Has anyone done it?

I've seen the 302 pics, but the SBC is a bit wider. Just curious if it would fit without cutting the strut towers.

A small-block Chevy with block-hugging headers will fit between the strut towers, albeit a VERY tight fit. Keep in mind that even the smallest Chevy trans is pretty stocky for a 1200 trans tunnel.

Actually, with this swap everything is going to be a tight fit.

Yawn ... it's been done:



engine swaps

Small block Chevy engines are only good as boat anchors. My 455 cubic inch big block V8 weighs the same as a stock 350 Chevy engine and puts out double the power.

I guess it's splitting hairs, but does one actually put one of these V8's "in" a small Datsun, or does one build a new car using the Datsun Bodyshell & the V8 as some of the component parts.

None of the original driveline would be retained, so a new rear axle assembly would be needed & it would probably need narrowing to fit, next, the front end will require serious upgrading, & possibly total replacement, depending on the choice of engine & it,s location in the chassis. The structure [chassis etc.] would need major re-inforcment, & the decorative part of the body [the skin] looks like it will be compromised in order to get some sort of weight balance, particularly if running tall induction.
In order to benefit from the big horsepressure, tubbing looks to be one option to allow large tyres & this could also mean radiusing the rear wheel arches in some instances.

For competition use, i believe that some major re- engineering of the rear suspension would be in order, particularly rear coil sprung models. For street use, the chances of using original leaf springs looks pretty slim too.

The firewall mods would likely require a revised heater arangement, if staying street legal, along with whatever was needed to accomodate the new trans tunnel & i guess a full rollcage would be one way to stiffen up what really is a fairly flimsy body.
Lets face it, as the factory saw it, they really needed only to be strong enough to hold up under relatively normal driving loads with a 1200 engine.

After doing all that, has one really just put a V8 "in" a 1200? Compared to say, an A15, or CA18DE conversion.

Quote:
Forgot about that one...

Doesn't the builder frequent this board?

Maybe he could answer questions about the frame (obviously he has a cage around the entire car).

Yes, stirlingmac had a hand in building that car ... if you search the main forum you can find a detailed account. A very nice job, well done.

A Chevrolet small block nominally weighs 500 lbs. A Ford smail block (260/289/302) weighs 450 lbs. A Datsun 1200 weighs around 1650 lbs. Think about that.

i was thinking of doing alot of things 2 my datsun ute like puting a v8 into it or even a sr20det... but i thought about the powerout puts and weights and i decided 2 go ca18det and spend the more $$ on the motor 2 eventually achieve 400hp.. it has been done..
and will be done 25psi c16 feul through a Gt 450hp turbo.. i achieved 230hp on with less 10psi... tru its nothing like owning a v8 but i have driven plenty of v8's and do have a passion for the big block chrysler (440) as my dad had brought me up with hemi power.
but my point in this message is that if u are after the power there is many options 2 a v8.