Engine Swap In Datsun L521 Pick Up

[kirky]

Hello,

Just wondered if anybody knew what engine i could squeeze in this cute little truck. I have tried googling but no real answers. I don t want to do custom fabrication to the the bodywork, just something that will push a little bit more than the standard engine 1200cc (68bhp) Is there anybody that you can recommend for such a job? Obviously i know the usual suspects on engines that are available i Thailand (sr20,1jz,2jz etc etc)but any info would be gratefully appreciated.

[philipm]

for your datsun,

how much hp are you looking for?

for a nice fit, i would opt for a sr20det, plus it would keep the weight balance not to far off from the std engine spec, compared to the larger engines.

for big power go for the 2jzgte and get the engine pushed back as far as possible.

what gearbox are you looking for?

i have engines/gearboxs/clutch/drive shaft etc etc.

my recommendation is go for the sr20det, it has enough power (240-250hp range) std.

and ofcourse we can do exhaust, downpipe, fuel, turbo, headers, ecu etc etc depending on your target.

[INTJ]

I would suggest a Toyota 4A series, 1600cc, ultra reliable, enough power and cheap.

http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/in...oyota_4A_engine

Turbocharging will only give you headaches

Cheers

[kirky]

I would suggest a Toyota 4A series, 1600cc, ultra reliable, enough power and cheap.

http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/in...oyota_4A_engine

Turbocharging will only give you headaches

Cheers

I was thinking exactly that! cheers for the website i think it will answer all my questions. I want to drive it around with ease, and not have to update too many things

i think with the turbos and that i would have to uprate almost everything under the shell?.

Phil would you do the engine swap on a 4AGE? Where are you based etc... Costs?

[Oldvisitor]

I would stick with a Datsun ( Nissan ) engine ! Would go for the L series , L24, L26 or L28. Cheap and torque engines.

Nissan L series engines, come with 4 or 5 speed manual and auto gearboxes. And you got the smoothness of a 6 cylinder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine

[neverdie]

Go Rotary!

[WarpSpeed]

^Now yer talking....

[Oldvisitor]

I would stick with a Datsun ( Nissan ) engine ! Would go for the L series , L24, L26 or L28. Cheap and torque engines.

Nissan L series engines, come with 4 or 5 speed manual and auto gearboxes. And you got the smoothness of a 6 cylinder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_L_engine

-> L24 ( 2.4 ) engine.

L series engines are hard to kill, and death nuts reliable. Single cam, chain driven distribution, loads of torque. These things also came in industrial engines like forklifts on LPG. Std 150 HP for the 2.4

If you like to go smaller go for L18 or L20. Alle these engines above also come in Injection if you like.

[neverdie]

^Now yer talking....

Turbo Rotary, now that would give you a err slight power increase

[INTJ]

Hi,

I don't see why anybody would advocate anything other than a Toyota engine for any other than 'purist' reasons - down the line when you are replacing aircon compressor, power steering pump et al. you could well live to regret choosing a more obscure powerplant.

Turbocharging brings a myriad of problems, unless you are using new components (which are very expensive) the equipment will have had a much harder previous life, so turbos will smoke, different gaskets will constantly be leaking oil....and you will have serious cooling issues, especially if you want aircon, as well as necessary expensive upgrades to wheels, tyres, suspension, brakes, rear differential and mounting intercooler,etc

Unless you are wanting a track beast or are desperate to join the 10 second club I would stick with the 4A - its a very easy conversion, and you can safely run on stock suspension and brakes. The truck will feel lively and will be a pleasure to drive. I would estimate around 50K for the swap all in. Turbo you can triple that at least and you'll always be pouring money into it.

All this from experience

Cheers and good luck

[philipm]

the 4age, isactually hard to find in thailand.

the ae86 are quite rare.

it would be better to do the sr20,

or even a rotary 13bett-although rotaries do burn alot of oil and are exotic engines which need

care to keep running in prime condition.

the sr20det is not to expensive and would give much better power to weight ratio.

sr20 vs 4age,

sr20 has alot more torque, alot more power, is a turbocharged engine vs a na engine.

sr20 has alot of modifications and parts in the market, whilest 4age doesnt.

it all up to you and your prefrence when it comes down to it.

everything can be done and found with the right budget.

[INTJ]

it would be better to do the sr20,

Philip please advise of the approximate complete cost of the SR20 turbo conversion, and necessary safety upgrades to the vehicle (with over 200BHP)

And will there be a guarantee as to the condition of the turbo ?

Thanks

[WarpSpeed]

^Now yer talking....

Turbo Rotary, now that would give you a err slight power increase

Plenty of space, lighter weight over the front axles, a nice little 13b tucked away low and behind the front end, sweet!

I'd really love to get a hold of an older Mazda 323 or Astina and install a nice little 13B, bridge ported and pinned crank with a FWD set up so besides the weight loss there would be little drop in power as the direction of rotation would be with the direction of momentum, there would be less loss in the reduced drive distance and the improved aero on the Astina body with a fair bit of comfort and appointments.

That's a project car for me one day, what a little pocket rocket that would turn out to be...

[philipm]

you will need to concider, exhaust job, intercooler job,

radiator and ac unit with wiring, sparkplug no.8, timing belt, new oils.

do u know your pickups lsd ratio?

if its to high, you will need to concider droping it down.

it would be wise to also upgrade to slightly stiffer shocks to keep traction at maximum,

and better high speed stability.

the drive shaft will have to be cut as well.

it depends if all you want to do is fit the engine, or fit it with supporting mods to make it run as reliable as possible.

[INTJ]

What about wheels and tyres. And brakes ?

Approximate cost for all of this work ?

Thanks

[philipm]

brakes, will depend on the size of the rims.

can always go for the skyline gts front and rear kit,

but you will need 16" rims minimum.

wheels i would recommend 16-18" rims,

rear wheels should get some wide rubber,

a good 245 or 265 on the rear would like good.

and 245 to 225rubber in the front.

as we speak i am checking the engine cost direct from japan,

for both the sr20det black top from the siliva s14 and also the 6speed from the s15 varient.

ill let u gents know about the price via PM, when i recieve it.

[INTJ]

Philip I think the original poster was wanting to breathe some new life into a very old vehicle, not completely rebuild it to a racing spec.........thats why I suggested the 4A which could be supplied and installed for around 50K. You said "it would be better to do the sr20", which would mean considerably more work (and expense) than a simple 4A swap.

So why is the SR20 better ? It is easy to recommend people to fit high performance products and upgrades when you are affiliated with a business that caters to that market...however I think 50K baht is ample to spend on an old Datsun ute unless you've got money to burn. Not everyone needs a turbo - what if his wife wants to drive it to the shops in the rain and is a bit heavy with the right foot ?

I would like to know how much you would estimate your package would cost the OP (SR20DET redtop/blacktop, exhaust, intercooler, aircon installation, radiator, brake upgrade, suspension upgrade, uprated rear differential and new wheels and tyres with "wide rubber".

And after spending all that money you will have a car with a 15 year old engine that has had a hard former life with undetermined mileage and no service records. That will be a money pit. YMMV.

Cheers

[Oldvisitor]

I don't understand why people still go for 4 bangers, 6 cylinders runs much smoother....

[INTJ]

I can't understand why people still go for 6 cylinders, 8 is much better

[INTJ]

So Philip what is your estimate ?

[Oldvisitor]

I can't understand why people still go for 6 cylinders, 8 is much better

[kirky]

hey Phil,

please PM me when you get the details as i am interested in all options. Here is the truck to give you an idea. It rides a bit low at the moment and the suspension on the rear is a bit too spongy for my liking. Its completely original with the same engine that it was first registered with in 1969 and runs very very well. I don't want to destroy the thing but after researching datsun1200.com its interesting to see the following that this particular make has and the custom work that has been achieved.

[philipm]

looks very good mate ill PM u with the prices for the engine,

fitting, wiring, and intercooler/intake/sparkplugs/timing belt/oils, exhaust etc

which option do you prefer? the NA 4age or the sr20det?

the 4age, wont need intercooler job, instead a intake job is highly recommended.

[kirky]

sorry to be a pain but both! I know some Nissan purists would prefer i stick with a Nissan engine but the 4AG does apparently drop straight in without alot of hassle. Sorry if im vague im not mechanically minded!

[CHdiver]

What a beautiful Pick up, looks really nice

[WarpSpeed]

sorry to be a pain but both! I know some Nissan purists would prefer i stick with a Nissan engine but the 4AG does apparently drop straight in without alot of hassle. Sorry if im vague im not mechanically minded!

Put a Datsun 2000 roadster engine in it with twin 32/36DGV down draft Webers on and be done with it.. All the fun you'd need few of the headaches as that engine is bullet proof and still close to original..