I have a 1974 model Datsun ute with an a12 standard which is about to #### its self. I have looked at many motors and was thinking about rebuilding an a15 boring it out and putting a turbo on but there is to many motors to chose from what is the cheapest way to get the best result. I would need my car to drive to tafe and around town so yeah. any help and advice would be appreciated thanks fellas. And chicks.

everyone will tell you to go big and nasty, which is all well and good if you have time and money.
i opted for the A15 as it was affordable and relatively easy. on the 74 you will need to make x member changes (fabrication is the easiest way) and a few other little bits that you will easily overcome along the way. If i had have known about the x members, it would have been a 10 hr job with a mig welder and grinder. If you want more details, let me know...
oh, i got a real clean A15 for $700. with new starter motor, fan belt, electric thermo fan, webber, paint and no labour charge (did it with a mate) i came in under $1000

I would love some more help on were to get parts and an a15 motor. I also would like a 5 speed reconditioned. I'm great mates with a friend who is a fully qualified mechanic who is gunna help me do a motor up. so there will be no labour costs maybe a slab of beer. lol. Do you know any where i can get a front spoiler for me ute??? Hope to here from ya. Thanks 4 the advise so far.
liferider wrote:
everyone will tell you to go big and nasty, which is all well and good if you have time and money.
i opted for the A15 as it was affordable and relatively easy. on the 74 you will need to make x member changes (fabrication is the easiest way) and a few other little bits that you will easily overcome along the way. If i had have known about the x members, it would have been a 10 hr job with a mig welder and grinder. If you want more details, let me know...
oh, i got a real clean A15 for $700. with new starter motor, fan belt, electric thermo fan, webber, paint and no labour charge (did it with a mate) i came in under $1000

Hound,

I am doing an A15 conversion on my 1971 Ute. It is not expensive but there are other costs like brakes. You can put what you like in it but you have to be able to stop it. The early model utes such as yours have drum brakes all round as standard. You will probably need a front end strut conversion with disk brakes (Stanza is popular), to make it all legal. You are probably looking at another $1000 to do it properly.

daz

My a15 conversion all starts 2morrow. The a15 is on the back of the ute right this minute waitin 2 head 2 the shop in the morning. So far i have spent $850 on everything: A15 with extractors, 30 70 cam, twin su's and a 32/36 weber, a15 redone radiator and thermo fan!!!. It shouldnt cost much more!!!. Lucky enough 4 me, my ute is a 1981 so i dont need 2 worry about the X member and i was given a pair of stanza struts so there already in there as well. They should stop me(i hope). Im gettin a bit excited!!!!. I just hope everythin goes smooth!!!! Be wishin me luck!!!

stanza struts and brakes will stop you quit well. i have them in my 73 sedan and it stops on the corner of a five cent piece and thats without a booster. about the only trouble i have is that i have to keep adjusting those damn back bastards, so if you can nick a pair of stanza back drums and backing plates and all the other nic nacs then you should have no probs. stanza drums are only slightly larger in diametre but they are wider thus increasing braking ability.

Can you fellas tell me where i can get a 5 speed gearbox, a15 motor in good nic and the extras (extractors webbers cam etc.) to do up. The a12 gujin pin is rattling real bad it uses more oil than fuel. lol. The mountes and x members wont be a prob, niether the labour costs. Thanks for the help so far very appreciated.