Datsun 510 or S14?

[compression]

I am having issues.I have a '71 Datsun 510 2-door sedan with an S13 redtop in it, built and boosted to 16psi with all the engine bells and whistles. The engine is way too much power for the car, but I like driving it, for now. It is useless in the rain and not a really practical car. The car weighs 2,080lb with a full tank of gas. THe car is sorted and runs good and has proven to be reliable. I basically built it to be fast and nothing else (no radio, no climate controls/heat, no carpet, etc..) BUt like I said it is too much power for the car it can get scary sometimes.

BUt now I am thinking of dropping the engine/trans/ems into an S14 and selling the 510 minus the drivetrain.On the S14 I would like to do a strawberry face conversion (I know everyone has their opinions, but I really like it).I would sell the 510 with all the parts necessary for the next owner to drop in their own SR20DET, including the radiator, intercooler, piping, 3" exhaust system, custom turbo manifold, and the custom fabbed stuff that I cant use on the S14. So i think I could get a good amount for the 510 with all the goodies included.

Or I can keep sinking money into the 510, it needs paint, wheels/tires, a cage, and a few other little stuff before it is really pretty.

any ideas? 510 or S14.5 .....510 or S14.5.....

[BB Turbo]

well, first, pics of the 510! But other than that, I say go with the S14.5 if you're having reliability issues. If it was me, I'd stick with the 510 just for the sake of being different. I love built old school rides.

[Bandit240]

Keep that 510. You have something rare and cool unlike a S14, almost everyone from ricers to rich kids to housewives have S14's.

[Altiman94]

^ I agree. Keep the dime. And I wanan see pics too!

[compression]

This is it. The factory paint is still nice and shiny and it looks pretty good despite its age and the retro color.Most are saying keep it......If it doesnt show up, click the link.

[Altiman94]

thts pimpin. Keep it

[mattdesmond]

Dude. Keep the 510, that thing is badass. Believe me, you will regret it if you get rid of it.

[Bandit240]

Dont get rid of it. You a traitor to all the Datsun guys if you get rid of it.

[BB Turbo]

Yeah, don't get rid of it, that looks too sexy to get rid of.

[180fan]

yes, the 510 is a classic import. you sell it now, you'll regret selling it later...unless you've got more of them. lol

[Mr1der]

ooo

keep it keep it keep it.

if anything get the original period powerplant and do a nice NA build on it.

sell the SR or just get the 240 also.

510 is classic hotness, I'd love to have that car. I need money...

[ILikeMy240sx]

OMG!!! Why sell that beautiful car? Man that car looks sooo sweet!!

Just dont gas it too much unless u have to :-D

[SunshineAcid]

the cash youre going to sink into strawberryface.. man.if the datsun is too light, put a cage in it, take out the back seats, move the batt to the back. put in a new ac system, a radio, a small sub, some nice speakers, and an alarm system with a pager.and tint the windows =Pthat will put some weight in it, stiffen it up, and make it a VERY nice commute.

[Duckmeister]

That is a very very very nice car....

Keep it bro. Like everyone else said its rare to have a Datsun 510 in that good condition.

You probably should put some more weight on it though just enough for you to feel safe and for it to be fun.

[GlacierFreeze]

Dude keep that. Throw a cage in it, some wider rims with some beefy tires on it, and some suspension geared towards drag on it.

[Phax]

I can sympathize with your situation. I got rid of my last 510 because it seemed like so much work to get it to the 'comfortable' stage. Compared to your 510, mine was a complete piece of crap. Yours looks like it is in GREAT shape for being a 30+ year old car.

I bought an S13 and swapped in the SR20DET, because I wanted something comfortable as a daily driver. I miss my 510 though, in a major way, especially down here in California where I have to smog my S13, but wouldn't have to smog the 510.

I'm willing to bet that you could make the dime comfortable enough. They are really light cars, and I imagine that an SR20 at 16psi is pretty freakin scary. Have you done anything with the suspension? They have coilover setups, and you can get some good brakes on them. Toss in a roll cage, some fender flares so that you can widen the wheel base, and you will have a whole new vehicle in terms of handling.

In short, keep the 510. You will regret selling it, trust me. I do, every time I see one.

[compression]

OK, I will keep it.But I will keep my eyes open for an S14 with front end damage that I can rebuild, doesnt hurt to have two project cars I guess.thanks for the info and the compliments.yes, the suspension has been upgraded all around with springs, front coilovers, tokico illuminas, camber plates, etc.

Now I have to go buy some tubing to do the cage.....

[rey_boricua]

DAM!!!! If you were to sell i would fly to oregon in a heartbeat and take it off your hands. good decision on keeping it

[anumeric]

man Please dont sell that beautiful work of machinery!! a friend of mine came across this thread and was flipping out about it, now I can see why!! Good job!!

[ca18datsun510]

i know what your saying. but dont buy a 240. it hurts a lot 2 have 2 project cars. its like a freakin battle. which car gets what first. which one to take out on sunday......

[Mr1der]

that's why he needs a saturday car:D

[MainEvent212]

oh wow...that is beautiful...if you really wanna keep it and you say it has too much power...i'll trade you turbos i got a t25 for ya man!

[rey_boricua]

i know what your saying. but dont buy a 240. it hurts a lot 2 have 2 project cars. its like a freakin battle. which car gets what first. which one to take out on sunday......

i know what you mean, i am in that boat. i might sell my hatch so can finish building the ka in the altima.

[Bandit240]

only 2 project cars? wow try 5 of them. Ive got a Samurai im doing stuff to all the time then ive got a Datsun 210 that needs a carb rebuild and 620 needing god knows what. Also theres the 240Sx that needs a thermostat and fan clutch, oh and a 86 Hardbody that i want to fix.

[rey_boricua]

not including my wife's car is two. so if we include hers it's three. i was going to by a first gen rx-7 and work on the motor some and boost it but i have no room in my parking lot for a fourth car. if not that would of been my old school project. 5 is to many good luck with your projects

[Z_OMSIN]

licking my lips at that "nickel-dime'' piece. thats just beauty !

[nismo510]

oh my god!!! how could you ever consider selling that 510 I've got 2 now and there nothing like your and I cant dream of selling them.Keep the dime you'll regret it later.check out my 510's at cardomain.com it's under just getting started!!! KEEP THE DIME!!!!

[Doomed2Walk]

You should sell it... to me... D: Very nice car man, for real you should keep it around, it's not like a 240sx where if you sell it, you can find another one with relative ease.

[Spongebob]

Sell it cuz people want to buy it. Let others drive the OG car too.

[HashiriyaS14]

Do NOT: Sell that 510

Do: Get some Fender Mirrors and an external oil cooler.

Seriously though, that 510 is pimp-tacular.