i went ca18de and it was guttless , go somthing with a turbo imo sr20det is the only choice

Yes maybe a very good option

I did go for the A14 powered coupe cause I loved the sound they can make with webers, but after driving it around a bit, adding webers etc isn't going to be enough for me.

I was going to buy the blue CA18det coupe on carsales thats been for sale for ever, but got hooked on youtube clips of Tomei A13's.

It's kinda why I don't want to go CA as I could have bought one done, doh!!!

Pigdogs setup is what Id aim for, no pollution gear and all the main things
required already done. The L series is stronger than any modern engine and
easier to find parts for. An option I didnt see coming!
With all the work its had done Im sure if you wanted more it will only
need a cam change and some tuning to suit.

Also what really is a good fun amount of power in a 1200 coupe without wrestling to keep the thing straight and swapping lanes on it's own?

I'm guessing 130-160rwhp? Am I too low? I'd hate to start a conversion and find out it's lacking in power later

pm sent PIGDOG

would the qr25de be engineerable in NSW?

I thought a 2.2L is the biggest n/a motor you could pass in a 1200

I did a quick search on the qr25, I don't reckon they'll a cheap purchase like a SR or CA.

Nice concept for sure but I don't have enough cash to be a pioneer

if you are happy with 130rwhp and want torque, ive got an L18 and full L series to 1200 setup that would suit you

was dyno'd at 94rwkw/126rwhp a while ago and was built for torque more than power, then i went for a CA as i had one lying around
oh and you think a sr20 sounds cool, L18 with twin 45s on full song...well its something else

The 12a is the cheapest with an extend port done right for 150-180hp.
Just need to look at The Moff :) (Alan Moffat).

An NA SR is real expensive to make HP from or to buy the Neo spec one
and convert to RWD. The Ca18det is magic but maybe Im bias here.

A close second to the 12a is the Qr25de with factory ars.e slashing torque
They are cheap to buy and with a few mods you can make 200+hp or get the 2007
spec V with 200hp from factory.

The 200hp and 180lbs is hard to beat for the street in a light datsun
and even the subaru ej25 can only make 166lbs of torque, less hp and worse redline even though it has better rod stroke ratio.

A friend of mine has an Xtrail 2005 model and its beautiful to drive on the freeway.
It overtakes with a sinch and also in traffic it records good economy.
With LPG it will give you all you need, power economy and lightweight as its 20% lighter
than most nissan 4 cylinder 2 litre engines.

On straight LPG you pee off all the wiring and hoses and just run a megajolt jnr lite.
If you get an earlier qr25de you just need to change the rods to Mitsubishi ones and
reduce their width a tad, remove balance shaft unit and get some Jim Wolf pipes or
someone to make them.

Look up some jim wolf articles on the qr25de it will really surprise.

13b with the gilmore drive... you know that sound i mean...

Cheers for the replies

Doesn't make it easier but!

Woody, thats pretty much what I want, just a good fun car that pulls well and isn't a lag / boost monster.


Though, I can see the point about a CA18 with a responsive turbo

There all probably similar in conversion cost from rough calculations

I think the 12Aep won't have enough grunt for me sadly,

the SR20de vvt should make with extractors, cold air intake around 120-130rwhp?

Yeah I don't want to go spending $5000 on the A series and be dissapointed, don't really want to ring it's neck to go fast