Don't worry... you will get used to it! My initial reaction was that it was a step backwards, but after using the site a bit, it is faster, and has some excellent features - like the RSS feeds for the forum. I now have a link called Datsun 1200 Club in my bookmarks bar that reveals a list of the latest topics without having to come into the site... very cool.

I would be interested in an injected a14 (or a12 if there is such a beast!) and 5 speed depending on price. I'm in South Australia. More details needed as already mentioned!

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I'm with you Converted: the prices are a bit out there. I have made the same point about the a series 5 speeds before. I can get an e21 BMW dogleg 5 speed (mega rare 70's BMW motorsport box of which there were only 150 e21s that came out with them in Australia) for $1000 - $1200 and they come up on ebay about as regularly as the a series 5 speeds.

I presume you are talking an e36 m3? I'd like to see that one on the track with the Stig driving vs. a 1200 to see which one is better

I love my Datsuns too, but some of this stuff is crazy.

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lol... well I guess the extra 200kg is why they feel a lot more solidly built than the 1600s I've been in! One thing to remember with the BMW kerb weights is that they always quote them 'wet' as opposed to many manufacturer's 'dry' weights (not sure how nissan quotes theirs). So that is a 323i full of fluids (oil, coolant etc) and also with a full tank of fuel.

Still... the 1600 & BMW - either the 2002 (940kg and between 96hp & 140hp depending on model) or the e21 - are pretty similar. As a daily driver, the 3 series runs rings around the 1600 and is a lot cheaper to buy / not much more expensive to maintain.

The 1200 on the other hand with it's much lighter kerb weight / much better economy is a very different car.

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That's true... but mostly because BMW motorsport were too busy turning their new (1974) 3 series into this...




In any case... it speaks volumes that I am currently driving my 1200 coupe, while my '78 323i sits in the shed!! The 1200s economy is just too good, and it's just too much fun to drive (and no 1600s for me... the 323i kicks the crap outta that... just as light, 150hp stock, solid build quality - the 1600 is a billy cart by comparison).

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OUCH... yeah - I didn't email them for a price. I presume it's probably like a rolls royce (If you have to ask you can't afford it )

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Yeah - I have to agree here, I haven't seen a nice stock 1600 on the road in ages. I still see plenty of 1200s around (mostly utes). I love all datsuns, not just 1200s, but I must admit that if I was looking at buying a 1600 I would actually buy an old BMW!! You can get them for chicken feed and Datsun just copied the BMW 2002 with the 1600. The BMW 2.0L M10 engines are tough as nails, put out 125hp stock and can take a turbo with no dramas due to forged internals. The turbo 1.3L version of the M10 made 1500hp in F1... don't think the old L-series (as much as I love them!) can match that kind of track record!

No one tells you to put a CA / SR or rotary into your classic BMW

Hi all

there have been several discussions on good lightweight engines for conversions into 1200s lately. Browsing the net, I stumbled onto this one... One for the UK guys, or someone unafraid of importing elsewhere!!

Powertec RPA:
2.6 Litre, Standard tune
Maximum power 360bhp (plenum), 380bhp (8 butterfly)
Maximum torque 215ft lbs
Maximum revs 10,500rpm
Bore 81mm diameter
Stroke 63mm
Compression ratio 11.0:1

Dry weight of the motor is 88kg, so not much heavier than the A series. There are also 2.8L versions too.

More info here:

http://www.powertecracing.com/pdf_downloads/v8engine.pdf

They probably sound like an old Cosworth F1 v8!

Cheers
Luke

hi nate

where abouts in Adelaide are you?

I'd be interested in the sills and lower rear quarter panels if they aren't rusty

cheers
Luke

There's no way they can pass the blame if they rear ended you - it's an automatic 85 / 15 split.

Bad luck with the ute. I hope all the insurance stuff turns out ok!

I was rear ended a while ago in my wife's brand new car, and the other driver squeezed past me (I was in a turn left any time lane) and drove off - I got their plate and a real good look at the car, and reported it immediately to the cops. I am presuming it must have been a 'person of interest' to them (informant / mobster / under cover cop?), because they won't give us any information about the accident investigation, the initial cop who we reported it to got a real worried look on her face when she brought the vehicle up on the computer and said that she needed to speak to her superior. After speaking to her superior she wouldn't say anything else about it and we have had no information since.

A friend of ours who is a cop had a look at the file while at work and said that there's a problem with it, the detectives are looking into it and she can't tell us anything else. Nearly a year has now passed, so I presume that nothing is going to happen.

We obviously had insurance, so it's not that big a deal, except that we have lost our no claim bonus and are $500 out of pocket (for an accident that would have cost us nothing if the cops had 'found' the guy who hit us).