Japanese V8s are too big, Fords and Chevys are much narrower.

As much as I love the sound of a V8, who needs one? A 1200 with a KA or SR will beat most muscle cars. V8 not needed.

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.

I was having a good think over lunch and i think more the thing that stands out on these sorts of builds is when you take an absolute classic like for example a 66 Nova or the holden HQ monaro.

And you see someone putting a forced induction setup onto a Japanese engine into one of these cars, when you can look for old japanese or european car instead. They have a certain finesse to match the engine.

Instead of leaving the car in that original pristine state in which these older car's need.

But in saying that we have everyone here completing Datsun build's from the 1970's with SR20's, CA18's and FJ engines but still in my mind it has that certain finesse to the car, as a Japanese Build.

At the end of the day tho as CGS1948 stated
Quote:

And that really is the main thing for the car enthusiast you build the car in the way you want it to be. Without the customization of the car industry their would be nothing but stock car's rolling around.

As we all know, The development of the Datsun is the journey and nothing brings more joy and satisfaction. The Datsun world as a whole is a better place because of those whose effort, time, and dedication save these cars along the way.

Quote:Except in Australia where the government tells you what is allowed ...

The lucky country?
I have an A31 Cefiro roller parked up, that I'm very seriously considering dropping a SBM into. Car owes me almost nothing. Engine (rebuilt with XE274 cam, LD4B inlet, oversized valves and home porting) will probably come in at under $1500. I got a non hicas rear subframe, a locked up R200, and a brand new pair of slicks. I rteckon for a total outlay of around $3k (Give or take) it should cut 13's.

Also, I've seen a late 60's dodge dart running a 4g63T that was cutting low 10's or high 9's. Thats pretty impressive. I saw if it's fast, build it!
I'll just have to see how I'm feeling once I finish bolting the engine togther, as to whether or not I go through with it.

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.

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.

I will never agree with the government telling me I can't fit a hot 4 cylinder in my sunny 1200. Yet that's what most states in Aus do. They won't allow a SR20DET in a 1200. They won't allow a KA24DE non-turbo. Even if done safely, it's against their rules.

But I do agree with the emission requirements of California. It makes sense, and it doesn't prevent engine swaps.

australia is #OOPS#ed! i understand the need for safety but the rules change so often its bullshit wont say anymore i get to wound up lol

i think old school v8's should stay v8 whether it be a newer model engine or whatever, why would you bother going back to a 6cyl. only time i'd convert old school muscle to a jap 6 is if it already had a 6 in it. as for sticking the v8's in jap cars im not really much of a fan, i dont think there's really any need for it unless it a race car

edit - i agree with dd i think the government gets off taking our freedoms away bunch of wankers

Do want










Datsun 1200 is sort of a miniature Muscle Car