510 swap choices sr, or rb, v8 even?

Discussion forum for the venerable 510, and its non-US counterparts, the Datsun 1600 and Bluebird.
codyisbad
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Car: '71 510 '90 300zx

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I am about th buy a 71 510 2dr. It has a built up L20 with a blown engine. I am looking into what can be swapped into them. Obviously a sr20 will work, but does anyone know if a rb25 will fit, or even a V8 like a corvette ls6. Just curious to find out if anyone has done anything really crazy like that.


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nsrZ32
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If you're going to swap an engine into a datsun/nissan.....swap in a datsun or nissan engine. Not an american V8.

I've seen 510's with turbocharged KA's in them, SR swaps, RB swaps, even one with a VG30 swap. Lots of quality motors are available within the nissan family.

nb07bcar
Posts: 225
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:47 am

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I have a KA24det. Its great. Its not to hard to do, but you have to know what your doing. If you don't know what your doing then put a sr or a VG30 and you should have no problems.

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compression
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stay away from straight six engines, they are way long for the nose of the 510. There is not much room up there, but anything can be done with enough time and money.There are some V8 swaps around, a VG30DETT, and even a Supra 7MGTE, and lots of V6's, SR20's, KA24's. take your pick.

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Flicktitty
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compression wrote:stay away from straight six engines, they are way long for the nose of the 510. There is not much room up there, but anything can be done with enough time and money.There are some V8 swaps around, a VG30DETT, and even a Supra 7MGTE, and lots of V6's, SR20's, KA24's. take your pick.
the supra 7MGTE is a inline motor! just so you know i'd go with SR, or the KA personnaly. Then if i really wanted to spent money i'd go with a RB motor or the Godfatheer 2JZGTTE motor!

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continental_drift
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Car: 1991 240sx coupe - in progress - zeal function V6, ssr formula reverse, trust SP. more to come.

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RB would be a tough fit... seems like it barely fits in its own engine bay.

srdrps13
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i say you go sr with it... imo

codyisbad
Posts: 129
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:53 pm
Car: '71 510 '90 300zx

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I'll probably end up going sr20, it seems easier. Rb25 would be awesome but looking under the hood I don't think it will fit very well.

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datsunboy
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nsrZ32 wrote:If you're going to swap an engine into a datsun/nissan.....swap in a datsun or nissan engine. Not an american V8.

I've seen 510's with turbocharged KA's in them, SR swaps, RB swaps, even one with a VG30 swap. Lots of quality motors are available within the nissan family.
you have seen a RB engine in a 510?can you get pics?.....there is no way they would fit unless, you cut the firewall back quite a lot....so it would only be done for a race/track car.....

I have seen pics of a 7MGTE in a 510....they cut the firewall back heaps in that one

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emperor_lunchbox
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I saw a RB26DETT at a show in Orlando. Sick car, It had just bolt ons and it was in the low 11's

TwoDoorDime
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 10:26 pm
Car: 70 datsun 510 LOts of mods

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rb motors are to long for the 510. they will fit in the engine bay but you will have to cut up the firewall and will be shifting in back seat. There is a guy building one now but its going through VERY extensive mods. the whole car is being cut up to fit it and its supposedly the only rb 510. Its not finished yet but ill try and find pics.

TwoDoorDime
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Car: 70 datsun 510 LOts of mods

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i know this is a kinda old post my bad...v8's ruin 510's....go with sr20det, ca18det, vg30, or ka24

apollo7
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The only V8 swap I know of that worked well was by using the all aluminum Buick V8 from the 60's. I believe it was 218 cubic inches, 175 stock horsepower. It weighs only 75 lbs more than an L20B! A place called McIntosh Auto Parts at one time could get a lot of performance parts for them. They were located in Atlanta, GA.

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KAestate
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apollo7 wrote:The only V8 swap I know of that worked well was by using the all aluminum Buick V8 from the 60's. I believe it was 218 cubic inches, 175 stock horsepower. It weighs only 75 lbs more than an L20B!
The engine you are thinking of is the Buick/Rover 215. It was available in a few cars from 1960-1963. The Rovers came with the all aluminum block which actually weighed 40lbs less than the L20B. The 1963 Jetfire II 215 came with an optional water-cooled turbo capable of 5psi. That peticular engine was the most powerful in stock form and produced 214HP and 220 lb-ft of torque. I quickly decided against that swap as I sought parts for it before I bought a thing for the swap. The parts are ALMOST impossible to find and if you do find them it may not be worth the money it would cost to build one.

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KAestate
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I opted for the KA24DE 16-valve swap from a 1991 240SX SE as it was readily available and my L20B was dying. I have a few friends that have 240SXs and swapped SR20DETs into them so the KA24DE was mine for a small trade of a couple power tools I didn't need. The rest of the swap is actually a lot more difficult than their swaps, especially with the 16-valve KA. The good news is I have not spent one dime as of yet but will, in the end (should be done this week) will have spent $200 on parts and services (services being shortening of the drive shaft). If you would like to see a few of the hardships that this swap entails visit my thread on it at http://csramotorsports.com/for....html

Pics are on pages 1 and 2 and a full write-up of the problems I faced will be available at the end when I have finished later this week.

codyisbad
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Car: '71 510 '90 300zx

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Well I have ended up deciding on a ka24de, mostly because they are cheap and easy to find, and I have most of one sitting on my work bench already. I am getting the rest of the parts I need to put it back together. I am going to fix the l20b that is in the car now because I am tired of it just sitting in my driveway. I am currently upgrading the brakes and suspension before I do any driving with it. For the rear I am usung 300zx tt rear calipers and discs w/ N/A wheels. The front I scored some s12 V6 struts at the junyard. I am using those and a coilover setup w/ 300lb springs, 300zx tt front calipers and discs and wheels as well.

Rubenonamission
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Yeah bro just go with an sr. I have a 72 2dr with a fully built high compression ka2*de, and I'm not satisfied. So I'll be swapping in an sr!!

Rubenonamission
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Oh and by the way here's a rb swap in the process. I took this picture at DGR fabrication in san jose CA. last year.

Rubenonamission
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here's a pic of the side.

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lrb_2000
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nice, the engine sits inside the cabin

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KAestate
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I guess he plans on shifting with his elbow, lol.

BACARDI_DWB
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well i based my desicion on lightweight. and quick power. so i ended up with the CA18DET small and in stock form with the supporting mods can give over 350hp in stock form..

TwoDoorDime
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 10:26 pm
Car: 70 datsun 510 LOts of mods

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in stock form? you mean stock internals i have to disagree with you ive read they can take just over 300 NOT 350....but thats just what ive read.


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