no I sold the coupe in march. Still miss that car. I just had a brain-storm... how about the ford type 9 box (from the cozy) theyre small(ish) and come from behind a 2ltr.

You are going to be VERY hard pressed to do this swap without cutting anything on the car. If you want it to be reversible and the car is originally a Manual Transmission body, I would go so far as saying it's impossible to get away with because the tunnel is way too small. If the car is worth so much to you to be reversible and not touch any sheetmetal, then maybe you should rethink your engine swap options. If you stay Naturally Aspirated with an SR it will make things easier because there won't be any room for an intercooler and radiator if you aren't willing to cut the radiator support. Maybe a CA18DET would be a better option even... Andrew (ca18detman)with the white CA powered Coupe conjured up a better fitting/smaller tranny for his coupe initially. I don't mean to sound negative or say it can't be done, but it will be REALLY REALLY hard to install an SR20DET into a 1200 without cutting or modifying something on the car. I'm just saying if the car is that valuable to you maybe you shouldn't do this particular swap. Good luck, wish I could offer more help, but I don't know much about Nissan's interchangeability with transmissions as there weren't very many newer RWD Nissans in the US.

-Andy

the sr is non turbo so there are no turbos and intercoolers etc to deal with. I dont mind cutting the radiator mounts and battery tray but I dont want to chop up the floor. I dont think the engine will be hard but its the box Im worried about.

The manual tunnel is a reasonably snug fit around the small 56A series trans in order to maximise the floor area. If you want originality, then the only other real option is to surgicaly transplant a 1200 auto tunnel in there. Even then, i could not guarantee that it would be big enough.

Like AFRacer, I am beginning to think that a CA18DE[T] may be a better choice in this instance.

I dont see what the big deal is? its just a Transmission tunnel. It is going to make life easier with a bigger tran's tunnel, i understand your hacking the datto up. But really its not going to hurt its value, even if you put the Aseries back in the future. Unless you think of selling it and find a buyer that is looking for a completely stock un-touched 1200. (which is very rare)

Just go for it.... I think its worse when people chop the front of the 1200s up. And when people just use 1200's as power to wieght cars (for street use) and not for what kind of car they are. Just sumthing that can beat anything cause its so light and easily chopped up for any motor under the sun

Cheers good luck

good call, i hate seeing ppl chop up 1200's and whacking in 13b's just coz the car is light, cut up a mazda for all i care. back to the point i reckon u wont get the sr20 gearbox into the stock tunnel. i dont see the problem cutting out the old trans tunnel, u can make it stronger than stock, make more room for urself, and maybe get rid of some rust that may be hiding under the car. if ur worried about not getting a good price for it when u sell, think of how many ppl would love to find a 1200 that has already had a massive tunnel put in, i know i would..... my 2 cents

What's the big deal with cutting the floor? Well, this is like one of three cars in NZ. I think due to its rarity likely future buyers will want an uncut body ...



Quinn's 2-dr Sedan

That being said, if the original welds were undone, and a genuine factory auto tunnel were welded in using the factory method ... I think it wouldn't hurt the value.

Quote: Thats what i meant by "surgicaly transplant an auto tunnel"

When hacking up rare models of any car, try to think further ahead than this afternoon. Rare cars in good condition will appreciate over time & it's body condition that drives the price. Mechanical problems are only a small part of the overall sale price. Lets face it, a blown up, or even a missing engine can be repaired or replaced much more easily than a hacked up body of which only a very small number exist.
In future years it's the rare ones that restorers want, & will be willing to PAY for.

Respect your Datsun. Treat it well.

I'm pretty sure there are more than three of them in NZ. Ive seen at least one, and have known of others.

Quote:

1. Fit the engine? Not even close. Fit the car? Some of the 4spds will. A 5spd will require some serious beating on the sheet metal, or swapping in an auto tunnel.

2. Doubtful. I've seen them break with less than 200hp applied (although it was applied vigorously ).