The good thing about the 1200 is that there is so many options for motors, and all these motors give you so many options for each persons different wants and needs.

For realiabilty and plenty of fun I would always choose the Aseries. All the Aseries are light motors, easy to swap, heaps of parts, cheap parts compared to new motors, reliable, plenty of power when modded etc.... there are heaps of options like turbo'ing, EFI, S/C or good hard N/A power.

The CA18det/Ca18de are a great option as well, plenty of power stock and heaps when Modded. A conversion can Cost $$$ and Modding them can cost more $$$$. But huge power results and not much cars on the road can get a Cadet 1200. To get Bang for your buck power results a stock Cadet with some driveline upgrades is proably the best option (in my opinion )

There are lots other great options like Lseries, Rota, Sr20det/de and some toyota motors etc.

I think its personal perference. There is so many motor options with different results for all diferent sistuations in our awsome 1200s from street/rally/track/drag/ to weekend hooner.

You gotta decide what you want for your 1200? power? handling, striaght line? etc

The reason I choose my Aseries/setup because i wanted decent fuel econmy, didnt want to spend $1000'sss on a motor/upgrade, good all round handling, enough power to have plenty of fun and to be able to have the realiablity to drive it everyday and direct swap with out spending $$$ on other uprgrades (diff, boxes etc).

My next motor I think will Be a L20b out to 2.4L, with all the works etc etc etc. Because i want to do something different, I also wont be a UNI BUM when i do it(different life sistuation) and because i love OLDSKOOL POWER.

MY 2cents I guess...some people mite not agree, but its my story and Im sticking with it

P.S Dont rush into something that you dont really think you want with little funds. Best to make a decsion on exactly what you want and save $$$$ to that project, even if it takes awhile.

Reeves
Perhaps you should re-read my summation about 12 posts before yours.

The "fun quotent" is, as i said, somewhat subjective. L18_B110, & some others would have a good idea as he /they have driven both of these combinations, while others who make flat statements [of fact?] about it, while never having legally driven either, have opinions that cary somewhat less weight.
Remember, my earlier comment revolved entirely around the arbitary statement that one combination was "more fun" All I said was that i did not necessarily agree. Re-read my comment.
This has nothing to do with wether or not it is the best combination within a specific budget or other criteria.

For what it's worth, i have a 200b with it's L20b engine. I had to build this engine from a pile of parts from several engines, so i DO drive an "L" series, & i DO feel the power every time i drive it.
Do you?

The reason why i started this thread is to get a good idea where i should take my datsun. i have given my self a budget of $4,500. im leanging towards on staying with the A series, but the L18 seems to be somethin i could go to.

You should be able to get exceptional street power in the A15, as long as you set yourself up right.


But in all goes, what your theroy on an A15/L18 with $4,500 going on what extras needed..... diff/g/box etc

Chris........ I'm sorry mate but I have to agree with Reeves and the little 14 year old.

As I once own a B310 with a L18 in it, with some twicks. It was fast(194 kph) and fun, but I still dont like them as they just look funny, sound funny and was a very big pain in the a$$ to work on. I just had a bad run with the car as at the time I knew nothing about Datsuns, motors and just cars in general, but in saying that there is no way in hell I would go to an L series now.




I am going to stick to the A series for a couple of reasons.....1 Monty is cert'ed to run the mod'ed motor and gear box......2 I have the A series EFI. With this set up and a SC I should be happy for a while. Then it will all come out and I'll go for the CA, SR or something else??

Once again my 0.02.

Quote:

Thats the problem Dodgeman. Drive a L series, work on one, feel the power,

I would agree with Woodydat, that the L Series are great fun.
These motors are proabaly the best motors ever mnftd by Datsun/nissan, when it comes to strenght, reliability.

No no i havent. but in my point of view an A series would be great fun, but an L would take the cake.
now i dont care if you's disagree but thats my opinion. every one is entitled to there opinion.

Quote:Not as much fun?
Well,.... i don't know about that. It's all subjective & i think there would be a fair number that wouldn't necessarily agree with you, including me.
But then, i've never owned or driven an "L" series powered Datsun 1200.
Have you?

Isori
I wonder if you should think about taking a little holliday & driving south for the summer. There must be a number of places in the three east coast Capitols that could provide you with what you need, like a tweaked A14 or so, at a much more competitive price. Then you could enjoy the new found performance on the way home, & that would make it a real holliday.

See the problem that I have in North Queensland here is that most people are charging similar amounts to get A series motors as they are for CA style motors... I mean, $1250 to rebuild my stock standard A12, no performance mods or anything, just a basic rebuild (And they said the would need to 'research' the A series engine cause non of them knew anything about it). And around $1500 for an A15 motor non rebuilt with no warranty.. Where as they quote me $1800 to get a complete Silvia front cut...

It doesnt leave me with many options, my current A12 is on the way out and I need to get something done within the next 2 or so months... And any parts through the internet need to be frieghted, and my level of mechanical skill is minimal. I had these exact same problems with my R31 skyline..

Freak, that was my 2 cents and i speak from what i have read, and facts that friends have told me. ( dazza)
I dont make bullshit up ot make the L series look better than what it is.
Any one with half a brain knows that a CA conversion costs an arm and a leg plus a few fingers and an eye.
L series is much cheaper.
but A series is cheeper again. but not as much fun.

Woody you speak as if you have already done this conversion although everyone knows you havent. I am not doubting that the L series cant be done cheaply but that is parts wise. Unless you can fabricate everything necessary or have mates that can do it for practically nothing it wont be all that cheap when compared to just working the A series.