, would it be considered a pro touring machine????
of course my plans would not be to leave it alone..i have some interesting ideas on this one but i will wait to see what the masses say.....

I remember loving those little cars back in the 80s.

[tones2SS]

BAD ASS!!! Bad little cars.
Keep us posted please.:thumbsup:

[aussiebj]

well after the 750 plus mile round trip the 510 is now in my driveway ,,here is a crappy cell phone pic the day i picked it up..
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/race%20car/510-2.jpg

[HWY Nova]

NICE!!!!!!


--Eric

[tones2SS]

AWESOME!!:cheers:

[rogue]

I am a huge datsun fan. Considering the history behind the Brock Racing 510s in the trans am series, they absolutely 100% fit the pro-touring bill. Import or not.

I've always wanted to build an RB26 or SR20 one and run it hard as hell.

Some inspiration:
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2699/3261/6746630163_large.jpg


http://tigerdimealpha.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/datsun_510_rotary001.jpg

[rogue]

That LT1 510 is sure looking like the way to go......
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/race%20car/lt1510.jpg

overkill and too heavy IMO. Plenty of worthy import motor swaps out there...

[rogue]

well after the 750 plus mile round trip the 510 is now in my driveway ,,here is a crappy cell phone pic the day i picked it up..
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/race%20car/510-2.jpg

LOVE the minilites!

[Zapp]

In Australia they were sold as Datsun 1600's here is one that scored heaps of trophies over the last couple of years

"Aaron Fitzpatrick’s 1969 Datsun 1600 was the huge crowd pleaser with its House of Kolor ‘Rockmelon’ paint consisting of Spanish Gold (KBC14) over a Lemon Yellow (SG101) base. A relatively unique aspect of this car is under the bonnet. Not only had hundreds of hours gone into the detailing and modifications to the engine bay itself but the late model 4 cylinder SR20-DE which now shared its home with a 750hp supercharger created a rarely seen powerhouse. This awesome “Datto” collected not only the number one spot of Grand Champion but also the Meguiar’s Peoples Choice Award and an honorable 3rd Top Special Effects Paint placing"

http://www.houseofkolor.com.au/images/news/summernats2006/FIVETEN%203%20adj.jpghttp://www.houseofkolor.com.au/images/news/summernats2006/FIVETEN%205%20adj.jpg

[aussiebj]

Gotta love how us aussies will hot rod 4 doors, no one over here would even consider a 4 door as hot rod.....I love it :thumbsup:

[aussiebj]

As a side note i got the turbo motor up and running i will do my first event with the current motor as its a L20b and i was told by the guy who built them back in the day with Turbo Tom that with 10 to 15lbs of boost and the water injection i should see 225 to 250 hp..this should be fun...

[aussiebj]

5-22 The day after......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
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

[Fluid Power]

whew, what a day! Sounds fun though!

Darren

[tones2SS]

Very cool Barry.
Those 510's are pretty cool.:yes:

[aussiebj]

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

[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
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/race%20car/my510with15x10s.jpg

[conekiller13]

Can you tell Me where the flares came from? I'm looking for some for the 77 RX-3 autocross car I've been driving.

[aussiebj]

The original flares on the car you can get from japco or classic datsun they are the BRE type flares..the white mocked up flare is from a 240z its called a C-Mod production flare that could be used on SCCA 240Z datsuns..they are no longer made i found my set on
HybridZ`s web site ..They do have a set of what they call ZG flares for 240 z cars that might work for you..hope this helps ..good luck..Barry

[black2002ls]

I love these little cars. I've been wanting to find one that needs some TLC for some time. I had never though about an ecotec swap. Those motors are pretty stout, nor did I know about the 6 spd option. My truck will be paid off near the first of the year, as well as some other financial matters. It may be time to finally get me a tinker toy....

[aussiebj]

work on the Datsun has been slow due to the mustang (project 57) im building.. I was tossing aroung the idea of selling the 510 in favour of a V8 powered 240Z car ...any thoughts on that??????

[Fluid Power]

I'd be interested in the 510.

Darren

[tones2SS]

work on the Datsun has been slow due to the mustang (project 57) im building.. I was tossing aroung the idea of selling the 510 in favour of a V8 powered 240Z car ...any thoughts on that??????

Build the Datsun 510!:yes:

[frankv11]

love those 510s my first car ever I was 14 and paid 1000.00 for a1969 cannary yellow w air shocks and black enkee wheels.
sadly I had it for two months , had kept it at a friends house because I wasnt allowed to have car and then impounded for obvious reasons and that was the end of it .


maybe my next project..

[Sandbagger]

We have a LS powered 240 thatshows up for Midwest Council events , the thing is sick fast .
I would rather see a LS 510 though .

[aussiebj]

fitting an LS in the car is not the problem its the T56 gb its too long.....thats why i will go 302 and T5 setup....small and light

[Sandbagger]

Tko500 is a little smaller ,50 # lighter??

[417 Motorsports]

510's started the protouring scene.... small cars, big wide wheels, and handling that was hard pressed to out perform.

BUILD IT!!!!

but please dont ruin it with a ford motor LOL

ls1 and a t5 from a v6 s-10:thumbsup: