Quote:


"When I spoke to Mike last month he said he still had some."

Thanks for the info Dave, I will be ordering some.

Quote:


"Don't think Klotz has any brackets left and I doubt if he will make another run..it hard to convince 1200 guys that something so simple works!"

He still lists them on his site. It sounds like the way you did it is the best for the average person wanting to have more stopping power on their Sunny 1200.
If well though out, something that is simple will trump some complicated far out idea.

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"Is there a reason why you want or need the dust sheild?? Granted it's a race car but I run without them, but the wheels get washed off after most events."

My car will be an everyday driver when finished. In everyday driving one doesn't know what they may encounter in various driving conditions. There is a reason why the factory uses them. Some race cars and certain street cars have actually modified the dust shield with ducting to cool the brakes.

Thanks Tom


Quote:

"Do a search DDgonzal did a post on an easy brake upgrade, check it out as this may be a simplier option."

This is the one that I wanted, as it keeps the stock small struts,and requires no welding. It can't get any simpler than this:

http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawi ... title=280ZX_Brake_Upgrade

My only concern was the availablity of a dust shield or having to fabricate one.

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"First, I find calling this front disc upgrade 280zx confusing."

Not confusing at all. One is the 280ZX front strut conversion, which includes the front ventilated stock brakes assembly and keeps the track narrow. The other is just upgrading the small 8" rotors using the 280Z rear non-ventilated rotors to give about 2" more brake diameter, and increasing track slightly.

I am considering going to the 280ZX front brake upgrade on my coupe because I want to keep my stock strut assembly. Has anyone here done the conversion? I need some real world feedback as to the improvement that the conversion brings.
I noticed that there is no mention of a dust cover being used. Is there an existing dust cover that could be used, or would I have to fabricate one?

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"Do want"

I really like dat383's car and the way it is constructed. Definitely a Do want!!!

Quote:

"In California you can put a small black chevy in a 1981 starlet. As long you have all the emission controls and meet the emission levels of the newer unit.

But Australia states will not allow it at all. For "safety" reasons, rather than emission reasons. California is the land of its own car market for emission regulations."


I was speaking mainly of the smog exempt aspect in California, 1975 and earlier. Actually I agree with Australia with the safety regs, as some of the conversions that I have seen in California are really jury rigged and not safe. I have been doing engine conversions since 1966, and had a shop from 1972-1980 until they went to the bi-annual smog here. Unless a person really "has" to have a V8, knock yourself out, but hot 4 bangers are really the way to go in the Sunny 1200.

Whatever engine a person wants to put in their car is their own choice and they have to live with it. When it comes to the lttle 1200, it doesn't take much to get them down the road, and a healthy lightweight four is the best route to go.
If you want to do a V8, the Ford is the most narrow, and it's torque will lug you around pretty reliably. It is what you want to do---it's your money.

Putting a large engine in a featherweight like the datto 1200 will change the character of the car. In a purpose built car like dat383 has done (a very well put together car in my opinion), they will do well. A nice lightweight four, or V6 where a lot of cutting doesn't have to be done will put out plenty of power, and be easier to live with.